Chapter 4
One month later into their mission and they were enraged.
They had found Kushina’s son. The boy had been named Naruto and the entire village treated the four-year-old little boy like he was a monster. They had seen him one day and witnessed shopkeepers shouting at him. Passersby spitting at him and calling him names.
Nagato was furious. At one point, he told Yahiko and Konan that Naruto’s life wasn’t much better than theirs at the same age other than for the fact that Naruto had shelter.
They all agreed that they would be taking the little blond boy when they left but their primary mission was more important.
They combined Nagato’s fuinjutsu with Konan’s origami and they had discovered that Shimura was behind the destruction of Uzushio. They also learned that he was behind the deaths of many Konoha shinobi. Some of whom would have been considered to be a Hokage candidate.
“He’s fucking ancient. He’s older than Sarutobi and Shimura wants the job?!” hissed Yahiko.
“I have a feeling that this is something that goes back to their sensei.” Replied Nagato.
“Resentment of Tobirama picking Sarutobi or whatever it is that motivates Shimura, I don’t care. He must be stopped.” Said Konan. She was looking through messages they had received from various people in Konoha while Nagato and Yahiko were going through the intelligence they had gathered.
“I can’t believe he’s planning the destruction of the entire Uchiha Clan.” Yahiko shook his head. “How does he think he’ll get away with it?”
“Willful ignorance. And he’s trusted.” Responded Nagato. “I’ve finished the seal that we can use to kill him. It will be a painless death.”
“Kinder than what he deserves.” Muttered Yahiko.
“I know. But we have to get close to him to be able to do it.” Nagato looked at Konan. “I’ll need some of your origami. I want several to try and give us an advantage when the opportunity comes.”
“Will the seal be discovered?” she asked.
“No. I’ve designed it to dissolve itself after it stops his heart. Not even a mednin would notice.”
Konan handed over a sheaf of paper. “Get started because Shimura wants to meet with us.”
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They were ushered into the spartan office. No papers on the ornate wooden desk. No books or scrolls on bookshelves. No bookshelves lining the walls for that matter. Not even a painting marred the plain walls.
Nagato looked at the elderly man behind the desk. He could feel the seals that were in the bandages that covered the Konoha elder. Clearly the old man was hiding something but there was no way for the Uzushio shinobi to find out, short of attacking him.
Shimura gestured for them to sit down in the plain, straight-backed chairs in front of his desk. As they sat, Konan made a small show of being sure not to wrinkle her kimono.
No one saw the beetles that fell from her sleeves and scuttled away.
Shimura gazed at the trio then spoke. “I understand that you are here from Whirlpool.”
“Yes, sir.” Answered Nagato.
“Are you from Uzushio?”
Nagato blinked in surprise. “Uzushio? Uzushio hasn’t existed since before I was born.” He didn’t move as the tiny origami spiders crawled down his leg and onto the floor.
“So, there is no one living there?”
Yahiko spoke up. “No one wants to live there. Not with all the vengeful ghosts screaming for the blood and bone of the one that betrayed them.” His tone was easygoing. Ants marched their way from his leg to the floor.
A sneer floated briefly across Shimura’s face. “Sounds like a tale told around the fire to scare children.”
Konan gave a delicate laugh. “It is. That’s how our uncle would tell us stories of Uzushio.”
“He’s from Uzushio?”
“No, he was born and bred in Mugi, the same as we were.” Replied Nagato.
Shimura grunted. His dissatisfaction was clear, but he changed the subject. “So, will your Clan start trading here?”
Nagato answered back. “We’re almost finished with our analysis of the profitability of trading with Konoha. We’ll draft our report and send it to our elders and wait their decision.” He smiled. “I believe it will be approved.”
“I see. Excellent.” Shimura tapped a finger on the desk. “Well, thank you for your time but I have another appointment.”
“Thank you, sir.” Nagato rose, Yahiko and Konan standing with him. The trio respectfully bowed to Shimura and left the room.
They remained silent until they were far away from the building that housed Shimura’s office.
“Well?” asked Yahiko.
Konan smiled. “All three groups were able to attach the seal to Shimura.”
Nagato return smile was grim. “Hopefully his death will cause chaos. Because we need to get Naruto and go home.”