Outside the village of Konoha.
A dozen Konoha ninja in cloaks gathered here.
The young members of Teams 3, 7, 8, and 10 have grown up. They are about to leave Konoha to search for Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito.
Since the captain of Team 8, Kurenai Yuhi, is pregnant, Tsunade has temporarily appointed an ANBU member named Tenzo to act as the captain of Team 8.
"Is it just us?"
Sarutobi Asuma, the captain of Team 10, still felt apprehensive about the Akatsuki's strength, holding a cigarette in his mouth: "We might face a tough battle this time..."
"Don't worry."
Hatake Kakashi, the captain of Team 7, glanced in the direction of the village and waved his hand: "Our main task is to coordinate with others..."
"Oh?"
Sarutobi Asuma turned his head.
A group of Root ninjas, dressed in elite combat uniforms and wearing animal masks, emerged from Konoha. Leading them were Karin and a masked young man with black hair.
"Are they from the Root?"
Might Guy, the captain of Team 3, walked over in surprise.
"Is the Root mobilizing entirely?"
Sarutobi Asuma looked at the group of Root ninjas, quickly scanning them and feeling something was off: "There are at least twenty squads, right? Their numbers are almost equal to the ANBU's?"
"It should be about right."
Nara Shikamaru couldn't help but glance at his teacher, thinking he still didn't grasp the situation after the last incident. The Root has four reincarnated Hokage and a number of subordinates similar to the ANBU. Isn't that normal?
"…"
Uzumaki Naruto immediately recognized Uchiha Sasuke among them. He wanted to greet him but stopped himself, remembering the Root ninjas' identities are confidential.
"You just need to follow us."
Uchiha Sasuke, wearing a cat mask, looked at Hatake Kakashi and said, "The Root has some information about the Akatsuki. Once we find any clues about Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito, I will send someone to inform you..."
"Alright."
Hatake Kakashi didn't argue.
The four teams, combined with the Root ninjas, numbered over a hundred. They quickly left Konoha, advancing towards an old Uchiha clan outpost in a fan-shaped formation, using the information intermittently relayed between Karin and White Zetsu, Awei!
Based on Uchiha Sasuke's decision after consulting with his surviving clansmen, he planned to initiate a revenge battle against Uchiha Itachi at the family's former site, to make Itachi understand the extent of his mistakes!
"The Root will spread your message across the ninja world."
Karin adjusted her glasses, agreeing to Uchiha Sasuke's request: "If everything goes as planned, Uchiha Itachi should show up, and Uchiha Obito might appear as well..."
Such a large-scale operation, combined with the information from White Zetsu, Awei, could not be hidden from Uchiha Obito and Zetsu. They quickly realized something was amiss.
"Uchiha Sasuke is Akihara Kagura's person."
White Zetsu's main body conveyed the information it received from Awei: "Uchiha Sasuke has always wanted to kill Uchiha Itachi. The five Hokage of Konoha want to use this opportunity to gather intelligence on the Akatsuki, which led to this large-scale operation..."
"A duel between Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke aligns with our interests."
Black Zetsu's raspy voice sounded sinister: "Regardless of who wins, we will obtain a pair of Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan..."
"But, there are too many people."
Uchiha Obito felt uneasy, sensing potential trouble if he tried to intervene: "With over a hundred Konoha ninja mobilized, Uchiha Itachi is bound to lose, although he probably never intended to win..."
"That doesn't matter."
White Zetsu's main body shook its head, mentioning another piece of information from Awei: "Akihara Kagura has instructed us that the Root members will fully obey his orders. We only need to relay the orders through Awei to Karin. Karin's information is that Uchiha Sasuke wants to confront Uchiha Itachi in an old Uchiha clan warehouse..."
"I see…"
Uchiha Obito also remembered that place and nodded, saying, "That place is indeed quite suitable for us to hide and observe..."
"By the way, where is Akihara Kagura?"
Uchiha Obito inquired about the whereabouts of Akihara Kagura.
"Still in Konoha, I suppose..."
White Zetsu shook his head again and continued, "For Kagura, this is just an experiment. He wants to see the power that the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan can unleash from the victor of the duel between Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke..."
"Hmph, then let's arrange the duel between Itachi and Sasuke first!"
Uchiha Obito sneered and continued, "If Uchiha Sasuke can awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan in this battle, I will tell him the truth about the night of the clan massacre and lure him to become our ally in capturing the tailed beasts..."
"After all..."
"The strength of the Cloud Village is formidable, and capturing the Eight-Tails won't be easy."
Uchiha Obito felt a bit regretful as he thought about it: "For the plan to capture the Nine-Tails, we can't let Akihara Kagura expose his identity and help..."
"Let Uchiha Itachi go to the meeting!"
Uchiha Obito clenched his fist and said in a deep voice, "After this duel, we will take the victor to capture the Eight-Tails!"
In the Land of Rain.
At the Akatsuki organization's base.
A group of Akatsuki members were still waiting for the order to capture the Eight-Tails, as this time it was likely to be a collective action. However, instead of waiting for the capture order, they first heard the news of Uchiha Sasuke and the Konoha ninjas searching for Uchiha Itachi extensively and Uchiha Sasuke challenging Uchiha Itachi to a duel.
"It's time."
Uchiha Itachi did not intend to resist his fate.
Ever since that night of the clan massacre, he had been contemplating when and how he should die at the hands of his brother.
Now...
Sasuke was strong enough.
Even if Uchiha Itachi used all his strength, he might not be able to defeat Uchiha Sasuke, and the probability of failure was even higher.
That brother...
The only thing he lacked was a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan and the most secret part of the Uchiha clan—how to obtain the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan without going blind.
"Itachi."
