Three figures wearing black cloaks decorated with red clouds gazed toward Kirigakure in the distance.
"This place actually looks pretty decent," Hidan said, with a wicked grin. "I'd love to offer every last one of them up as sacrifices to Jashin-sama—hehe!"
"Don't waste time," Kakuzu muttered with a snort. "Our mission is to capture the Three-Tailed Beast."
"You damned fool, how can you call that a waste of time?" Hidan shot back angrily. "Offering sacrifices to Jashin-sama is necessary!"
Konan ignored the squabbling between the two men.
She kept her composure, though she was deeply surprised inside.
Kirigakure had changed even more dramatically than she had anticipated.
So much so that she wondered if something had gone wrong.
The last time she visited Kirigakure, Yagura Karatachi still ruled as Mizukage.
At that time, this place was governed by bloodshed.
Everyone lived in hellish despair, stripped of hope and joy.
Moreover, the buildings were old and run-down looking.
Even though it was one of the Five Great Villages, it couldn't compare to Amegakure's steel-built structures.
At least those looked impressive and grand.
The Land of Rain—a region constantly drenched in rain—had managed to develop only because of the Akatsuki organization.
These members, all at minimum Jonin rank, earned a significant amount of money—most of which Nagato used for reconstruction efforts.
Especially within Amegakure.
It all came down to dreams.
In their early days, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan shared a dream—to reform their homeland.
Eventually, that vision grew into something greater—an ambition for world peace.
But after Yahiko's death, both Nagato and Konan gradually became cold and merciless.
Yet the dream itself never changed.
Only the way they sought to achieve it changed.
They no longer believed in reaching peace through interpersonal understanding.
Instead, they chose pain.
By making the world suffer, so that it would fear war and long for peace.
A flicker passed across Konan's eyes.
Now, Kirigakure boasted wide, clean streets bustling with activity; towering structures both elegant and functional; people smiling on every corner.
This greatly resembled the peaceful future Yahiko once envisioned.
She just hadn't expected to see it in Kirigakure rather than Amegakure.
Frankly, while Amegakure had developed well, its atmosphere remained overly oppressive.
"Kirigakure… where did they get so much money?"
Konan turned toward Kakuzu, asking coolly.
Ever since the Akatsuki expanded its ranks, she rarely left headquarters.
For information about changes in the outside world, Kakuzu naturally knew more.
"It's the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild," Kakuzu answered knowledgeably, speaking like a seasoned expert. "Currently the wealthiest commercial guild in the ninja world, with immense wealth at its disposal. Its main source of income comes from the restaurant and mining industries in the Land of Water. In addition, it regularly employs Mist shinobi as guards."
Konan fell into thought.
So that was the reason.
She had originally assumed perhaps Kirigakure had gained a capable new Mizukage.
It turned out the village's prosperity stemmed entirely from the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild.
This guild must be sitting on an enormous fortune.
What a shame—it operated in the Land of Water, not the Land of Rain.
Otherwise, we could work together to accelerate the construction of Akatsuki.
As for robbery or anything like that, she hadn't considered it.
At this stage, Akatsuki was still relatively low-key and well-behaved.
Besides, robbery would easily draw the attention of the Five Great Villages too early.
That'd be counterproductive.
Konan snapped out of her thoughts and coldly said, "First, track down someone who knows where Yagura Karatachi is."
"Leave that to me!"
Hidan swung his scythe and said, "I can't wait to give Jashin-sama a sacrifice!"
"You're not going."
Kakuzu glanced at him and replied.
Hidan's sacrificial ritual was far too complicated.
If they let him capture someone, he'd end up spreading it throughout the entire Mist village, which would defeat the whole purpose.
Although their collective strength surpassed that of ordinary ninja by far, as one of the Five Great Villages, Mist had over ten thousand ninja.
For them, it was still quite troublesome.
"What did you just say?!" Hidan snarled angrily.
"What makes you think I can't do it?! Why don't you try me? I've wanted to sacrifice you to Jashin-sama for ages!"
"Kakuzu, you go instead."
Konan slightly frowned and gave the order.
Hidan really was too noisy.
She didn't want to tip off their target too soon.
Kakuzu nodded, immediately vanishing before the two of them.
Hidan's expression froze. He grumbled in frustration, "Damn it!"
The truth was, he stood no chance against Kakuzu.
Since he didn't know any ninjutsu and had poor combat experience.
He relied purely through curses.
But curses required blood to activate.
