Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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When Danzo heard what Muzan said, his first reaction was one of arrogance. He acknowledged that Muzan was indeed strong, but the idea of sweeping across the entire ninja world with sheer power alone was something he believed impossible.

"Even the First Hokage, at the pinnacle of the ninja world, couldn't conquer it by himself," Danzo remarked coldly. "He had his Wood Release and the strength of his allies. In the end, he chose to establish peace through the founding of the villages, not conquest."

Muzan smirked as he looked out at the billowing smoke in the distance, his voice calm but brimming with confidence. "Danzo, you've overlooked something critical."

"The First Hokage desired peace. That was the foundation for the villages. But I am different. Behind me stands a powerful force."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "The Twelve Kizuki and the Land of Waves—both my allies. Together, we are unstoppable."

Danzo's throat tightened as he struggled to form a rebuttal. He studied Muzan carefully, but finally, he let it go with a heavy sigh. His only concern was securing his own future as Hokage, not Muzan's ambitions.

"Forget it," Danzo muttered. "Your plans don't concern me. But there is someone who has been waiting for you for a long time."

Danzo led Muzan deep into the Root's underground base. Groups of young shinobi were training rigorously under the watchful eyes of Root operatives, preparing to serve as the next generation of Konoha's shadow warriors.

Soon, they arrived at an old, familiar door—Muzan's former laboratory. As it creaked open, a lone figure inside froze, sensing someone entering. When Kabuto turned and saw who it was, his usually composed expression faltered.

"Sensei... Muzan-sama!" Kabuto gasped, his voice filled with shock.

"Long time no see, Kabuto," Muzan replied calmly.

Kabuto trembled slightly, barely able to contain his excitement. Muzan noted Kabuto's reaction and recalled how, after his departure from Konoha, the young medic had been placed under strict ANBU surveillance and eventually fell under Danzo's control. Over the years, Danzo had kept Kabuto under his thumb, ensuring his usefulness to the Root.

Danzo, watching the reunion from the shadows, spoke with a sharp edge in his tone. "Enjoy your little reunion. But remember, this is still Konoha. If you have no further business here, I suggest you leave quickly."

He tossed a small notebook toward Muzan. "Kabuto's research logs," Danzo explained. "He's been quite productive in your absence."

Kabuto stepped forward eagerly, his eyes gleaming. "Sensei, after you left, I conducted extensive research on the human body. I even developed a miniature healing jutsu capable of repairing cells and preventing massive blood loss."

Muzan smiled slightly at Kabuto's enthusiasm. Despite Konoha's darkness, it seemed Kabuto had remained focused on refining his medical knowledge. At only twelve years old, Kabuto had already surpassed expectations, and with Muzan's guidance, his potential would only grow.

"Impressive work, Kabuto," Muzan praised.

"Thank you, Sensei. I would like to continue my research with you," Kabuto said earnestly. "I've heard of your recent activities, and I believe I can be of use."

Muzan studied the determination in Kabuto's eyes. The boy understood the implications of leaving Konoha—the consequences of becoming a missing-nin. Yet, Kabuto's resolve was unwavering.

"If you come with me, you will become a traitor," Muzan said gravely. "You know what we have done to Konoha. The village is in ruins, and many have died."

Kabuto glanced at the rising black smoke in the distance, his expression serious. "I am ready."

Muzan nodded. "Very well. Konoha is rotting, and staying here will only rot you with it. Come with me to the Land of Waves. We need talents like yours to accelerate our progress."

Danzo's watchful eyes followed them as they gathered Kabuto's experimental data. Though Danzo allowed them to leave with the research, Muzan left behind a copy for him. Muzan knew Danzo's true nature—loyal to no one but himself—and ensured the balance of power remained intact, for now.

As they made their way out of the base, Kabuto turned to gaze at Konoha. The rising black smoke and the chaos in the village were undeniable. From their vantage point, they could see the Forest of Death, with shinobi rushing past in a frenzy.

"What's happening outside?" Kabuto asked.

Muzan's voice was cold as he revealed the truth. "We attacked Konoha."

Kabuto's eyes widened, but Muzan paid no mind to the destruction behind them. Konoha, once the strongest of the five great villages, was now in ruins—a relic of the past.

Meanwhile, back at the heart of the wreckage, Namikaze Minato stood with grim resolve at the site where the Hokage office once stood. He gazed at the report in his hand, detailing the grim toll of the attack—countless dead and wounded.

