313 - Naruto: The Tenseigan Ascendant (Patreon)

313 - Cutting Off His Backing

Shinichi had only just arrived. Hiruko's scream stopped him short, and the words he had meant to say deserted him.

"This is a restricted research area," Shinno said sharply. "Leave."

"Restricted?" Shinichi gave a small laugh and stepped closer. "That sounded a lot like Hiruko. Is there something wrong with his body?"

Shinno's expression hardened. "That's none of your business."

Shinichi did not seem bothered. "Homura told me what you've been up to. Who knew you were hiding a secret like that? Keeping it from the organization can't be a good idea."

A vein stood out on Shinno's temple. "Are you threatening me?"

Shinichi shrugged. "Call it what you like. I've got something on you now. If you think that's a threat, then yes, I'm threatening you."

Shinno forced down his anger. "What do you want?"

"Hand over the Chimera Technique, and I'll forget I heard about your plan to devour the priestess. Otherwise, the organization may learn that you derailed its operation for your own purposes." Shinichi smiled. "Then you'll have to defect, just like Orochimaru."

"I won't be blackmailed," Shinno said. "I was already going to tell the organization. If I'm punished, I'll accept it. Save your breath."

Shinichi pursed his lips. "All right. Forget I said anything."

He turned toward the exit.

Shinno called after him. "I never thought someone with the Mangekyo Sharingan would covet Hiruko's Chimera Technique. How ironic."

Without turning, Shinichi raised a hand. "You'd better confess quickly, before I let it slip. Oh, and I hear you've been working with Orochimaru too. You should tell the organization about that while you're at it. Maybe the leader will spare you."

The mention of Orochimaru caught Shinno off guard. His confidence faltered.

Once he was sure Shinichi had left the base, Shinno considered the consequences. 'If I admit what I hid, the organization won't trust me again. Hiruko may start watching me too. And if they discover that I kept in touch with Orochimaru, even brought him to watch Hiruko's fusion ritual, I'll be in real trouble.'

Shinno had never felt much loyalty to the Akatsuki.

He had already used its resources for what he needed and obtained most of Hiruko's research. Leaving the organization was no longer an unthinkable choice.

'Maybe it's time.'

The priestess's rule in the Land of Demons had collapsed, leaving Shion without a court to protect her. Even under Konoha's protection, she was only a little girl. Shinno believed that with enough patience, he could still devour her and claim her power.

Having decided to leave the Akatsuki, Shinno began by moving his supplies and research specimens.

The base belonged to Hiruko in name, but many of its laboratories were Shinno's, and they held valuable material.

He had no intention of abandoning those supplies.

Shinichi would not give him long. While Hiruko suffered behind the seals of his chamber, Shinno worked quickly, packing more than half the laboratories' contents into storage scrolls.

Once the supplies were moved, Shinno composed himself and headed for the tower where the organization's leader resided.

He soon stood before Pain.

"What is it?" Pain asked without warmth.

Shinno bowed. "Hiruko's condition has worsened. He needs certain medicines, so I may have to leave the Land of Rain for a while."

Shinno knew he needed a plausible reason to leave. Even after absorbing Moryo and growing much stronger, he could not simply fight his way out of the Land of Rain.

Hiruko's condition gave him the perfect excuse.

Even if Hiruko survived the complications, he would need time to recover. No one would question Shinno's absence immediately. That would give him enough time to escape and hide far from the Land of Rain.

Pain had little interest in the details. He simply nodded.

Relief washed through Shinno, and he let out a long breath.

As he turned to leave, Konan, standing beside Pain, stopped him. "You seem nervous."

Shinno managed a smile. "I always get nervous in front of the leader. Perhaps the Rinnegan is that intimidating."

Konan gave him a cold look. "Then keep your mind on the organization's work. Nothing else."

Shinno nodded quickly. "What happened this time was my fault. Please forgive me, Leader. It won't happen again."

Outside the tower, he pulled on a raincoat and hurried toward the Land of Fire.

Not long after Shinno left, Shinichi stepped out of a nearby building, smiling. "I knew something was wrong with him. One little bluff and he gave himself away."

In Konoha.

Pop.

Manekimaru appeared in Naoki's house in a puff of white smoke.

Naoki paid him, as usual, and took the scroll Shinichi had sent.

He spread it open and smiled. "Just as I thought. Shinno isn't really loyal to the Akatsuki."

Naoki had spent the last few days examining the Akatsuki's plan from that night. Shinno's actions had worked against it. Whatever method he used to attack Shion, Konoha would realize an outside force was involved. The cautious Third Hokage would never turn on the Uchiha on the spot under those circumstances.

Shinno's dealings with Orochimaru, who had already defected from the Akatsuki, offered another sign that his loyalty was only skin-deep.

Shinno with Akatsuki backing and Shinno without it were two very different opponents. Since Naoki had decided to move against him, weakening that support came first.

'Now I just need to find where he's hiding and gather a team.'

For anyone else, finding Shinno might be difficult. For Naoki, it would be easy.

The bell hid Shion from Shinno, but it suppressed her power as well. Before gathering a team, Naoki could ask her to remove it just long enough to sense Shinno. Shinno would be able to sense her too, so Naoki would have to keep her safe until she put it back on. It was risky, but it would give them a way to find him.