Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?

"A! How do you explain this?!"

"This is a failure on your part as Raikage! The Kumogakure ninja operating in Kusagakure… because of your negligence, they fought in despair and died in despair!"

Elder Advisor slammed his staff on the ground, his face contorted with fury. His opening words were a calculated attack, aimed at undermining A's authority.

The report on Samui lay on the conference table, a copy for each member of Kumogakure's leadership.

Some, after reading the report, closed their eyes, feigning indifference. Others subtly glanced at the Fourth Raikage, A, trying to gauge his reaction.

The report detailed the stark contrast between the inscriptions on Konoha and Kumogakure's new headbands. The evidence? The film Konoha: War Ninja and the accounts of merchants Elder Advisor had secretly sent to Konoha.

Initially, this intelligence had been meticulously analyzed by the Elder Council, forming the basis for the Kumogakure Co-Prosperity Sphere and subsequent operations.

Now, a seemingly insignificant film had exposed Samui's blunder.

The worst thing for an intelligence agency was receiving false intel from its agents. The implications were far-reaching.

If even a single piece of intel was false, the entire credibility of the undercover agent was called into question.

Had the agent defected? Were they unknowingly manipulated? Or were they actively collaborating with the enemy?

And the most pressing question…

Regarding Konoha's special military operation against Kusagakure, did Samui deliberately withhold information, or was she genuinely unaware?

If the former, she would pay dearly for the deaths of the Kumogakure ninja in Kusagakure! And the Raikage, who had personally chosen Samui for this mission, would also be held accountable.

A gripped the report, his breathing becoming ragged.

How could this be?

The headband inscription was supposed to be [Strictly Abide by Local Laws]. How did it become [Konoha's Unwavering Support]?

He had planned to promote Samui to his personal secretary upon her return. Why was her loyalty now being questioned?

A forced himself to remain calm. "This… might be an oversight on Samui's part. After all, the intel she's sent since then has been accurate."

"Including the Kirigakure rebellion and Konoha's subsequent foreign policies. If she'd truly defected, how do you explain that?"

Damn, A's actually using his brain.

Elder Advisor narrowed his eyes, maintaining his composure. "Undercover agents are like that. If they don't deliver critical intel, how can they expect continued support?"

He then raised his voice, "And… I've made inquiries. Samui used the funds we provided to purchase a house for Gojo Kaigetsu in Konoha!"

"With the village facing financial difficulties, Samui squandered village assets on real estate in Konoha! This is a blatant act of aiding the enemy!"

"We will not tolerate such treachery!"

Elder Advisor blew the horn of his final assault. "After careful deliberation, the Elder Council has deemed Samui disloyal to Kumogakure. We are initiating an internal investigation… A, you'll oversee the initial review. Thoroughly examine the Anbu personnel roster."

"The village's administrative affairs will be temporarily managed by the Elder Council."

"Seconded!"

"Agreed!"

"The Raikage's recent conduct has been too impulsive. He needs to… calm down."

The elders supporting Elder Advisor chimed in, quickly solidifying their stance. With their pronouncements made, they left, their expressions smug.

A sat alone, his face dark, the crumpled report in his hand. "They've gone too far…" he muttered, his voice low and dangerous.

Kumogakure was never truly unified.

During the clan era, they had constantly fought amongst themselves, fueled by generations of animosity. Only the threat of Konohagakure and the new hidden village system had forced them to unite and form Kumogakure.

While the village presented a unified front against external threats and during the Shinobi World Wars, during peacetime…

…internal conflicts resurfaced.

Unlike Konoha, Kumogakure had a large Elder Council, each member backed by a powerful clan, their influence deeply entrenched within the Anbu.

Kumogakure's Anbu was essentially a representative body of the various clans, with only a small number of civilian-born ninja like Samui among its ranks.

Theoretically, the Raikage's position was meant to ensure balance and fairness among the clans, but the Anbu's loyalty was fragmented, lacking the cohesive "Will of Fire" of Konoha's Anbu.

And with the Third Raikage's untimely death, orchestrated by Iwagakure, the Raikage's authority had waned significantly.

If not for A's unmatched strength and his close bond with his jinchuriki brother, Killer B, the elders might have already attempted a coup.

Now, the conflict had escalated into open hostility.

Even if A refused to comply, the administrative personnel and Anbu, deeply influenced by the clans, would likely unite to undermine his authority.

