On a remote island in the Land of Water...
"Nagato, how much longer until the sealing site for the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path is complete?"
"A few years. I'll do everything I can to shorten the time."
Muren Uchiha, Zetsu, and Nagato were gathered in a cave, staring at the giant face of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. A trace of joy flashed in Black Zetsu's heart.
The preparations had finally begun.
The statue before them wasn't capable of combat—it had been placed there specifically to seal the Nine Tailed Beasts. This was the most crucial step toward reviving the Ten-Tails.
Once the statue was ready, everything else could follow.
Black Zetsu spoke again, "Madara, Nagato, there's one more thing. I've received word—the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki is pregnant."
He let out a cold, eerie laugh.
"Even though we can't capture the Nine-Tails right now, I think it's time we took action. If Konoha continues to thrive, it'll hinder our future moves."
Muren and Nagato exchanged glances. A gleam flickered in the depths of their Sharingan and Rinnegan.
They both clearly wanted to act.
"I'll go!"
"Leave it to me!"
They spoke in unison, then immediately glared at each other.
They both knew only one of them could leave—someone had to stay behind to maintain operations.
But then, something unexpected happened. Black Zetsu chuckled again, his voice low and sinister.
"You're both going."
"Neither Minato Namikaze nor Kazuyama Gekkō is easy to handle. Going alone won't cut it."
From the beginning, Black Zetsu had planned to send both of them. That way, they could ensure the Tailed Beast rampaged during childbirth and deliver a devastating blow to Konoha.
"Madara, your dōjutsu can control the Nine-Tails—you'll take the lead. Nagato, you'll assist and hold off Konoha's forces."
"The main issue is..."
"Kazuyama Gekkō!" Nagato cut in.
A flicker of anger crossed his face.
He still held deep resentment toward Kazuyama.
"Exactly. I heard he has a kid now."
"Hehehe... you get what that means, right?"
Nagato frowned. He understood what Black Zetsu was implying—but doing something like that... he hesitated.
Black Zetsu noticed.
"Kazuyama Gekkō has never known restraint. Countless people have suffered from his recklessness and shamelessness."
"We don't need to play fair with him. Don't you agree?"
Black Zetsu had analyzed Kazuyama thoroughly over the years. The man had no bottom line.
So he saw nothing wrong with targeting him like this.
"Got it. When do we act?"
Nagato gave tacit approval. As long as it struck at Konoha, the method didn't matter.
"No rush. I'll keep a close watch for now."
"With the Sharingan's power, controlling the Nine-Tails will be easy."
"Meanwhile, there's another task."
Black Zetsu was fully settled into his role as strategist—he made the plans, and Muren and Nagato carried them out.
"We need to recruit six more members."
"To seal the Tailed Beasts, nine people are required. That's a must."
Muren and Nagato both nodded.
Getting more help was a good thing. It was tough doing everything with so few people.
"What about people from Kirigakure?"
"There are a few who're strong enough."
Nagato had been observing Kirigakure for a while and had spotted some promising candidates.
Black Zetsu shook his head.
"It's best not to involve people from the Five Great Shinobi Villages. We stand in direct opposition to them."
"If we have to recruit from there, we need to push them out of their villages—make them Missing-nin."
"That's the only way to ensure they'll commit fully."
"In short, we need to form a new organization and bring in talent."
Organization...
That word sent a sharp pang through Nagato's heart.
Back then, he, Yahiko, and Konan had dreamed of forming an organization too.
But everything changed... because of that bastard Kazuyama Gekkō.
"An organization, huh?"
"Let me think—since we're aiming to reach the top of the world, how about... 'Topple Shinobi'? Yeah, Topple Shinobi! We'll overthrow the shinobi world! What a badass name!"
Muren burst into loud laughter, clearly pleased with his own creativity.
He didn't notice the dark expressions on Nagato and Zetsu's faces.
Topple Shinobi...
Nagato: Why does Uchiha Madara have such a weird brain? Does living too long make you lose it?
Black Zetsu: …Madara, why'd you recruit this lunatic?
White Zetsu: Muren's a good kid—just a little unhinged!
That same day, a new organization suddenly appeared in the Land of Water.
Its name: Dawn. Codename—Akatsuki.
Kazuyama: I'll * your *! That name was mine! Where's my royalty check!?
...
A few days later, dozens of ninjas defected from Kirigakure.
The entire village fell into a shadow once more.
...
Land of Fire, Forest of Death.
"So... why did you two join the ANBU?"
Kazuyama, now a special instructor for ANBU training, looked at the two fresh recruits standing before him.
He didn't feel great.
The two brats—one tall, one short—were Kakashi Hatake and Shisui Uchiha. Even with their masks on, Kazuyama couldn't mistake that familiar aura.
"My father recommended me. He said this kind of training would help me sharpen my swordsmanship and abilities."
"I came on my own, Captain Kazuyama! Please take care of me!"
Kazuyama gave a weak nod, then quickly switched to a new demeanor.
Before him stood thirty freshly recruited ANBU, all masked.
"Since Lord Hokage has made me your instructor..."
"Let's begin."
"This forest is full of danger. Go."
"You've got three days. Don't let me find you—and don't let me kill you."
"Good luck, little lambs!"
His voice dripped with malice.
At those words, the new recruits all broke into cold sweats.
And the moment he finished speaking, Kakashi and Shisui bolted without hesitation.
They turned into two black shadows and vanished into the Forest of Death.
They knew Kazuyama all too well.
Hesitate even a little... and bad things would definitely happen.