Did Kakuzu even have blood?
Even if he did, Hidan had to curse him five times before killing him.
By then, Kakuzu would have long escaped.
Likewise, Kakuzu also couldn't do much against Hidan.
With an Immortal Body, he was just too hard to kill.
Kakuzu used to collect bounties on his former teammates.
After Nagato assigned Hidan to him, however, he had to stop doing that.
After all, since Hidan was now immortal.
"Oh, Jashin-sama, just hold on a bit longer," Hidan loudly prayed, his face turning devout.
Konan looked at him briefly, then lost interest.
Most members within Akatsuki had issues of some kind.
She had long gotten used to it.
Though strange, Hidan was still within acceptable limits.
As long as they actually worked for Akatsuki, it wasn't a big deal.
This chapter isn't finished yet!
Half an hour later, Kakuzu returned.
He had faint traces of blood on him.
Hidan immediately got excited—until he realized it was Kakuzu who'd killed the victim.
After all, only those he personally killed could be sacrificed to Jashin-sama.
"Yagura Karatachi isn't in the Village Hidden in Mist," Kakuzu spoke up. "He's on a nearby deserted island."
Changing jinchuriki was extremely dangerous.
First, the seal temporarily weakens, making the tailed beast possibly go berserk.
Second, with the old jinchuriki dying, and the new one having barely established any connection with the tailed beast, this is when the new host is at their weakest.
Either situation would attract enemies.
Therefore, transferring to an unknown deserted island was clearly a security measure.
Only high-ranking Mist Jonin knew of Yagura's departure.
They were powerful and absolutely loyal.
Ordinary ninja are usually tight-lipped and won't talk easily.
How unfortunate for them to run into the Akatsuki organization.
"Let's go."
Konan showed no surprise whatsoever as she spoke.
She wasn't surprised at all.
In fact, relocating to a deserted island might even be more advantageous for them.
Though it wasn't far from Kiri village, it would still cost them a bit of time.
"Hahaha, Jinchuriki!"
Hidan's excitement spiked. "Jashin-sama will definitely like this!"
Kakuzu spun around and took the lead.
Konan fell in right behind him.
"Hey, wait up for me!"
Hidan snapped back to reality, but the other two had already vanished from sight.
He quickly gave chase.
[Because of your actions, Konan, Kakuzu, and Hidan's destinies have changed. You've gained a total of thirty destiny points.]
[Your total destiny points have exceeded two thousand. After deducting the loan, you currently have nineteen points remaining.]
"So soon? Do I look like the kind of person who doesn't repay debts?"
Natsume couldn't help but complain.
But whatever, if it's going to be deducted anyway, he didn't mind.
Now that he had Kaguya Otsutsuki on his side, even without destiny points, he wouldn't face any life-threatening dangers.
Besides, more people were giving him destiny points anyway.
Konan, Kakuzu, and Hidan.
Under normal circumstances, Natsume had no connection with them at all.
So why could they contribute destiny points?
And each contributed ten points.
It meant they were related to Natsume, but not very closely.
His only guess was Yagura Karatachi.
Natsume opened the Heavenly Network Log-in Device.
He'd returned from his trip with Tsunade and was now in the Hokage's office.
So, he had nothing better to do anyway.
"Dearest Mizukage-sama,"
Natsume's message using the Heavenly Network log-in device he'd given Mei Terumī earlier finally saw use.
Not long after, he received a reply.
"Who said we're that close? Don't make up relationships randomly."
Even though he couldn't see her face, Natsume could already imagine Mei Terumī's reaction.
Most likely blushing but irritated.
Yep, that's exactly how girlfriends act during an argument.
"Oh, then what kind of relationship are we exactly?"
Natsume typed with a smirk.
Seeing those words, Mei Terumī instinctively nibbled her lip.
What kind of relationship?
She remembered their previous kiss, and her heart fluttered slightly.
Right, what exactly were they?
Lovers?
"No relationship at all!"
Mei feigned calmness as she asked, "Don't talk nonsense! What do you want?"
"I'm asking about your Fourth Mizukage's current situation."
Natsume stopped teasing and returned to serious business.
"He's okay."
Mei's heart filled with confusion as she asked, "Why are you asking about him?"
Okay meant he was still alive.
Natsume thought for a moment and replied, "I just got intel that someone's planning to capture your Three-Tails."
"Who?"
Mei's eyes narrowed, her expression shifting from slight embarrassment to seriousness.