A understood. The "Samui Defection Incident" was merely a pretext for Elder Advisor to seize power, to eliminate the civilian-born ninja he had personally promoted…

With Samui embroiled in controversy, Yugito Nii declared a defector, and the promising younger generation still developing, A was practically alone.

He could unleash his Lightning Release chakra and eliminate these elders in one fell swoop, but… that would destroy Kumogakure.

The fragile alliance of ninja clans would shatter, followed by the collapse of the Kumogakure Co-Prosperity Sphere.

They would be left defenseless against Konoha and Iwagakure.

The position of Raikage, and the village itself, were legacies inherited from his father. A couldn't allow them to be destroyed on his watch.

He was frustrated.

He had awakened too late. Consumed by physical training, obsessed with absolute strength, by the time he realized the extent of the clans' influence, it was almost too late.

If only… if only he had acted sooner. If only he had promoted civilian-born ninja, untainted by clan loyalties, to serve as his confidants.

"If I had been more decisive and declared war on Konoha when Yugito was captured, my authority would have been strengthened, giving me the opportunity to deal with those troublesome clans…"

"Yugito wouldn't have defected."

"Now… it's too late."

A slumped in his seat, his usually vibrant muscles seeming to deflate along with his spirits.

Mabui approached, holding a stack of documents. "Raikage-sama… do you truly believe Samui has betrayed us?"

"No. I trust Samui implicitly. But whether or not she's defected is no longer the issue. What matters is that Elder Advisor, driven by grief over his grandson's death, has openly challenged my authority, and I'm… powerless to resist."

"This… is something muscles can't solve."

Mabui nodded solemnly, sensing the trust in A's voice.

She placed the latest intelligence reports on his desk. "Then, Raikage-sama, please take a look at this."

"More reports…" A sighed.

But he was still the Raikage. The elders wouldn't dare openly challenge his position… not yet.

As Raikage, he had to regain his composure, for the sake of Kumogakure.

He picked up the first report.

[Konoha News - Konoha Time, August 5th:]

[By order of the Hokage's office, the following announcement is made: Former Hokage Advisor and Konoha Elder, Danzo Shimura, tragically drowned near the Land of Fire border. He was 56 years old.]

"What?!" A exclaimed, his earlier lethargy vanishing.

"That's impossible! Not to mention someone like Danzo Shimura, even an ordinary Genin wouldn't drown after chakra depletion!"

"Konoha is clearly concealing the true cause of his death!"

Even a muscle-brained ninja like A could see through this charade. "Could it be… internal strife within Konoha's leadership?"

He looked at Mabui, a new thought forming. Is she suggesting I eliminate Elder Advisor?

That's… not a bad idea. As long as it wasn't openly sanctioned by me, the clans would still harbor some hope, giving me a chance to regain control…

"Raikage-sama, please review the next report."

"There's more?"

[Konoha News Bulletin:]

[The threat of assassination plagues the ninja world! Konoha is establishing the Avengers Initiative to address this crisis.]

The shorter the announcement, the graver the matter.

A sat up straight, his expression turning serious.

The bulletin mentioned two key points: Assassination and the Avengers Initiative.

The former wasn't hard to understand, especially considering Danzo's obituary.

"Danzo Shimura didn't drown. He was assassinated?!"

Within the Land of Fire? An assassination? Danzo? And so soon after Konoha's show of strength?

How bizarre.

The situation in the ninja world was changing rapidly. A sighed. The assassination was one thing, but this…

"Is it because I don't read enough? I don't understand what kind of organization this is."

"Samui's intel is as follows—" Mabui stood tall, her back straight. Since the Raikage still trusted Samui despite the controversy, she would do her utmost to support her friend.

"The Avengers Initiative is a newly established organization sanctioned by Konoha's leadership."

"Its purpose is to assemble the village's 'super ninjas' for solo missions, to eliminate bounty ninja operating in the underworld."

"And… according to Samui, Gojo Kaigetsu intends to collaborate with other villages, jointly deploying Avengers to eliminate these bounty ninja and their employers."

Wait a minute.

Something felt… off.

A's eyes widened, a spark of understanding igniting within him. He had grasped a crucial point.

"Does Samui know about the headband inscription discrepancy?" he asked urgently.

"No… She contacted me before Elder Advisor revealed the information."

"I trust Samui's loyalty, but the headband incident is undeniable. This means… Gojo Kaigetsu has seen through her disguise."

