Chapter 61: Our Leader Leads the Betrayal

Xuanwozhang Sect stared at Jiraiya without expression, and though his face showed no sign of emotion, a flicker of complexity lingered deep within his Rinnegan.

Xuanwozhang Sect spoke slowly: "Teacher Jiraiya, you are wrong about one thing."

Jiraiya froze in surprise.

Xuanwozhang Sect closed his eyes.

In that moment, he recalled the memory replica of himself killing Teacher Jiraiya.

"It is not that we are within the Akatsuki… but that the Akatsuki was founded by us."

Jiraiya's body stiffened; he gazed at Xuanwozhang Sect's face, his eyes deepening with understanding, and after a long while, he nodded.

"Ah… if you put it that way, then I understand."

"By the way, Changmen's current state seems somewhat…"

Jiraiya opened his mouth—so much he wanted to say after so long—but seeing Xuanwozhang Sect like this, he found no words to begin.

"And isn't Konan with you?"

"Changmen is dead! His corpse has been turned into the Deva Path puppet! He will become my greatest ally in fulfilling our dream."

"Konan is unharmed; do not trouble yourself over her, Teacher."

Jiraiya closed his eyes; though he had long suspected something, when Xuanwozhang Sect finally admitted it, his emotions became too complex to describe.

When he lived in hiding for three years in the Rain Village, his bond with Changmen, Konan, and Xuanwozhang Sect was less that of teacher and disciples, more like father and family.

Bofengshui Sect sighed softly, gently patting his hands: "Enough reminiscing, younger brother. Now let us discuss the real matter."

Xuanwozhang Sect glanced at Bofengshui Sect: "Have you made your decision?"

Bofengshui Sect blinked: "What?"

Xuanwozhang Sect said without expression: "Even the most basic foundation of cooperation between us requires the death of one person."

Bofengshui Sect fell silent; he had suspected as much. Xuanwozhang Sect uttered the name: "Root's leader, Danzo!"

"His death is the absolute prerequisite for Akatsuki's cooperation with Konoha."

After finishing Naruto for the first time, Xuanwozhang Sect began watching it again—and as he watched, he uncovered many details he had missed the first time.

For instance, the Konoha ninja who killed Xuanwozhang Sect's parents were seemingly backed by Danzo.

Also, it was likely Danzo who orchestrated the Half-God Sanjiyabu's attack on Akatsuki.

Xuanwozhang Sect always repaid kindness with kindness and vengeance with vengeance.

Sanjiyabu blocked his dream and killed Changmen, so he killed Sanjiyabu.

Now that he knew he had another enemy, how could he let that enemy live before his eyes?

Bofengshui Sect remained silent for a long time, then shook his head: "I'm sorry. Though I despise Danzo deeply, I cannot kill him yet. I must wait for the right moment—please give me time."

Xuanwozhang Sect stared deeply at Bofengshui Sect, then sneered: "Then wait until you've truly killed Danzo before we discuss cooperation."

Deva Path pushed Xuanwozhang Sect's wheelchair out of Ichiraku Ramen.

Then, Shinra Tensei activated, and both floated upward as if weightless, flying beyond the borders of Konoha.

Jiraiya watched the retreating figures of Deva Path and Xuanwozhang Sect, his hand reaching out, lips parting—then falling silent, he let out a bitter laugh and said nothing.