The Land of Rain, the outer base of Akatsuki organization.
"Boom boom boom..."
Thunderous roars echoed in the distance. Ice shards flew across the sky as waves surged violently. The fierce battle caused continuous tremors throughout the area.
"Shinra Tensei!"
"Bang!"
Two figures spat blood as they were hurled backward. They crashed heavily into the ground, bouncing several times before finally creating two deep craters. They remained motionless for a long time.
The ever-beautiful Konan stood watching as the distant battle came to an end. Soon, Tendo Pain descended from the sky, landing beside her.
"Well, they lasted much longer than last time," she observed.
"There's still a long way to go. They must continue to improve their strength before our plan begins," Pain responded.
Konan watched as Zabuza Momochi and Haku climbed out of their impact craters and staggered toward them. "If they carry out missions separately, their strength wouldn't be remarkable. But together, they can at least withstand your attacks for a short while. Perhaps we should let them carry out missions as a team."
Tendo Pain looked at the approaching Zabuza and Haku with his expressionless face and rejected the proposal. "Akatsuki's rule is that missions must be carried out in pairs. Momochi Zabuza and Haku share a deep bond. If we allow them to form a group, we won't be able to effectively monitor their actions."
"I meant to pair them with Uchiha Itachi," Konan clarified. "Momochi Zabuza can become a full member of Akatsuki, with Haku as a trainee and backup member. They could follow Uchiha Itachi on missions together."
"Very well. I've already informed them that Biwa Juuzou and Hoshigaki Kisame are Uchiha Itachi's teammates," Tendo Pain continued. "They'll likely be wary when teaming up with Uchiha Itachi for missions."
By this time, Zabuza Momochi, supported by Haku, had arrived before them. As soon as he steadied himself and before he could speak, Zabuza coughed up blood.
"Thank you for the training, Leader-sama," he managed to say.
"Fine," Pain replied shortly.
Zabuza glanced at the expressionless Tendo Pain, a flash of gloom in his eyes. Before joining Akatsuki, Zabuza had harbored many thoughts of his own agenda. But after arriving in Amegakure, everything that happened made him completely abandon those ideas.
Every Akatsuki member had defeated him with ease.
During their battles, Zabuza had faced members with various special abilities and had been thoroughly beaten. Yet these defeats weren't so devastating to his spirit. With Zabuza's rebellious nature, though he admitted defeat outwardly, he believed in his heart that he would eventually catch up to these powerful shinobi.
This belief was completely crushed when Akatsuki's leader, Tendo Pain, appeared.
For the first time in his life, Zabuza felt completely helpless. Facing Tendo Pain, he could no longer entertain any thoughts of resistance or rebellion. Later, through the training sessions with Zabuza and Haku, Tendo Pain completely destroyed their confidence in their own abilities.
Because of this, Zabuza desperately wanted to improve his strength, at least enough not to be at the bottom of the Akatsuki hierarchy.
Tendo Pain and Konan looked at the two battered shinobi and gave their orders directly: "Continue tomorrow!"
"Yes!" they responded.
Just as Zabuza and Haku were about to leave, Konan added, "Go prepare yourselves first. There's a meeting at the base today."
"Understood!"
Watching Zabuza and Haku depart, Tendo Pain and Konan also made their way to the base.
Soon, all members of Akatsuki had gathered. Even Uchiha Itachi, still recovering from his injuries, was present. Members who were on missions and couldn't return in time participated through the projection technique.
"Ah~~~ Why do we need another meeting? We haven't offered sacrifices to Jashin-sama today," complained a voice.
"Shut up! I'll kill you if you don't stop talking!"
"Tsk~~~"
The immortal duo was online. Hidan and Kakuzu were bickering as usual.
"Ha! My art is complete! This momentary beauty is truly the pinnacle of artistic expression! Hmm!" declared another voice.
"Only eternity is worthy of being called art!"
"Sasori, my man, eternity lacks beauty. True beauty blooms in an instant! Hmm!"
The artistic duo was also present, with Deidara and Sasori arguing over their conflicting artistic philosophies.
Uchiha Itachi stood silently, saying nothing. The Hoshigaki Kisame who usually stood beside him had been replaced by Momochi Zabuza and Haku!
Being new recruits to Akatsuki, Zabuza and Haku remained quiet.
Soon, Konan and Tendo Pain appeared, and the quarreling members finally fell silent.
Tendo Pain surveyed the room before speaking, "We've gathered today because something significant is happening. Zetsu, proceed with your report."
Zetsu emerged from the ground, revealing his strange venus flytrap appearance. Zabuza and Haku observed this unusual figure whose body seemed split between black and white halves.
"Hehehe... something interesting is about to happen in Konohagakure!" White Zetsu announced playfully.
Uchiha Itachi's eyes immediately focused on him.
Black Zetsu continued, "Recently, Sunagakure has dispatched over a hundred elite shinobi into the Land of Fire in small groups. They're converging toward Konoha. The Ichibi Jinchūriki is also in Konoha right now, participating in the Chūnin Exams."
"According to our intelligence, the Fourth Kazekage is preparing to travel to Konoha."
"Simultaneously, there are indications that Otogakure shinobi are being mobilized."
"We've even discovered that our organization's traitor, Orochimaru, has appeared in Konoha. It seems this plot against Konoha was initiated by him. The specific details remain unclear."
After Zetsu's intelligence report concluded, most members turned their attention to Uchiha Itachi.
However, Itachi's expression remained unchanged. Whatever thoughts he harbored, he kept to himself.
Sasori murmured quietly, "Konohagakure..."
His reaction was understandable. He was formerly a puppeteer from Sunagakure. With war brewing between Suna and Konoha, this situation held special significance for Sasori—especially since his parents had died at the hands of Konoha's White Fang.
"Ahahahaha... This is a perfect opportunity! I love war—more sacrifices for Jashin-sama! Kakuzu, let's finish our current task quickly and head to Konoha!" Hidan shouted excitedly. He cared nothing for political shifts, only for how to perform more sacrifices for his god.
This time, Kakuzu didn't scold Hidan. Instead, his eyes gleamed with interest. "There are many shinobi with bounties in both Sunagakure and Konohagakure, especially in Konoha. We could make a fortune! Let's go to Konoha now."
Kakuzu seemed to envision mountains of riches flowing toward him. He couldn't resist the urge to head to Konoha immediately. The village represented a treasure trove of potential income.
"Silence!"
Tendo Pain's Rinnegan swept across all members. A chill descended over the room, and the base returned to complete stillness.
The Akatsuki members were well aware of their leader's immense power, so they complied and kept quiet.
Tendo Pain's gaze settled on Uchiha Itachi as he asked directly: "Itachi, based on your understanding, will Konohagakure be destroyed this time?"
"No," Itachi replied firmly.
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