When Shisui asked if he knew who Kakashi had met in the Land of Rain, Shin almost burst into laughter. If only you knew you were sitting right across from him.

This was just too amusing!

He hadn't expected that the seed he had casually sown earlier would blossom into such a striking flower so quickly. Kakashi's ability to act was even stronger than he imagined. Was he already starting his revenge?

Through Shisui's sincere recounting, Shin quickly caught onto the exploitable details in the situation.

"You said that many people in Konoha suspect that the trial against Kakashi was orchestrated by the Root?"

Shisui hesitated before responding, "Sorry, I can't say much about that."

Shin smiled. Your attitude says more than words, silly child.

So he came up with an idea, letting the silence stretch just long enough to make Shisui lean forward expectantly.

"Actually, I do know a bit about that Akatsuki member. His name is Shimura Enji, a wandering ninja who fled from the east to the Land of Rain. He's quite skilled, but a bit ruthless in his methods."

Shin watched Shisui's reactions from behind half-lidded eyes. As expected, Shisui's expression shifted dramatically at the surname.

"Are you saying that Akatsuki member's surname is Shimura?!"

Isn't the eastern part of the Land of Rain right next to the Land of Fire? Shisui felt like he had just discovered a hidden clue.

Shin feigned confusion, tilting his head slightly. "Yes, is there something wrong with that surname?"

But Shisui didn't answer. He remembered that the Shimura clan wasn't a prominent ninja clan, and Danzō rarely publicized his surname or family background. It would make sense that people from the Land of Rain wouldn't know.

But didn't that make it all the more suspicious?

Shisui didn't want to think of the village elders as so sinister, but the recent string of events left him no choice.

First, there was the conflict between Minato and Danzō, then the sudden accusations against Kakashi, and now he discovered that the one manipulating Kakashi might be from the Shimura clan.

It was all connected.

Watching Shisui's expression, Shin knew that the seed he had planted was starting to sprout.

"Are you satisfied with this information, Shisui?" He leaned back casually in his chair. "If you ever want more intel on the Akatsuki, you can always come to me. As a friend, I'll even give you a discount." Paid to spread my own disinformation. Could this day get any better?

Shisui, still lost in thought, nodded absently and slid the scroll across.

"Here are the ninjutsu I promised you earlier. They're not of a high rank, but I hope you won't mind."

He had tricked someone and gotten paid for it—how could he possibly mind?

Shin accepted the scroll eagerly, struck by how such valuable techniques could feel so light in his hands.

"Well then, a pleasure doing business, Shisui. I hope we can work together again in the future." Shin rose smoothly from his seat, putting the scroll carefully into his vest.

Afterward, he paid Tama an introduction fee, the old feline's yellow eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He ordered a high-end ninja sword of chakra metal, discussing specifications before using hand signs to leave Sora-ku.

Upon returning, he quickly gathered the Akatsuki members at the base.

"Everyone, I've recently come across some new ninjutsu. I'll be prioritizing teaching them to my teammates. As for the rest of you, as long as you contribute to the Akatsuki, I'll teach you all eventually. I hope everyone continues to work hard and contribute to the organization!"

Watch how quickly loyalty can be bought with just the promise of power.

Though his speech sounded righteous, the smarter members quickly grasped its true meaning—Captain Shin had obtained valuable ninjutsu, and he would decide who to teach.

He claimed it was based on contributions to the organization, but the question arose: Would contributions from following Yahiko's orders be counted the same as contributions from following Captain Shin's orders? Small groups formed throughout the room.

This matter quickly reached Yahiko's ears.

He was so upset that he massaged his temples in frustration, the constant drumming of rain matching his growing headache.

Though naive, he clearly saw through Shin's attempts to win people over and undermine his authority. But Yahiko's personality made it impossible for him to confront Shin harshly and demand that he hand over the ninjutsu.

Feeling helpless, he thought of his two friends. They would see through his schemes. Just then, Nagato walked in with a happy expression. Water still dripped from his red hair, suggesting he'd rushed over through the rain.

