At the border of a small country.
Shinji continuously leaped through the giant trees, glancing at the sky.
"Alright, I'm on time."
His main mission this time was to deliver a scroll to Itachi, but he needed an excuse. So, Shinji took on two missions along the way. After completing them and arriving here, he could meet Itachi.
He moved continuously forward until he reached a secluded mountain range. Shinji finally stopped, looked around, and nodded.
He raised a single finger, lightly touching the ground. Every movement within the entire mountain range was within his perception.
After a long while, he finally stood up, confirming that there were no suspicious Chakra traces around. Only then did he delve deep into the mountain range, waiting for Itachi's arrival.
Time slipped by, minute by minute, until the appointed time arrived.
Shinji, who was in a cave, suddenly stood up and looked outside the cave.
Clatter—
A steady sound of footsteps echoed, and Itachi, wearing the Akatsuki's cloak, appeared at the cave entrance.
Shinji remained hidden inside the cave and did not go out immediately.
Itachi, who was initially a bit puzzled, suddenly felt a massive Chakra fluctuation emanate from the cave the next instant.
Just as he was about to become vigilant, Itachi sensed an anomaly.
A figure swiftly appeared beside him, then his palm swiped.
A spore appeared in Shinji's hand, and before it could even activate, he suppressed it with Yang Chakra.
"Done."
Shinji clapped his hands, dispersing the spore that had turned to ash, and looked at Itachi.
"Shinji-sama, I apologize."
Itachi immediately understood that someone had used a jutsu to place something on him.
"It's fine, this isn't something a Mangekyo can see through." Shinji waved his hand.
Zetsu's Spore Technique couldn't be avoided simply by being cautious. Perhaps, with a mere pass or a simple movement, the spore dust would have already been on Itachi.
"However, you need to be more careful from now on."
The fact that Itachi had this jutsu placed on him meant that Obito and Black Zetsu within the Akatsuki were still watching him. His subsequent actions would have to be even more cautious.
Itachi nodded. Before coming out this time, only one person had passed by him.
That was Zetsu.
"Shinji-sama, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki been captured, and the Tailed Beast has been extracted." Itachi stated the most crucial information.
The Akatsuki's first full gathering was a few days ago. It made Itachi realize what truly lurked within the depths of this organization.
Shinji initially wanted to ask about the location, but then remembered that the Akatsuki had countless underground bases over the years.
He shook his head, then asked about the other matter, "The location—no, who is their next target?"
"For now, it's still unclear." Itachi shook his head.
Ever since the Six-Tails was extracted, the Akatsuki's leader had disappeared. Even Konan, who usually issued commands, hadn't appeared, which was why Itachi had the opportunity to come out.
Shinji nodded, then pulled out a scroll. He extended his hand to Itachi, saying, "This is the Flying Thunder God scroll. If you encounter danger, immediately abandon the mission and activate this scroll. It can take you back to Konoha."
Itachi's eyes were filled with shock. Flying Thunder God, the Fourth Hokage's signature jutsu.
Itachi shook his head without hesitation and said, "I cannot take this. This item should be used for more important matters."
Currently, no one in the entire Ninja World used the Flying Thunder God Technique. The importance of this scroll was self-evident.
"Take it." Shinji ignored him, throwing it to Itachi.
Seeing that he still intended to refuse, Shinji said, "Sensei does not want a Konoha ninja with the Will of Fire to die in vain. Besides, a so-called jutsu only has value if it's used."
"Yes." Itachi remained silent for a long time before finally accepting the scroll.
Then, seeing that there wasn't much time left, Itachi informed Shinji of everything, one by one.
Shinji stroked his chin. At this point, the Akatsuki, apart from some personnel changes, had no other differences in the information Itachi provided.
Shinji thought for a moment, then looked at Itachi and said, "Just keep a close eye on that masked man and the pitcher plant-like member."
"Shinji-sama, that masked man should be from the Uchiha clan." Itachi stated his opinion.
When he was in the Akatsuki, he had never directly seen the masked man's eyes. However, his intuition told him that this person was very likely the same individual as the one from the Nine-Tails Attack.
"He is him, and Uchiha is Uchiha." Shinji waved his hand.
He understood Itachi's concerns. However, the current Uchiha clan did not need such things.
"Yes."
Hearing this, Itachi felt a sense of relief internally. He was afraid that the clan would revert to its old ways.
Suspicion—
This was something Itachi would not allow.
The Uchiha clan had finally managed to develop peacefully with the village. If that were lost because of this masked man, Itachi would take action to eliminate this person.
"Alright, time is almost up."
Shinji turned to look at the sky, then said to Itachi, "All actions should prioritize caution. Do not hesitate when things are impossible."
Itachi nodded, then his figure disappeared from the spot.
"Haa—"
Watching Itachi leave, Shinji couldn't help but sigh.
With the Six-Tails extracted, the next one would most likely be the Seven-Tails. After all, besides the Five Great Ninja Villages, Takigakure was the only one that possessed a Tailed Beast.
Shinji shook his head, then submerged himself underground.
—
"Itachi is back."
Zetsu's figure quietly rose from the ground, looking at Obito's figure standing not far away, and spoke.
"Oh? Do you know where he went?" Obito tilted his head, looking at Zetsu and asking.
"I don't know, but my spore was already dealt with by him before it could activate." White Zetsu spread his hands, while Black Zetsu, on the other half of his face, remained silent.
"It seems he is very cautious." Obito didn't say anything more after hearing this reply.
If he was discovered, he was discovered. As long as Itachi still had a purpose, he wouldn't leave the Akatsuki. The current Akatsuki was still in its adjustment phase. When the Six-Tails was extracted a few days ago, those three newcomers were quite restless.
"The next step needs to proceed quickly." Black Zetsu suddenly spoke.
"I have my own arrangements." Obito ignored this so-called will of Madara, merely rubbing his fingers over the characters written on the paper.
The Three-Tails and the Seven-Tails.