Charlatan (Third Update)

Facing the taunts of several Rain ninja, Xu Yue merely swept his eerie Sharingan across them.

In an instant, every voice fell silent, like roosters with their throats wrung shut.

Only then did he turn back to the Root leader, "Wu."

"Don’t forget your identity. You represent Konoha’s honor. You are not allowed to grovel here."

Xu Yue’s forceful stance secretly alarmed "Wu." This was completely unlike the image the other man had always maintained in the village!

When Lord Danzo had arranged for this guy to come, aside from valuing his combat strength, it had also been because of his usual people-pleasing nature. He surely wouldn’t offend the arrogant Hanzo. But what was with putting on the traditional Uchiha Clan’s arrogant, overbearing act now?

So this guy treated outsiders and villagers completely differently?

He was a true Konoha supremacist.

"What a fine representative of Konoha’s honor. I wonder, then, whether you can truly represent Konoha’s honor!"

Hanzo had once bestowed the name Sannin upon the three of them and was known as a demigod.

Even Danzo himself would show him sufficient respect upon meeting him.

Yet now, a brat sent by Danzo was acting so wildly arrogant.

Even Hanzo found it difficult to suppress the fluctuations in his emotions.

"Ha. Honor? Naturally, I represent some of it."

Xu Yue seemed as though he had swallowed gunpowder. Zetsu’s plan to have a Rain ninja provoke him did not even need to be used; he went straight at Hanzo.

"Very well. Then let me see just how much Konoha’s honor is worth…"

Boom!

A violent current of air suddenly swept through the entire venue, and many people raised their hands to shield themselves.

Scales surfaced along Xu Yue’s cheeks as he stared coldly at Hanzo with the chilling aura of a snake.

"What, are you planning to tear down your own village?"

Xu Yue had once used Sage Mode to forcibly suppress the Nine-Tails for a short period.

This was no longer particularly secret intelligence—at least, not before people of Hanzo’s caliber or Root!

Thus, revealing it appropriately did no harm.

As Hanzo sensed the rich sage chakra emanating from Xu Yue, the words he had begun to speak were forcibly cut off. Light flickered continuously in his eyes.

"Konoha truly is brimming with talent. In terms of strength, you are already no weaker than the Sannin of old."

Clearly, Hanzo had found himself a way out and softened considerably.

It was not that he feared Xu Yue, nor that he believed himself incapable of winning.

It was because Xu Yue was indeed right. If two fighters of this level went all out within the village, the casualties would certainly be severe.

From the aura Xu Yue had displayed alone, Hanzo could tell that he was an enemy who could not be dealt with quickly.

Especially since he seemed to possess large-scale ninjutsu!

Still, Hanzo’s words were quite interesting. He was plainly implying that even Xu Yue’s teachers had once been defeated by him, and that he would not lower himself to argue with a junior.

Xu Yue did not press the issue either. His objective had been achieved, so there was no need to go too far. Or rather, he had only intended to intimidate him from the start.

Even his real body could do nothing against the seasoned Hanzo and might even get beaten badly. A mere Wood Clone should just issue a warning.

If this had not been the other side’s territory, where he could be certain they would not want their own pots and pans smashed, and if Hanzo had not been a seasoned old fox whose edges had long been worn smooth, Xu Yue would not have dared to intimidate him so directly.

Against someone like the Fourth Raikage, Xu Yue’s Wood Clone would definitely have kept quiet.

There was only one character’s difference between being awesome and being an idiot.

After canceling Sage Mode, which had already consumed some of his strength, Xu Yue revealed his signature bright, sunny smile.

"Not at all. I should thank you for showing mercy, Senior."

This abrupt shift in style caught everyone nearby completely off guard.

Was this sunny, gentle boy next door really the Uchiha Clan member who had been so wildly arrogant just moments ago?

"I acted that way only to defend the village’s honor. Please forgive me for offending Senior Hanzo. Speaking purely as a junior, I was indeed disrespectful just now."

