Mastermind of the Akatsuki

[Upper Jonin Nonō has joined the Akatsuki. You have received the "Walking Priestess' Intelligence Specialization."] 

[Walking Priestess' Intelligence Specialization: After serving as a spy across the ninja world for over a decade, Nonō developed a method for quickly training spies, refined during her time running an orphanage.] 

Hearing the system notification in his mind, Byakuya casually clicked to claim the reward. He didn't particularly care about the reward itself; the real benefit was ensuring Kabuto, this talented genius, remained tied to the Akatsuki alongside Nonō. 

After shaking hands with their newest recruit, Nonō, Byakuya turned to Kabuto and asked, "Now that Director Nonō has joined the Akatsuki, what are your plans, Kabuto?" 

Kabuto was briefly stunned before a look of gratitude appeared on his face. 

Unlike Danzo, who issued orders without hesitation and ruled the Root organization with an iron fist, Byakuya was considerate enough to ask for his opinion before assigning a mission. Danzo, by contrast, disregarded even the Hokage's commands, punishing any ninja who defied him harshly. 

After a moment of thought, Kabuto said respectfully, "Lord Byakuya, I intend to continue my mission in Konoha, gathering intelligence on its major factions for you." 

Byakuya gave Kabuto a thoughtful look and asked, "When you return, how do you plan to explain this to Danzo? The mission he gave you and Nonō was to eliminate each other, after all." 

Kabuto understood that Byakuya was testing his ability to improvise, so he replied, "I will report that the mission to eliminate the traitor failed due to uncontrollable circumstances, but I'll provide him with more critical intelligence to make up for it." 

Hearing this, Byakuya nodded in approval. 

Kabuto, after all, was the same three-faced spy who, in the original timeline, managed to outmaneuver both Danzo and Sasori of the Red Sand. Later, he even played a key role in orchestrating the Fourth Great Ninja War alongside Obito, fighting against the Five Great Ninja Villages. 

After silently appraising Kabuto for a few seconds, Byakuya retrieved two scrolls from his belongings and handed them over. 

"Kabuto, I recently obtained two secret techniques that are perfectly suited for you to master." 

Kabuto accepted the scrolls with a look of excitement and gratitude, bowing deeply. "Lord Byakuya, I will faithfully carry out your orders and not disappoint you." 

Byakuya waved him off. "The intelligence itself isn't as important as your survival. Your life is far more valuable than any intelligence on Konoha. When you return, take good care of yourself." 

The secret techniques Byakuya gave to Kabuto were none other than Body Revival Jutsu and Dark Medical Ninjutsu, obtained from Shinnō. 

For someone like Byakuya, whose bloodline was already approaching the level of Ashura, these techniques were of limited value—they wouldn't help him surpass the Five Kage and reach super-Kage strength. 

However, for Kabuto, who was still only at Chunin level, it was a completely different story. 

With Kabuto's innate talent, he would soon master these secret techniques. With a bit of additional support to boost his strength, it wouldn't be difficult for Kabuto to rival Kakashi and become one of the elite Jonin in the ninja world. 

Only then would Kabuto become a truly valuable chess piece, ready to be deployed on the grand board of the ninja world. 

Over the next two weeks, Kabuto focused on learning Body Revival and Dark Medical Ninjutsu. 

Byakuya also brought him several medical documents from Orochimaru's laboratory, aiding Kabuto's rapid progress in medical ninjutsu. 

Eventually, Kabuto received a response to his report to Danzo and was summoned to return to Konoha. 

--- 

Root Base. 

In the dimly lit room of the Root headquarters, Danzo sat in a chair, his expression as inscrutable as ever, as he reviewed the report Kabuto had submitted upon his return from Iwagakure. 

His fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk as he squinted slightly at Kabuto and asked, "Kabuto, you're saying the mission to eliminate the Root traitor failed because Iwagakure was attacked, and the target never appeared at the designated location?" 

Kabuto nodded solemnly and replied, "Yes, Lord Danzo. I failed in my duties. Please punish me as you see fit." 

Danzo studied Kabuto carefully, as though trying to discern whether he was lying. 

The mission he had assigned Kabuto and Nonō was intended to sever their emotions completely, turning them into perfect tools for him. 

Unlike other departments in Konoha, the Root organization didn't require its members to retain their humanity—absolute obedience was all that mattered. 

Most Root ninjas only became "qualified" after completing missions to kill close friends or loved ones, burying their emotions to serve as Danzo's tools. 

If Kabuto succeeded in killing Nonō, it would prove he was ready to become one of Danzo's perfect tools. If Kabuto hesitated, then Danzo's backup plan—a "reprogrammed" Nonō—would eliminate Kabuto as a defective product. 

Both outcomes had been accounted for. 

However, the situation had deviated from Danzo's expectations. During Kabuto's mission to eliminate Nonō, Iwagakure had been attacked by unidentified forces, dragging Nonō into the chaos as collateral damage. 

When Danzo first heard this report, he suspected Kabuto of deceiving him. 

Yet other Root operatives stationed in Iwagakure confirmed that the village had indeed been attacked the previous night. The scale of the assault was so large that even elite Jonin Kitsuchi and the Third Tsuchikage Onoki had been mobilized. 

Kabuto might have conspired to deceive him, but there was no way he could involve the Third Tsuchikage in his deception. 

After a long silence, Danzo asked, "From which direction did the attackers come? Did Iwagakure reach any conclusions?" 

Kabuto furrowed his brow as though recalling details and replied, "It seemed to be from the southeast. As for whether it was Kumogakure or another village, I don't know—that information was classified." 

"Southeast?" Danzo muttered, his brows furrowing. 

Before the Nine-Tails incident, hearing "southeast of Iwagakure" would have led him to suspect Kumogakure or Sunagakure, as both villages had the motive and strength to attack Iwagakure. 

However, since the rise of Amegakure, his first suspicion was now the Rain Village. 

Apart from its famed "Demi-God" Hanzo, the one who stood out most in his mind was Byakuya. 

Although Byakuya had secretly cooperated with him on multiple occasions, Danzo would never trust him completely. 

If not for Byakuya, Danzo would have successfully formed an alliance with Hanzo long ago. 

Perhaps after the Nine-Tails incident, Danzo could have used Hanzo's influence to secure his position as the Fifth Hokage. 

But if the attack on Iwagakure really was Byakuya's doing… 

"What is Byakuya up to?" Danzo wondered. 

While Amegakure's current strength was impressive, it was still not enough to challenge Iwagakure directly. Initiating a conflict recklessly would only benefit the other ninja villages. 

Unless… Byakuya was emulating one of his own old strategies: disguising himself as a ninja from another village to provoke hostilities and ignite a new ninja war?