Chapter 44: The Kirigakure Target
"Kirigakure," the Deva Path, Pain, answered Uchiha Naoki's question aloud. "The Three-Tails Jinchuriki."
?!
This answer caused Juzo Biwa and Zabuza, both natives of Kirigakure, to stare at Pain with incredulous expressions, their faces asking if he was joking. But everyone present could understand why they lost their composure.
"Capture the Fourth Mizukage? Leader, are you serious?" Even the normally unflappable Kakuzu couldn't help the shock in his voice, his pupils contracting.
Now, even the perpetually rebellious Hidan turned his head to look at 'Pain'. "Boss, are you sure? This is no different from declaring war on Kirigakure directly."
Uchiha Itachi also spoke up, his tone uncharacteristically solemn. "A mission of this level would require dispatching at least two teams. But doing so would easily expose our movements."
Uchiha Naoki nodded upon hearing this, his exaggerated expression fading. Though he had suspected it, hearing Pain confirm it still sent a jolt of shock through him. Their target was indeed the Three-Tails within the Fourth Mizukage. But to actually hear the leader of the Akatsuki state it so plainly was staggering. After all, their mission target was the Kage of a hidden village, and the mighty Kirigakure stood behind him. The reputation of the Five Great Shinobi Villages was not just for show.
A monster like the Third Raikage, who could fight the Eight-Tails hand-to-hand, could still be worn down and killed by an army of ten thousand Iwa-nin. Let alone their current selves, who were far inferior to the Third Raikage. If surrounded, it would be over.
Only Deidara wore the expression of a newborn calf unafraid of tigers. "Hey, now that's interesting! A mission like this is truly exciting. Leader, you should leave it to me, yeah!"
The Scarlet Sand Scorpion alone remained calm, as if he had realized something. "So, this mission falls to Naoki and me again?" He looked at Pain. "Zero, what has happened in Kirigakure? What prompted this sudden decision to strike there?"
This question voiced the doubts in the hearts of all the other members, including Uchiha Naoki.
It was suitable to choose the isolated Kirigakure as a target. They could acquire a Tailed Beast without attracting massive attention and plunging the organization into a passive position. Thinking further, they were already enemies with Kumogakure. Capturing a Tailed Beast before Kumo could fully react was a sound strategy. Otherwise, once Kumogakure paid them enough attention and united the other great villages in a common front against the Akatsuki, capturing Tailed Beasts would become far more difficult.
But even though Kirigakure was isolated, it was still one of the Five Great Villages. Without a suitable opportunity, invading directly would be tantamount to suicide. He was curious what event in Kirigakure had prompted Nagato, through the Deva Path, to suddenly decide to move against it, instead of choosing a weaker village like Takigakure, which also possessed a Tailed Beast.
"There is only one reason," Pain's voice remained devoid of emotion. "According to reliable intelligence from 'Zetsu', civil war erupted in Kirigakure yesterday."
"The Kaguya clan's rebellion caused a massive upheaval. Although it was forcefully suppressed by the Fourth Mizukage, this act directly ignited the persecution of bloodline limit users within Kirigakure."
"Right now, the village is in a state of panic."
"Aside from the Mizukage's faction, another faction has emerged to contend for power."
"It can be said the situation in Kirigakure has never been so turbulent, nor so vulnerable."
"How can we let such a perfect opportunity go to waste?"
Pain's answer surprised all the members present, Uchiha Naoki included. The Kaguya clan's rebellion wasn't supposed to happen for several more months according to the original timeline. There was no doubt it had been moved up.
"Seiryū, Gyokunyo!" Pain declared. "Suzaku, Hokuto!" He was referring to the teams of Uchiha Naoki & Sasori, and Uchiha Itachi & Juzo Biwa. "This capture mission, I entrust to your two teams to complete."
The four named members—Naoki, Sasori, Itachi, and Juzo—nodded in acknowledgment.
"Kūshin, Genbu!" Pain continued, addressing Deidara and Zabuza. "You two will separate from Seiryū's group and undertake the mission of transporting the Jinchuriki."
Hearing this, Deidara immediately grew excited. "That's awesome! Leader, this is a brilliant decision, yeah!"
Zabuza's face remained expressionless.
"Santa, Hokuto!" Pain spoke again, to Kakuzu and Hidan. "You two will continue the mission of hunting bounty targets. Accumulate as much funds as possible."
Kakuzu nodded. "Understood."
Hidan shouted excitedly, "It seems I can spread the teachings of Lord Jashin once more and offer him sacrifices!"
With the exception of the Deva Path Pain and Konan, every member of the Akatsuki was being deployed. This was a rare sight, as there were usually two or three teams resting at any given time.
"The plot is diverging more and more," Uchiha Naoki thought to himself after the meeting concluded, returning to his quarters. "Forget it. All I can do is strengthen myself as quickly as possible."
Taking a deep breath, a system interface appeared before his eyes.
[Ding! Tadpoles have returned from their journey. Local specialties are ready for collection.]
"Collect."
As he gave the mental command, another wave of familiar memories poured into his mind, instantly fusing and harmonizing with his body. This time, it happened twice.
[Specialty 1: "Life Return" (Rokushiki of the Navy)]
[Source: One Piece World]
[Introduction: Infuse consciousness into the body, allowing free manipulation of any body part.]
Other applications were secondary. But with this skill, Uchiha Naoki could significantly enhance his recovery ability. The effect should be very similar to the 'Strength of a Hundred Seal's' healing.
[Specialty 2: Intermediate Armament Haki (Levels: Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced)]
[Source: One Piece World]
[Introduction: An invisible armor. Can enhance defense and attack power, and can be imbued into weapons to increase their potency.]
"Armament Haki has finally arrived?"
He wasn't too surprised by its appearance. If Observation Haki had come, wasn't Armament Haki a matter of time?
"Armament. Harden."
He opened his hands, and with a thought, a sensation of condensed, tight binding enveloped them. A layer of jet-black substance sheathed his palms.
Without using chakra, relying purely on physical strength, he hammered his fist heavily against the blade of a sword lying nearby.
CLANG!
Accompanied by a shower of dazzling sparks, a white mark appeared on his fist, but a large notch had been split into the sword's blade.
"So this is... intermediate Armament Haki?"
Dispersing the Armament Haki, Uchiha Naoki nodded in satisfaction. Of course, this wasn't a legendary blade. But it was forged from the remains of Zabuza's Kubikiribōchō; its hardness and sharpness were naturally superior to an ordinary sword. Yet even a blade of this quality had been notched by his hardened fist, and he himself had felt no pain. The strength of intermediate Armament Haki was evident.