"Yahiko, great news! Shin helped me pick some new recruits today and taught me a lot of techniques. He also gave me tons of intel on Konoha, so now I can finally build up my intelligence network!"

Not long after, Konan came in with a beaming face as well, her paper techniques keeping her perfectly dry despite the downpour outside. "Yahiko, good news! Shin found us a way to sell surplus goods through Sora-ku. We can now trade the leftover food and medicine from Mashiro for weapons and tools to arm our members! No more worrying about lacking ninja tools during missions!"

Yahiko saw the happy expressions of his two friends and momentarily forgot what he had been about to say.

As expected, Shin had come prepared. With just one move, he had managed to get his two friends to stand on his side.

Yahiko stiffly said, "Congratulations." The word felt hollow in his mouth, but his friends were too excited to notice his lack of enthusiasm. Even when I want to object, he gives them exactly what we need.

He didn't mention his own concerns anymore. He could already guess his friends' answers, and he couldn't bear to make them feel torn between loyalties. Besides, how could he argue against someone who was genuinely helping strengthen Akatsuki? Maybe I'm the one who's wrong about him.

Soon after, another subordinate came in to report, water still dripping from his cloak. "Yahiko-sama, those ninja clansmen who joined a few days ago have requested to join Captain Shin's squad."

Yahiko's eyes widened in disbelief, his hands gripping the edge of his desk. "How is that possible?! Weren't they just listening to my vision for peace yesterday?" Are my words so empty compared to his promises?

The subordinate didn't know how to respond. He shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Yahiko's desperate gaze.

The same ninjas who had entrusted everything to him and believed deeply in his ideals were now asking to follow Shin. How had this happened?

He didn't understand.

But Shin understood very well. After all, ideals might be inspiring, but when it came to real action, ninjas would always lean towards following a strong, reliable leader.

What's more, Shin had mastered the art of ruling from the shadows, much like Cardinal Richelieu of old France—never openly challenging the crown's authority while wielding the true power of the state.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

In all his arguments with Yahiko, he had never openly rebelled, always framing his actions as serving the organization's interests.

So in the eyes of the newly recruited members, following Shin didn't seem to conflict with pursuing the ideals of the Akatsuki. After all, wasn't he just helping make those ideals a reality?

After suffering blow after blow, Yahiko finally slumped back into his chair, only one thought remaining in his mind:

"I'm doomed. Have I become a mere figurehead?"

He stared out at the gray sky, his reflection in the wet window revealing a leader suddenly much younger and more lost than before.

Would he, from now on, be only responsible for recruiting and delivering speeches to inspire others?

In his own office, Shin smiled as he arranged his newly acquired scroll of jutsu, listening to the rain and thinking of all the ways he would use these techniques to further cement his position. The weather in the Land of Rain might be gloomy, but to him, it was a perfect day.

After all, the best victories were the ones where your opponents never even realized they'd lost until it was far too late.

While Shin was solidifying his position and building his faction with the ninjutsu obtained through the trade, far away in the Land of Fire, Shisui had immediately handed the intelligence gained from the deal to Fugaku.

Papers scattered across his desk like fallen leaves. Fugaku spent the entire night in his study, contemplating the information, yet he still couldn't make a decision.

Throughout his life, Fugaku had always lacked the decisiveness needed for bold actions. Otherwise, he wouldn't have allowed the Uchiha clan to be embroiled in internal strife for so many years, both in the past and in the foreseeable future.

"You haven't slept, dear. What troubles you?" his wife asked as she placed a cup of tea beside him.

"The clan's future hangs by a thread, Mikoto," Fugaku said. "One wrong move..." He left the sentence unfinished, staring at the steam rising from his cup.

When did the Uchiha become so cautious? Always watching, always waiting.

He understood the explosive nature of the intelligence, but he didn't have the courage to directly intervene in the political struggle of Konoha's leadership. He wavered, hesitant, unsure of how to proceed. As dawn broke over the compound, he carefully stored away the intelligence.

