Once the mansion had risen high into the sky, Kawaki Aoba gently descended from above.
"I originally planned to set up base on a deserted island offshore, but considering everyone's living arrangements, I've decided to settle here instead. It's just a shame the area might be a bit small. You guys don't mind, do you?"
Everyone shook their heads in response to Kawaki Aoba's inquiry.
"Good. Then I'll assign the next tasks. They're actually quite simple."
He gestured toward the bound and exhausted Four-Tails Jinchūriki, Rōshi, host of Son Gokū.
"Keep a close watch on him. Periodically extract and store his chakra. I'll come by every few days to collect it."
After Kawaki Aoba finished speaking, there was a long silence before Suigetsu Hōzuki cautiously asked, "Leader, is that all?"
Kawaki Aoba smiled and nodded. "Yes, that's all. It may seem simple, but this task is crucial. For the sake of stability and peace in the shinobi world, we absolutely cannot allow the Tailed Beasts to fall into Uchiha Madara's hands."
Even as he spoke, Kawaki Aoba inwardly apologized to Madara.
I can't tell them the truth. Not in this lifetime. So, for now, Madara will have to take the blame.
However, judging by the looks on everyone's faces, not many believed him.
In fact, he seemed more like the villain than Uchiha Madara himself.
What a bunch of ignorant fools, Kawaki Aoba thought, shaking his head as he prepared to leave. But just as he turned away, something crossed his mind. He turned back to the group and added:
"Oh right—one more thing. We've been together for a while now. It's time we had a proper name. What do you think of 'Nether Organization'? Or perhaps 'Netherworld'?"
Giving the organization a name—now that was something a true power player in the shinobi world would do.
"Nether Organization… Netherworld…" Jūzō Biwa muttered, repeating the names as his eyes lit up.
Most of them were resurrected dead men anyway, so Nether Organization seemed fitting. It carried a certain weight and intimidation. It sounded good.
The other two members of the so-called Auspicious Trio seemed to agree. The Third Raikage, A, remained indifferent. Having been reanimated, he no longer cared for titles.
As for Might Duy, there was no need to ask.
And so, the secret organization founded by Kawaki Aoba outside the jurisdiction of any hidden village finally had a name.
"Now that we've got a name, Jūzō Biwa—I've got another job for you. When you get the chance, find a master craftsman to design our uniforms. We should standardize our appearance."
Yes, Kawaki Aoba was openly modeling this after the infamous Akatsuki.
---
[MISSION REPORTS - CLASSIFIED INTEL]
The Fire Daimyō issued an S-rank mission to Konohagakure: assassinate Smoker, leader of the Nether Organization. Reward: 120 million ryō.
The Wind Daimyō issued an S-rank mission to Sunagakure: assassinate Smoker. Reward: 120 million ryō.
The Lightning Daimyō issued an S-rank mission to Kumogakure: assassinate Smoker. Reward: 120 million ryō.
The Earth Daimyō issued an S-rank mission to Iwagakure: assassinate Smoker. Reward: 120 million ryō.
The Water Daimyō issued an S-rank mission to Kirigakure: assassinate Smoker. Reward: 120 million ryō.
The Underground Black Market placed a bounty on Smoker's head: Total reward—1,378,000,000 ryō.
---
Smoker, leader of the Nether Organization, had launched a daring raid on Iwagakure, abducting the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki, Rōshi. He later attacked nobles in Kusagakure, seizing their estate and slaughtering its residents.
The first attack showcased the lawlessness of the Nether Organization, alarming all five great villages.
The second crossed a sacred line: attacking nobles. Such actions were forbidden unless the Daimyō personally stripped them of their status. Otherwise, any ninja who harmed a noble had to be eliminated—no exceptions.
This precedent could never be allowed to stand.
---
Back in Konoha, Asuma Sarutobi had just escorted a final group of nobles from the Land of Fire to safety. On his return, he ran into Kawaki Aoba.
"Long time no see, Asuma. You must be the busiest guy in the village these days," Kawaki Aoba said with a faint smile.
Asuma sighed and shrugged. "You're not wrong. My old man's been making me handle all the nobles from the Fire Capital. It's been driving me up the wall.
But thankfully, that was the last group. Honestly, it's all because of that Nether Organization. Attacking nobles? The entire shinobi world's out for their blood now."
Kawaki Aoba nodded calmly. "I've heard… I also heard the Hokage was pressured by the Daimyō to hand someone over."
Asuma's expression darkened. "Yeah, the Fire Daimyō named Might Guy. They claim his father, Might Duy, defected and joined the Nether Organization.
The old man managed to suppress the incident for now, but the pressure from the Fire Capital hasn't let up.
He already submitted a list of candidates for the next Hokage. The Daimyō approved it almost instantly. Once the jōnin vote concludes, the next Hokage will be confirmed."
