In the depths of a hidden lair, palpable tension saturated the dimly lit chamber.
Dark stone walls, faintly illuminated by an otherworldly glow, enclosed a circle of figures. Hues of blue and purple flickered around them as their ethereal chakra forms shimmered into existence.
This technique they were called here by was known as the "Astral Projection" technique, a technique in which only one character knew how to perform: Nagato Uzumaki.
This was an Akatsuki gathering—a meeting of all of their current members.
Kisame Hoshigaki, the "Tailed Beast Without a Tail." His shark-like features and the monstrous Samehada sword at his side were menacing. Beside him was Itachi Uchiha, the Sharingan prodigy, whose enigmatic nature and immense power made him one of the most feared ninjas in the world.
Then there were Hidan and Kakuzu, the immortal duo—two members who exuded an unsettling aura. Hidan's crazed fanaticism and Kakuzu's insatiable greed made them an unlikely pair. Their ability to regenerate and their relentless pursuit of their goals, however, made them a terrifying threat.
Deidara, the flamboyant explosives expert, stood nonchalantly. His use of fighting revolved around clay, along with the ability to detonate it from almost anywhere.
Sasori, a puppet, was his partner. He remained enclosed inside an even larger puppet that walked on its limbs. Its eyes were hidden behind the puppet's mask, and it gave him a gruff, deep voice when speaking through it.
Two enigmatic figures completed the gathering. White and Black Zetsu, the manifestations of the Ten-Tails, stood together. Their true nature and origins remained shrouded from the others, adding to their intimidating presence.
Finally, Konan, the only female member, stood alone. Her paper-based techniques and her loyalty to Nagato made her a valuable asset to the organization.
At the top of the gathering was Nagato himself. Yet it wasn't Nagato; it was a responding corpse being controlled by him, and it went by the name of "Pain."
His presence was commanding, and his eyes—Rinnegan enigmas—settled upon each member with intensity.
Hidan's signature cackle sliced through the air, his laughter masquerading as clear insanity.
"How long has it been since we've all gathered like this?" he asked, leaning back against the stone wall. "Too long for my liking, I dare say."
Kisame scratched his chin thoughtfully and said, "Seven years…"
"Not since Orochimaru left us," Kakuzu added. "How curious that we all find ourselves here now."
"Curious indeed," Zetsu chimed in, its plant-like visage flickering between the shadows. "But the matter at hand outweighs our nostalgia."
Zetsu was a creature divided by its dual appearance—black and white faces. They were seemingly bonded to one another, separated by the underlining of their duality.
With a slight gesture, Pain commanded attention and announced, "The reason I have called you here is grave… We must discuss the events that transpired in the Leaf Village."
This moment hung in the air as Itachi stood silently awaiting the directive. Pain's gaze shifted to him, a subtle signal that summoned the Uchiha's thoughts into the realm of the conversation.
"Itachi, provide us with an overview."
"It appears that the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki remains within the village," Itachi's voice was steady, clipped yet dispassionate, revealing little of his internal conflict—an innate trait he had perfected through laden burdens.
Deidara's brow furrowed in skepticism as he asked, "Why did Orochimaru attack the village, then? It makes no sense!"
Sasori, always intrigued by tools rather than the politics of others, shrugged absentmindedly and said, "We shouldn't care about Orochimaru's motives. What truly matters is that I wish to track him down and make him pay for betraying the Akatsuki."
Of course, Sasori would feel a grudge toward the snake. After all, he was Orochimaru's partner before Deidara was recruited.
Pain narrowed his eyes and said, "Our objective transcends personal vendettas. Orochimaru's actions are of no consequence to us... for now."
The room was filled with different energies; the Akatsuki were united in purpose yet divided by their individual philosophies.
Kisame, restrained yet restless, pointed out, "It's peculiar, isn't it? That an entire brigade of Leaf shinobi appeared to know we were coming."
Out of all the members intrigued by this, it was Konan. She pressed, asking, "Who were these ninjas?"
Kisame considered for a moment, gathering the names he recalled. He listed them as such: "Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yūhi, the Copy Ninja Kakashi, a green shinobi, and the legendary Sannin Jiraiya…" He paused deliberately, leaving out certain details, but it did not escape Konan's keen intuition.
"Just those?" she asked, keeping her gaze on the shark-like man.
"Yes, just them," he replied in a casual tone. But his answer lacked the conviction to quell her interest.
"It's intriguing," Zetsu interjected smoothly, leaning forward, hungry for more information. "Did their Genin not accompany them?"
A glint passed through Konan's gaze; she obviously noticed the more significant implications. So she asked, "You're saying a group of ninjas—including their Genin—were aware of our intentions?"
Kisame's expression soured slightly, recognizing the implications that unfolded before them. He answered, "It would seem so. Perhaps they are more organized than we initially assumed."
Before the focus on these unspecified Genin could commence, Hidan's restless energy found an outlet.
Turning toward Pain, he leaned forward and asked with a sadistic grin, "So, what do we do now? Wreak some havoc? Test this so-called vigilance of the Leaf? It's been far too long since I've sacrificed to Jashin!"
Deidara scoffed, swatting away Hidan's infectious exuberance with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Calm down," he said. "We still have time. Three years, in fact. Just because there's an inconvenience now doesn't mean we should rush headfirst into danger, you know?"
"Three years, huh?" Hidan's voice was laced with mockery as he glanced around the room. "That leads us to nine captures. Things could get really bloody, real fast. So why wait?"
Kakuzu raised an eyebrow, annoyed at Hidan's insatiable thirst for chaos.
"Because we aren't the only ones here, idiot. The Leaf Village is on high alert. Any slip, any hint of our intentions, and they won't just pin a few ninjas against us—they will mobilize the entire village, risking everything we've built."
