Naruto - Azure Awakening

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Just as Obito had predicted, Yahiko's death shattered Nagato, plunging him into despair and twisting his ideals beyond recognition. The dream they once shared had been replaced by a singular, consuming purpose - vengeance.

'No matter what we do, this world won't let us live in peace unless we crush everyone with overwhelming strength.'

Nagato's Rinnegan stared into the distance as his thoughts replayed his meeting with the masked man.

'He was right… This cycle of hatred can't be broken through conventional means. If we want to change this world, we have to do something different.'

He hadn't spoken much since Yahiko's death. Nagato had become withdrawn and darker. He was keeping his thoughts to himself, even from Konan. It wasn't that he didn't trust her, on the contrary, she was the only person left in the world that he did trust. But he was determined to shoulder the pain and responsibility alone, unwilling to let her bear the weight of his suffering.

And yet, that very choice only deepened her anguish.

Konan had always followed Yahiko without question, not because she lacked opinions of her own, but because all she had ever wanted was for them to live and to be happy. Now that Yahiko was gone, all her love and care was focused on Nagato. She would rather die than lose him too.

"Nagato… what should we do now?" Konan's voice was quiet. She had been standing silently in the corner of the room, waiting for him to speak.

"We're going to see that masked man," Nagato answered without moving his eyes as he kept staring ahead. "We need strong allies if we're going to change this world."

Konan's breath caught slightly.

"But Yahiko said we can't trust that man."

Her voice was firmer this time as it was edged with concern. Yahiko had been far from perfect, he was too compassionate and sometimes even a little gullible, but right now, Nagato wasn't acting out of wisdom or strategy. He was acting out of grief and rage.

Nagato's fists clenched.

"And where did that lead us?" His voice wavered. "He's dead."

He bit his lower lip, but the pain could not stop the tears that finally slipped from his eyes. He turned only to be met by Konan's gaze.

She was crying too.

Silently. Without words. Without sound.

"I'm not saying we should trust him," Nagato said firmly, but his voice was softer this time. "I just want to hear what he has to say… and see what's what."

It was his first decision that directly went against Yahiko's wishes and it did not sit well with Konan.

However, she chose to not argue, because no matter how much doubt or fear lingered in her heart, Nagato was all she had left.

<<<>>>

Obito was walking through the dense forest when suddenly Black Zetsu emerged from the shadows. Its unnatural face was distorted with a sly smile. "The kid with the Rinnegan has finally decided to seek your help, Obito," it murmured in a voice laced with amusement.

Obito didn't stop. His expression remained indifferent as if he had anticipated this all along. "That's great," he said.

"Should we continue spying on him? Now that he's started using the Rinnegan more efficiently, there's a chance he'll detect us." asked Zetsu. His unique skill allowed him to create the best spy network in the world.

"Continue, but be more careful." Obito's gaze flickered for a moment before he resumed walking. "And don't call me Obito anymore. I'm Tobi."

With that, Zetsu sank into the earth, vanishing as if it had never been there.

'This changes things.' Obito's steps remained steady, but his thoughts raced. 'I no longer have to wait. The war in the Land of Water must begin.'

Takimura had been growing stronger, threatening to shift the balance of power. Obito had been willing to let them grow so that Takimura would be able to fight against Kirigakure. But with his focus now shifting to creating Akatsuki's foundation, he no longer had the luxury of patience.

That was why Yagura's behavior had changed so drastically. Obito hadn't simply controlled him, he had embedded thoughts and memories, subtly twisting his perception until the Mizukage's actions aligned with his own vision. Every decree Yagura passed, every decision he made, was an extension of Obito's will, shaped by the Mizukage's own interpretation.

'I need to find new members for my new organization.' The thought settled in his mind. Without another word, Obito phased out of existence, vanishing into the void.

<<<>>>

As soon as Jiraiya gave the signal, both Mangetsu and Maki charged forward. Maki knew her opponent was formidable, so she activated Predator's Pact without hesitation. Her Suijingan's glow flickered before vanishing as her eyes form shifted into vertical cold and predatory slits. Thick and primal Chakra surged around her whole body, giving her hair a wild, mane-like appearance.

Those familiar with Maki's ability realized it instantly. The sheer volume of chakra she now radiated was staggering.

'What did Tsunade teach her?' Kaoru's eyes widened in disbelief. Maki had improved far beyond his expectations.

Mangetsu, however, remained unfazed. Overwhelming chakra meant nothing to him. If anything, it only made things more interesting as Samehada would love to feast on it. He was the only shinobi capable of wielding all seven legendary swords, as now, he was mastering the last and strongest of them - Samehada.

The sharkskin blade was more than just a weapon. It was alive. It chose its wielder and rejected those he deemed unworthy. Its most terrifying ability was its hunger, it could absorb chakra and devour jutsus themselves. In the hands of an accepted wielder, it could even share its stolen chakra, forming a symbiotic bond. But that was not yet an option for Mangetsu. Samehada allowed him to wield it, but it had not fully acknowledged him. Mangetsu saw this fight as his chance to change that.

His plan had been simple, meet Maki head-on and crush her. But the moment Predator's Pact activated, she disappeared. His eyes twitched.

'I can't track her movements.'

He hadn't expected this kind of speed. Still, he wasn't worried. Physical attacks didn't work on the Hozuki clan, who could liquefy at will letting blows pass harmlessly through their bodies. It was an instinct, something they didn't even need to think about.

