"Mizukage-sama!"
After sending off the few members of Akatsuki, Ao returned to the command post.
"Ao, what do you think they came here for?"
On the table in the command tent lay a detailed map of the surrounding area—mountains, rivers, forests, and vegetation clearly marked.
Ao paused for a moment, then answered, "That organization is extremely dangerous!"
Of course it was dangerous.
A group made up of S-rank missing-nin from every major village, claiming they sought 'peace'? What kind of joke was that?
Especially Hoshigaki Kisame, an elite from Kirigakure, whose bloodthirsty nature was downright appalling.
And Uchiha Itachi, the one who exterminated his own clan—his danger was on another level altogether.
"I'm asking," Terumi Mei said slowly, "do you think what they said is true?"
At that, Ao frowned slightly. "There's a very high chance it is. But what I don't understand is why Konoha would be so concerned about the Three-Tails."
Under normal logic, Konoha already had Tsunade with her Wood Release and the Nine-Tails besides. That alone was enough to keep every other village in check. There was no reason for them to meddle with the Three-Tails—it didn't fit Konoha's usual style at all.
"Perhaps the Three-Tails holds a secret we don't yet know." Terumi Mei concluded.
"Whatever the case, the Three-Tails belongs to Kiri. If Konoha dares interfere in our internal affairs, then they can't blame us for starting a war!"
It might seem like Iwagakure and Kumogakure were holding back now, but that was only because no village was willing to take the lead in besieging Konoha. They all wanted the other side to make the first move so they could reap the benefits.
If Kirigakure took the initiative to attack, the other villages would no doubt respond.
And Konoha's involvement in the Three-Tails issue was already crossing the line for the other villages.
"Still, that Akatsuki organization, as strong as they are, consists of missing-nin. We should also consider the risk they pose to us," Ao reminded.
Mei nodded and gestured casually toward the map, tracing the distance between Konoha and their current location.
"There aren't that many countries left that could host such a group. The Land of Hot Water has its own shinobi village, the Land of Iron is ruled by samurai, the Land of Rice Fields has Orochimaru's Otogakure, the Land of Grass has Kusagakure, and the Land of Waterfalls has Takigakure. If you count carefully, the only place capable of hiding that many missing-nin would be here."
Her finger circled around and finally stopped at the Land of Rain.
"Ever since Hanzo's death a few years ago, Amegakure hasn't made any big moves, but that doesn't mean they lack strength."
Ao's left eye fixed firmly on that spot. "Back then, Hanzo started the Second Great Ninja War, wanting to expand the Land of Rain's territory. But Suna, Konoha, and Iwa joined forces. They broke his momentum and sapped his strength. Those three villages also feared Hanzo's power, so they didn't push him too far, and the matter was settled."
"After all these years, with Hanzō dead, someone must have taken his place. And since this group calls themselves Akatsuki instead of carrying on Hanzō's name, they must be his rivals."
'No one sleeps soundly beside another's throne.'
When it came to power, Hanzō was like any ruler—he would never tolerate anyone threatening his authority.
"The distance from Konoha to here is about the same as from Amegakure. Even if Konoha's people left a day later than us, they should be here by now."
"If they've arrived but haven't appeared, that can only mean they're observing us—either testing our defenses or verifying whether the Three-Tails has truly revived."
"Ao, make the arrangements. Nighttime security must not be lax. Also, send the intelligence and sealing teams to monitor the Three-Tails' chakra fluctuations constantly. The moment it revives, seal it immediately!"
---
Outside the Kiri shinobi encampment, Akatsuki had set up a makeshift base.
The few members of the Akatsuki organization were waiting here.
"This is really interesting. I wonder why the Leader put this guy in charge? Hey, Sasori, aren't you still missing a specimen? What do you think of Tobi?" Deidara stared at the masked Obito, maliciously trying to stir up trouble.
Sasori, nearby, remained inside his puppet, unmoving.
"Hmm, I could consider it, but I'd need to know if he has any special talents. An ordinary person isn't worth my time."
"Wahhh! Senpai, don't scare me like that! I'm really timid!" Tobi exclaimed, clutching his chest dramatically, feigning fear.
"If you dislike him that much, why not offer him as a sacrifice to Jashin-sama instead?" Hidan said gleefully, raising his triple-bladed scythe and pretending to lunge.
At that moment, Itachi Uchiha, who had been calmly observing, glanced at Hidan.
"If you're going to fight, do it outside. It's going to rain tonight."
"Ah, Itachi-san, always the voice of reason!" Kisame said with a toothy grin, though in his heart he was a bit disappointed.
As one of the few who knew Tobi's true identity, Kisame had been looking forward to seeing Obito unleash his true power and beat Hidan to a pulp. Now that would've been a show worth watching.
"But speaking of which," Kisame continued, "the leader sending Tobi to command us is one thing, but with our combined strength, we could wipe out the Kiri shinobi easily. Does the leader perhaps have another mission for us—like, say, wiping out the Kiri after we've defeated Konoha's enemies?"
At the mention of Konoha, Uchiha Itachi's expression didn't change in the slightest. His eyes were like still water, devoid of emotion.
"Now, now, Kisame-senpai, don't be so bloodthirsty," Tobi said cheerfully. "I haven't received any second mission, you know!"
"According to my intel, these three from Konoha aren't ordinary at all," Tobi went on. "And when it comes to knowledge about Konoha shinobi, our dear Itachi-senpai knows best. I wonder if he'd be willing to share a little with us?"
He tried to steer the conversation toward Itachi, hoping peer pressure would make him talk.
But Tobi seemed to forget just how cold-blooded Itachi could be. Even if Pain himself stood here, if Itachi didn't want to talk, he wouldn't.
*Crackle!*
The firewood popped in the flames, its glow reflecting off Itachi's calm face. Obito could only shake his head inwardly.
'This damn guy... not a single word.'
Since Itachi refused to speak, Obito had no choice but to explain himself.
Akatsuki members were powerful—but they shared one fatal flaw common to all strong people: arrogance.
To ensure they secured the Three-Tails smoothly, Obito decided to play the fool a little longer.
"Among the three, there's the famous Hatake Kakashi—you all know him. His combat prowess is renowned across the shinobi world. But besides that, there's his left eye—an Uchiha Sharingan. According to intel, that eye might be on the same level as Itachi-senpai's!"
"What? A Mangekyō Sharingan?"
That revelation drew everyone's attention instantly toward Itachi—or more precisely, toward his eyes.
After all, Itachi's authority and special treatment within Akatsuki stemmed from his possession of the Uchiha clan's Mangekyō Sharingan. Its power elevated him above most of the organization.
Strength was everything in Akatsuki—that was their law.
"Besides Kakashi," Tobi said, turning to Kisame, "Kisame-senpai, doesn't one of their names sound... familiar to you?"
----
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