[Hidden Rain | Akatsuki Gathering | Rain-Drenched Chamber]
Beneath the storm-soaked streets of Amegakure, the underground chamber pulsed quietly with the steady beat of rain hitting stone. Thin streams trickled down cold walls, flickering holograms casting eerie glows in the damp air.
This was no ordinary meeting.
One of Akatsuki's rare full councils had been summoned.
At the center stood Pain—tall, still, his Rinnegan eyes cutting through the shadows. Around him, the members formed a tense circle.
Konan stepped forward, the soft rustle of parchment breaking the silence as she unfurled a fresh scroll.
"Reports from the Land of Fire's northern border, near the Kaigan region. Raiga Kurosuki—the former Seven Swordsmen of the Mist—has been killed."
Murmurs rippled through the room.
"Cause?" Kakuzu's voice was sharp, calculating. "Contract?"
Konan's voice stayed calm. "No bounty. He was killed during an unsanctioned raid on a civilian village. The one responsible… was a Konoha shinobi."
She paused, then delivered the name with cold clarity:
"A genin—Uzumaki Naruto."
The chamber fell silent for a heartbeat.
Then Kisame leaned forward, a shark-like grin spreading across his face. "A genin? Took down Raiga? Either Raiga's lost his edge… or this brat's got some serious bite."
Deidara scoffed, folding his arms. "Luck. Probably had backup. Boom—easy."
Sasori's puppet head tilted slightly, fingers tapping a quiet rhythm. "Yet only his name keeps coming up."
Kisame's grin widened. "The Kyūbi brat, huh? Looks like the Leaf's raising them better than we thought."
Eyes shifted subtly toward Itachi, standing calm and silent, Sharingan faintly glowing in the dim light.
Kisame tilted his head. "You've seen him before, haven't you, Itachi-san?"
Itachi's voice was steady, measured. "Briefly, years ago during an ANBU mission in Konoha. He was reckless, loud—just a child without control. Power raw, but with fierce will. Not an ordinary shinobi."
He paused then added. "He survived things most wouldn't."
Konan folded the scroll. "That resilience has turned into strength."
Pain's voice cut through the room, cold and deliberate. "This isn't an isolated incident."
He gestured to another data slate. "Raiga's death has sent ripples through Kirigakure. The new Mizukage, Mei Terumi, has dispatched an envoy to meet with Konoha's representatives in Yukigakure"
A shift passed through the council.
Kakuzu grunted. "Another fragile alliance forming. Desperation smells like profit."
Kisame chuckled. "No surprise. The Mist wants stability. The Leaf gains leverage."
Deidara sneered. "All over a genin? They're fools."
Itachi's gaze sharpened. "The actions of one shinobi can tip the scales of nations. History proves it."
Pain inclined his head. "Exactly."
He looked at Konan. "Increase surveillance. Our operatives in both Kiri and Konoha will prioritize all intelligence on Uzumaki Naruto."
His voice darkened. "The boy is no longer just a vessel. He's a focal point. His growth cannot be left to chance."
From the shadows, Zetsu's low voice whispered, "I will send spores. Kumo watches him too."
Kisame chuckled darkly. "I'd like to see how sharp his teeth have become. If he keeps rising, maybe we'll cross paths."
Itachi stayed silent, but inside, unease stirred.
The boy is no longer just the Kyūbi's container. He's carving his own path—and that makes him far more dangerous.
Pain turned away, voice echoing in the rain-soaked chamber. "Mark this well. If left unchecked, Uzumaki Naruto won't just be a threat—he'll become a force of change. We must prepare—to manipulate, remove, or control."
He scanned the circle once more. "The era we seek has no room for such wild cards."
Outside, the storm raged. Inside, the shadows of Akatsuki shifted in silent agreement.
And beneath it all, one name echoed in every mind.
Uzumaki Naruto.
[After the Meeting | Individual Reflections Across the Hidden Rain & Beyond]
[Amegakure | Pain's Chamber]
When the last holograms faded and only rain remained, Konan lingered by Pain's side.
"Do you truly believe this boy can shape the tides so much?" she asked quietly.
Pain's eyes were distant.
"Not yet," he said, voice heavy with certainty. "But the world moves swiftly around him. His name is tied to Kirigakure's next moves — to Konoha's boldness. The jinchūriki no longer hides in the shadows."
He turned slowly.
"If a storm is coming, Konan — we must be ready."
[Amegakure | Zetsu's Domain]
In the tangled roots beneath the city, Zetsu whispered to himself.
"Uzumaki Naruto… chaos wrapped in youth."
His black half chuckled darkly. "Maybe we should just eat him now."
The white half murmured, "No. He moves pieces we need. Mei Terumi, the Daimyō… balance must tip first."
Spores drifted, seeping into the earth.
"Watch. Learn."
[Unknown Cave | Sasori's Workshop]
In dimness, Sasori worked on a new human puppet.
His fingers stitched sinew and metal, voice low.
"A child shaping nations. The living world dances so easily."
He paused, needle poised.
"Perhaps… a worthy addition someday."
[High Sea | Kisame's Vessel]
Aboard his ship, Kisame leaned on the railing, eyes on the stormy waves.
"That brat's gutsy, taking out Raiga."
He tapped Samehada's scales.
"If we cross paths again... I'm ready."
[Remote Forest | Itachi's Meditation]
Beneath ancient roots, Itachi sat still.
Words from the meeting echoed.
Shaping his own destiny…
A memory flickered — a blond boy, stubborn and alone.
"He's grown," Itachi whispered.
A shadow of regret stirred.
If we meet again… will I still walk this path?
The thought drifted away on the wind.
[Hidden Hideout | Kakuzu's Lair]
Kakuzu examined bounty scrolls.
"Uzumaki Naruto…"
He tapped his stitched eyes.
"No bounty… yet."
He smirked.
"Power like that draws both coin and danger."
He folded the scroll away.
"For now, I watch."
[Remote Cliffs | Deidara's Camp]
Deidara shaped a small clay figure — a blond child with a grin.
"Tch. All this fuss over a genin."
He crushed the figure in his palm.
"Art's more important than strength."
He smirked darkly.
"But maybe this jinchūriki's worth a show."