Chapter 45: The Strongest Trio

Chapter 45: The Strongest Trio

The safe, two meters tall and wide, overflowed with treasure.

Stacks of ten-thousand-yen bills, neatly arranged gold bars, bulging bags of gemstones, and jewelry and land deeds casually tossed onto shelves—wealth beyond any Izayoi had seen in two lifetimes.

"This is what a top-tier billionaire's fortune looks like?" Izayoi mused, eyeing the pile. "If Kado's telling the truth, this is just one of his stashes. How much more does he have hidden?"

"Not my problem. All mine now, heh..."

Izayoi pulled out a pre-prepared Storage Scroll and sealed everything—the cash, gold, gems, jewelry, and land deeds—into it. The safe itself was too large for the standard-sized scroll, but Izayoi had anticipated this, bringing two scrolls just in case.

After securing the loot, Izayoi ascended from the basement and performed a one-handed sealing technique, creating a Shadow Clone infused with immense chakra.

"Take it from here", Izayoi said. "No issues?"

"Would I say yes if there were?" the clone shot back.

The clone flicked its wrist, summoning Gravity Release to ensnare Kado before vanishing with him toward Wave Country.

As the clone departed, Izayoi and another Shadow Clone whisked Momochi Zabuza and Haku away via Body Flicker. They reappeared at the nearest Black Market in the Ninja World.

Izayoi’s Rinnegan gave him full oversight of Fire Country, and he knew the Black Market’s location well. While Konoha’s Anbu and Root operated underground, the Black Market thrived in literal subterranean hideouts.

White Zetsu’s location, however, eluded him. His Rinnegan had tried tracking them but found nothing. Most likely, they’d used Mayfly Technique to merge with the earth and plants—true to their trio of signature arts: Spore, Mimicry, and Mayfly Techniques. These were ultimate upgrades of Clone, Body Flicker, and Invisibility Techniques. Even Hagoromo and Hamura Ōtsutsuki had failed to locate their "third brother" thanks to these skills.

Within half a day, Izayoi and his clone reached a public restroom—the Black Market’s unassuming entrance. While the clone guarded Zabuza and Haku outside, Izayoi entered through a hidden passage.

"Welcome, sir. Please follow me."

A middle-aged man in a black suit guided Izayoi into a private room. Masks meant anonymity, and anonymity meant either a pretentious fool or someone infamous in the Shinobi World. The man’s demeanor would clarify which.

Unaware of the man’s scrutiny, Izayoi took a seat. The Rinnegan could see far and pierce walls, but not minds. The Black Market had no signs explaining its rules, so Izayoi assumed this was standard procedure.

"May I ask what you’re looking for?" the man asked, masking his eagerness with polished manners.

"Do you have paper and ink? I need to buy some materials."

"Of course—" The man’s eyes lit up, sensing a big order, and hurried off to fetch supplies.

Izayoi jotted down the materials required for Human Puppets and Chakra Cores, reciting them from memory.

"Can you get these?"

The man scanned the list, impressed. "These are Sunagakure Puppeteer materials. Some items differ, but we can source them."

"What’s your price?"

"Thirty percent above market rate", the man said, rubbing his hands together. "Standard for our services."

Izayoi nodded. "Thirty sets. How long?"

"Three days. Just pay a small deposit—200,000 yen."

A B-rank mission’s payment.

"Fine", Izayoi said, sliding twenty ten-thousand-yen notes across the table before exiting.

The Black Market mobilized. Within a day, the news reached someone through covert channels.

"Found the mystery man", White Zetsu said, grinning. "Just as Black Zetsu predicted—he’s buying Human Puppet materials here."

"Crafting Puppets takes time", Black Zetsu replied. "Only Sunagakure or the Black Market could supply this quickly. An obvious choice."

Report the threat to "Madara" immediately."

Soon, Obito Uchiha and White Zetsu stood atop a steel tower, conversing with Pain’s Deva Path.

"Target located. Will you handle it personally?"

"Still recovering?" Deva Path probed.

"Not from wounds time can heal. You know who crushed the Warring States era", Obito said.

Had Nagato met the real Madara, he’d have recognized Obito’s lie—true Madara would never explain himself to an inferior.

Unmoved by Obito’s secrecy, Deva Path relented. "I’ll strike. You assist covertly."

"Agreed. But I’ll bring someone."

"Itachi Uchiha?"

"Precisely. His ocular jutsu might prove useful."

"When do we move?"

"Now."

With that, Pain’s Six Paths and Obito mobilized, ruthless in their resolve.

Izayoi would’ve whistled if he’d seen this. Akatsuki’s Dual Bosses—Obito and Pain—plus Itachi, the undefeated prodigy. A trio unmatched in the Shinobi World.

Taking them on at once? Overkill, to say the least.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end