"So, this is the place?" Deep within the dense forest, at the entrance to an underground cave, Tendo Pain, clad in his black robe adorned with red clouds, spoke in a chillingly calm voice.
Behind him, Kakuzu, Hidan, Sasori, Deidara, Kisame Hoshigaki, Uchiha Hiroomi, and Konan—seven Akatsuki members—stood arrayed in a line. Mobilizing eight members at once was a first for the organization. The intimidating presence formed by eight powerhouses, all either Kage-level or rapidly approaching it, gathered together was palpable.
"Yes," Kakuzu confirmed.
"Go." Hearing this, Tendo Pain offered no further words and was the first to leap down into the subterranean passage. The other seven Akatsuki members followed closely behind him.
In the distance, concealed within the deep shadows of the forest, a ninja in Sunagakure attire lay prone on a thick tree branch, silently observing the Akatsuki members' movements. Only after Tendo Pain had led the Akatsuki contingent into the cave did the Suna ninja release a soft, shaky breath, then quickly flickered away, vanishing into the distance. The Akatsuki had arrived; he had to relay the message to his Jonin commander, Baki, with utmost urgency.
In this new reality, due to Tatsuya's interventions, information about Akatsuki had long been exposed to the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Kakuzu, Sasori, Deidara, Kisame Hoshigaki, Uchiha Hiroomi… every last one of them was an infamous, powerful rogue ninja at large. Moreover, their leader was rumored to possess the legendary Rinnegan. Confronting Akatsuki was a matter even the Five Great Villages had to approach with extreme caution.
Just as the Suna ninja departed, on a large tree not far from the cave entrance, a swirling spatial vortex suddenly materialized, and Obito's figure appeared on a branch. Beside him, Black Zetsu and White Zetsu, enveloped by a Venus flytrap-like extension of the latter, also emerged.
"That Suna ninja is going to report back. Why didn't you stop him?" Black Zetsu's raspy voice inquired.
"After the Third Shinobi World War, Sunagakure's strength is hardly a concern. They won't proactively meddle," Obito replied, his voice tinged with disdain as he glanced in the direction the Suna ninja had fled.
"But their presence will inevitably affect Nagato and the others' actions," Black Zetsu pressed.
Obito countered, "Don't worry. After the battle at Yakugakure last time, Amegakure has been under immense pressure. A public show of strength now can help alleviate some of that burden for him."
Black Zetsu hesitated. "But what about the Divine Court?"
Obito's voice turned slightly colder. "We're just waiting for them to show up."
With that, another spatial vortex appeared in the air, quickly swallowing Obito's figure. After Obito left, Black Zetsu and White Zetsu utilized the Mayfly Technique, sinking silently into the tree trunk.
In a small town over ten kilometers from the underground hot spring, Baki was stationed with ten Suna ninja squads, awaiting news. More than ten minutes later, the Suna ninja assigned to reconnaissance returned.
"Captain, the Akatsuki members have arrived," the scout reported to Baki.
Baki's expression tightened. "How many?" he demanded immediately.
"Eight of them," the Suna ninja replied. "The Akatsuki leader is also present."
"Eight!" Baki's face instantly darkened. The strength of Akatsuki's individual members was now largely known to the outside world. With eight of them gathered, Baki immediately recognized that Sunagakure was out of its league for this confrontation.
"Captain, what should we do?" one of the Suna ninja asked, seeing Baki's grim expression. Clearly, the questioner shared the captain's lack of confidence in their prospects.
"For now, we hold our position," Baki said after a moment of thought. "We'll wait until Akatsuki and the Divine Court settle things." Baki was now one of Sunagakure's most prominent figures. He had weathered many battles and knew precisely how to navigate such perilous situations.
"But the Kazekage's orders were for us to strike amidst the chaos," another ninja voiced hesitantly. "If we just stand by and watch, won't there be… consequences?"
Baki waved his hand dismissively. "I will explain the situation to Lord Kazekage myself. We cannot sacrifice everyone's lives for a pointless order. Sunagakure cannot withstand another major loss."
The assembled Suna ninjas fell silent upon hearing his words. Immediately, Baki dispatched two more ninjas for further reconnaissance, while he and the main Suna forces remained on standby. Neither Akatsuki nor the Divine Court members were to be trifled with; if a large force ventured too close, they would easily be detected.
On the Moon.
Poof!
A cloud of white smoke billowed beside Tatsuya, and Jizo's figure materialized.
"What's the situation?" Jizo asked, his gaze sweeping the empty palace before turning to Tatsuya.
"Toneri Otsutsuki should be deeper within this palace complex. You go find him. I'll handle things on this side." In Sage Mode, Tatsuya's sensory abilities were amplified to their absolute maximum. He closed his eyes, focusing intently for a moment, then issued his instructions to Jizo.
With that, Tatsuya flickered, his form blurring as he dashed towards the palace where Kenichi Otsutsuki had previously headed. He moved with incredible speed, leaving several afterimages in his wake. As he ran, Tatsuya casually tossed out several kunai marked with Flying Thunder God seals, preparing his escape routes.
Behind him, Jizo didn't reply but mirrored Tatsuya's speed, flickering away in pursuit deeper into the palace—the same direction Toneri Otsutsuki had taken. Jizo had already activated his Mangekyo Sharingan. Through those crimson, pinwheel eyes, he could clearly sense a powerful chakra signature, by no means weak, moving towards the palace's depths.
In the distance, within another grand palace, Kenichi Otsutsuki pushed open a pair of massive doors and walked slowly into the main hall. In the center of the vast chamber, a giant, metallic sphere rested. Exquisite, intricate runes were engraved across its surface, which was shaped like a colossal eyeball, giving it a somewhat unsettling appearance from afar. This giant metallic sphere was precisely the Giant Artificial Tenseigan, forged by the combined efforts of the Otsutsuki branch family who remained within the Moon.
This Tenseigan was formed from the amalgamation of countless Byakugan, granting it immense and terrifying ocular power. In ages past, the Otsutsuki branch family on the Moon had wielded this very weapon to annihilate the members of the Otsutsuki main family who had advocated for peace.
"The Otsutsuki clan… has truly fallen into utter decline," Kenichi Otsutsuki lamented softly, a profound sorrow etched onto his face as he gazed at the Giant Tenseigan before him. "To think we must borrow your power against a mere handful of formidable foes."
Saying this, Kenichi continued walking until he stood directly beside the Giant Tenseigan. His Byakugan activated. The moment his hands made contact with the Tenseigan's edge, it erupted in a blinding, dazzling purple light. Simultaneously, an extremely potent wave of ocular power instantly pulsed outwards, spreading in all directions.
Currently rushing through another section of the lunar structures, Tatsuya came to an abrupt halt. A look of startled surprise flashed across his face.
"This is… the Tenseigan?"