Kisame Hoshigaki grinned and said with a chuckle, "I heard that little brat Uchiha Sasuke is bringing quite a few people..."
"Mm."
Uchiha Itachi nodded slowly, not caring much about it.
If he wanted to, he could use his Mangekyo Sharingan ability, Amaterasu, to create a separate area for their duel.
"I'm going to the meeting."
Uchiha Itachi adjusted his black robe with red clouds.
The place Sasuke had chosen was quite suitable, and for Itachi, it wasn't a bad place to die.
Kisame Hoshigaki followed behind Uchiha Itachi without mentioning what he was planning to do. Perhaps he was still following Uchiha Obito's orders to monitor Uchiha Itachi.
In the vast Akatsuki base, only Sasori of the Red Sand, Deidara, Pain, and Konan were left among the members. This lineup made attacking the Cloud Village somewhat troublesome.
They didn't seem to be able to do much.
The only thing they could do was wait quietly for news.
"The plan is finally nearing completion..."
Pain looked at the Gedo Statue of the Outer Path behind him, all seven of its eyes already open. His true body, Nagato, could easily use its power.
"Yes..."
Konan still had some concerns about Nagato's health and nodded worriedly, "I hope everything goes smoothly... but your body..."
"It doesn't matter."
Pain shook his head, his mind focused only on their plan, "As long as we fulfill Yahiko's wish and change the entire ninja world…"
Pain understood Konan's implication and brought up their former adversary: "Do you remember when Hanzō of the Salamander mentioned? For me, death is not the end of life..."
"Hanzō..."
Konan furrowed her brow and used Hanzō's words to persuade Pain: "He still hopes that you can inherit Rain Village."
"..."
Pain fell silent as he remembered his promise to Hanzō. Considering his physical condition and current plans, he continued: "If the ninja world can achieve lasting peace, it doesn't matter who inherits Rain Village..."
"..."
Konan's expression subtly darkened.
Outside the Akatsuki base.
Sasori and Deidara were sitting outside, watching the rain.
They were the only ordinary members left in the base.
Deidara looked up at the rain and grumbled: "When can we attack Cloud Village? I've stored up quite a lot of art!"
"Go rest."
Sasori, in his gruff voice, began to control Hiruko to head back.
"Wait..."
Deidara suddenly called out to Sasori, raising his voice: "Sasori-danna, someone is back! Look, someone is back!"
"..."
Sasori glanced in the direction Deidara pointed.
In the rain.
The figures of Kakuzu and Hidan came into view.
These two members, captured by Konoha, had returned at this time.
Sasori's gaze shifted between Kakuzu and Hidan, finally focusing on Hidan. There was a connection among the Six Paths of Puppets.
"That guy..."
Hidan also noticed Sasori's gaze and muttered to himself, evidently surprised that there was another person like him in the Akatsuki.
Moreover...
This person was an old member of the Akatsuki, Sasori, whom Pain trusted the most, and like Hidan, was also a puppet of Akihara Kagura.
"Hey, Kakuzu, Hidan..."
Deidara, never one to hide his curiosity or care about others' dignity, said: "I heard you were captured by Konoha. How did you manage to escape?"
"You bastard!"
Hidan immediately showed a fierce expression, grabbing his scythe to fight Deidara.
"Enough."
Kakuzu stopped Hidan with a cold voice: "Hidan, we have more important matters to discuss with Konan..."
This wasn't their own mission.
It was assigned to them by Akihara Kagura, who brought them back to the Akatsuki.
Though Kakuzu didn't know why Akihara Kagura wanted them to question Konan and Pain, Akihara Kagura was nearby and would soon arrive at the base.
As Kakuzu, Hidan, Deidara, and Sasori argued and entered, a frog followed them into the base...
Inside the frog.
Jiraiya stroked his chin, frowning: "Why did Kakuzu and Hidan return to the Akatsuki? Weren't they imprisoned by ROOT?"
Despite his curiosity, Jiraiya was thankful for Kakuzu and Hidan leading him to the Akatsuki base.
Forget it.
He could ask that question once back in Konoha.
The most important task now was to infiltrate the Akatsuki base, find Konan and Nagato, and stop their plan to collect the tailed beasts.
As the frog hopped into the base, a small white snake followed slowly, slithering into the base.
When the white snake entered, Akihara Kagura's figure emerged from the shadows and then slowly merged back, silently infiltrating the base.
Inside the Akatsuki base.
Konan wasn't surprised by Kakuzu and Hidan's return.
Because Akihara Kagura, their spy, would certainly bring them back.
However...
Kakuzu suddenly posed a question to Konan and Pain: "This guy named Akihara Kagura also claims to be a member of the Akatsuki. Is this true?"
"!!!"
Before the Akatsuki leader could respond, Deidara exploded in anger: "Are you kidding? How could that guy be a member of the Akatsuki!"
"!!!"
Inside the frog.
Jiraiya was shocked by this news.
Inside the white snake.
Orochimaru sneered upon hearing this.
Everyone's eyes turned to Konan and Pain, especially Deidara, who was visibly upset.
"Yes."
Pain, hearing Kakuzu mention Akihara Kagura, directly admitted it, regardless of the impact: "About ten years ago, Akihara Kagura joined the Akatsuki as a spy placed in Konoha..."
"..."
Everyone felt a chill run down their spine.
A spy for the Akatsuki?
Akihara Kagura was a spy for the Akatsuki in Konoha?
Such a person...
How could they be a spy?
"Akihara Kagura has been secretly providing us with crucial intelligence."
Pain explained seriously to the Akatsuki members present: "To capture the most dangerous Nine-Tails, we have never revealed Akihara Kagura's identity…"
~~~
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