"But he still revealed the nature of the Avengers Initiative to her. Knowing she's a Kumogakure agent…"

"In other words… Gojo Kaigetsu wasn't talking to Samui. He was using her as a messenger, to communicate with me!"

"Heh, what is this? A peace offering?" A crossed his arms, his muscles twitching.

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became.

A muscular ninja with muscles wasn't scary; a muscular ninja with brains was. This realization energized A.

"Danzo was assassinated, and Konoha immediately announced the formation of the Avengers Initiative. He even contacted me, wanting me to deploy Kumogakure's elite to assist them in eliminating bounty ninja."

"It seems… the bounty ninja who killed Danzo is no ordinary mercenary. Even Konoha can't handle him alone."

"Avengers…" A frowned.

Kumogakure was currently in a transitional period. Promising young ninja were abundant, but still developing.

From A's perspective, Kumogakure's only true powerhouses were himself and Killer B. To deal with a bounty ninja capable of assassinating Danzo, they would have to step in personally.

But…

"Why should I help Konoha deploy their Avengers? What benefit would that bring to me or Kumogakure?"

"Raikage-sama…" Mabui raised her hand. "Samui's intel also suggests that Gojo Kaigetsu strongly suspects Elder Advisor of issuing the bounty. The Konoha Avengers are secretly investigating this matter."

"What?! Elder Advisor did it?!" A's face contorted in disbelief.

The purpose of the Avengers Initiative was to eliminate bounty ninja and their employers. If Elder Advisor was behind it…

"Old man… you've gone too far. Even Father wouldn't blame me for this."

"But since Konoha brought this up, I must seize this opportunity to benefit Kumogakure."

"Relying solely on Samui as a messenger isn't enough. In that case…" A's gaze settled on Mabui. "There's no point in hiding anymore."

"Mabui, you will go to Konoha as my personal representative."

Mabui's eyes widened in disbelief. "Me? Go to Konoha?"

"Samui's cover is blown. She's in danger! And I need assistance here. You will retrieve Samui from Konoha and then… negotiate a deal with Gojo Kaigetsu."

"Tell him…"

A, despite his gruff exterior, was a shrewd leader. He began outlining his plan, having already decided to purge the corrupt elements within Kumogakure.

What A didn't anticipate was that Elder Advisor's resolve was even greater, and far more ruthless.

…

…

"Elder Advisor, the money is all in this scroll."

The Treasurer respectfully presented the scroll containing one billion ryō.

"Excellent." The Treasurer breathed a sigh of relief, though a flicker of worry remained. "We've allocated only 300 million to the southern territories, out of the original 1.3 billion… Won't that cause trouble?"

"Trouble? They'll be grateful for even 300 million!" Elder Advisor slammed his staff on the ground. "To deal with external threats, we must first ensure internal stability. Those southern rednecks have been causing trouble for far too long."

"If they dare to rebel… we'll crush them!"

The thought, 'The southern territories have always supported the Raikage,' remained unspoken.

"I'm leaving. Ensure everything is in order."

"Safe travels, Elder Advisor!"

Elder Advisor, leaning heavily on his staff, moved away from the crowd. Escorted by his guards, he arrived at a secluded hut on the outskirts of Kumogakure, entering through a side door.

Initially, the passage was narrow, barely wide enough for a single person. After walking for some distance, it opened into a spacious underground chamber.

At the center of the chamber stood the Kumogakure branch leader of the underground exchange. He wore a uniform and a black cloak with a strange insignia.

The insignia was circular, with a square inside containing three overlapping diamonds and four symmetrical spheres above and below.

Elder Advisor had inquired about it, and the man had explained it was the symbol of a high-ranking member of the underground exchange.

"Eguchi-sama, I didn't expect you to arrive so soon."

"Victor, I'm very satisfied with your efficiency. I'll certainly continue to patronize your… establishment."

Elder Advisor casually tossed the scroll containing one billion ryō.

He didn't bother asking about the identity of the assassin; he only cared about results.

Besides, even if he wanted to know, it would be incredibly difficult to uncover.

The underground exchange was shrouded in secrecy.

Even at his age, Elder Advisor had no idea when it was founded. It seemed to have existed since before the Hidden Villages, during the Warring States Period.

For a simple intermediary organization to survive in such chaotic times… Elder Advisor suspected a powerful ninja force backed the underground exchange.

Its reputation was impeccable. It never revealed the identities of its clients or assassins, never cheated either party, and only charged a small commission.

If they claimed a mission was completed, it was completed. No risk of double-crossing or unfulfilled contracts… Elder Advisor trusted them implicitly.

