Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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It was a pity that Konoha could no longer afford to send ninja to investigate the Merchant Alliance's activities.

Since the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, Konoha had entered an inevitable period of decline. Coupled with their loss of influence following key battles, their reputation had suffered a heavy blow, resulting in a significant reduction in mission requests.

However, Namikaze Minato, ever the calculating leader, did not allow himself to become overly concerned. The Akatsuki organization's activities were currently the greater priority.

Unbeknownst to many, a massive storm was brewing within the ninja world.

The Twelve Kizuki, led by a man named Muzan, had risen in the shadows, creating chaos in the Land of Fire through their manipulation of the Merchant Alliance. Meanwhile, the Akatsuki were aggressively hunting the tailed beasts. Now that they'd revealed their hand, there was no longer any need for secrecy.

While the Akatsuki's actions drew attention from all major villages, Muzan had seized the opportunity to deploy his own plans across the ninja world.

After a long journey, Muzan and his loyal companion, Haku, arrived in a small, dilapidated town on the outskirts of the Land of Fire. Muzan frowned as he surveyed the desolate area.

"Is this the territory of the Fūma Clan?" Muzan asked, his voice cold and filled with skepticism.

"Yes, Lord Muzan," Haku replied, his tone as composed as ever.

Haku vividly recalled his last encounter in this region. It had been a ninja from the Fūma Clan who had shown him the way back to Muchuan territory.

Muzan, dressed in his signature black attire, observed the town through the darkness. It was clear that its glory days were long gone.

"This place reeks of mediocrity. I can't even sense the presence of a single formidable ninja."

Haku remained silent, understanding that Muzan's patience was thin.

"I hope this trip isn't a waste of time," Muzan muttered, his crimson eyes narrowing.

Suddenly, Muzan's gaze shifted, sensing a presence watching them from the shadows. With a faint smirk, he raised his head slightly and addressed the unseen figure.

"There's no need to hide. You invited us here, did you not?"

Moments later, a man emerged from the darkness, his features familiar to Haku. Bowing slightly, the man addressed them.

"Lord Muzan, we've been waiting for you. The Fūma Clan is at your service," Fūma Kai said, his tone respectful yet tinged with unease.

Muzan barely acknowledged him, his expression radiating disdain. His aura alone was enough to make Kai suppress the irritation he felt at being so blatantly disregarded.

"We have waited long for this opportunity and are prepared to serve you, my lord," Kai continued.

"You've certainly fallen far if this is what you call readiness," Muzan remarked coldly. His piercing gaze swept over the town, noting the lack of skilled shinobi.

The Fūma Clan had once been a force to be reckoned with. Now, most of its members were civilians, with only a handful of Genin remaining. The absence of even a single Jōnin was an affront to the legacy of their once-great clan.

"Take me to your leader," Muzan ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Meanwhile, within a small courtyard, a heated debate was unfolding. The elders of the Fūma Clan were locked in discussion over their dwindling prospects.

"The clan's survival hinges on our next decision," one of the elders said gravely, his gaze fixed on the aging patriarch.

The patriarch, a man in his sixties, exhaled a long puff of smoke before speaking.

"You're all aware of our dire situation. I refuse to let the Fūma Clan vanish from history."

Despite his outward calm, the patriarch's mind was in turmoil. Aligning with Muzan was a gamble, but he saw no other path forward.

"Patriarch," a younger voice interjected. Fūma Kotarō stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with a plan. "Before we commit to Muzan, consider this: Orochimaru, the former Sannin of Konoha, has also expressed interest in taking us under his wing. Perhaps we can negotiate terms with him instead."

The room fell silent as Kotarō's suggestion hung in the air. Orochimaru, though notorious, seemed a far less volatile ally than Muzan.

Just as the discussion resumed, a panicked voice rang out from outside the door.

"Lord Muzan is here!"

The patriarch froze mid-motion, his pipe clattering to the ground.

"What did you say?"

Fūma Kai burst into the room, visibly shaken.

"I said Muzan of the Twelve Kizuki has arrived!"

The air grew tense as the room erupted into chaos. Only Kotarō's expression remained calm, though a hint of malice flickered in his eyes.

"Escort him here immediately," the patriarch ordered, struggling to maintain composure.

Outside, Muzan waited, his gaze fixed on the rundown building before him.

"This had better not be a waste of my time," he said to Haku, his voice low but filled with menace.

At last, the patriarch arrived, flanked by a handful of the clan's remaining leaders. The elderly man bowed deeply.

"Lord Muzan, I am the patriarch of the Fūma Clan. It is an honor to meet you."

Muzan's crimson eyes scanned the group before him, his expression unreadable.

"So, these are the remnants of the once-mighty Fūma Clan," he said, his voice laced with disdain.

The patriarch straightened, doing his best to project confidence despite the overwhelming pressure emanating from Muzan.

"We hope to prove our worth to you, my lord," he said, his tone steady despite his trembling hands.

Muzan said nothing, his gaze lingering on the gathered leaders.