However, the world has a way of playing out in unexpected, often dramatic, ways.

Fugaku might not have had the courage to break convention, but some reckless individuals certainly did.

That same day, Obito and Rin completed their mission and returned to the village, visiting Kakashi. Although Kakashi was officially on leave, in truth, he was being held under soft house arrest, awaiting his trial. The usually tidy apartment showed signs of neglect – scrolls scattered about, unwashed dishes in the sink.

This isn't like him at all, Obito thought, frowning at the sight.

Upon seeing Kakashi, Rin's eyes welled up with tears.

"You've lost so much weight. I'm so sorry, really sorry! If it weren't for me being captured back then, none of this would have happened."

Kakashi shook his head, his response much warmer than before.

"It's not your fault, Rin. This was my own choice."

Obito was shocked. It was the first time in over three years that Kakashi had spoken to them so gently, so much so that even Obito found it disturbing.

"Kakashi, you...?" Obito leaned forward, studying his teammate's face intently.

Kakashi then turned to him. "Obito, I'm really sorry for what I said to you in the past. You were right. If a ninja who breaks the rules is scum, then those who abandon their friends are worse than scum."

Obito was taken aback, so much so that he jumped up with a loud shout, nearly knocking over a nearby chair.

"Ah! You—you—you! Are you really Kakashi? Are you sure you're not someone else in disguise?" He circled him, as if looking for signs of a transformation jutsu. This can't be real. The Kakashi I know would never admit I was right about anything!

Rin lightly patted him. "Obito, what nonsense are you talking about?" Her gentle smile couldn't quite hide her concern for both her teammates.

Kakashi remained silent in the face of Obito's surprise, his gaze lowering. The shadows in the room seemed to deepen with his mood as he spoke, both to Obito and himself.

"It's a truth you understood long ago. Why have I been so lost all this time? Why didn't I stand by your side side back then and support you?" Father, I finally understand what you went through, he thought.

He spoke the latter part so softly that Obito didn't hear him. However, the first part made him feel both proud and sad.

Proud that the cocky Kakashi had finally admitted that he wasn't as great as him! But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel sorrowful seeing his rival in such a state.

"Pull yourself together, Kakashi! You're a genius! You should only lose to me! To me, did you hear!"

"What's with this pathetic look? How did you become even more difficult than before?"

He grabbed Kakashi by the collar, shaking him furiously, his actions desperate rather than angry. But the light in Kakashi's lifeless eyes never returned. Rin watched helplessly.

Obito stormed out of Kakashi's house, punching the air repeatedly in frustration.

"Damn it!"

"Damn it!"

"Damn it!"

"How did it come to this? That guy, never gives anyone peace!" he shouted, drawing curious glances from passersby.

Rin stood beside him, smiling softly. She'd seen right through his tsundere nature.

"Even though you keep complaining, you actually care a lot about him, don't you?"

"Don't joke around! Who cares about that guy? I'd love nothing more than to see him never recover so I can finally beat him!"

Although his words were insincere, the anxiety on his face was unmistakable. Rin smiled but didn't call him out on it.

After returning to his clan, he accidentally overheard some news while passing by a group of clan members speaking in hushed tones near the training grounds.

"What?! The person who manipulated Kakashi is from the Shimura clan? And the elder who's set to judge Kakashi is from the same clan?!"

In that moment, fate's gears began to turn due to this small coincidence.

Fugaku didn't dare to spread the news or take action, but Obito did.

Fugaku didn't dare to intervene in the upper echelons' political warfare, but Obito… well, he didn't even know there was any high-level conflict. All he cared about was Kakashi.

Without hesitation, he sprung into action. The streets of Konoha blurred past him as he ran, searching for one person who he knew would help without question.

"Guy, Kakashi's in danger!" he shouted, skidding to a stop in front of him. "Someone's trying to harm him, and the trial he's about to face isn't fair! Will you help me save him?"

