Chapter 12: An Unexpected Ambush
In a remote valley of the Land of Rain, Hanzō the Salamander sat face-to-face with Yahiko, the leader of the Akatsuki. The atmosphere between them appeared harmonious and cordial.
"I've been observing your Akatsuki ever since you began your activities near Amegakure," Hanzō said sincerely, a look of approval in his eyes. "I truly admire your ideals, which is why I agreed to meet you here today." He looked at Yahiko and his companions with the kind of gaze a senior might give to promising youths.
Upon hearing Hanzō's words, Yahiko beamed with joy. "With the support of someone as esteemed as you—known as a 'Demi-God'—we feel even more confident about spreading our ideals of peace across the shinobi world. The constant wars have taken too many lives. If conflicts between nations can be resolved through peaceful negotiations, we can prevent so much suffering."
Hanzō laughed heartily, as though deeply moved by Yahiko's vision. But only Hanzō knew the truth behind his laughter—it was not recognition, but scorn for their naïveté.
"Such childish dreams… But it's that very naivety that has given me a chance to seize the Rinnegan," he thought to himself coldly.
While Yahiko continued speaking passionately, Hanzō maintained a patient facade, nodding thoughtfully as though considering every detail of Yahiko's proposal—while inwardly calculating the perfect moment to strike.
"What do you think of our plan, Lord Hanzō?" Yahiko asked, his eyes filled with hope. "If we follow this path, we can bring lasting peace to the shinobi world."
"Excellent. Truly admirable. The future of the shinobi world lies in the hands of dedicated young people like you." Hanzō smiled kindly, but deep in his gaze was a flicker of contempt. To him, these Akatsuki ninja were fledglings—completely unaware of the brutality of the ninja world and the true nature of being a shinobi.
"That's wonderful!" Yahiko turned excitedly to look at Nagato and Konan, both of whom returned his hopeful glance.
"Now's the time!" A flash of cruelty crossed Hanzō's eyes. At the very moment the trio exchanged looks, he subtly gestured with his hand—a signal to begin the operation.
Suddenly, a supposed Akatsuki member behind Konan lunged at her. Yahiko and Nagato barely had time to react before two other "Akatsuki" members attacked them as well, preventing them from helping Konan.
Although Konan quickly defended herself and blocked the ambush from behind, she was still vulnerable—with the infamous 'Demi-God' Hanzō right at her back.
Hanzō struck swiftly from behind, locking Konan's arms and restraining her. In the next instant, he used the Body Flicker Technique to disappear with her, reappearing on a high ledge overlooking the valley.
The attackers who had turned on the Akatsuki were, in fact, Root agents disguised as Akatsuki members. Their sole purpose was to assist Hanzō in capturing Konan, forcing Yahiko and Nagato into a dilemma.
Now standing above, Hanzō looked down at the stunned Yahiko and Nagato, his eyes gleaming with malice behind his gas mask. A cruel, mocking smile formed beneath it.
(Note: In the original anime, the events leading up to Konan's capture were not shown in detail. This portion has been imagined by the author. What follows—Konan being used as a hostage to force Nagato to kill Yahiko—matches the canonical storyline and will not be expanded on further here.)
---
Meanwhile, Yusuke was secretly tailing Danzō and his subordinates from a distance, a growing sense of unease gnawing at him. What he didn't know was that someone else had also set their sights on him.
Atop a nearby mountain peak, a lone figure cloaked in black stood silently. His face was hidden behind a white mask with black markings, only a single Sharingan eye visible through its slit—Uchiha Obito.
He and Zetsu had been secretly monitoring the Akatsuki for some time now. More specifically, they were watching Nagato, the wielder of the Rinnegan. Much of the intel that led to this confrontation had been leaked by Obito himself. His aim: to manipulate events, using Hanzō to weaken the Akatsuki and push Nagato toward despair and eventual allegiance to the Eye of the Moon Plan.
"Uchiha Yusuke… so it is you," Obito murmured, watching the shadow trailing after Danzō.
"An old friend of yours?" came a voice from nearby.
From the trunk of a large tree beside him, a head emerged—half black, half white, encased in a plant-like structure resembling aloe leaves. It was Zetsu, the ancient and ever-lurking observer of the shinobi world.