"They're weak," he muttered to Haku, loud enough for the patriarch to hear. "But perhaps they can be of some use."

The patriarch swallowed his pride and nodded. The Fūma Clan's fate now rested in Muzan's hands.

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The oppressive aura of Muzan and Orochimaru was unmistakably similar, but Muzan's youth, coupled with his command over many powerful followers, made him the greater threat.

Muzan's crimson gaze swept over the remaining members of the Fūma Clan, scrutinizing their fearful expressions. Suppressing his doubts, he finally spoke:

"The Fūma Clan may join the Land of Waves, but you must accept my terms. From now on, you will be trained by the original Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

The declaration sent a wave of unease through the room. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were notorious throughout the ninja world for their ruthlessness and unparalleled skill. The idea of their brutal methods being used to train the weakened Fūma Clan sent shivers down many spines.

"Lord Muzan, may we have some time to deliberate?" Fūma Kotarō interrupted, his voice trembling but attempting to maintain composure.

The room grew still.

Muzan's expression darkened, and an oppressive killing intent immediately locked onto Kotarō. His crimson eyes glowed like pools of blood.

"Are you joking?"

Haku, standing silently behind Muzan, clenched his fists but remained still. Muzan's journey to the Fūma Clan's territory was proof of his resolve. For Kotarō to hesitate now was nothing short of a death wish.

Without a word, Muzan extended his hand, and thorns materialized in the air, coiling tightly around Kotarō's body. Blood began to seep from beneath the constriction as Kotarō gasped for breath.

"Lord Muzan, please, have mercy!" the clan leader begged, stepping forward and bowing deeply.

"Who gave you the courage to defy me?" Muzan hissed.

His aura intensified, and several Genin collapsed under the weight of his killing intent.

"Before you kill me, Lord Muzan… please know," Kotarō managed to rasp, "Lord Orochimaru… also extended an offer to the Fūma Clan…"

The words had the intended effect. Muzan paused, his lips curling into a disdainful sneer.

"So, you believe Orochimaru can save you? Interesting."

With a flick of his wrist, the thorns tightened, tearing through Kotarō's flesh in an instant. Blood sprayed across the courtyard as his lifeless body fell to the ground, leaving the clan in stunned silence.

Even the clan leader, though aged and experienced, felt a tremor of fear at the sight. He clenched his fists, the veins on his hands bulging as he suppressed the anger and despair threatening to overwhelm him.

Haku, ever watchful, took a step forward and said calmly, "I suggest you refrain from any foolish actions. Otherwise, this will be the end of the Fūma Clan."

The clan leader swallowed hard and straightened himself. His voice was hoarse but firm.

"Mr. Haku, please assure Lord Muzan that we mean no disrespect. Kotarō acted rashly and has paid the price for his ignorance. We humbly accept your terms."

Just as Muzan was about to respond, a raspy, unsettling voice echoed from the shadows.

"Not so fast."

Everyone turned to see a massive serpent slithering out of the darkness. Its scales glinted ominously in the moonlight, and as it approached, it opened its mouth wide. From within, a pale figure emerged, stepping gracefully onto the blood-soaked ground.

"Orochimaru-sensei," Muzan said, his tone dripping with mockery.

Orochimaru's golden, snake-like eyes fixed on his former disciple, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"My dear Muzan, you've made things quite troublesome for me," Orochimaru drawled, his voice as smooth as silk but carrying an edge of menace. "I had an agreement with the Fūma Clan, and your interference has set my plans back considerably."

Muzan's lips curled into a smile, but there was no humor in it.

"Is that so? And here I thought you'd be too busy running from the Akatsuki to concern yourself with matters like this."

The mention of the Akatsuki caused Orochimaru's smile to falter briefly. His defection from the organization had not gone unnoticed, and their wrath had been swift and relentless. Muzan, of course, was well aware of this.

"While the Akatsuki are… persistent, I always make time for my research," Orochimaru replied, regaining his composure. "The Fūma Clan is essential to my experiments. I can't simply let you take them."

Muzan's gaze hardened, and his aura grew heavier.

"I need them as well, sensei. Weak as they are, they'll be useful for my plans in the Land of Waves."

The air between them crackled with tension as their opposing energies collided. Even the strongest members of the Fūma Clan felt as though they were standing on the edge of a precipice, staring into an endless abyss.

Haku glanced at Orochimaru, his expression unreadable. Though he had faced many powerful foes, there was something uniquely unsettling about Orochimaru's presence.

"It seems we're at an impasse," Orochimaru said, though his voice betrayed a hint of hesitation. His eyes flickered toward Haku, recognizing the young man as a formidable opponent who had held his own against Jiraiya. Combined with Muzan's power, Orochimaru knew he was at a disadvantage, especially in his current state.

"Then leave, Orochimaru-sensei," Muzan said coldly. "You're no longer in any condition to challenge me."

For a moment, it seemed as though Orochimaru might attack, but instead, he chuckled softly.

"Very well, my dear disciple. I'll leave the Fūma Clan to you… for now."

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