Victor sensed the contents of the scroll with his chakra and was slightly surprised. "Another billion ryō?"

"Eguchi-sama, you're a wealthy man." He pocketed the scroll. "So, who are we targeting this time?"

"Konoha, of course."

"Konoha again? Let me see."

Victor unhurriedly retrieved the Konoha section of the bounty list.

For example:

Minato Namikaze: 1.5 billion ryō

Hiruzen Sarutobi: 1.1 billion ryō

Danzo Shimura: 1 billion ryō (Completed)

Fugaku Uchiha: 900 million ryō

Gojo Kaigetsu: 100 million ryō

…

Almost every notable ninja in Konoha was on the list.

As for who was issuing these bounties… It wasn't hard to guess, even without asking Victor directly.

In the ninja world, those with the motive and resources to issue bounties of this magnitude… it could only be the other Great Villages.

"These bounties… were issued by Ōnoki, weren't they?"

"That's confidential, Eguchi-sama. We have professional ethics," Victor replied, smoothly deflecting the question.

"They haven't been accepted yet?"

"It's not a matter of money." Victor pointed at the bounty list. "These targets, with bounties exceeding hundreds of millions, are prominent figures in Konoha, under heavy protection."

"Currently, there's likely no ninja capable of infiltrating Konoha and completing such missions."

"Even Danzo Shimura… only because he left Konoha did the bounty hunters have a chance."

Elder Advisor frowned. "Then, considering the current bounties and the billion ryō I've provided, who can they eliminate?"

"I have two proposals."

"Either, we use the billion as a long-term bounty. I'll issue a contract for the elimination of Konoha ninja operating outside the village. Once they've collected a billion ryō worth of bounties, the contract is complete."

"Or, with the existing 100 million and the additional billion, eliminating Gojo Kaigetsu, a Konoha elder, shouldn't be a problem. After all, he's just a Chūnin."

A shrewd smile appeared on Victor's face. "Don't think the price is too high. Among Konoha's elite, the easiest target with such influence is Gojo Kaigetsu."

"And he was just targeted recently. If he dies in a second assassination attempt, the blow to Konoha's prestige would be significant."

Elder Advisor hesitated, then nodded slowly.

In terms of sheer rank…

A Chūnin wasn't worth 1.1 billion ryō. Even if he was secretly a Jōnin, it wouldn't be worth that much.

What did 1.1 billion ryō represent? Enough to buy tens of thousands of explosive tags, enough to level a small ninja village.

But Gojo Kaigetsu's political significance was undeniable. Assassinating him would be a slap in Konoha's face, a way to honor his grandson's memory.

For Elder Advisor, consumed by grief, it was an irresistible temptation.

"But what if Gojo Kaigetsu never leaves the village?" He raised a crucial point. "From what I know, he rarely leaves, spending his days between the Hokage Tower and his safe house."

"Surely these assassins can't just waltz into Konoha and kill him?"

"He'll come out eventually." A mysterious smile played on Victor's lips. "You should read the newspapers more often. In a while, Gojo Kaigetsu will attend the completion ceremony for the Konoha-Suna Trade Route."

"How about this: since you're concerned, Eguchi-sama, we'll issue both contracts simultaneously. Before eliminating Gojo Kaigetsu, they can also target Konoha ninja operating outside the village. However, that will require an additional billion ryō."

"Given your excellent reputation, we can offer you a loan, if needed."

Elder Advisor instinctively wanted to refuse.

Were they treating him like a walking ATM? Two billion ryō was beyond his clan's resources. He'd have to embezzle village funds…

'I'll just… reduce the military budget again. After all, the increased military spending was meant to counter Konoha. It's better to let bounty ninjas do the work, without risking retaliation from Konoha.'

With his mind made up, Elder Advisor nodded.

"Very well. Issue both contracts."

"Two billion ryō. I'll ensure every last coin is delivered. Once the missions are completed, I'll have someone deliver the payment."

"Excellent. A pleasure doing business with you."

Victor pulled out a pen and paper, making notes in his bounty ledger.

Gojo Kaigetsu's official bounty increased from 100 million to 1.1 billion ryō.

The bounty… was officially active.

…

…

Amegakure. Sunday. Sunny.

The miracle manifested once more. Amegakure villagers busily hung their clothes out to dry, enjoying the rare sunlight.

Afterward, they wiped the sweat from their brows, clasped their hands together, and bowed towards the center of Amegakure.

