The Akatsuki organization is the most unpredictable force in the ninja world.
Even those with broken bodies possess unshakable wills, and their struggles never end.
The members are powerful, each with unique abilities, an imposing presence, and a level of discipline rarely seen among rogue shinobi. They don't just follow orders—they take initiative. With only ten members, they have turned the ninja world on its head, nearly destroying it entirely.
I would call them one the strongest shinobis in existence.
And shinobis like that? They should be put to use.
Not just as tools—but as something more.
Isn't it just money? If money is all it takes, then it's not even a problem.
Kakuzu blinked, immediately shifting into negotiation mode. "How much?"
Mufasa didn't hesitate. "Twenty million ryō."
"Deal." Kakuzu's answer was immediate, decisive.
As for why Mufasa wanted the Daimyo of the Land of Earth dead, Kakuzu didn't ask. A true professional never questions a contract.
"Good. I expect results soon."
With that, Mufasa sent Kakuzu on his way. The rogue shinobi departed, setting his sights on the Land of Rain.
Mufasa had his reasons for this assassination. The real target wasn't just the Daimyo—it was Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage. The old man was stubborn, unlikely to yield to diplomacy or sign any kind of agreement. If war was inevitable, then Mufasa would make sure Onoki had problems of his own.
And just as he predicted, when the news reached Iwagakure, Onoki was livid.
The Tsuchikage slammed his fist against the table. "What did that brat say?" His voice trembled with rage. "Such arrogance!"
Onoki, also known as 'Onoki of Both Scales,' was no ordinary opponent. A direct disciple of the First and Second Tsuchikage, he had wielded the deadly Dust Release and ruled Iwagakure longer than any other Kage in history. A veteran of three Shinobi World Wars, countless battles, and a strategist unlike any other.
"Looks like I'll have to teach him a lesson."
His son, Kitsuchi, hesitated. He hadn't seen his father this enraged in years.
"Well?! What are you waiting for?" Onoki snapped. "Deliver a message to Mufasa!"
Kitsuchi swallowed hard and departed, making his way back to the Hidden Sand.
This time, Mufasa met him without delay.
Kitsuchi relayed Onoki's words. "Lord Kazekage, my father is serious about this."
He expected hesitation. He expected Mufasa to reconsider.
But instead, the Kazekage stood, walking over to a massive map of the ninja world pinned to the wall. He studied it for a moment, then turned to Kitsuchi. "For the sake of future peace between our villages, let's be practical. The battlefield should be neutral ground."
Kitsuchi furrowed his brow. "…What?"
Mufasa tapped the map. "Between our lands, we have the Land of Bears, the Land of Birds, and the Land of Rain." His finger slid across the map. "Which do you prefer?"
Kitsuchi was speechless.
Mufasa's finger stopped on a single country. The Land of Rain.
"This one. Tell Onoki I'll be waiting for him there."
Kitsuchi's mouth went dry. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Mufasa didn't waver. "What's there to think about? He refused my request. He never intended for peace in the first place. If words won't work, then we'll settle this on the battlefield."
Kitsuchi had no choice but to return home with the message.
—
Meanwhile, at the Akatsuki's hidden base in the Land of Rain, a meeting was underway.
With Sasori and Deidara defecting to the Hidden Sand, the remaining members—Pain, Konan, Zetsu, Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, Hidan, Kakuzu, and Tobi—gathered in their usual circle.
Pain stood at the center. "Sasori and Deidara are handling the One-Tail. We'll split up to capture the rest."
Kakuzu spoke up. "I picked up a bounty—twenty million ryō."
Hidan smirked. "Oh? Who's the lucky target?"
Pain turned his Rinnegan gaze toward Kakuzu. "Who's the objective?"
Kakuzu's answer was simple. "The Daimyo of the Land of Earth."
A brief silence.
Pain nodded. "Then you and Hidan will handle it."
Akatsuki operated like a well-oiled machine. Their reputation as a bounty-hunting organization made accepting such jobs a common occurrence. They didn't ask questions—only results mattered.
"Since you'll be in the Land of Earth," Pain added, "capture the Four-Tails while you're at it."
Kakuzu and Hidan accepted without hesitation, departing immediately.
Itachi, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. "It's been too long since Sasori and Deidara went after the One-Tail. We haven't heard anything from them."
Pain's eyes flickered. The Akatsuki rarely monitored how each mission was carried out. Members were given autonomy, their methods left to their discretion. Their relationships varied—some partnered out of convenience, others out of necessity. But Itachi taking an interest in their status was unusual.
His face remained impassive. "The Kazekage is no fool." He met Pain's gaze. "If something happened to them, they could have compromised our organization's secrets."
Pain considered his words before nodding. "Then you and Kisame will investigate."
With that, the meeting was adjourned, and another mission began.
Uchiha Itachi never had any personal attachment to Sasori or Deidara. His concern was merely an excuse to visit the Sand Village and check on his younger brother.
