The Fourth Raikage, along with his two trusted aides, C, and Darui, faced off against Sasori, Hidan, and Kakuzu.
The battle was intense, but in the end, the Akatsuki emerged victorious.
The Raikage's side was left severely injured.
However!
Kakuzu and the others didn't even have time to finish them off; they had to flee hastily.
They were exhausted and couldn't hold out any longer.
Of course, if they truly wanted to kill them, it wouldn't have been impossible.
They absolutely could have done it.
When they left, the Raikage and his team were barely conscious, hanging on by a thread.
But the Raikage is still the Raikage!
As the leader of the Hidden Cloud Village, there was no way his people wouldn't be watching him closely.
If they had tried to kill him, the Raikage would have fought back with everything he had, and what about the Cloud ninja's pursuit?
If the Hidden Cloud Village found out their leader had been killed, they'd be out for blood, and Kakuzu's group would lose any chance to escape.
So!
The Akatsuki, after severely injuring the Raikage, chose to retreat.
After they left, the Raikage and his team finally lost consciousness.
That's how it all went down.
The Akatsuki demonstrated their strength, not even the Raikage and his top aides were a real threat to them.
However!
Kakuzu and the others were still annoyed!
Why?
This mess was caused by Deidara, yet they had to clean it up for him?
The group glared coldly at Deidara.
If it weren't for the rest of the Akatsuki being there, they probably would've attacked him already.
Deidara chuckled awkwardly, keeping quiet.
The state Kakuzu's group was in was truly terrible.
He had never seen Kakuzu and the others in such bad shape.
Especially Hidan—he was practically stitched together.
"Alright, alright!"
Itsuki stepped in to smooth things over and said, "Even though it was a tough fight, we got the Eight-Tails. Plus, I ordered all of you to act together, and it turns out you really did need each other's help."
The group paused.
Well, that was true!
If Kakuzu and the others hadn't held them off, the Raikage might have caught up to Deidara.
Deidara led the charge, while Kakuzu's team covered the rear!
But still!
It was frustrating!
Sasori and the others looked at Deidara with visible displeasure.
They all had the same thought: let's just kill this idiot!
Deidara wisely kept his mouth shut.
Now was not the time to speak.
Or he might actually get beaten!
"Alright!"
Itsuki spoke up again, "Get ready, we're going to start sealing the Eight-Tails."
"Got it!"
Everyone nodded in agreement and began preparing themselves.
They wouldn't have needed to...
But looking at the state of Sasori and the others...
They definitely needed a rest.
...
"Are we really going to seal the Eight-Tails?"
Konan walked up to Itsuki, her voice filled with concern.
The Ten-Tails!
That was a dangerous trap!
Konan couldn't understand why Itsuki, knowing full well that the man with the mask was plotting something, would still go ahead with reviving the Ten-Tails.
"Konan, you need to understand, the revival of the Ten-Tails is inevitable!"
Itsuki's voice was calm as he continued, "Since we can't stop it, why not take control and add a few things of our own during the revival?"
"Why is it inevitable?"
Konan didn't get it.
"You're so powerful. Is there really anything you can't do?"
Itsuki sighed helplessly, "I appreciate your confidence in me, but..."
He thought of Uchiha Madara.
If Zetsu realized that Itsuki wasn't planning to revive the Ten-Tails, Uchiha Madara would definitely step in.
Though Itsuki wasn't afraid of Madara, a fight between the two would certainly attract the attention of the Sage of Six Paths.
And that old schemer, once he had his eyes on them, who knew what might happen?
In fact...
Itsuki was already suspicious.
He was about to revive the Ten-Tails, so why were Zetsu and Obito still so quiet? Did they really want him to become the Jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails?
They must be insane!
So!
Itsuki was sure they'd make a move during the Ten-Tails' revival.
A thoughtful expression crossed his face.
He needed to be prepared.
But how?
Controlling the Ten-Tails? That was impossible!
Not just for him—even Zetsu and Uchiha Madara couldn't do it.
The best they could hope for was to absorb the Ten-Tails into their body, becoming its Jinchuriki and using its power.
There was a way!
A sinister smile appeared on Uchiha Itsuki's face.
A smile that made Konan uneasy.
What was he planning now?
Who would be his next victim?
But!
Even with all his mischievous thoughts, Itsuki was so captivating!
Konan looked at him with near-obsessive admiration.
"By the way, you need to leave soon."
Itsuki smiled as he turned to Konan, "Things are going to get chaotic here soon, and I won't be able to protect you."
Konan frowned, "I can protect you. I'm strong, too."
"You're no weakling, that's true, but you won't be able to help me here!"
Itsuki chuckled, gently ruffling Konan's hair, "If you're not here, I can unleash my full strength."
"You're saying I'm a burden?"
Konan's eyes welled up with tears as she looked at Itsuki, who was now at a loss.
Who taught her this?
Whoever it was, they were going to pay!
"Alright, leave behind a clone, but you need to head to the Hidden Fire Village as soon as possible, got it?"
"Fine!"
Konan reluctantly agreed, seeing Itsuki's serious expression.
"Your paper clone is strong enough!" Itsuki smiled. "Just remember, only step in when I'm in real danger!"
"Got it!"
...
When Itsuki returned to the hall, everyone was already in position.
After all...
With the Eight-Tails sealed, all the Tailed Beasts would be collected, and the Ten-Tails could finally be revived.
This was their ultimate goal.
And it was about to be achieved.
Uchiha Itsuki!
Kisame Hoshigaki!
Juzo Biwa!
Deidara!
Orochimaru!
Kakuzu!
Sasori!
Hidan!
Konan, replacing Nagato!
Finally, Zetsu appeared!
He stood there silently, like a shadow.
"Well, well, Zetsu, you finally showed up!"
Orochimaru smirked, "It's been so long, I thought you were dead."
Zetsu chuckled darkly, "Orochimaru, even if you die, I won't."
"Is that so?"
Orochimaru chuckled slyly, "Zetsu, I've always been curious about you. What exactly are you made of?"
"I'm not interested in you!"
Zetsu replied coldly, "If you're so eager to study something, why not study Sasori? He's achieved immortality, isn't that what you seek?"
Before Sasori could respond, Deidara couldn't hold back.
"What's the point of immortality? Art is an explosion, a moment of beauty!"
"Foolishness!"
Sasori retorted icily, "Art is eternal."
"Hmph!"
Kakuzu snorted coldly.
In this regard, he leaned toward Sasori, although not for any art—his pursuit was immortality.
Wasn't Orochimaru seeking the same thing in his own way?
"You guys are really boring!"
Hidan grinned, saying, "Makes me want to cut you all to pieces."
Kakuzu scoffed, "With your fragile body that would break apart with just a little movement, who can you cut down?"
"Speaking of cutting people, I'm quite interested!"
Jūzō Biwa chuckled darkly.
"Me too, but I prefer slicing people!" Kisame Hoshigaki bared his sharp teeth, like a shark.
"Enough!"
A calm voice interrupted the wave of discord within the Akatsuki. "Let's work together to seal the Eight-Tails and bring the Ten-Tails back to the world!"
"Agreed!"
The Akatsuki members turned their gaze to the fallen Killer Bee.
The unruly members of Akatsuki were finally about to usher in a new era for the ninja world.
They gathered their strength and directed it towards Killer Bee, then...
"Seal!"
"Boom!!!"
A massive force struck Killer Bee.
At that moment, it seemed like an angry bellow of a bull echoed from his body.
Immediately after!
Everyone saw blood-red chakra being pulled from Killer Bee's body, flowing into the shell of the Ten-Tails.
Suddenly!
The Ten-Tails' body began to tremble.
An obscure power surged from within its shell.
"Is this for real?"
Zetsu continued channeling chakra, but was stunned.
He had never even dreamed that Itsuki Uchiha would truly want to revive the Ten-Tails.
Does he intend to become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki and use the Infinite Tsukuyomi?
This can't happen!
Infinite Tsukuyomi was nonsense—what he wanted was his mother!
He just needed his mother to be resurrected.
Once she was back, they could use Infinite Tsukuyomi to turn everyone in the ninja world into their soldiers.
But!
If Itsuki Uchiha uses Infinite Tsukuyomi...
Damn it!
Black Zetsu couldn't guarantee he could avoid it.
That bastard Itsuki Uchiha radiated an aura of evil from the start.
"This can't happen!"
He had to stop it!
Black Zetsu's face darkened.
Let Obito use the jutsu, and then he'd strike, take control of Obito's body, resurrect Madara Uchiha, and then his mother would revive through Madara's body.
Itsuki Uchiha, get lost!
But how could he stop it?
Black Zetsu's face turned even darker.
Obito?
Could this guy really beat Itsuki Uchiha?
Although he talked big...
Black Zetsu truly had his doubts.
But besides Obito, what other option was there?
Time to gamble!
Having made up his mind, Black Zetsu extended a tendril from his foot, reaching deep into the ground.
There, a tree root connected to a distant place.
As soon as Black Zetsu's tendril touched the root, it transmitted a message.
Obito, by now, was fully prepared for battle.
A silver metal mask covered his face.
He sat quietly on a tree, swinging his legs leisurely, as if relaxed.
"Obito!"
Black Zetsu's dark figure emerged from the ground. "Itsuki Uchiha really wants to revive the Ten-Tails and likely plans to become its Jinchūriki."
"He's dreaming!"
Obito sneered.
"Indeed!"
Zetsu said pointedly, "If he becomes the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, who knows what kind of twisted reality he'll create. The once peaceful world might be completely distorted."
Coming from anyone else, Obito wouldn't have believed it.
Coming from Black Zetsu... Obito still didn't believe it!
But!
If the target was Itsuki Uchiha, then Obito believed it.
There was no choice—Itsuki Uchiha's actions exuded an overwhelming sense of confidence.
He wasn't a normal person!
The things he did were beyond what any sane person could conceive.
"Huff!"
Obito exhaled deeply, stood up, and said, "Zetsu, when should we act?"
"Wait a bit, until the seal is at a critical moment."
"A critical moment?"
"Yes!"
Zetsu's voice was cold. "When the crucial time comes, Itsuki Uchiha will be extra cautious, so we must strike just before."
"Fine!"
Obito waved nonchalantly. "You handle the timing. I don't care!"
Zetsu was speechless.
You're so confident!
But the problem is, you've been beaten to a pulp every time!
You nearly died several times—where does your confidence come from?
Forget it, whatever.
If it doesn't work, I'll take over and resurrect Madara Uchiha!
Black Zetsu quickly thought this through and vanished underground.
He didn't notice that as he left, Obito's eyes were filled with mockery.
...
"Ughhh!"
Killer Bee, wrapped in immense chakra, couldn't move, letting out a painful groan.
He regretted it!
He never imagined things would escalate to this point.
"Sorry, Hachibi!"
Killer Bee apologized to the Eight-Tails in his heart.
The Eight-Tails struggled violently, roaring in rage, but sighed when facing Killer Bee.
"Don't worry about me, Bee. Just think about yourself."
"What will you do once I'm gone?"
Killer Bee smiled bitterly. "I wish I hadn't followed through with that plan."
"But you did!"
The Eight-Tails said coldly. "So, you have no choice but to continue."
"I'm worried about you..."
"You have no way back now, Bee. Don't worry about anything, just keep going!"
"...I understand, Hachibi!"
With Killer Bee's resolve, a massive force suddenly surged forward, enveloping everyone present.
At the same time...
An old voice echoed.
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
A white light blasted forward.
"They're finally here!"
Itsuki Uchiha's eyes snapped open.
However...
Seeing the Dust Release attack, his eyes were full of surprise.
He truly didn't expect Ōnoki to be the one to show up.
He had considered the Raikage.
He had thought about Tsuchikage.
He had even considered the possibility of internal issues within the Akatsuki.
But he never expected Ōnoki's appearance.
How could he be here?
Itsuki turned his gaze to Deidara, but his hands didn't stop moving.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
"Boom!!!"
A giant blood-red fireball, over a hundred meters wide, materialized, meeting Ōnoki's Dust Release head-on.
"Great Fireball Jutsu?"
Everyone present was baffled.
You're using such a low-level Fire Release technique to counter a Kekkei Tōta Dust Release?
Are you crazy, or are we just seeing things?
But what happened next left everyone dumbfounded.
The Great Fireball Jutsu actually held off the Dust Release.
Even more!
The fireball gradually pushed back the Dust Release.
What should have disintegrated into nothing was now being repelled.
Failed!
Ōnoki barely avoided the fireball, staring at Itsuki in shock.
This world has gone mad.