The Three-Tails was Kirigakure's only tailed beast, so its safety was vital.
Without the deterrence of a tailed beast, Kirigakure would become the weakest among the Five Great Villages.
Smaller ninja villages might even try to challenge its status.
For example, Amegakure Village.
"It's the same mysterious organization I mentioned before."
Natsume said casually, "I sent Jiraiya to investigate them. This is what he sent me."
Jiraiya?
Mei Terumī immediately believed Natsume's words.
After all, the Sannin were just as capable as the Kage of the Five Great Villages.
Both their strength and skills were reliable.
"Thank you."
Mei immediately severed the connection.
At a ninja's swiftness, that mysterious organization might already have reached Kirigakure.
She was concerned about the Jonin left guarding the island.
"Haku."
Mei raised her head and called out.
The next moment, Haku, dressed in Anbu attire, appeared before her.
"Go notify Zabuza and Ao. We're heading to the deserted island together."
Mei stood up and said, "I'll wait for them at the village entrance. You come along too."
"Yes!"
A flicker passed through Haku's eyes.
He likely sensed that something significant was unfolding.
In an instant, he vanished.
Mei stepped outside, and within moments, she arrived at the village entrance.
There, Momochi Zabuza, Ao, and Haku were already waiting.
Though they had just arrived themselves.
"Mizukage-sama, what happened?"
Ao stepped forward urgently.
"It concerns the Fourth Mizukage. I've received intel that someone is planning to steal San."
Mei said gravely.
"Is that so?"
Ao's expression darkened. He responded gravely, "We should move at once."
He didn't question Mei's information sources.
After all, as the Mizukage, naturally she had her own means.
Haku couldn't shake a feeling of unease.
This information definitely didn't come from the Anbu.
So who else could it be?
Given the situation, he could only push his suspicions aside.
The four sped toward their destination, arriving in under a minute.
"The situation seems manageable."
Ao scanned the area. "There's no sign of a fight."
Yet Mei remained completely vigilant, continuing deeper inside.
"No! Something's wrong!"
Momochi Zabuza unsheathed his Executioner's Blade, roaring, "How come there's not a single person here?"
Ao and Haku tensed instantly.
Nine Jonin had been stationed to protect Yagura Karatachi.
It had seemed impenetrable.
But now, not one of them was visible.
Mei's heart sank.
As they walked past the corridor, a thick scent of blood hit them instantly.
Before them lay the nine Jonin Mei had stationed—scattered motionless on the ground, their fates uncertain.
At the courtyard's center, a half-coatless ninja was laughing wildly.
Exposed skin bore mottled black-and-white markings—even his face bore the grotesque pattern.
A bizarre blood seal in the shape of a triangular spiral pulsed beneath his feet.
Overall, he looked far from normal.
Near him, two other ninjas advanced toward the inner chambers.
"Stop right there!"
Mei barked out a command, her gaze locked onto the trio with deadly intent.
She couldn't afford to check whether the nine Jonin were alive or dead.
Whoever had taken down those Jonin so effortlessly must be immensely powerful.
Confining the battle to this courtyard alone required an extraordinary level of control.
Clearly, these three had utterly crushed their opposition.
"That fast?"
Konan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
They had done their best to keep things quiet in hopes of slowing Mist Village's response.
"I'll stop them."
Kakuzu glanced over and said, "You go find Yagura Karatachi. He's nearly dead already, so no real threat. Just take him away."
"Right, thanks you two."
Konan nodded, then pushed the door open.
"I told you to stay put!"
Without hesitation, Mei immediately formed hand seals and uttered a soft shout, slightly opening her mouth.
[Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet]
Chakra coalesced into swirling water.
In an instant, it formed into a massive roaring water dragon that shot forward.
Its target was none other than Konan.
Kakuzu leapt forward, positioning himself between the two.
[Fire Release: Head Hard Work!]
He possessed five hearts, each bearing one of the five chakra natures—Fire, Water, Earth, Lightning, and Wind.
This meant he could use all five types of Ninjutsu.
A fist-sized fireball shot forth rapidly.
Upon hitting the ground, it erupted into a raging inferno, swallowing the water dragon whole.
Mei's pupils constricted sharply.
So strong!
Water was naturally superior to fire.
Although Mei had hastily fired the Water Dragon Bullet, its power was anything but weak.
For it to vanish so easily proved just how terrifying Kakuzu truly was.
Still, Mei felt puzzled.
Didn't he care about his comrades?
"You bastard!"
