The Akatsuki had grown in strength and number, but Nagato's vision was far from complete. To truly cement their dominance, he sought to bring in the last few pieces to form a unified, unstoppable force. The world trembled as whispers of the Akatsuki's rise spread far and wide, and those who had been watching, waiting, now saw the inevitable truth: it was time to join.
Nagato stood at the head of the table in the war room of the Hidden Star, his Rinnegan glowing with purpose. Around him were the core members of the Akatsuki—their faces stern and resolute as they awaited the next phase of their expansion.
"It is time," Nagato began, his voice low but commanding. "We will bring in the others. Those who have the strength to follow our vision, and those who will help us achieve our ultimate goal. The Akatsuki must be complete. And the path to true power lies in the mastery of sage mode."
The first to arrive was Sasori, the famed puppeteer. His stoic expression never faltered, even as he entered the room. Sasori's skill with puppets had made him a deadly force, but Nagato knew he lacked a connection to the world's natural energies—a key element in their pursuit of domination.
"Sasori, your power is undeniable, but it lacks the depth of the natural world," Nagato stated, observing his old comrade with a knowing gaze. "You must learn to tap into the world's energy, just as the others have."
Sasori nodded, his crimson eyes flickering with determination. "I will not disappoint you." The idea of mastering a new form of strength—sage mode—was intriguing, and Sasori was always looking for ways to improve his abilities.
Hidan and Kakuzu arrived together next. The two were notorious for their ruthlessness and their unyielding loyalty to power, but Nagato knew they could be dangerous if left unchecked. Hidan's immortality and Kakuzu's mastery over his body's various hearts made them nearly invincible, but they lacked the deep connection to nature that sage mode could offer.
"Hidan, you seek strength through sacrifice and ritual," Nagato said, his voice cold. "But that power is limited. Kakuzu, your ability to manipulate life force is impressive, but it can be outmatched. Sage mode will enhance both of you beyond what you've known."
Hidan smirked, his maniacal grin flashing for a moment. "Immortality will be unstoppable with this new power," he said, while Kakuzu simply gave a nod of approval, eager to add more to his already vast arsenal.
Zetsu, the mysterious and sly figure, emerged from the shadows. His dual personalities—White Zetsu and Black Zetsu—had their own unique powers, and his ability to meld into the earth made him a master of stealth and information. Yet even he could not ignore the truth that sage mode held the potential for untapped power.
"Zetsu, you have the ability to blend into the earth and gather information like no other," Nagato noted. "But sage mode will give you the ability to manipulate the very land itself, something even you can't ignore."
Zetsu gave a deep chuckle, the shadows of both his personalities speaking in unison. "I look forward to seeing how this will enhance my abilities."
Deidara—the artist who saw destruction as his canvas—was next to join the table. His explosives and clay creations had caused havoc across the lands, but Deidara's art was limited by his reliance on chakra alone. Nagato knew that to push Deidara's art to its true pinnacle, sage mode was necessary.
"Deidara, your clay creations are masterpieces, but they are bound by your chakra," Nagato said. "Sage mode will give your art new life, with the power of nature fueling your explosions and allowing your creations to grow in size and scale beyond anything you've imagined."
Deidara's eyes lit up with excitement at the idea. "Art is meant to evolve, Nagato," he said, grinning. "I will make the world my canvas, with nature's power as my brush."
Konan, always a calm and collected presence, stood beside Nagato. She was already strong, her paper techniques near unrivaled, but Nagato saw the potential for more. "Konan, you've mastered the art of paper, but to wield true power, you must learn to tap into the natural world. The toads of Mount Myoboku will teach you to channel nature's energy."
Konan bowed deeply, her paper wings fluttering. "I will learn and grow, Nagato. You have my word."
Kisame, the Shark Sage, was the next to join. His monstrous chakra pool and mastery over water-based jutsu were well known, and his connection to the ocean and aquatic life made him a perfect candidate for sage mode.
"Kisame, your strength is built on the ocean's power," Nagato began, his tone measured. "But sage mode will give you the ability to manipulate not only water but all forms of life. You will become one with the oceans themselves."
Kisame grinned, his shark-like teeth flashing in the dim light. "I will make the oceans roar with my power."
Orochimaru, the ever-ambitious and curious Sannin, was the next to approach. His pursuit of immortality and forbidden jutsu had made him a legend in his own right. Yet, Nagato knew that Orochimaru, despite his vast knowledge, had yet to unlock his full potential.
"Orochimaru, your thirst for knowledge is unmatched, but you've only scratched the surface," Nagato said. "Sage mode will allow you to truly master the mysteries of the world and unlock abilities far beyond what you can comprehend."
Orochimaru's eyes glinted with excitement and curiosity. "The power to surpass even the gods… This will be interesting."
Obito Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha, the twin legends of the Uchiha clan, stood at the edge of the gathering. Their Sharingan and Mangekyō Sharingan abilities were feared throughout the world, but Nagato knew they were not invincible. Sage mode was the key to making them even stronger.
"Obito, Itachi, you are masters of the Sharingan," Nagato said, acknowledging their prowess. "But you too must learn the ways of sage mode. It will allow you to manipulate not only the space and time within your dojutsu but the very essence of the world itself."
Obito's eyes narrowed, while Itachi's calm expression remained unchanged. "We will learn," Obito said with quiet confidence. "Our power will be unmatched."
With all the core members now present, Nagato spoke once more. "It is time. Go, each of you. Learn from the great sages—whether in the mountains, the seas, or the depths of the earth. Master sage mode and return stronger than ever."
The Akatsuki members set out on their journeys. Sasori ventured to the ancient forests of Mount Myoboku, Hidan and Kakuzu went to the cursed lands of the east, Deidara sought the grand desert where he could harness the power of sand, and Konan traveled to the sacred grounds where the paper sages resided.
Meanwhile, Kisame went deep into the oceans, seeking the mythical Sea Sage, while Orochimaru searched the hidden caves for the secret sages of the underworld. Obito and Itachi, their paths intertwined, ventured into the deepest temples where the most ancient sages meditated.
As the Akatsuki spread out across the world, Nagato stayed behind in the Hidden Star, silently plotting their next moves. His vision for the world's future was taking shape, and when the members of the Akatsuki returned, they would be more powerful than ever, ready to strike and fulfill Nagato's ultimate plan.