Land of Rain.
Akatsuki Hideout.
A group of Akatsuki members were still waiting for the order to capture the Eight-tails, as this time it was likely to be a collective action. However, instead of the capture order, they first received the news that Uchiha Sasuke and the Konoha Ninja were searching for Uchiha Itachi and that Uchiha Sasuke was challenging Uchiha Itachi to a battle.
"It's time."
Uchiha Itachi did not intend to defy his destiny.
Ever since that fateful night when his clan was annihilated, he had been contemplating when and how he should die at the hands of his younger brother.
Now...
Sasuke is strong enough.
Even if Uchiha Itachi were to use all his power, he might not be able to defeat Uchiha Sasuke, and the odds of failure were even higher.
That younger brother...
The only thing he lacks is a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan, and the Uchiha Clan's most secret part: how to obtain the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan that will not go blind.
"Itachi-san."
Hoshigaki Kisame grinned, chuckling as he spoke, "I heard that Uchiha Sasuke brought quite a few people..."
"Hmm."
Uchiha Itachi slowly nodded, not concerned about that.
If he wanted, he could also use his Mangekyo Sharingan Dojutsu, Amaterasu, to intentionally open up a separate area for their battle.
"I'm going to meet him."
Uchiha Itachi adjusted his Cloud Black Robe.
The spot that Uchiha Sasuke chose was quite fitting, suitable for Uchiha Itachi as a final resting place.
Hoshigaki Kisame followed behind Uchiha Itachi, seemingly not bringing up what he really wanted to do, perhaps he was still under Uchiha Obito's orders to monitor Uchiha Itachi.
In the vast Akatsuki Hideout, only Red Sand Sasori, Deidara, Pain, and Konan were left among the Akatsuki members; this lineup posed some trouble in attacking The Hidden Cloud Village.
They seemed unable to do much.
The only thing they could do was quietly await news.
"The plan is finally nearing completion..."
Pain looked at the Gedo Statue behind him, its seven eyes already open, and his true body, Nagato, was able to easily wield the power of the Gedo Statue.
"Yes..."
Konan's face showed some worry for Nagato's health, nodding with concern, "I hope everything goes smoothly... but your body..."
"It doesn't matter."
Pain shook his head, his heart focused only on their plan: "As long as we fulfill Yahiko's will, to change the entire Ninja World..."
Pain understood Konan's meaning, bringing up a past enemy for reconciliation: "Remember what Salamander Hanzo mentioned? Death, to me, will not be life's endpoint..."
"Hanzo..."
Konan frowned, using Salamander Hanzo's words as a persuasion: "He still expects you to inherit the Hidden Rain Village."
"..."
Pain recalled his promise to Salamander Hanzo, falling silent. He considered his body's condition and the ongoing plan, continuing on his own: "If the Ninja World truly enters peace, it doesn't matter who inherits the Hidden Rain Village..."
"..."
Konan's expression grew slightly gloomy.
Outside the Akatsuki Hideout.
Red Sand Sasori and Deidara sat outside watching the rain.
Inside the entire Akatsuki Hideout, only the two of them were left as ordinary members.
Deidara looked up at the rain curtain in the sky, muttering complaints, "When can we go attack The Hidden Cloud Village? I've stored a lot of art pieces for this!"
"Go back and rest."
Red Sand Sasori rumbled as he was about to control Hiruko back.
"Wait..."
Deidara suddenly stopped Red Sand Sasori, shouting, "Lord Scorpion, someone is back, look quickly, someone is back!"
"..."
Red Sand Sasori glanced in the direction Deidara pointed.
In the rain curtain.
Hidan and Kakuzu's figures appeared in view.
The two members captured by Konoha had actually returned at this time.
Red Sand Sasori's gaze shifted between Hidan and Kakuzu, finally focusing on Hidan. There were methods of communication between the Six Paths Puppets.
"That guy..."
Hidan noticed Red Sand Sasori's gaze, muttering to himself, hardly imagining that there was someone similar in the Akatsuki.
Besides...
This person seemed to be an old member of Akatsuki, one of the most trusted by Pain, Red Sand Sasori, and like himself, a puppet of Akihara Kagura.
"Hey, Kakuzu, Hidan..."
Deidara never hid his curiosity, nor cared about others' dignity: "I heard you were captured by the Konoha people, what a disgrace to Akatsuki, but how did you escape?"
"You bastard!"
Hidan immediately showed a ferocious look, reaching out for the scythe on his back, ready to start a fight with Deidara!
"Enough."
Kakuzu stopped Hidan with a word, speaking coldly, "Hidan, we have more important things to ask Konan..."
This was not what they had to do.
This was assigned by Akihara Kagura, who allowed them to return to the Akatsuki.
Although Kakuzu didn't know why Akihara Kagura wanted them to question Konan and Pain about an important matter, Akihara Kagura was hiding not far from the Akatsuki Hideout, and would soon arrive at the Akatsuki Hideout.
As Kakuzu, Hidan, Deidara, and Red Sand Sasori quarreled their way inside, a frog jumped in behind them into the Akatsuki Hideout...
Inside the frog's belly.
Jiraiya stroked his chin, frowning tightly, "Why would Kakuzu and Hidan return to the Akatsuki, weren't they imprisoned in the Root?"
Though Jiraiya was very curious about this question, fortunately, with Kakuzu and Hidan leading the way, Jiraiya found the Akatsuki Hideout.
Forget it.
I'll ask this question when I return to Konoha.
The most important thing now is to infiltrate the Akatsuki Hideout, find Konan and Nagato, and stop them from continuing Akatsuki's plan to collect Tailed Beasts.
As the frog hopped into the Akatsuki Hideout, a little white snake followed behind, slowly crawling into the Akatsuki Hideout.
When the little white snake crawled into the Akatsuki Hideout, Akihara Kagura's figure emerged from the shadows, then quietly sank back into the shadows, stealthily infiltrating the Akatsuki Hideout.
Inside the Akatsuki Hideout.
Konan was unsurprised to learn that Kakuzu and Hidan had returned.
Because Akihara Kagura was their spy, he surely would return Kakuzu and Hidan, these two Akatsuki members.
However...
Kakuzu suddenly asked Konan and Pain a question: "That guy called Akihara Kagura, who claims to be an Akatsuki member, is that true?"
"!!!"
Before the leader of Akatsuki could speak, Deidara couldn't contain himself, "What a joke, how could that guy be a member of Akatsuki!"
"!!!"
Inside the frog's belly.
Jiraiya, overhearing this, was shocked.
Inside the little white snake.
Orochimaru, hearing this, sneered.
Everyone present looked at Konan and Pain, wanting to know the answer from them, especially Deidara, pouting and looking quite angry!
"Yes."
Pain acknowledged Akihara Kagura's identity when Kakuzu brought it up, without care for how much turmoil the news might cause: "Around ten years ago, Akihara Kagura joined Akatsuki, becoming a spy in Konoha for the Akatsuki..."
"..."
Everyone present felt a tingling sensation on their scalps.
A spy for Akatsuki?
Akihara Kagura was a spy for Akatsuki in Konoha?
Such a person...
How could they become a spy?
"Akihara Kagura has been secretly conveying important information to us."
Pain looked at the Akatsuki members present, explaining seriously, "To capture the most dangerous Nine-tails, we have never exposed Akihara Kagura's identity..."