"Of course!" Guy answered without a second thought, his teeth gleaming in the sunlight as he struck his signature pose.

"To rescue a dear friend in need is the essence of youth! Oh, Obito, my youth is burning bright!" Guy shouted across the training ground, drawing startled looks from nearby birds.

The two boys rushed off on their mission to save Kakashi. Soon, word spread through every corner of Konoha.

"The Shimura clan? They're behind both the framing and manipulation of Kakashi?"

The rumors spread from training grounds to marketplaces, from the academy to clan compounds.

In the Nara clan compound, the clan leader looked bewildered as he turned to his son, Shikaku.

"Where did you get this information?"

How had the village's official intelligence network failed to catch this, yet his son had already gotten hold of the news?

Shikaku, with his eyes half-closed in his usual lethargic way, helplessly spread his hands. His expression suggested he'd rather be watching clouds than having this conversation. "Father, you might not believe this, but I heard it from a group of academy kids."

Obito, unable to reach the higher-ups, had taken to spreading the word among his peers, starting with the younger kids. The playground had become his battlefield, and children his messengers.

The Nara clan leader stared into the distance. He ran through countless scenarios, but couldn't predict how the village's leadership would respond to this chaos.

For the first time in his life, his brilliant mind failed him. Without hesitation, he grabbed his son, who was trying to slip quietly toward the door.

"Shikaku, get back here! Don't think you can escape from helping me figure this out!"

Shikaku wore a face full of despair. "How troublesome..." he muttered, slumping back down.

That night, father and son discussed the situation all night but couldn't make sense of it. All they could think was that the Shimura clan's reputation, along with Danzō's, was about to hit rock bottom again.

---

Two days passed.

The jonin meeting to discuss Kakashi's punishment proceeded as scheduled. The assembled jonin and clan representatives spoke in low murmurs.

Danzō entered the room with full confidence, his steps brisk and full of vigor. Soon, Minato will have no choice but to come to me.

In his mind, he had the upper hand in this situation.

He was so confident that even the meeting room seemed to radiate vitality and a sense of new growth. He surveyed the assembled jonin with barely concealed satisfaction, already imagining how he would leverage this situation to settle old scores.

Hiruzen was the last to enter. The usual smell of tobacco announced his presence before he appeared. He immediately put down his pipe and announced, "Bring Kakashi in."

The ANBU swiftly brought him into the meeting room. The young shinobi stood straight and composed, though his face was noticeably thinner than before. The room fell silent as all eyes turned to him.

Without wasting time on repeating the charges, Sarutobi directly said, "Let's vote. Raise your hand if you believe Kakashi is innocent. If you don't, don't raise your hand."

Danzō smiled. He had even thought through how he would manipulate Minato once the latter came to him.

But to his utter shock...

After a brief moment of silence, more and more jonin and clan representatives in the room began to raise their hands. One by one, like dominoes falling in reverse, hands lifted toward the ceiling.

Some even looked at Danzō with disdain, disgust, and mockery in their eyes. The Nara clan leader's hand rose slowly, deliberately, his gaze fixed on Danzō with calculating intensity. Next to him, Shikaku raised his hand with a barely suppressed yawn, though his eyes were sharp and alert. How troublesome... but sometimes even the laziest of us must take a stand.

The Inuzuka clan representative's hand shot up with characteristic energy, followed by the more measured raising of the Aburame clan's leader. Each raised hand seemed to add weight to the silence that had fallen over the room.

Danzō was dumbfounded. The room seemed to spin around him as more hands rose against his carefully laid plans.

Why? Isn't Kakashi the one who betrayed his comrades? What are you all looking at me like that for?! He searched for any sign of support, finding only cold judgment in return.

In the center of it all, Kakashi stood quietly, his expression hidden behind his mask, but his shoulders seemed to straighten slightly as each hand rose in his defense.

The Third Hokage's face remained impassive as he counted the raised hands, but those who knew him well might have caught the slight upturn at the corner of his mouth as he took a long draw from his pipe.

The verdict was clear.