Even Hanzo was bewildered by Xu Yue’s change in attitude. However, the relationship between the Land of Rain and Konoha was currently delicate, so naturally he went down the ladder Xu Yue had offered. Only then did the atmosphere between the two sides gradually become amicable again.

Yet because Moles had been planted at the outset, it was clearly impossible for them to cooperate with complete unity. Xu Yue’s fundamental goal was to suitably pull Konoha out of this vortex…

And it would also let those other two relax a little, wouldn’t it…

The outcome of the meeting left both Obito and Zetsu, who had likewise stationed White Zetsu nearby and received news from inside the venue, somewhat dumbfounded.

Uchiha Yue was difficult to deal with. After entering the Land of Rain, he had vanished without a trace. Even White Zetsu could not provide real-time coverage everywhere, nor could it parasitize that guy’s unusual body.

This had given the two of them quite a headache from the start.

Yet they had not expected him to suddenly appear before Hanzo and act so "unyieldingly"!

Although things were moving in the direction they wanted, something still felt off!

Had he really shown his originally gentle nature only after wholeheartedly striving for Konoha and preserving the face of a great village?

Still, the result was quite good.

Obito had initially been worried that Uchiha Yue and Hanzo would work together wholeheartedly.

If that truly happened, Nagato, who mostly used the Rinnegan’s power on instinct, might really be in danger. At that point, he would certainly have to help Nagato with all his strength.

Now, however, there was no need to worry. As long as they distrusted and guarded against each other, they posed no threat.

Even though Nagato’s use of the Rinnegan’s power was still crude and he could not fully utilize it,

with those eyes alone, he could ensure that he utterly crushed any Kage-level powerhouse in a one-on-one fight!

This was even better. Since Uchiha Yue represented Konoha, Nagato would be even more likely to resent him.

Everything was under control. Now they only had to wait for the performance to begin…

Crackle!

With the roar of lightning, an envoy representing Hanzo’s will arrived at Akatsuki’s base.

"My name is Kansuke, Lord Hanzo’s assistant. My lord has heard of your deeds and greatly admires what you have done. This is Lord Hanzo’s handwritten letter. Please read it."

Kansuke, wearing the distinctive mask of a Rain ninja, handed a scroll to Xu Yue before him.

Xu Yue solemnly accepted the scroll and opened it in front of everyone. After reading its contents, he handed it to Yahiko beside him.

During this period, Xu Yue had successfully relied on his own abilities to build considerable prestige throughout Akatsuki.

Even Yahiko’s wariness had been steadily fooled away by Xu Yue’s vague theories of peace and the slogans of a hot-blooded, chuunibyou youth. His favorability had risen by another five points.

Using the image of the steady, middle-aged "Yue," Xu Yue had also successfully become Akatsuki’s strategist and diplomat responsible for external relations.

It could not be helped. The entire Akatsuki was currently made up of young people struggling forward with passion and conviction.

They carried such naive ideals and such pure hearts.

They were truly incredibly simple, just like students who were easily manipulated by slogans…

With Xu Yue’s ability to put on a mask, winning them over had not been difficult at all.

"It’s Lord Hanzo’s letter! Lord Hanzo has seen our efforts and recognized our actions! He has fully accepted us and is ready to cooperate with us!"

After reading the scroll, Yahiko excitedly shared the good news with everyone.

Upon hearing this, everyone in Akatsuki froze for a moment before bursting into unrestrained laughter and tears.

Their efforts had not been in vain. Their convictions had finally been conveyed. They were finally beginning to receive a response!

The only one who did not join the celebration was "Yue." He coldly watched the passionate youths, looking entirely out of place, like a block of ice amid blazing heat.

After seeing Kansuke off, he summoned Yahiko, Nagato, and the others over, preparing to begin his career as a charlatan prophet…

Third update complete! Please keep subscribing!

The Third Ninja War arc in Naruto should end tomorrow~