It's a good thing that Uchiha Itachi can bring Sasuke back from the village, but what if Sasuke loses control because of his hatred for Itachi?
It's best to leave a useful piece between the two of them.
Pain is the boss of the Akatsuki, not a busybody. Just make sure those two red-eyed rabbits don't fight each other.
Uchiha Itachi can use any means he wants, anyway, Sasuke is just a hostage.
"Okay."
Uchiha Itachi agreed without showing any emotion.
The Akatsuki only suspects that if Sasuke stays in the village, Uchiha Itachi will betray them. But now that Sasuke has been brought over, it doesn't matter.
Let them solve their own family matters.
"There are still three years. Can everyone complete their goals?"
From the scouting of the One-Tail to the Nine-Tails, and balancing all aspects of timing, location, and people.
In three years, they will collect all the tailed beasts, including the Nine-Tails.
The reason for this meeting is simply that Itachi brought Sasuke back. Everyone communicated and emphasized the purpose and importance of their work.
This group in the Akatsuki can be commanded and can work together.
But in reality, everyone has their own goals. Although they are cooperating, many are secretly slacking off and developing side businesses.
Hold a meeting occasionally to remind these people.
Sasuke was covered in bandages from head to toe, looking like a mummy that had just been dug up.
When he woke up, he realized that his surroundings had completely changed.
It wasn't Konoha Hospital, nor was it on the ground of the Valley of the End.
Has he really come to his brother's side?
Hoshigaki Kisame was on the lookout outside.
They are now near the border between the Land of Fire and other countries. This kind of place is filled with all kinds of people.
Whether it's people nearby whose identities are unknown, or ninjas from Konoha who might be chasing after them.
There might be some hidden dangers.
On Konoha's side, Naruto's Nine-Tails has a built-in recovery function, and Tsunade, a medical ninja, is also there. Naruto's condition won't be bad.
But Sasuke isn't so lucky. Although the medical ninja stopped the bleeding and repaired the damage, he will still need to rest for a while due to his injuries.
Sasuke struggled to tear off some of the bandages on his face and took a deep breath.
"Brother..."
The Illusionary Body Technique just ended, and Uchiha Itachi opened his eyes and looked at Sasuke, who was staring at him.
"Oh? You're awake..."
Before Uchiha Itachi could finish speaking, he frowned slightly and then covered his mouth, bowing his head and coughing uncontrollably for a while.
His hand was pressed tightly against his mouth, and the raised knuckles of his thin hand were exposed.
Even so, dark red blood still seeped out from between his fingers, dripping onto the ground and spreading into a deep red stain.
Although Uchiha Itachi usually tried to hide his physical condition as much as possible, it was only a matter of time before his serious illness was discovered, given this intermittent coughing up of blood.
Sasuke couldn't help but be shocked, his pupils shrinking slightly. This was beyond his understanding.
In his impression, Itachi wasn't exactly a strong person, but there was no need for him to start coughing up blood at this age.
Moreover, whether it was when he took down Kakashi or beat him, Uchiha Itachi didn't show this kind of weak appearance.
Could it be that someone chased after them while he was unconscious, and Itachi fought them?
But in Sasuke's mind, he couldn't even find anyone who could seriously injure Itachi.
"Why are you coughing up blood?!"
"Did someone catch up?"
"I can get up and walk on my own now."
Sasuke struggled to get out of bed, but he was covered in bandages and couldn't move easily. He could only gasp as he pulled on his wounds.
"Don't rush to get up. There are no enemies, and I'm fine."
"Don't let the wounds open up. Rest as soon as possible, and I will teach you to train."
Uchiha Itachi wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, and gently pressed Sasuke's arm with his other hand, preventing him from getting up.
Although he wouldn't die now, Uchiha Itachi could vaguely predict that he probably didn't have many years to live.
The Mangekyou Sharingan was draining his eyes, and all the missions he had done had seriously damaged his body.
That's why he started thinking about keeping Sasuke by his side after seeing him.
He wanted to train Sasuke before he died, not only so that he could compete with the Nine-Tails, but also so that he could protect himself in the Akatsuki.
The Akatsuki organized the nine of them to capture the tailed beasts, but apart from the overall goal of capturing the tailed beasts, most people had their own ideas.
Although they wouldn't turn on each other, they could 'accidentally' kill Sasuke, just like Kakuzu 'accidentally' killed his teammate before.
Moreover, the Sharingan is a hot commodity in every sense.
Uchiha Itachi is still able to protect Sasuke now, and others won't openly or secretly attack him.
But once he weakens due to illness, Sasuke will almost immediately be a goner in the Akatsuki.
"...I understand."
Sasuke paused, wanting to say something but stopping, and then fell silent obediently.
He can't help Itachi with anything right now. Struggling on his own will only increase Uchiha Itachi's workload.
He still vaguely remembered Naruto pulling him ashore, and their fight. Naruto was undoubtedly the winner.
Whether it was the fact that Naruto had surpassed him, or Uchiha Itachi's sudden coughing up of blood, Sasuke was quickly filled with a sense of gloom.
He needs to get stronger quickly.
...
On the afternoon of the same day that Naruto and Jiraiya left the village for training, Hatake Satoru and the people from the Sand Village also set off for the Land of Wind.
"I didn't expect Satoru would directly ask me to come! I thought you had forgotten about me a long time ago."
"It feels like it's been many years since we last met. Since Kakashi left the Anbu, I thought I wouldn't have the chance to work with you again."
(Tenzo's)
Tenzo had a very moved expression on his face. He really didn't expect that Hatake Satoru would actually come back and he would be able to work with him again.
"After all, Kakashi has also left the Anbu~"
"As an ordinary person, there's no need for me to look for the Anbu~"
Hatake Satoru shrugged with a smile, then whispered to Tenzo.
"There's no need to talk about working together~ I just called you to come and have fun because I have a pretty interesting idea!"
Tenzo nodded thoughtfully. Before, Tsunade told him that Hatake Satoru was going to the Sand Village to strengthen diplomatic relations, and he didn't quite believe that person would do such a thing.
Kankuro couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly. Hatake Satoru seemed to often say that he was an ordinary person.
An ordinary person who doesn't take missions, is familiar with the Hokage, and even has acquaintances in the Anbu.
Is this the ordinary person in Konoha?
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