In the Land of Rain.
A secluded underground cavern.
Several mirages sequentially appear, casting colorful lights that illuminate the dim and confined space.
"Gathered us again," one figure spoke up, resting a massive three-bladed scythe on his shoulder, clicking his tongue irritably. "What's the occasion this time? Are we finally making our move?"
"Our group's mission is already completed," another tall silhouette responded calmly beside him.
The one with the Rinnegan said, "Zetsu, relay the information to them."
The noisy group immediately fell silent.
A voice, hoarse and originating from a pitcher plant-shaped apparition, stated, "The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki has headed to the Land of Lightning, and has been targeted by Cloud Village. They've organized forces to capture the Nine-Tails."
"Has the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki already been captured by Cloud?" the mirage with a high ponytail exclaimed, "So they've beaten us to it."
Zetsu ignored him and continued, "However, Cloud's capture attempt failed."
"The Two-Tails and Eight-Tails Jinchuriki joined forces, with the addition of dozens of Jonin, even the Raikage personally took action, yet they couldn't overcome the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"Cloud's deployment was almost entirely wiped out."
"The Raikage was injured, losing an arm and a leg."
The words settled.
The colors on the mirages seemed to dim slightly.
Inside the cavern, the atmosphere was heavy.
"That's absurd," the high ponytail said with a raised voice. "Handling an entire village?"
"Only by joining forces could we manage something like that."
"And he can do it alone?"
"Cloud Village used nearly all its strength and still couldn't capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?" a nearly curled-up man added, "Itachi, I remember you fought him before."
The mirage with Sharingan lifted his head.
He was the only one in the 'Akatsuki' who wasn't referred to by a codename.
"The Sharingan" was too eye-catching.
Now, there were only two pairs of Sharingan in the ninja world; he was one of them, and no one could be unaware of his identity.
"He's very powerful," Uchiha Itachi spoke. "I and Kisame didn't engage with him deeply, so the true extent of his strength is unknown to us."
"Moreover, that was more than a year ago."
The tall mirage raised his head, looking at the "Rinnegan": "So, is the leader gathering us this time to combine the organization's full strength to confront him?"
The Rinnegan spoke calmly, "This is the information Zetsu brought back for me."
"Compared to over a year ago, the intel that Zhu and Nan brought, it's as if we're talking about two different people."
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is still very young."
"If we let him continue to grow, he will become a significant problem."
"Moreover—"
He paused, glancing at the pitcher plant, "Recent intel suggests that over the past year, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki has been trying to gather intelligence on our organization."
"He might already know what our organization's goal is."
The man holding a scythe chuckled, "Could his goal not be Itachi?"
"After all, he has the Sharingan."
The Rinnegan looked over, "According to Zetsu's intel,"
"That Orochimaru seems not to have died."
"And he has had some interactions with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"Our information was likely leaked from that guy's mouth."
The man with the scythe closed his mouth.
The Rinnegan's gaze swept across all phantoms, lowering his voice, "Whether due to Naruto Uzumaki's inherent power,"
"or to ensure the secrecy of our organization,"
"Capturing the Nine-Tails is now an urgent matter."
"But the battle cannot take place within the Five Great Nations' territories."
"We're not yet at a point where we can reveal ourselves to them."
"Therefore,"
"Three, North,"
"You two are to lure the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to the Land of Rain."
"Everyone else, return and prepare for combat."
Two phantoms, hearing their names, shuddered slightly.
The man with the scythe elongated his voice in a complaint, "Are we supposed to do this clearly suicidal task?"
"Aren't you the immortal duo?" the Rinnegan spoke, "Such a mission is best suited for you."
"Besides, 'Three', you joined our organization after that Orochimaru guy."
"No one knows about your intel."
"Maybe we can use your ability to catch the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki off guard."
The man referred to as "San" sighed, "I understand, Leader."
"However,"
"I think you can retract your last order."
"I will definitely capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"
The Rinnegan did not respond verbally, merely forming a seal and whispering, "Everyone, be prepared."
His phantom vanished soon after.
The figures of the others also gradually disappeared.
In the Land of Birds.
Within a forest, two men wearing black cloaks with red clouds slowly opened their eyes.
"Hidan, you really can utter such words," said the man with a forehead protector from Takigakure, "Do you truly believe you can capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
"Defeating the strongest in the Five Great Nations' Kumogakure,"
"This kind of strength reminds me of an old acquaintance."
