Itachi Uchiha followed Obito Uchiha into the secret gathering place of the Akatsuki Organization.
Itachi Uchiha met Deva Path Pain, the nominal leader of Akatsuki, as well as Konan.
Obito was no longer his previously composed self; instead, he pretended to be Tobi—an amusing, energetic, and humorous character.
The Deva Path Pain, who looked exactly like Yahiko, stood before Itachi Uchiha and said, "Akatsuki's goal is true peace in the shinobi world. We will replace the Five Great Ninja Countries to dominate this world."
Itachi stared at Deva Path Pain and replied coolly, "Grand ambition."
"For this reason, we gather outstanding ninja regardless of their origins or pasts. Itachi Uchiha from Konoha, welcome you to join Akatsuki. Reject Konoha even more strongly!"
Itachi realized Pain was testing him as soon those words came out.
Itachi took out his Konoha forehead protector and drew a slash across it with a kunai.
Deva Path Pain stepped forward, towering over Itachi as he announced, "From now on, you are Itachi of Akatsuki."
He extended his hand, opening his palm where lay a ring marked with the red character for "zhu (vermilion)".
Itachi took the ring and put it on his right ring finger, officially becoming a member of the Akatsuki Organization.
...
Chinya's group had already entered the territory of Rice Country.
Yahiko curiously asked, "Chinya, I thought earlier that you were going to fight Konoha's Hokage. But what's up with him? Why didn't he respond despite your provocation?"
Chinya shrugged, "What else could it be? He's just scared."
Pakura guessed, "Is it because he fears your strength and thus dares not act?"
Chinya nodded, then shook his head. "His fear stems partly from my strength. Hiruzen Sarutobi knows he can't stop me and that I might cause great damage to Konoha, so he dares not act recklessly.
There's more to it than that. I know too many of their dirty secrets. That guy Hiruzen worries I would expose all those shady deeds and stain his legacy as Hokage.
That old man thrives on the foolish villagers' admiration—he can't stand the thought of being hated."
Raiga Kurosuki grumbled, "We should have fought him anyway. I've never let a Kage die without giving him a proper funeral."
Chinya answered, "That wouldn't be wise. I know he won't strike first, so I just provoked him a bit—to give him a scare, nothing more. There are still several people in Konoha very important to me, and they may also become future members of Xiao Organization. I must consider them."
After speaking, Chinya introduced himself to Zabuza and Haku, saying, "The timing wasn't appropriate earlier. Now allow me to properly introduce myself—I'm Xiao, the leader of Xiao Organization."
Zabuza nodded slightly and said, "I've heard of you—you're something of a legend in the shinobi world. I'm Momochi Zabuza—Ghost Warrior of Mist and former member of Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist. This kid here is Haku, whom I've raised."
Chinya smiled and said, "Welcome both of you to Xiao. Then starting today, we're comrades."
Zabuza asked, "I'd like to ask, what exactly is the purpose of the Xiao organization?"
Chinya answered, "For prevention."
Zabuza frowned slightly, "Prevention? Prevention against what?"
Chinya explained, "Prevention against future crises. The Shinobi World will face many crises in the future, and we must begin preparing now to deal with those threats whenever they arrive. Perhaps you don't understand yet, Zabuza, but right now there's a crazy organization collecting Tailed Beasts, trying to use their power to control the Shinobi World."
Zabuza frowned deeply, "Collecting Tailed Beasts? Someone else wants to collect the Tailed Beasts? The Five Great Ninja Villages guard their Jinchuriki extremely strictly; this won't be an easy task at all."
Upon hearing Chinya's words, Yahiko pursed his lips.
After all, it was his best friend who had been doing exactly that.
"Difficult doesn't mean impossible. You'll understand eventually. Anyway, let's head back to Otogakure first, Daiki, you can lead the way."
Yahiko led everyone toward Otogakure.
Inside the meeting room of the Hokage Tower in Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke to Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado sitting before him, "Most of the Uchiha Clan members have already accepted the Cursed Seal. There are only nine remaining Uchiha who refuse to accept the seal.
Those Uchiha who accepted the Cursed Seal have already been assigned new residential areas. We're gradually improving their living conditions and making it easier for them to adapt to life in Konoha.
Additionally, these nine Uchiha who refuse to accept the seal will be denied the privileges granted to the rest of the Uchiha clan. By marginalizing them and allowing them to witness their clansmen's improving quality of life, I believe they'll eventually accept the Cursed Seal too."
Koharu Utatane asked, "What about Sasuke Uchiha then? Are you really not going to place a Cursed Seal on him?"
Hiruzen replied, "Yes, that's correct. I promised Itachi that I wouldn't place a Cursed Seal on Sasuke Uchiha. Also, I need Itachi to help me investigate certain matters."
Homura guessed, "Hiruzen, are you having Itachi investigate Chinya and his organization?"
Hiruzen nodded, "Exactly. Now I'm certain that Uzumaki Miyuki has joined Chinya's organization.
Back when Uzumaki Miyuki defected from Konoha, I sent a team of ninja to pursue her. Besides Miyuki, one of her companions possessed the Scorch Release, suspiciously similar to Sunagakure's Pakura. Another was Raiga, a rogue ninja from Kirigakure, and the last wielded Water Release Ninjutsu techniques identical to those used by the Second. You both are aware of this already.
On that day outside Konoha's main gates, those very individuals were already present. However, since the issue with the Uchiha Clan hadn't been resolved yet, and I wasn't confident enough to successfully contain Chinya and his group, I chose not to act rashly.
Now Chinya has defected from Konoha and become a rogue ninja himself. While officially declaring him an outlaw wanted by Konoha without dispatching ninja to chase him down, I plan to use the black market bounty network to track down information on Chinya and his associates. This should at least create some trouble for Chinya while potentially yielding useful intelligence."
"Using the Black Market Bounty Network to issue a bounty on Chinya could work," Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado agreed after some thought. "It would reduce unnecessary casualties while gathering useful intelligence."
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "Additionally, I plan to reorganize Danzo's Root division and my Anbu by redeploying personnel to other positions. Meanwhile, the Konoha Military Police Force and Defense Corps will merge to form the new Konoha Unified Police Defense Corps.
This new Police Defense Corps should not be limited to members from only specific clans. We should actively seek out talented individuals. To ensure the village's future, we must assign each person to where they are most needed."
Hiruzen's proposal received another round of agreement from Koharu and Homura.
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