But then, Maki reappeared behind him with her leg already swinging in an arc toward his waist.

Mangetsu reacted immediately, preparing to liquefy his body, but then his eyes caught it.

Lightning chakra crackled around Maki's strike.

His instincts screamed at him. He couldn't phase through this, if he tried, the lightning would instantly cause damage to his body and there would be a risk of losing the fight even before it began.

In that split second, he made his choice. Rather than attempt to evade and risk being thrown off-balance, he braced himself. Twisting his body, he brought his elbow up in a defensive block just as the kick connected.

The impact was far stronger than he had anticipated.

A shockwave cracked through the air as Mangetsu's muscles strained against the force, but it wasn't enough… 

He was sent flying.

Jiraiya's eyes moved toward Tsunade. He recognized that power instantly.

'She must have been born with an exceptional body and innate talent in taijutsu to have learned her method in such a short time.'

Jiraya was feeling a mix of admiration and unease. Tsunade had invested too much in Takimura. It was reckless and probably dangerous.

Sure, Takimura was an ally for now, but Jiraiya had spent too many years in war to be naive. Any village outside Konoha was a potential enemy. That was the reality of the world. As Hokage, he had to think like one. And the stronger Takimura became, the harder it would be to keep them in check.

Maki didn't pursue her opponent. She remained in one place, watching as Mangetsu rose to his feet. He was bruised, but nothing serious. Still, the fact that a single blow had forced him back spoke volumes about her strength.

'I underestimated her.' Mangetsu's expression darkened. 'Where has this woman been? There was no report about her.'

Shinobis, who were sent by Kiri, had already clashed with Takimura's elite forces. Or so he had thought. But the intelligence they had received only covered the older generation, none of the elites from the new wave of fighters. The truth was, Takimura's Oinin had been working tirelessly to spread misinformation, feeding Kiri false reports and incomplete data. Their most dangerous shinobi had remained in the shadows, hidden from enemy eyes.

'Tch. I'll keep my distance for now. Let's see how she handles ninjutsu.'

Without hesitation, Mangetsu raised his fingers and fired off a rapid volley of water projectiles, each one slicing through the air like bullets.

From Maki's perspective, however, they were too slow.

She dodged them with effortless grace and then vanished once more.

Across the arena, A's eyes were focused on her, watching the way her chakra pulsed and surged. It was similar to his Lightning Armor's aggressive and overwhelming nature. For a brief moment, his lips curled in admiration.

Then, much to the shock of the entire Kumogakure delegation, his cheeks tinged red.

'It's a damn shame she wasn't born in Kumogakure.' His thoughts drifted to a completely different plane, but his eyes remained locked on the fight.

Mangetsu was expecting Maki to appear behind him again, but this time, she materialized in front of him instead.

A sharp, burning sensation erupted across his face as her fist connected. His features distorted under the force of the blow before his body collapsed into a puddle of water.

'Water clone?'

Maki's eyes narrowed as she scanned the surroundings. She barely had time to register the shift before the mist began creeping in.

A slow, deliberate haze.

Mangetsu was shifting the battlefield to his advantage.

The biggest drawback of Predator's Pact was its chakra consumption. It was a strong technique, but in a prolonged fight, attrition would work against her.

'I haven't burned through too much chakra yet. This is fine.'

She remained calm. Unlike most of the Takime clan, her chakra reserves were monstrous. If someone sensed her full strength, they might have mistaken her for a Senju. But she never let anyone see that. Even now, she suppressed her presence, limiting it to a level that only suggested a jonin.

Even before sacrificing her Suijingan for Predator's Pact, Maki had never possessed Kaoru's ability to see water particles. But she had never needed it, her sensory abilities compensated for that. And now her heightened senses allowed her to perceive what others could not, every shift in the air, every subtle scent, every faint vibration. Yet, despite all that, Mangetsu's presence had completely vanished.

'He's good,' Maki acknowledged and adjusted her strategy.

She expanded her sensory field, covering the entire area. It didn't take long. She could sense that Mangetsu's state was unnatural but still, it was definitely him.

The moment she pinpointed him, she launched forward.

As she reappeared, she saw that Mangetsu was in a state of liquid. But the instant Maki materialized, his body reformed and solidified. Remaining in a liquid state against a Lightning Release user would be suicidal.

Maki's jab shot forward, but Mangetsu intercepted with Samehada.

This time, he absorbed the impact without losing balance and twisted smoothly into a counterattack. The great blade swung toward her in a heavy arc.

The first time she had struck Samehada, Maki felt that her chakra was being consumed, siphoned away the moment she made contact. The sly grin that was displayed across Mangetsu's face also confirmed her doubt.

But the second time was different.

Samehada did nothing.

Mangetsu's brow furrowed as he frowned.

'What the hell? It didn't take her chakra?'

His grip on the hilt tightened. The blade, his blade, was disobeying him.

'This stupid sword, did it suppress its hunger just to spite me?'

Maki, however, wasn't confused. She was grinning.

"Missed me, Samehada?"

Her voice was light, almost teasing.

Mangetsu stiffened and took another look at Maki. He could clearly see her as the mist cover created by him was already gone.

Her expression was genuine. There was no arrogance, no feigned superiority - just pure, unfiltered happiness.

**

A/N - 

Why didn't Samehada absorb Maki's chakra and what's her connection to the blade?

I'll give you a small hint - Samehada plays a bigger role than just being a powerful weapon.

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