The young man with a forehead protector from Yugakure around his neck turned around, impatiently scratching his ear, "Kakuzu, you're so nagging. That story about facing the First Hokage and surviving, I've heard it countless times!"
"A mere God of Shinobi."
"Not to mention the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki hasn't reached that level. Even if he did, what difference would it make?"
"A position elevated by praise, can it compare to a true deity?"
"Lord Jashin is the true god!"
"No one can withstand the power that comes from Lord Jashin."
Kakuzu shrugged, "Then let's get moving. Heading to the Land of Lightning from here is quite a long journey."
Hidan was excited, already envisioning himself tormenting the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
On Turtle Island.
The training at the True Falls was progressing slowly.
Naruto remained calm, treating the True Falls as a tool to test his abilities. By fighting against a completely identical version of himself, he could pinpoint, document lapses in combat, and polish his techniques to grow stronger.
This was precisely his intention.
He didn't visit the falls frequently, only once every two or three days at most. Sometimes, if his research reached a critical point or he couldn't figure out how to address his issues, he would forgo the falls entirely until he resolved it.
Every day, the Nine-Tails goes to fight "the dark side of the heart" two or three times.
One reason is to obtain the Zanpakuto.
On the other hand, they dislike that "corrupted" guy.
Just an inner power.
So arrogant and extremely conceited.
But the results are not as the fox wishes.
It comes back every day looking dejected, and the outcome goes without saying.
This leaves it somewhat frustrated.
Even when arguing with Karin, its spirit is noticeably lacking.
"Naruto, the research on the Tailed Beasts can be done anytime," the Yin Nine-Tails grumbled from the bed, baring its teeth. "Don't you want to get rid of that shadowy side quickly?"
"I'm not in a hurry," Naruto replied with a smile.
The Yang Nine-Tails uneasily scratched at the bedsheets.
But... it's in a hurry!
Would it really have to set aside its pride and ask Naruto for help?
Like that girl named "Soi Fon"?
Wouldn't that be too embarrassing?
Naruto could sense its emotions; the Nine-Tails was terrible at hiding its thoughts, everything it was thinking showed clearly on its face.
He put down the scroll and turned around, "Haven't you heard the name of that sword yet?"
The two foxes nodded, the mention of this topic made them even more agitated.
"The voice is clearly heard," the Yang Nine-Tails said through gritted teeth, "but the name is hidden."
"Why is this happening?"
"Is it because our training isn't enough?"
The Yin Nine-Tails clawed at a pillow.
Naruto softly said, "You're too impatient."
He paused, gently patting his thigh, "Seeing how you both are now, I've got some new ideas."
The two foxes bared their teeth.
What did he mean by "how you both are now," like they were pathetic or something.
"I wonder."
"Are we being a bit too presumptuous?"
Kurama tilted its head, its four eyes focused on him.
"Father once told us that we must resolve the darkness within ourselves." Naruto continued, "So, after arriving at the True Falls, we naturally assumed that the goal was to destroy that creature."
Otherwise?
The two foxes were confident and justified.
Of course, that hideous thing must be eliminated!
"But," Naruto recalled that night when "Fullbringers" encountered trouble, "no matter how dark or evil that creature is, it's still part of us."
"Before we unleash the Asura sword,"
"I could hear their voices, but I couldn't make out their names."
"I thought about it, and the reason was simple: I hadn't made up my mind yet."
"I longed for greater power but didn't feel connected to it."
"I preferred the gentler power but was unwilling to accept it."
"Subconsciously, I rejected it, so I couldn't hear their names."
"It wasn't a lack of power; we blocked our ears ourselves."
Kurama seemed to ponder this.
"So, we should accept that creature?" Disgust instinctively appeared on their faces.
Naruto grabbed Yang Kurama's tail and rubbed it in his palm, "Where there is light, there must be shadow."
"Our hearts are no exception."
"We should become the brightest light to suppress these shadows, letting our true consciousness guide our bodies and thoughts, not one-sided notions."
Yang Kurama looked up, staring at the blond boy, "Naruto, you're becoming quite thoughtful."
"But—"
"What's with you Uzumaki clan?"
"Stop playing with my tail."
It brandished claws threateningly, while Yin Kurama mocked from the side, but Naruto refused to let go.
The next day.
Both appeared simultaneously at the True Falls, on the platform meditating, to meet the other side of their hearts.
(End of Chapter)