Naruto evolution system

Chapter 144: Driving Wolves to Devour Tigers

Baishi immediately noticed the probing tone in Konan's words, but he wasn't interested in getting tangled up with the Akatsuki or joining their ranks. He diverted the conversation, asking instead, "How did you find me?"

Konan felt a pang of helplessness. From his reactions, it was clear Baishi knew a lot, but he wasn't willing to reveal anything.

If this were anyone else, she would have resorted to force by now. But Baishi was a different case—his mastery of the Flying Thunder God technique alone made it impossible to subdue him.

And beyond that, he also wielded the Wood Release and likely housed the Nine-Tails. This made her even more cautious.

She had initially prepared a long speech to persuade Baishi to join the Akatsuki, but seeing his attitude, she realized it was a futile endeavor.

"If that's the case, I'll have to resort to the second plan…"

With that thought in mind, Konan decided to shift tactics.

"Two days ago, you killed some of Kado's men nearby. He put a bounty on you in the black market."

Baishi raised an eyebrow at her words. "Two days ago… so it was them."

Her response confirmed his suspicions. After all, apart from destroying a few ships two days ago, he hadn't done anything noteworthy since leaving the island.

He had already guessed Kado's group might be behind it, but hearing his name left Baishi amused. He had crossed paths with this "familiar face" after all.

Having obtained the answers he sought, Baishi saw no reason to linger. His presence had been exposed, and he had no idea how many people would come searching for him next.

While he wasn't afraid of anyone with his current power, he also had no desire to waste time on meaningless confrontations. Leaving sooner rather than later seemed the best course of action.

Konan seemed to sense his intentions. "Wait!" she called.

Stopping mid-teleportation, Baishi turned and asked, "What is it? Planning to fight me?"

A faint pressure began radiating from him, his aura steadily rising. If Konan intended to push her luck, Baishi didn't mind teaching her a lesson.

His restraint thus far was purely due to disinterest. However, if she mistook that for leniency, she was sorely mistaken.

Feeling the mounting pressure, Konan steeled herself but remained outwardly calm. "You misunderstand," she said. "I simply wanted to warn you that Onoki hasn't given up on tracking you."

Baishi narrowed his eyes at her words. He didn't believe her kindness was purely altruistic.

Considering the Akatsuki's goals, he suspected they wanted to use him to weaken Iwagakure. If he clashed with Onoki, it would ultimately benefit the Akatsuki's plans to seize the village's tailed beast and further their goals of disrupting the world order.

"Clever… they're treating me like an unofficial Akatsuki member to achieve their aims."

Unfortunately for Baishi, her warning wasn't entirely without merit.

After all, in addition to his raid on Iwagakure's secret archives, he had killed Onoki's son, Kitsuchi, a few years ago. Onoki had every reason—both personal and political—to continue pursuing him.

Knowing this, any confrontation would likely play right into the Akatsuki's hands.

Indeed, Konan's secondary plan—pitting wolves against tigers—was already underway.

Baishi glanced deeply at her before vanishing without a word.

Watching him disappear, Konan's expression turned contemplative. She stood silently for a while before finally leaving the area.

Unbeknownst to both of them, a figure with a plant-like head emerged from the ground shortly after their departure.

It was none other than Black Zetsu.

Though Black Zetsu wasn't officially part of the Akatsuki in this timeline, his attention to their activities hadn't waned. Otherwise, he wouldn't have followed Konan here.

Staring at the spot where Baishi had vanished, Black Zetsu's expression turned pensive.

After wandering the ninja world for millennia, he prided himself on his ability to read people. Yet Baishi continued to elude his understanding, filling him with unease.

For a moment, he had considered attacking Baishi to eliminate this wildcard. But his instincts warned him against it.

Every time Baishi resurfaced, his power seemed to have grown exponentially. The young man who was once insignificant had now become a potential threat, capable of unsettling even Black Zetsu.

"This one needs to be dealt with soon," he muttered to himself.

Baishi remained oblivious to Black Zetsu's renewed resolve to eliminate him. However, even if he knew, he wouldn't care.

By this point, very few adversaries in the world posed any real threat to him.

For now, his attention was fixated on a singular goal—eliminating Kado.

While Kado was just an ordinary man, his wealth made him dangerous. Baishi had no intention of being hunted down by waves of bounty hunters just because of some rich fool's grudge.

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Three Hours Later, Near Sunset

Baishi arrived at an unnamed island.

From his vantage point, he spotted a heavily guarded fortress in the distance. Scoffing, he muttered, "Hiding in a place like this? Is he paranoid from all the evil he's done?"

Were it not for his mind-reading technique, tracing Kado to this remote location would have been an arduous task.

Now that he'd found the tycoon, Baishi didn't anticipate much of a challenge.

After a brief scan to confirm the absence of any ambushes, he began walking toward the fortress.

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Inside the Fortress

Kado turned to one of his subordinates—a man with a distinctive eyepatch—and asked, "Any news on that bounty?"

"Not yet, boss," the man replied.

Kado's grip on his cane tightened as he barked, "Contact the black market immediately and double the reward!"

"Double it?" the subordinate asked, startled. "Boss, isn't that unnecessary? The bounty's already high enough, and it's only been three days. Maybe we should wait a bit longer."

"Idiot! You don't understand the danger here. Just do as I say!"

"Yes, boss!"

Sensing Kado's rising anger, the man quickly agreed and turned to leave.

But before he could step outside, a calm voice echoed through the room.

"There's no need for that."

"Who's there?!"

Weapons were drawn as every guard in the room turned toward the source of the voice.

The sound of slow, deliberate footsteps filled the air.

A young man stepped into view.

"It's him!" one of the guards exclaimed, instantly recognizing Baishi.

The room fell silent as the others also identified their unwelcome guest. One by one, they began retreating, their fear evident.

Baishi let out a derisive chuckle before vanishing into thin air.

(End of Chapter)

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