Amegakure.
"Are you really certain? If you pass on false information, the Leader will kill you. Many have died that way," Fuyo followed behind Sasuke, her voice tight with anxiety.
Three minutes earlier, this sunny, handsome boy she'd just met seemed to have lost his mind.
He suddenly tore the S-Rank mission from the intelligence board, claiming he had the information.
It was impossible.
The S-Rank missions involved top-secret intelligence about Kage-level entities.
Not just some teenager, but even Elite Jonin from the great nations, masters of stealth and infiltration, would likely fail such a task.
"I've said it many times. I truly know. One hundred percent certain," Sasuke stated flatly, a confident smirk playing on his lips.
Seeing his determination, Fuyo gave up trying to persuade him.
She could only sigh in resignation and lead the way.
"Remember, whatever you know, you must report it truthfully to the Leader. Never think to hide or deceive. He has ways to detect lies."
They stopped before a massive steel door.
Fuyo looked at Sasuke, her warnings earnest.
She had taken a liking to this handsome, gentle boy and didn't want to see him lose his life over this.
"I understand. Thank you for your concern, Fuyo." Sasuke offered a slight smile and pushed the door open without hesitation.
Fuyo watched his retreating back, a sudden unease gripping her heart.
A strange premonition.
She felt this person might bring earth-shattering change to Amegakure.
…
The steel hall opened into a vast, empty auditorium.
On a high platform stood a throne of black iron, immense and heavy.
"So you are the one who claims to know the Kyubi's whereabouts?" A magnetic, icy voice echoed from behind the throne.
"Yes. I have an absolutely reliable source to find the Kyubi." Sasuke's Sharingan spun subtly as he gazed at the iron throne.
A man with orange-yellow hair, slightly darker than Naruto's.
His features were refined, his face well-proportioned.
But numerous black rods pierced his nose, ears, and chin, creating a grotesque, frightening visage.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly.
'So this was the method the Group Owner mentioned, Nagato's way of controlling corpses?'
'He's using those black rods like that.'
"Hmph. Absolutely reliable?" The man on the throne sneered, slightly raising his right hand.
A terrifying suction force instantly pulled Sasuke forward.
Resistance was futile.
In a flash, Sasuke was dragged before Pain, a pair of Rinnegan staring directly into his eyes.
"Tell me. What is your information channel? And... where is the Kyubi?" Pain's voice was low and freezing.
Though restrained and immobile, Sasuke managed a strange smile, his boasting skills in full effect.
"Pain, let us cooperate!"
Pain's Rinnegan contracted almost imperceptibly.
He had not revealed his identity.
No one from Amegakure would recklessly expose him.
Yet this youth had named him correctly.
"Which village's Shinobi are you?" Only elite Shinobi from the great villages would know his true identity.
A faint smile appeared Sasuke's lips as he whispered,
"Konoha, Root. Under Danzo-sama's command."
'Danzo?!'
A flash of rage, quickly suppressed, crossed Pain's eyes.
This was the man who had instigated Hanzo, indirectly causing Yahiko's death.
His hatred for Danzo burned as fiercely as that for Hanzo.
But the intelligence was crucial.
Pain forced calm into his voice, "According to my information, the Kyubi has already defected from Konoha. How could you possibly have intelligence on him?"
"Hah. As the Leader of Amegakure, the head of Akatsuki... surely you don't believe Konoha's official story?" Sasuke sneered scornfully and began his tale.
"Naruto's defection is nothing but a play orchestrated by the Sandaime Hokage."
"His goal is to use false intelligence to lure out forces hostile to Konoha and conduct a major purge."
"After all, how could he not keep the Kyubi's Jinchuriki under the strictest guard?"
'I see.'
Pain nodded.
Logically, this was the most plausible explanation.
Only...
"If this is Konoha's own staged drama, why seek me out to expose the Jinchuriki's location?" Pain's cold gaze held suspicion.
"Cooperation, of course. So that Danzo-sama can become the Hokage." Sasuke's tone shifted, his smile light.
"Sandaime is virtuous and prestigious. Short of a disaster, he will never step down."
"Danzo-sama is advanced in years. This Kyubi Incident is likely his final opportunity."
"So he secretly sent you to Amegakure to reveal the Kyubi's location to me, ensuring Sandaime bears the blame, allowing Danzo to seize the position of Hokage?" Pain didn't need Sasuke to elaborate.
He had reasoned it out himself, voicing the very plan Sasuke intended to propose.
"Precisely. All of this... is Danzo-sama's plan." Sasuke nodded, his smile unwavering.