Hidan, engulfed in flames, roared furiously, "Kakuzu, what are you doing? You ruined my sacrificial ritual!"
Sacrifice?
Though Mei didn't know about the Evil God, she grasped the meaning of the word.
That meant those people might not actually be dead.
"Haku, stop that kunoichi. The rest of you, save the others."
Mei swiftly formed a series of hand seals.
Almost instantly, a five-meter-tall wall of water materialized before the flames.
At the same time, Mei vanished from sight, reappearing next to the unconscious jonin, grabbing one under each arm and flinging them backward.
Midair, chakra formed a cushioning layer, catching them gently as they landed.
Although controlling the Three-Tails was important, the Mist Village couldn't afford the devastating loss of nine elite Jonin.
"Damn it!"
Hidan was forced to interrupt the ritual.
Staring at Mei who was rescuing the fallen, he seethed with rage.
The crimson scythe was poised to fly when a furious gust of wind roared out behind him.
Momochi Zabuza suddenly leapt upward, his Cleaver Sword whistling through the air toward him.
Hidan was forced to defend.
Even though he possessed an immortal body, he wasn't immune to every attack.
If he suffered limb severance or decapitation, he would need teammates to sew him back together.
Otherwise, even if still alive, he'd lose mobility.
Plus—he could still feel pain.
Getting slashed by that massive sword would hurt like hell.
The two blades clashed with a heavy thud.
Hidan was forced backward by the immense force.
Seeing this, Momochi Zabuza sneered coldly.
He had thought Hidan would be more formidable.
In reality, aside from his curse techniques and immortality, everything else left much to be desired.
Meanwhile, Ao quickly formed a single hand seal.
[Water Release: Water Colliding Wave]
Torrents of water spewed from his mouth like a waterfall, rushing headlong toward the sea of flames.
Mist rose rapidly.
Haku activated his Shifting Body Technique, swiftly maneuvering through the fog and quickly catching up to Konan.
[Water Release: Thousand Needles of Death]!
Chakra transformed into water, then the water reshaped itself into senbon—needle-like ninja tools.
Konan raised her hand.
Countless paper shreds poured out, solidifying midair into shuriken that intercepted and destroyed every single senbon.
Normally, paper would be vulnerable to water, but Konan had modified hers to fear only oil.
Haku was slightly startled.
What kind of elemental jutsu is this?
In the next moment, two enormous wings extended from behind Konan.
Her speed surged again.
Oh—
[Ice Release: Demonic Mirroring Thin Ice]!
Haku quickly formed hand seals.
Several ice mirrors emerged. He vanished inside one, instantly blocking Konan's path.
Ice Release?
Konan arched an eyebrow.
She could tell Haku's power level was relatively low, mostly due to his youth.
Konan elegantly waved her hand.
The paper fluttered forward like butterflies, engulfing Haku in a suffocating wave.
[Ice Release: Ice Rock Hall of Misfortune]!
Haku reacted quickly. In an instant, an icy dome formed around him.
But the very next second, the butterflies exploded violently.
They were Explosive Tags.
The intense detonation caused surrounding buildings to burst into flames before crumbling into ashes.
"Haku!"
Mei Terumī had just rescued all nine Jonin when she turned around and witnessed such a shocking sight, her face immediately showing anxiety.
Without hesitation, she used the flash movement technique to rush forward, conjuring a water dragon that expanded its range, dousing the flames.
Haku reappeared.
However, his entire body was bright red, with severe burns across his skin. Blood continued to pour from his wounds.
But fortunately, he had survived.
Mei swiftly sent away the battered Haku, then turned back—only to find Konan already gone.
Zabuza Momochi was suppressing Hidan, while Kakuzu was chasing Ao relentlessly.
Mei clenched her teeth, spun around, and chased after Konan.
At the same time, she used the Heavenly Network Log-in Device to send Natsume a distress signal, briefly explaining the current situation.
She knew he possessed the Flying Thunder God Technique and could arrive soon. Rescuing Ao shouldn't be a problem.
Once Natsume received the message, he immediately appeared at Kiri.
He formed hand seals, activating Sage Mode, extending his sensory abilities.
After pulling on his mask, he vanished with a flash movement technique.
And within the next second, he arrived at the deserted island.
He glanced at Kakuzu and Hidan, then proceeded to follow Mei's instructions, rescuing the wounded back to Kiri first.
His sudden appearance momentarily stunned the four combatants.
Five thousand words. Ten thousand total across two chapters.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>