(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
****************
"These eyes... they're similar to the Sage of Six Paths, but there's something wrong about them!" Matatabi's voice sounded slightly alarmed, but she quickly sensed something was off.
Although both were Rinnegan, Nagato's pair gave her the exact opposite feeling.
The Sage of Six Paths' chakra was warm and all-encompassing, while Nagato's chakra emanated an indifference that chilled to the bone.
"Yugito, I may be doomed," Matatabi watched as her chakra was being drawn into the Gedo Statue, powerless to resist. The Gedo Statue and Rinnegan had natural suppressive powers over tailed beasts.
Her only choice left was to become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki again.
However, Matatabi looked towards Yugito.
Their original relationship had been one of indifference and mutual benefit - the seal was the same in anyone's body, and it didn't stop Yugito from using her chakra.
But after the traumatic experience of being toyed with by Colt, the tailed beast seemed to have found common ground with Yugito, and their relationship had grown by leaps and bounds.
It was just unfortunate that soon after becoming the perfect Jinchūriki, they were captured by the Akatsuki.
"Yugito, after I'm extracted, you'll be temporarily free from the seal's control. If you have the chance, you must use all your strength to stimulate 'that mark' with chakra," Matatabi said earnestly.
"This is your only hope for survival."
'That mark?'
Yugito's face changed slightly.
It was the shameful brand Kamiyo Colt had left on her, marking her like a summoning beast.
But now it might be her only chance to survive.
More than three days passed in a flash, and the sealing came to an end.
As the last of the tailed beast's chakra was swallowed by the Gedo Statue, Yugito's body fell to the ground.
None of the Akatsuki members even spared her a glance.
The void left by the tailed beast's extraction would cause a continuous loss of vitality.
Even the monstrous physique of the Uzumaki clan could only struggle for a while after a tailed beast was extracted.
So, to them, Yugito was already a dead woman.
"That went unexpectedly well. No one bothered us this time," Hidan stretched, his body stiff from not moving much during the sealing.
"Although there's no tailed beast left, she's still a good sacrifice. I want to dedicate her to Jashin!"
He walked slowly towards Yugito to prepare for the ceremony while she was still alive.
The other Akatsuki members ignored him; everyone here had their own unique style and preferences.
As long as it didn't interfere with the mission, even Pain wouldn't intervene.
Just as Pain was about to explain the next step, Yugito's body suddenly turned into a cloud of smoke.
All eyes turned to where Yugito had been.
"Was that a Summoning Jutsu? Is Kumogakure so crazy that they treat Jinchūrikis as summoning beasts?" Kisame grinned, finding the situation interesting.
"It may not be Kumogakure, but Kamiyo Colt," Black Zetsu spoke up.
Hearing this name, even Pain frowned.
Why was this guy so troublesome? An inexplicable sense of urgency arose in his heart.
Black Zetsu went on to explain:
"In the battle in the Land of Hot Water, Kamiyo Colt used the Summoning Jutsu to summon Yugito and the Two-Tails to battle."
"It doesn't matter what happened. The sealing is complete, and I'm heading to the Fire Temple now," Kakuzu, unconcerned about this development, only cared about the 30 million ryō bounty awaiting him.
"No." Pain stopped Kakuzu, who was about to leave, making him frown.
"We must speed up the collection of the tailed beasts. If Kamiyo Colt can save the Jinchūriki's life, our activities will be exposed then. We must race against time."
Kakuzu was displeased; anyone who stood between him and money was his enemy.
Pain, realizing it wasn't good to push his subordinates like this, immediately added.
"The pay will be increased."
This time, Kakuzu was satisfied.
After placating his subordinate, Pain arranged the tasks for each group.
"Sasori's body is still being repaired. Deidara and a new member will handle the Three-Tails. Kisame and Itachi are in charge of the Four-Tails and Eight-Tails. Kakuzu and Hidan will capture the Five-Tails. As for the Six-Tails and Seven-Tails, I'll handle them myself!"
Except for Kakuzu, who still had some reservations, no one else objected.
A flicker of an unreadable emotion passed through Uchiha Itachi's eyes - Pain hadn't mentioned the Nine-Tails.
'Is there another arrangement in secret?'
In Amegakure, inside a towering tower, Deidara was preoccupied with preparing his art.
For his explosive clay, he demanded not only the beauty of the moment but also artistry before the explosion.
He was in the process of creating a new artistic style.
"Senpai! The boss has given us a mission. Let's go catch the Three-Tails!" Tobi, in his usual goofy manner, suddenly appeared from the floor of the room, startling Deidara and causing the clay bird he was carefully sculpting to be instantly ruined.
Veins popped on Deidara's forehead.
If it weren't his own room, he would have thrown the clay at Tobi.
"Tobi! How many times have I told you to knock before entering!"
"Ahaha, Senpai, it's just my first mission. I'm a little excited!" Tobi scratched his head embarrassedly, then said excitedly, "Senpai, let's go quickly. The Land of Water is far away!"
Deidara reluctantly put away his clay and donned the Akatsuki's signature black robe with red clouds. "Land of Water? Is our target the Three-Tails?"
"Yeah, yeah! It's a big guy, not bound to a Jinchūriki's body," Tobi replied.
Tobi's words intrigued Deidara.
"A big guy? That means I can go all out this time?" The thought of being able to blow up a tailed beast with his art made his blood boil.
"Let's go, Tobi. We'll head to the Land of Water right now." Pushing open the door, Deidara walked upstairs excitedly, completely unaware of Tobi's gradually deepening gaze behind him.
"Three-Tails, we shall meet again," Obito thought to himself.
There was so much history between him and the Three-Tails. Rin had become the Three-Tails Jinchūriki before she died, and Yagura had been controlled by him for a long time after becoming the Three-Tails Jinchūriki.
That's why Obito had volunteered to go with Deidara to capture the Three-Tails.
Among the many tailed beasts, it was the only one that held special significance for Obito.
Some grievances needed to be settled.