"I understand," Minato said quietly, his voice heavy with the weight of responsibility.

Rebuilding Konoha was possible, especially with Yamato's Wood Release, but the scars of this attack—both physical and emotional—would linger for generations. The village had been dealt a devastating blow that shook its very foundations.

Minato turned to his aides. "Inform the other villages. I want to convene an alliance meeting. The Akatsuki is after the Tailed Beasts. They won't sit idly by, and neither will we."

As for the Twelve Kizuki, Minato was less certain. Muzan's grudge seemed focused on Konoha alone, but the Akatsuki's growing threat loomed over all the great nations.

"The chaos isn't over yet," Minato whispered to himself. "And we can't let it get worse."

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The fall of Konoha reverberated across the ninja world. At first, rumors of its destruction were dismissed as mere exaggeration. But as survivors and reports began to circulate, the grim truth was undeniable.

The idea of uniting the Five Great Nations to face a common threat seemed like an insurmountable task. Centuries of rivalry, mistrust, and hidden agendas clouded any attempts at cooperation. Even something as simple as selecting a neutral ground for a summit was fraught with tension.

Yet, none of this concerned Muzan.

Having left Konoha in ruins, he regrouped with his elite cadre of loyal subordinates. However, Muzan immediately noticed the absence of Haku, who had been teleported to an unknown location during the attack. For now, Haku was beyond his reach.

Addressing the group, Muzan's commanding voice resonated, sharp and unyielding. "If any of you believe yourselves worthy of a higher rank, challenge your superior. Defeat them, and their position—and my blood—shall be yours."

The Twelve Demon Moons thrived on this philosophy, where strength dictated hierarchy. Among them, the Upper Moons stood unparalleled, their power far eclipsing that of the Lower Moons.

Pakura, was Muzan's Second Upper Moon. With Haku missing, Muzan granted her temporary command as the First Upper Moon. Fueled by Muzan's blood, Pakura's latent potential exploded, her Boil Release further augmented by demonic enhancements.

As flames and steam radiated from her body, Pakura stepped forward, her voice calm but charged with newfound power. "I will not fail you, Lord Muzan."

Muzan smirked, satisfied. "Good. The Land of Fire is weak. Observe Konoha as it rebuilds—slowly, and in turmoil. Hizashi, locate Haku and bring him back."

Hizashi, a skilled scout from the Lower Moons, nodded and vanished into the shadows.

Meanwhile, back in the Land of Waves, Muzan's economic machinations had brought the Five Great Nations to their knees. The merchants of the Land of Waves, now under Muzan's influence, dominated regional trade with impossibly low prices. Entire industries in rival countries were collapsing under the weight of this economic assault.

The Daimyō of the Land of Fire convened an emergency meeting with his advisors.

"The merchants from the Land of Waves are bleeding us dry!" one noble exclaimed. "If this continues, the Land of Fire itself will fall into ruin."

Another slammed his fist on the table. "This isn't ordinary commerce. They're backed by someone—someone with endless resources."

Their desperation led to clandestine attempts to sabotage the Land of Waves' supply chain, but these efforts were thwarted by Muzan's forethought. He had stationed skilled shinobi and members of the Twelve Demon Moons to protect his investments.

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Disguised as a humble merchant, Muzan roamed the streets of the Land of Fire, sowing seeds of discord wherever he went. His charisma was as lethal as his power, subtly turning the people against their leaders.

"Things are proceeding as planned," reported Yamanosatsu, a former ANBU operative now loyal to Muzan.

Muzan nodded, his piercing red eyes glinting in the moonlight. "Good. Let them resist. It will only deepen their despair. And when the time comes, they will beg for salvation—our salvation."

Their conversation was interrupted by commotion in the marketplace.

"You! Pay up, or we'll make sure you never do business here again!" a thug barked, shaking down a merchant.

The merchant, a representative of the Land of Waves, stood his ground, defiance burning in his eyes. "We don't pay protection fees. We have our own protection."

Before the thug could retort, a shadow descended upon him. A sharp claw tore through the air, leaving him sprawled on the ground, unconscious. One of Muzan's subordinates stepped forward, his demonic presence undeniable.

The crowd scattered in fear, leaving Muzan and Yamanosatsu alone to observe the chaos.

"Remember," Muzan said to Yamanosatsu, his voice low but commanding. "This is only the beginning. When the nobles fall, the villages will follow. And then… the era of the Twelve Demon Moons will begin."

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