Hidden Rain Village.
After leaving the meeting, the Deva Path of Pain's gaze deepened as he turned to look at Konan beside him and spoke softly.
"Konan, do you think the signal Uchiha Itachi gave is real?"
Konan shook her head slightly.
"There's no way to be sure. I didn't notice anything unusual on his face. We'll have to wait until we're there to know for certain."
The Deva Path of Pain nodded faintly. "No matter what, this time we'll find out whether Uchiha Itachi really has a problem."
Konan nodded slightly in response.
...
On the other side, after leaving the Uchiha clan district, Uchiha Sasuke headed toward the Hidden Leaf Village.
Before long, he encountered two Leaf shinobi on patrol. Sasuke activated his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and cast a genjutsu on them.
One of the Leaf shinobi slowly collapsed. After issuing instructions to the other, Sasuke left the scene.
...
The next day at noon, in a dense forest outside the Hidden Leaf Village.
Sasuke leaned alone against a tree trunk, head slightly lowered, eyes closed as he rested.
Soon, a rustling sound approached. Sasuke slowly opened his eyes, looked up at the newcomer, and spoke calmly.
"You're as late as ever, Kakashi."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. Earlier, a colleague had found him and informed him of Sasuke's invitation to meet—though it had said morning.
"Sasuke, you didn't call me here just to tease me, did you? What's going on?" Kakashi asked, puzzled.
Sasuke pushed himself off the tree and slowly walked toward Kakashi.
Kakashi immediately became alert, his right hand subtly lowering.
"No need for unnecessary moves. I called you here to tell you something." Sasuke continued walking toward him.
"Oh? And what would that be?" Kakashi asked.
Sasuke stopped at Kakashi's left side without looking at him, staring straight ahead with a blank expression.
"Listen, Kakashi. I'll only say this once. Whether you believe it or not is up to you."
Kakashi's expression grew serious as he listened.
"The Akatsuki will attack the Hidden Leaf Village within the next few days. Their target is the Nine-Tails jinchūriki," Sasuke said calmly.
Kakashi froze for a moment before asking, "Sasuke, how did you get this information?"
Sasuke began walking again, speaking indifferently, "I've said what I needed to say. Whether you believe it is your decision."
"Wait, Sasuke!" Seeing him about to leave, Kakashi quickly reached out and grabbed his shoulder.
Sasuke slowly turned his head, his expression cold.
"Is there anything else?"
"I don't know how you obtained this intel, but since you chose to tell us… does that mean you're willing to return to the village? You know, Naruto—" Kakashi began.
Sasuke waved his hand dismissively.
"I just felt like it. As for the Hidden Leaf Village, it's nothing but a decaying place. I've already lost interest."
With that, Sasuke brushed off Kakashi's hand and left alone.
Watching his departing figure, Kakashi's gaze grew heavy as he murmured,
"Looks like I need to inform the Hokage as soon as possible."
Kakashi then left as well, returning to the Hidden Leaf Village.
...
Inside the Hokage's office.
Kakashi reported the information Sasuke had given him to Tsunade.
Hearing this, Tsunade's expression darkened. She looked up at Kakashi and asked,
"Kakashi, do you think it's credible?"
Kakashi lowered his head in thought for a long time before raising it again.
"I'm willing to believe Sasuke. We've already speculated that the Akatsuki would attack the village—it was only a matter of time. I believe he's warning us, even if I don't know his source."
After weighing the pros and cons, Tsunade thought that even if it was false, it would only be for a few days. Better safe than sorry—they couldn't afford to take the risk.
She then looked at Shizune. "Shizune, notify Shikaku and the others. We're holding a meeting!"
"Yes!" Shizune responded before leaving the office.
A quarter of an hour later, after discussion, several key decisions were made.
First, patrol operations would be arranged in greater detail. Second, civilians would be organized for evacuation.
Precautions had to be taken in advance. After all, if battle broke out, it would happen within the village—waiting until something went wrong would be too late.
However, explaining the situation to the civilians would be troublesome.
"Lady Tsunade, should we call them back?" Shizune suggested.
Tsunade nodded slightly, then summoned a contact toad and instructed it to deliver the message of Pain's impending attack to Mount Myōboku.
The toad nodded and disappeared.
Tsunade turned to look out the window, her expression stern as she clenched her fists.
...
Mount Myōboku.
Rorin and the others were training when suddenly Shima interrupted them.
"What is it?" Fukasaku asked.
"We've received news from the Hidden Leaf Village—the Akatsuki will attack soon," Shima said gravely.
Rorin frowned. Although he knew Pain would attack, how could it be predicted in advance?
Jiraiya's expression turned serious. "Bone kid, Naruto, I think it's time we return to the village."
Naruto wiped the sweat from his forehead and nodded firmly.
Rorin also nodded. During this time, he had already completed his new technique—this trip to Mount Myōboku had been highly rewarding.
Jiraiya looked at Fukasaku. "We'll be heading back to the Hidden Leaf Village now. Thanks for everything during this time."
"Thank you, both of you," Rorin said.
"Thank you, granny sage, grandpa sage," Naruto added.
Jiraiya then summoned the Toad Mouth Bind and signaled for Rorin to enter it.
Rorin waved his hand with a smile.
"No need to make it that complicated."
Jiraiya paused, then remembered that Rorin could use Flying Thunder God, and chuckled awkwardly.
The three of them soon disappeared.
Fukasaku turned to Shima with a smile. "We should prepare as well—ready to support them at any time."
Shima nodded.
...
After returning to the Hidden Leaf Village, the three went straight to the Hokage's office.
"Oh, you're back. How did the training go?" Tsunade asked upon seeing them.
Naruto stepped forward. "Granny Tsunade, we've successfully mastered Sage Mode. This time, we'll definitely win!"