A curious child asked, "Kaa-san, why are we praying in that direction?"

"Because… God is there."

The God of Amegakure, Nagato!

Nagato stood atop the highest tower, his mood far from pleasant.

Through the Rinnegan in Yahiko's body, hidden in a dark corner, he observed Amegakure.

Beside him, Konan's expression was filled with worry. "Nagato, your body…"

"I'm fine," Yahiko's body replied calmly.

Maintaining the "No Rain on Sundays" miracle came at a great cost. Even with his pure Uzumaki lineage, Nagato's body was struggling to keep up.

Though he hadn't engaged in any major battles, the chakra required to maintain clear skies exceeded his regeneration rate. His body was growing weaker by the day.

Sundays were Konan's most dreaded days.

She had tried to persuade Nagato to abandon this taxing jutsu, but he had refused.

"I've never considered the power granted by the Sage of Six Paths' eyes a misfortune. Possessing this power… I am blessed. I will use it to create a better world!"

"With 'No Rain on Sundays,' all of Amegakure will know of my existence, of a God using the Sage's eyes to change the ninja world. I will become the God of the new era."

"This is something only I can achieve!"

Nagato was stubborn. Seeing the genuine smiles on the villagers' faces and their reverence towards him, he felt it was all worth it.

Konan sighed, abandoning her attempts at persuasion. She then brought up recent events in the ninja world and some unusual activity within their organization.

"Nagato… Uchiha Madara hasn't appeared in a while."

"Heh, that guy wouldn't disappear for so long without reason. And he hasn't even issued a statement. It seems… he's likely dead."

"Dead? Uchiha Madara… dead so easily?"

"Life is fragile, even for someone like Uchiha Madara. His death, while a loss for the organization, is ultimately a good thing for us."

Nagato and Konan had never truly trusted Uchiha Madara.

Nagato also knew that Konan was constantly preparing explosive tags with her Paper Ninjutsu, in case Madara betrayed them.

His death… was truly the best outcome.

"Konoha launched a special military operation against Kusagakure and retrieved the surviving members of the Uzumaki clan."

The Uzumaki clan… Konan knew they were Nagato's kin; the Land of Whirlpools was his homeland.

Though he never openly acknowledged it, the timing and his hair color aligned perfectly.

After Uzushiogakure's destruction, the survivors scattered across the ninja world. Nagato's parents had traveled halfway across the world to Amegakure, believing Hanzo, the Demi-God, could bring peace… The rest, as they say, is history.

Less than five years after Uzushiogakure's fall, war erupted. The war claimed Nagato's parents and granted him the legendary Rinnegan.

It was as if everything was preordained.

"The Uzumaki clan…"

Yahiko's body, lacking the ability to express emotions, remained stoic. But Konan knew the turmoil brewing within Nagato's heart.

"If I had lived in that era, I would never have allied with that hypocritical Konoha!" Nagato's voice was low and dangerous. He raised Yahiko's hand, as if grasping the sun itself. "I would have annihilated all invaders and destroyed that false Konoha, protecting all Uzumaki clan members."

The hatred… it had never truly faded.

Since awakening the Rinnegan, Nagato had been plotting Konoha's destruction. He wanted to expose their hypocrisy, their weakness.

"There are reports that Konoha has welcomed the Uzumaki survivors and is allowing them to rebuild their clan."

"Hypocrites!" Nagato growled, his voice filled with loathing. "I will never acknowledge my lineage! I will never forgive Konoha!"

"Once the Akatsuki has amassed sufficient strength, I will descend upon Konoha and make them suffer. And if, at that time, the Uzumaki clan sides with Konoha… I will annihilate them all!"

Konan's heart tightened upon hearing his words.

In that instant, she made a decision. She would save the Uzumaki clan in Konoha.

Nagato… had suffered enough. The hatred within him was so profound, it terrified even her, his closest friend.

If he were to eliminate his own kin… Konan couldn't imagine the depths of his despair.

The Uzumaki clan was Nagato's redemption.

If anyone in the ninja world could alleviate his hatred, it could only be the Uzumaki.

Konan had made her choice. Even if it meant deceiving Nagato, she would secretly save the Uzumaki in Konoha.

"Zetsu, have you recruited any new members?"

Konan, snapping back to the present, reported, "Yes. I've also assessed his abilities."

"Who is he?"

"A missing-nin from Konoha, a Jōnin who defected over ten years ago. His name is…"

"Hiruko."

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