"Friend might be too strong a word," Obito replied flatly. "He's someone I've long intended to settle things with. Looks like he's delivered himself right into my hands."
"This is a critical moment. We need to pressure Nagato into summoning the Gedo Statue. Don't go provoking unrelated people," Zetsu advised.
"Someone like him? I'll take care of him in five minutes. No—three," Obito scoffed. Without waiting for a response, his body began to warp around his right eye in a spiraling distortion, vanishing into the Kamui dimension.
—
Just as Yusuke was nearing the location where Hanzō was to meet with the Akatsuki, he sensed a strange fluctuation in the space ahead. Instinctively, he stopped and went on high alert.
A swirling vortex slowly unfolded in front of him, revealing a masked man clad in a black cloak.
Even someone as calm and composed as Yusuke couldn't help but narrow his eyes in shock.
Obito assumed Yusuke was stunned by his dramatic entrance and felt a tinge of pride. Long ago, he had always viewed Yusuke, a prodigy of the Uchiha clan, as the goal he could never reach. He had even challenged Yusuke a few times—only to suffer humiliating defeats.
Now was the time for a final reckoning. And this time, the victor would be him.
But Yusuke wasn't shocked by Obito's entrance—it was where he appeared that caught him off guard. Though his memories of the original Naruto storyline were fuzzy, there was no mistaking the iconic presence of Uchiha Obito.
"Who are you? And why are you blocking my path?" Yusuke asked, pretending not to recognize him. He was also deeply confused—was Danzo's plan somehow connected to Obito as well?
Obito sneered at Yusuke's calm recovery, "Still as arrogant as ever, I see."
Yusuke raised a brow at the oddly bitter tone. "What's with this guy's attitude? I only asked a question."
Obito had always been fiercely competitive, yet his talent never quite matched his ambition. Yusuke's reputation as a genius had always cast a long shadow over him, breeding a quiet grudge. Not out of pettiness, but because Obito had developed an obsession with surpassing him.
When Yusuke didn't reply, Obito continued, "I just saw a pathetic excuse of a fellow Uchiha and thought I'd teach him a lesson."
Yusuke was mildly amused. "He really bought into this 'Madara' persona." But he also knew that if a fight broke out, he couldn't afford to hold back. Kamui was a strange and unpredictable technique—if Obito managed to trap him in that alternate dimension, it could be the end.
"All things in universe shall return to ash—Ryūjin Jakka, release!"
Yusuke dropped the act and unleashed his Shikai: Ryūjin Jakka. A flaming katana burst into his right hand, its heat scorching the very air.
Obito's gaze was drawn to the fiery blade. He had heard rumors from the Third Great Ninja War about a warrior who wielded an "Inferno Blade," but had never personally witnessed Yusuke's power in action.
Back then, Obito would occasionally challenge Yusuke despite knowing he was outclassed. Yusuke, rather than scorning him, often offered quiet advice after their spars. Though Yusuke knew of many pivotal events from Naruto, like the battle at Kannabi Bridge that shaped Obito's fate, he couldn't pinpoint exact timelines—and had no real power to alter them.
He had long considered how to face Obito if they ever met again. Now, seeing the cold, murderous glint in Obito's eye, he knew the man before him had cast aside everything—his past, his comrades, even his sensei, the Fourth Hokage. Only Rin remained in his heart.
"Let me end your sins here and now," Yusuke resolved silently. He launched forward with a Fire Release body flicker, appearing directly in front of Obito.
Obito was surprised. He had expected Yusuke, always the composed type, to wait for his opponent to move first. But here he was, attacking head-on.
Their eyes locked—and Yusuke struck. His blade swept in a wide arc, flames trailing behind it like a comet. A single falling leaf brushed the fire and turned to ash instantly.
Obito phased out using Kamui, letting the attack pass harmlessly through his body.
Now standing at Obito's side, Yusuke showed no sign of surprise, which unsettled him. Most foes panicked after witnessing Kamui. He had grown used to seeing their stunned faces.
"But it doesn't matter now," Obito thought, a smirk forming beneath his mask. "Uchiha Yusuke—you've already lost."