The message he received was troubling—Sasuke had been captured and sentenced by the Kazekage. That alone was enough to push Itachi into action. He couldn't afford to sit back and risk Sasuke being harmed. No matter what, he had to make his way to the Sunagakure.
At the same time, Kisame Hoshigaki had his own agenda. He was eager to retrieve his lost sword, Samehada. Without it, he felt incomplete.
"Itachi, do you think I'll get Samehada back this time?" Kisame asked, his shark-like grin slightly dimmed by uncertainty.
Itachi recalled their last battle. The odds weren't promising, but he gave Kisame a small nod. "There's still hope."
With that, the two set off for the Land of Wind.
This time, they chose to be discreet. Instead of wearing their usual Akatsuki robes, they opted for the standard ninja attire of the Hidden Rain Village. No dramatic black cloaks with red clouds, no signature straw hats with wind chimes—just a low-key infiltration approach.
They made their way to a border settlement between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain, where foreign ninjas were required to register. Itachi's plan was simple—get into Hidden Sand Village under the guise of job-seeking mercenaries.
"We should avoid drawing attention," Itachi reminded Kisame as they approached the registration checkpoint.
Kisame chuckled. "For once, I agree. If we stand out, it won't end well."
They joined the line at the registration office, which also doubled as a task distribution center for hired ninjas. Since the Land of Wind transitioned from being ruled by one Daimyo to multiple feudal lords, the demand for ninjas had skyrocketed. Mercenaries from all over had flocked here, hoping to pick up work.
When their turn arrived, the ninja at the desk took one look at their Rain Village forehead protectors and smirked.
"You guys from the Hidden Rain?" he asked.
Itachi gave a short nod. "Yure and Gan, ninjas of the Hidden Rain."
Kisame echoed him. "That's right, both from the Rain."
The official handed them forms. "Alright, fill these out."
After jotting down their fabricated information, the ninja retrieved a chakra storage device. "Place your hands here. This is for tracking purposes. Don't break the law in the Land of Wind, or we'll find you."
They each placed a hand on the device, allowing it to record their chakra signatures.
"Are you two here for work?" the official asked.
"We're looking for assignments," Itachi replied.
"Great news," the official said with a grin. "You don't have to look. Kazekage-sama has already recruited you."
Both Itachi and Kisame stiffened slightly. They exchanged a wary glance.
"Excuse me?" Kisame asked, tilting his head.
The official chuckled. "Relax. The Kazekage is leading an army into the Land of Rain to fight against Iwagakure. Since you two are from the Hidden Rain, you must be familiar with the terrain. By law, all foreign ninjas within Wind Country must serve under Kazekage-sama's command. Consider yourselves conscripted."
"And if we refuse?" Itachi questioned calmly.
The official leaned forward. "Then you'll be arrested for breaking the law. The alternative is imprisonment."
Itachi and Kisame were caught off guard. The Sand Village was planning to fight Iwa in the Land of Rain? The situation was escalating fast.
"Alright, someone will escort you to the military camp. Don't worry, you'll be paid for your service. Daily wages will be negotiated, and if you die, your families will receive a payout of 180,000 ryo."
Still processing the bizarre turn of events, the two followed their assigned escort.
The "military camp" turned out to be a large tent surrounded by a hundred smaller ones, with the Kazekage's flag waving high above. Itachi quietly assessed the situation. Only about seven or eight hundred soldiers? Was Mufasa really planning to take on Iwagakure with this small force?
Kisame, however, was more focused on one thing. He nudged Itachi and whispered, "Itachi, if Kazekage's here, that means Samehada might be nearby. This could be our chance."
Their escort shot them a warning glance. "No whispering. The captain of the Fourth Division is strict—he hates gossip. Watch yourselves."
Itachi and Kisame exchanged knowing glances. For the first time in a while, they actually felt like true ninjas again—hiding their identities, infiltrating enemy lines, gathering intel. They had grown so powerful that they rarely needed to sneak around anymore, but now they had a reason to.
One was here to find his brother.
The other was here to reclaim his stolen blade.
Their escort stopped in front of a large tent adorned with a bold diamond pattern. "The captain of the Fourth Division is inside. Go in and discuss your assignments and pay."
Before they could ask anything, the escort hurried off.
Itachi and Kisame glanced at each other before pulling back the curtain and stepping inside.
"Captain of the Fourth Division, we are Yure and Gan from the Hidden Rain," Itachi announced.
Then he froze.
Sitting behind the desk, dressed in full Sand Village military attire, was none other than Uchiha Sasuke.
Their gazes locked.
Sharingan met Mangekyō Sharingan.
A clash of crimson-red eyes.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension was suffocating.
(…?!)
Itachi's mind reeled. Wasn't Sasuke supposed to be imprisoned? How had he ended up here, leading a military division?
Sasuke, however, had no time for questions.
With a swift motion, he grabbed his sword from the desk, lightning crackling along the blade.
"Die, Itachi!"
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Word count: 1769
I won't be able to post for tomorrow! Sorry guys, got some big test comin up!