Pain added, "Our objective has not changed; we remain concealed, carrying out our missions without drawing undue attention from either the hidden villages or those foolish enough to oppose us. Preemptively seeking trouble can collapse our plans before they come to fruition."
Konan nodded in silent agreement and said, "The Akatsuki must operate with the utmost caution. Our strength lies in stealth, not in creating unnecessary anarchy."
A contemplative silence hung in the air as each member considered their leaders' words.
Itachi, though subdued, felt a profound understanding shaping his thoughts. Of course, he wasn't willing to speak in the conversation unless spoken to.
"We should utilize this time," White Zetsu announced. "The longer we remain under the radar, the more prepared we will be when we eventually strike."
"Exactly," Sasori chimed in. "Time allows for craftsmanship; each mission can contribute to exploiting our enemies' weaknesses."
Hidan frowned, crossing his arms as he said, "It's boring, waiting around like a pack of pathetic wolves!"
"Fate is a double-edged sword, Hidan," Pain said. "Fast and reckless actions could lead to our downfall or, worse, the loss of what we stand for. Remember, we are not simply a gang of rogues; we are the harbingers of change. There is power in patience, and from the shadows, we'll bring about our grand design."
Kisame chuckled, saying, "As much as I enjoy a fight, having the upper hand is far better than rushing in blindly."
Hidan, however, was not yielding. His eyes sparked with excitement at the possibility of a potential hunt, "A few fresh faces among those Leaf Genin would add a little fun!"
Deidara rolled his eyes in irritation as he replied, "We haven't the time for mindless games, Hidan! If they thwart our plans, it may cost us our objectives."
Pain raised a hand, calming the rising tension.
"Focus," he said. "We need to assess our next move. The details surrounding our last encounter suggest they have grown stronger. If Genin were involved, it indicates that their protection over the Nine-Tails has sharpened… and if that is the case, we'll consider new tactics when the time is right."
Konan interjected softly, "It would be wise to gather more intelligence before we make any impulsive decisions. This is not a game, and we cannot treat it as one."
White Zetsu nodded and said, "I can gather more information and observe the movements of those in that village. It won't take much time."
The air shifted, and the tension receded ever so slightly. Pain lingered at the prospect of new intel that could reshape their mission.
"Zetsu and Konan," he commanded, "you will work together to gather information about these Genin, particularly those who displayed knowledge about our arrival. Observe closely; we cannot afford to underestimate any of them."
"Consider it done." Konan's gaze darkened. "We'll reveal what we need to know."
Kisame crossed his arms, assessing the room while confusion lingered.
"And if they find us first?" he asked. "If they begin hunting us instead?"
Pain's gaze hardened as he answered, "Then we will face them and kill on sight."
That wasn't just a statement; it was a promise.
The members exchanged glances with renewed resolve as the tension transformed into focus.
"Stay disciplined," Pain added. "I want each of you to strategize independently. A meeting will be scheduled once we gather adequate information. Until then, don't be caught slipping."
Just then, Kakuzu, whose eyes appeared less off-handed than most, said, "Speaking of the Leaf Village, I came across an intriguing report during my last gathering of bounties. A rogue shinobi named Arthur Bennett was killed. It's reported he was just twelve years old and attempted to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
Pain's expression remained neutral, a stone mask of indifference. "Insignificant," he said with a wave of his hand, dismissing the notion.
But Hidan leaned closer, the enthusiasm returning. With a sinister delight, he said, "Not so insignificant! He went after the Jinchūriki! That's a bold move for a kid. A little spunk in a pathetic world, don't you think?"
"What's your point?" Zetsu pushed.
"Kakuzu and I were out looking for him since he had a decent bounty on his head. But all we found was an article about his death."
"What a shame," Sasori interjected, a note of contemplation in his voice. "A boy like that could have become a valuable member of the Akatsuki. Perhaps even potent enough to help us capture the remaining Jinchūriki."
That statement wasn't one to overlook. Not many earn praise from characters like Sasori.
"Exactly!" Hidan added, nodding emphatically. "A rogue boy with guts; he had potential! If only he hadn't been so eager to take on something far beyond him…"
Konan appeared lost in thought, her demeanour shifting to a more serious tone.
"It is regrettable," she said. "If he had sought our aid, or if he was approached early, we could have recruited him as an agent."
Itachi was intrigued by the conversation but chose to remain silent.
"It's difficult to imagine a child venturing into the world of shinobi with such ambition against a Jinchūriki," Kisame pointed out.
"Indeed," Pain finally weighed in, his voice steady and calm. "However, it has nothing to do with us since he's dead. Desire can fuel greatness, but it can just as easily lead to one's downfall."
Hidan shrugged, undeterred, as he said, "That's just it! Young or old, a good death is a thing that doesn't bother Jashin. This Arthur's demise just tells me he was out of our league. What's done is done!"
Deidara rolled his eyes at Hidan's continued obsession with bloodshed.
"At least his story serves another purpose, yes?"
"No," Sasori abruptly answered.
"Oh, come on, Sasori! Why'd ya have to put me down like that?"
As the atmosphere melded back into the serious undertones of strategy and timing, the Akatsuki members exchanged glances filled with shared purpose. Though their paths diverged at moments, weaving distinct motives, it was this shared vision that held them together.
Pain raised a hand to signify the end of their discussions.
"Then it is decided: we continue with our clandestine operations for the next three years…"
With the hushed pact among them, the team of shadows gravitated into their next phases, every pulse of their energy a step closer to reshaping the world as they saw fit.
Outside, the world continued, blissfully unaware of the brewing storm, while in the depths of their lair, the Akatsuki were coming alive—not in chaos but in calculated urgency, setting the pieces on the chessboard for the ensuing conflict to come.