Bang! A perfectly fine desk shattered into pieces.
"Damn rogue ninjas!" The Fourth Raikage, A, was furious as he recalled the attack on Killer B five days ago that had nearly cost his brother his life.
"How's B doing?" Despite his usual hot-headed demeanor, a trace of softness appeared on the Fourth Raikage's face when he mentioned his younger brother.
The blonde secretary, Mabui, quickly replied, "Lord B is fine. He's already resumed his training to perfect his role as a Jinchūriki."
Thinking back to the intelligence they had received just over three days ago, the higher-ups of Kumogakure had been deeply alarmed. Giant Turtle Island, which had remained hidden for decades, had been invaded, and even the fully manifested Eight-Tails had been defeated.
Fortunately, the Eight-Tails had not been captured, and Killer B, as the Eight-Tails' Jinchūriki, had survived. If anything had happened to him, Mabui could hardly imagine the consequences. Given Kumogakure's combative nature, it might have sparked a new Great Ninja War.
"Who were the attackers? Have we identified them?" the Fourth Raikage demanded.
Kumogakure had devoted significant resources to investigating the mysterious individuals who had managed to suppress the Eight-Tails. Their intelligence department was operating at maximum efficiency, mobilizing spies and operatives stationed in foreign lands. Despite the short time frame, they had managed to uncover considerable information.
"Among the three attackers, one has been identified as Deidara from Iwagakure. He was originally a disciple of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, but was expelled from the village for his obsession with creating explosions. He is now classified as an S-rank rogue ninja," Mabui reported.
"What about the other two?" the Raikage asked impatiently, his voice filled with anger.
"We haven't been able to confirm their identities. The Kumogakure ninjas present at the scene were too far away to get a clear look at the attackers. Deidara's identity was revealed only because his explosive ninjutsu is so distinctive," Mabui replied with a hint of frustration.
"What about B? Doesn't he remember anything from the fight?"
"Lord B was already in a berserk state when he emerged from Giant Turtle Island, so his memories of the battle are very vague. He only recalls that one of the attackers used a ninjutsu resembling Magnet Release."
"Magnet Release?" The Fourth Raikage was momentarily taken aback.
Throughout ninja history, only three individuals were known to have used Magnet Release: the Second Kazekage, the Third Kazekage, and the Fourth Kazekage. The Second Kazekage had long since passed away, and the Third Kazekage had been missing for years. That left only the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, as a potential suspect.
"Was it Rasa?" the Raikage speculated.
"Unlikely," Mabui replied. "Our intelligence confirms that Rasa hasn't left Sunagakure in recent days. Besides, if Rasa wanted to capture a Tailed Beast, he would have abducted Lord B instead of leaving him behind."
As the leader of a major village, Rasa's every move was closely monitored. It was impossible for him to sneak out of the village unnoticed. Moreover, considering the geographical locations—Sunagakure in the southwest of the ninja world and the Land of Lightning in the northeast—it would make more sense for Rasa to target Tailed Beasts in neighboring lands like the Land of Earth or the Land of Fire.
"Hmph! Regardless, if Magnet Release was used, Sunagakure can't wash its hands of this matter. Send a diplomatic notice to Sunagakure and demand an explanation!"
"And that old geezer Ōnoki! He couldn't even keep his own disciple in check, and now he's causing trouble for others! Send a diplomatic notice to Iwagakure as well, and demand that they dispatch their own forces to clean up their mess!"
The Raikage's uncompromising stance was evident in these two orders.
"What about the third attacker?"
"Yes, there was a third individual. Based on the intelligence we've gathered, the last attacker is likely at the level of an elite jonin. Their threat level is relatively low, and their identity remains unknown," Mabui answered.
"Fine!"
"I'm going to train! You handle the rest of today's paperwork," the Raikage said before storming out of his office, a place he never seemed to stay in for long.
Meanwhile, in the Land of Rain, Nagato was still deliberating after ten days of contemplation.
"Konan, you support Deidara's proposal, don't you? Can you explain your reasoning?" The Deva Path Pain stood in the shadows of the room, addressing Konan.
"Nagato, no matter how strong one person is, they can't accomplish everything alone. Even the legendary Sage of Six Paths needed to establish the ninja creed and rely on the collective strength of others to achieve peace," Konan replied succinctly, her words striking a chord with Nagato.
As someone who possessed the Rinnegan and considered himself a god, Nagato had always sought to emulate the Sage of Six Paths.
"I understand now!"
The Deva Path Pain formed a seal, and his consciousness descended upon a secret Akatsuki base.
"Summoning Jutsu: Demonic Statue of the Outer Path!"
"Let me convene an Akatsuki Meeting to announce this decision!"
The third Akatsuki Meeting was officially underway.
"Is it just me, or have these meetings been happening more frequently? We barely have time to rest anymore," Kisame Hoshigaki remarked in his signature tone, as he always seemed to be the first to speak.
Itachi Uchiha stood silently, his crimson Sharingan glowing faintly. His expression revealed nothing.
"What now? I haven't even prayed to Jashin today!" Hidan grumbled impatiently.
As usual, Nagato ignored the complaints. Through the Deva Path Pain, he declared, "I hereby announce that the proposal to expand Akatsuki's peripheral forces has been approved."
"From today onward, all members are tasked with recruiting skilled rogue ninjas and defectors. If suitable, they are to be brought into the Akatsuki."
"Well, this should make things a bit easier," Kisame commented with a smirk.
"Indeed. With more people collecting funds, the organization's finances will improve much faster," Kakuzu, the self-proclaimed treasurer, added.
"Now, let's assign tasks!" Nagato continued, showing no intention of letting anyone off the hook easily.
"Kakuzu, you're familiar with underground forces. You and Hidan will handle recruitment from that sector."
"Kisame, Itachi, you're responsible for recruiting in the Lands of Tea, Frost, Bears, and Hot Water."
"As for Sasori and Deidara, I have a different assignment for you." Pain's gaze fell on the two, hinting at a special mission.
"Zetsu has discovered Orochimaru's whereabouts in the Land of Wind. Your task is to eliminate him and retrieve the missing Sky Ring."
"After completing this mission, you will establish a new Akatsuki base in the Land of Rivers."
Finally, a chance to deal with Orochimaru! Deidara had long been eager to meet the ninja world's foremost scientist. After all, unlocking advanced clay techniques would require Orochimaru's expertise.
"Leader, aren't you going to do any work? Or are you just going to slack off at the base again?" Deidara's question caused everyone to exchange amused and somewhat admiring glances.
Deidara, well done! Finally, someone had the guts to say what they'd all been thinking.
Nagato: "…"
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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