Kawaki Aoba frowned slightly. He had approached Asuma to confirm whether Hiruzen Sarutobi intended to hand Guy over.
Now that he knew the answer was no, he was relieved.
It was a poor move by Hiruzen, sending Might Duy to me, Aoba thought. But who could've guessed the man had such blatant disregard for noble authority?
Still, something else in Asuma's words caught his attention.
Did the Hokage really submit the candidate list to the Daimyō first? That's not how it's supposed to work.
Under normal procedures, the jōnin vote should happen first. Only then should the Daimyō officially appoint the new Hokage.
When Kawaki Aoba questioned him, Asuma began to explain but hesitated—then seemed to understand.
"It's because of the nobles being attacked," he said slowly. "The Daimyō's trust in Konoha has been shaken. So, this time… they wanted to see the list before anything else."
The Daimyō even personally sent a letter questioning him. My old man also said that he's been in the position of Hokage for long enough—it's time to step down.
Otherwise, something bad might happen to Konoha and the Land of Fire.
And as for what that "bad thing" is? Kawaki Aoba already knew the answer.
In that sense, everything made sense.
What he didn't expect was that what began as a casual test would cause such a strong reaction from the nobles—strong enough to implicate even the Hokage himself.
It's likely not just Hiruzen Sarutobi. The other Kage across the Five Great Nations probably haven't been feeling at ease lately either.
In the near future, the five major ninja villages are bound to descend into chaos.
That's not a bad thing, actually—if they're all too busy, they won't have time to interfere with his own plans.
After all, a quiet enemy is a good enemy.
Well… except for himself.
Though he didn't want to cause trouble either, some things simply had to be done.
After saying goodbye to Asuma, Kawaki Aoba planned to head home—but unexpectedly, he ran into a familiar face along the way.
Kakashi Hatake.
He had just returned from a mission outside the village. His clothes were torn in several places, stained with blood, and he carried a suffocatingly heavy aura. The negativity around him was palpable—so much so that pedestrians gave him a wide berth.
Seeing him like that, Aoba wisely chose not to disturb him. If nothing went wrong, Kakashi was likely on his way to see his teammates—Rin Nohara and Obito Uchiha.
But the outcome was already clear.
Obito and Rin… both had fallen into Madara Uchiha's hands. Their fates were no longer theirs.
Kawaki Aoba extended his sensory perception across the shinobi world, easily picking up the dense, oppressive chakra of Madara Uchiha.
Unsurprisingly, there were no other living chakra signatures near him. Madara was taking precautions.
Kawaki's guess was correct—Madara was deliberately hiding his position from him.
Ever since their last encounter, Madara had grown wary of Kawaki Aoba. He had realized something was off—especially when Aoba intercepted the Mizukage, a move Madara had told no one about.
With such acts, coupled with a mysterious feeling of being watched, Madara became convinced: Kawaki Aoba had some kind of tracking ability.
Although the exact nature of that ability remained unknown, Madara had his countermeasures.
If Aoba could track him, then Madara would guard the Gedo Statue personally. If something needed doing, he would send out a Wood Clone.
With his power, even a Wood Clone was enough to rival a standard Kage-level ninja.
"I wonder if that kid can awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan," Madara mused in his cavern hideout, deep in the mountains. "If he can, he'll be useful. If not, it doesn't matter—there's still Nagato. Training him will suffice."
It was clear: Madara was ready to act directly. He would teach Nagato himself—a move that diverged dramatically from the original course of fate.
But compared to the other disruptions Kawaki Aoba had already caused, this was minor.
---
"Have you heard? They're holding a public vote among the Jōnin today—to elect the Fourth Hokage!"
"Of course! Who in Konoha doesn't know by now?"
"Right? And guess what—I even know who's running!"
"It's gotta be Lord Yellow Flash, right?"
"Of course! Lord Minato is a hero of the war. Konoha will be safe under his leadership. If he doesn't run, I'm raising a protest myself!"
That morning, Kawaki Aoba walked through the streets of Konoha, hearing enthusiastic chatter from all directions.
Today's topic was singular: the Fourth Hokage Election, decided by a vote among the Jōnin.
Kawaki Aoba was now a Jōnin himself—but ironically, he had no right to vote. Why?
Because he was one of the candidates.
That's right—Kawaki Aoba had been nominated as a candidate for Fourth Hokage. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had personally sent word to him a few days earlier.
Aoba eventually arrived at the Yūhi residence, where Kurenai and her father, Yūhi Shinku, were waiting at the gate.
"Honestly, Aoba, why are you only getting here now?" Kurenai huffed. "Look at this outfit I picked for you. Today's important—you can't dress like you normally do."
She held up a neatly folded formal jōnin robe, proudly presenting it.
"This set took her days to put together," Shinku added, sounding slightly exasperated. "Even her own father doesn't get that kind of treatment."
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