Land of Rain
After several days of gathering, all members of the Akatsuki who had been away finally returned. Each one of them was a formidable master in their own right—if shinobi from other hidden villages were to see them all gathered in one place, it would surely cause an uproar.
Inside a tall, cyberpunk-like tower, the group conversed in low voices.
"What does the leader want with us this time? I was still researching my art!"
The one speaking was Deidara, the young prodigy and former disciple of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki. Despite still being a teenager, he was already recognized as an extraordinary talent.
"Tch. Eternal art is true art."
The cold, expressionless voice belonged to Sasori.
"Hah! Mr. Sasori, what do you know? Explosions are the real art!"
"Eternity is art," Sasori replied flatly, his tone unwavering.
"Enough, you two! The leader said today's meeting is about something important."
Kisame's deep voice cut through their bickering before it escalated further.
Uchiha Itachi stood quietly to the side, lost in his own thoughts.
"Itachi-san, what are you thinking about?" Kisame asked with a toothy grin. His tone carried respect, though his sharp, shark-like features made his smile anything but reassuring.
Known as the Tailless Tailed Beast, Kisame's chakra reserves rivaled even those of the Uzumaki clan. His monstrous physique and aquatic abilities only added to his terrifying reputation.
"Nothing, Kisame," Itachi replied calmly, his face betraying nothing of his inner turmoil.
Part of Kisame's respect for Itachi came from his sheer strength, but also from the mystery of his past.
The massacre of his own clan was something Kisame could neither comprehend nor explain. And yet, in his daily interactions with Itachi, he sensed a quiet gentleness beneath the surface. The contradiction puzzled him endlessly.
Unaware of Kisame's thoughts, Itachi's mind drifted to Konoha. He thought of Sasuke.
I'm sorry, Sasuke.
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall. Pain entered, Konan following closely behind.
Pain's arrival silenced the group immediately. His cold gaze swept over them, the oppressive weight of his Rinnegan making even these powerful shinobi tense. His eyes lingered on Itachi for a brief moment before he spoke.
"I'm sure you're all curious why I've called you back."
His voice was calm but absolute.
"Kakuzu will explain."
Only then did the others notice Kakuzu stepping forward from behind Pain.
"I've been investigating," Kakuzu began, his tone deliberate. "This so-called Umbrella Organization is suspicious. Most likely, it's a force secretly nurtured by Konoha. Their ambitions are clear—they're plotting against the shinobi world. I believe there's a massive conspiracy at play."
He paused, his mind racing with the conclusions he had drawn over the past few days. A mysterious Uchiha, Mangekyō Sharingan, the truth behind the Uchiha clan's annihilation... all of it led to one thought.
Uchiha Itachi.
Kakuzu's suspicions pushed him to the edge of a startling conclusion—that Itachi was Konoha's spy. Though outrageous, it was closer to the truth than anyone could guess.
"I also encountered a member of the Uchiha clan," Kakuzu continued. "And she wielded the Mangekyō Sharingan."
The words struck Itachi like a thunderclap. His chakra flared violently, the sheer force of it causing the others to tense.
"What did you say?!"
Itachi's usually calm expression was shaken. Another Uchiha… alive… and with a Mangekyō?! Could it be that masked man?
Before he could process further, Kakuzu's next words left him speechless.
"Uchiha Itachi is the spy Konoha planted within Akatsuki. Konoha, with its wolfish ambitions, staged the clan's annihilation and used Itachi as their hidden blade. When the time comes, he'll betray us and help Konoha dominate the shinobi world!"
The accusation sent shockwaves through the room. The other members instinctively edged away from Itachi, glancing at him with suspicion.
"As expected of Kakuzu-nii, his reasoning is flawless!" Hidan said without hesitation, showering his partner with praise.
Even those usually skeptical found Kakuzu's words disturbingly convincing.
"My partner Kakuzu is a true veteran. He once fought the First Hokage himself. His strength is obvious, but his insight and analysis are just as sharp!"
Hidan laughed, pulling a book from his robes. Its title read: "My Struggle for Domination in the Shinobi World."
This was one of the cultural novels circulated by the Seven Colors Trading Company—written by none other than Naruto himself. With its flashy protagonist who humiliated enemies and rose through the ninja world, the book had taken the market by storm, even rivaling Jiraiya's bestsellers.
Thanks to its broad appeal, Naruto had made a fortune from it.
The Akatsuki members collectively fell silent.
"..."
They quickly realized that Kakuzu's so-called "logical analysis" had clearly been influenced by that popular novel. With Hidan fanning the flames, it became obvious to everyone that Kakuzu's conclusions couldn't be taken at face value.
Most of them were already familiar with the book—some had even read it themselves. And admittedly, it was a satisfying read.
(Kakuzu: "Hidan, I'll kill you later. Thanks a lot!")
"Everyone, don't let Kakuzu's nonsense mislead you. Trust in the members of our organization."
Pain's cold voice carried through the chamber. As he spoke, his eyes shifted briefly toward Uchiha Itachi. Though he had always found Itachi's presence suspicious, at this moment what mattered most was maintaining the Akatsuki's unity.
"The Uchiha matter may hold some truth," Pain continued. "But as for Kakuzu's claims, those still require proper investigation. What we can confirm is that this so-called Umbrella Organization is a problem. Who among you is willing to investigate?"
Pain's Rinnegan swept across the room. Yet after a long silence, no one stepped forward.
Finally, a quiet voice broke through.
"I'll go," Itachi said, stepping forward. "And in doing so, I will also prove my innocence."
Though his tone was calm, Itachi's true thoughts were elsewhere. What truly interested him was the Uchiha survivor Kakuzu claimed to have seen.
"Kakuzu," Itachi asked evenly, "can you describe this Uchiha clan member?"
Kakuzu, still glaring at Hidan for undermining him, felt a flash of irritation.
He had thought Hidan's words were meant as praise, but instead they had only sown doubt about his reasoning. And when he reflected on it, even he had to admit—he might have been too influenced by that novel's dramatic style.
Maybe I was too hasty…
Forcing his thoughts back to the matter at hand, Kakuzu focused and recalled the events in detail.
"The first one I fought was an elite jōnin," he began slowly.
"Later, a man in a trench coat appeared—his face was hard to make out, but he was clearly not old. Then, a member of the Uchiha clan arrived afterward. Judging from the timing, they were reinforcing that base. Which suggests that base itself wasn't their headquarters—just one of their branch outposts."
He paused, his tone turning heavier.
"That Uchiha was a girl. She possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan… the same eyes as you. Her abilities were unusual—strange even."
The moment the words Mangekyō Sharingan left his lips, the entire room stirred. Even the battle-hardened Akatsuki members could not hide their surprise.
...
TN:
⚒️ Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin