Inside a dark cave...
Swish, swish, swish—
A series of faint flickers appeared on the fingers of the Gedo Statue.
But this time, the number of people attending the Akatsuki meeting was noticeably fewer.
Only six figures stood gathered:
Tendo Pain
Konan
Hoshigaki Kisame
Uchiha Itachi (White Itachi)
Zetsu
And Uchiha Obito, connected through his ring.
"What the hell happened?!"
Obito's voice rang out, laced with anger. Though he spoke in the voice of Uchiha Madara, there was no need to hide here.
The Akatsuki had lost four members. Four! Out of the original nine core members, nearly half were now gone.
Obito didn't bother with pretenses anymore. Everyone here knew who he truly was—at least, they thought they did. To Nagato, Konan, Itachi, and Kisame, he was still "Madara." As for Zetsu, that creature already knew too much.
Obito's voice was sharp. "Itachi, Kisame—tell me what happened."
Pain's expression was grim. He was furious too. This was the worst loss the Akatsuki had ever suffered.
For the sealing of tailed beasts into the Gedo Statue, strong ninja—Kage-level if possible—were needed to perform the Nine Dragon Seal. The more elite ninja involved, the faster the process.
Now four of those powerhouses were gone.
Itachi remained silent for a moment before speaking in a calm voice. "I believe I was placed under a genjutsu. I couldn't understand what was happening."
"Same here," Kisame added, his face unusually serious.
Obito clenched his fists. "You're saying you don't even know who your opponent was? After all that fighting?!"
Even if they were just phantom projections sent using the Astral Projection Technique, and only had 30% of their chakra, they should've been able to handle things better.
But neither Itachi nor Kisame could answer.
White Itachi finally said, "We saw Uchiha Dai Wang in the illusion."
Obito's expression twitched under his mask. "Dai Wang… again?"
Black Zetsu interjected. "According to Orochimaru's intel, two beings from another dimension have been confirmed: a version of Uchiha Obito from another time-space and the reanimated First Hokage."
He continued, "This alternate Obito possesses a Mangekyō Sharingan and high-level illusion skills. It's possible he placed both Itachi and Kisame under genjutsu without them realizing it."
Still, even Black Zetsu found the idea absurd. Could a different Obito really master illusions that required such control and intelligence?
Pain crossed his arms. "So, we sent six people to capture One-Tail's Jinchūriki, lost four, and learned... nothing?"
Silence filled the cave.
Kisame looked confused. "Maybe Orochimaru gave us false intel."
Itachi agreed. "He may have misled us on purpose."
Konan frowned. "You're saying Orochimaru fed us the 'Otherworld' theory to misguide us?"
"No," Black Zetsu replied slowly. "The Otherworld theory is sound. Orochimaru likely withheld some truth, but the existence of the reanimated First Hokage confirms his claims."
He glanced at Obito. "And I believe the part about the alternate Obito is also true. Orochimaru must have encountered him."
"But if that's all true…" Pain murmured. "Why do those people from another world want the One-Tail Jinchūriki?"
No one had an answer.
Black Zetsu spoke again, his voice rough. "Based on records of the Dragon Vein's ability to distort time-space, those pulled from other timelines usually return quickly. But this time, they're staying."
That fact unsettled everyone.
"If they're still here," Black Zetsu added, "it may not be accidental. Perhaps they came here intentionally."
That sent a chill through the room.
Time travel was one thing—terrifying but tolerable if random. But to willfully cross dimensions?
Then… what were they planning?
Nagato worried about the Akatsuki's future.
Obito feared for the Moon's Eye Plan.
And Black Zetsu feared interference with his ultimate goal—resurrecting Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
"So what now?" Kisame finally asked. "Should we go to the Dragon Vein again?"
"No!" Pain responded firmly. "We've already lost too many. We can't afford more casualties."
Kisame looked between Pain and Obito. "Then what should we do? We can't just sit around while those outsiders roam freely."
Black Zetsu coughed. "Actually... I have a suggestion. Those Otherworlders aren't just a threat to Akatsuki—they're a danger to the entire ninja world."
He continued, "We, Akatsuki, claim to seek peace. Isn't it our duty to deal with threats like this? But we shouldn't carry that burden alone."
The room was confused.
Was Zetsu... painting Akatsuki as heroes?
The group was made up of S-rank rogue ninjas. Mercenaries. Assassins.
"I think I understand," Itachi said. "You're saying we should enlist the help of the Five Great Nations?"
"Exactly!" Black Zetsu nodded. "This is a threat to the world—not just us."
Kisame frowned. "But... why would they trust us?"
"Because," Obito cut in, turning to Itachi, "you can pass on the information to Konoha. You still have the Third Hokage's trust, right?"
Itachi fell silent.
He was, after all, Konoha's mole within Akatsuki. Kisame had likely been sent to monitor him.
But saying it openly, in a meeting, like this…
Even Kisame looked surprised. Zetsu just grinned silently.
Pain and Konan didn't seem to mind. They had accepted Itachi's value long ago. If he betrayed them, it would be Obito's fault for recruiting him.
"I... can try," Itachi finally said. "If I pass on the intel, the Third Hokage might listen. It would also help protect Sasuke."
Obito nodded. "Good. Konoha sealed the Dragon Vein before—let them handle it again."
After the meeting ended, Itachi began planning how to contact Konoha.
---
Meanwhile, in the Land of Wind — Daimyo's Mansion
"Sha—Sharingan…!"
A Jōnin-level guard clutched his chest, blood pouring from a mortal wound. "Y-You're… the clan-killer… Itachi!"
Swish—
Black Itachi silently delivered the final blow.
Alongside him, Hyūga Neji, disguised as Hoshigaki Kisame, grinned. "All clear, Mr. Itachi. No survivors above Chūnin level."
"Good."
Black Itachi, dressed like the original in a black cloak with red clouds, nodded coldly.
The two vanished from the scene, leaving behind only trembling survivors.
"R-Report this to the ministers!" a frightened Chūnin shouted. "Notify the Kazekage! Itachi Uchiha has killed the daimyo!"
They had killed the Wind Daimyo and his elite guards—without hesitation.
The message was clear: even the ruling elite weren't safe.
But Itachi and Neji weren't doing this randomly. It was to support their ally Kurosa in seizing control of the Wind Country for the Empire.
After the attack, they didn't return to Sunagakure. Instead, the two activated their nano-chakra armor and flew toward Konoha.
---
Outside Konoha
The pair landed and disguised themselves.
"Neji," said Kurosawa, "can you use Byakugan to locate the Root base? It should be underground."
"Give me a sec…"
Neji activated his Byakugan, scanning the village. The intricate layers of Konoha unfolded in his sight.
"There. That should be the Root base."
"Thanks."
Kurosawa nodded. "We'll split up now. I'll investigate Root."
Neji smirked. "Then I'll visit the Hyūga Clan. I'm curious how different they are in this world without the Empire or His Majesty."
Kurosawa headed toward the Uchiha district
by the Minamiga River, uninterested in this Konoha's charm. He had another mission in mind…
-------------------------
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