Chapter 278: Akatsuki's Gathering
Deep inside a profound mountain cave where light could not reach, cold water droplets condensed on the damp rock walls, the sound of their dripping echoing in the emptiness, adding to the mystery.
There were no physical figures inside the cave, only several colored light shadows of various hues, flickering like low-quality holographic projections, suspended out of thin air in the void.
These light shadows varied in height, and their silhouettes could vaguely be identified as male or female, but their faces were blurred, like the screen of an old television with a bad signal, carrying a distorted and illusory quality.
This was precisely the Akatsuki Organization's unique long-distance communication Ninjutsu—the Astral Projection Jutsu.
The members' consciousnesses were projected here, while their true bodies were scattered throughout the Ninja World.
At this moment, all the light shadows were facing the same direction, where a figure that was the tallest, with ripples for pupils, stood quietly. It was the leader of the Akatsuki Organization—Pain.
Beside him was the only female present, Konan.
Deidara (Note: Deidara was captured into Akatsuki by Itachi at the age of twelve and died at twenty), Kakuzu, Zetsu, and others formed a circle with the two.
Pain's cold and hollow voice echoed in the cave, carrying an unquestionable authority.
"The reason I have called you here for this meeting is because a upheaval beyond expectations has occurred in the Ninja World."
He paused slightly, as if giving the members time to digest the information, and then stated the core reason for the summons:
"Hidden Leaf Village has taken the initiative to start a war."
As soon as these words were spoken, several colored light shadows fluctuated noticeably, showing the unease in their owners' hearts.
"Oh?"
Kakuzu let out a low voice filled with deep interest.
"This is truly... rare."
Kakuzu, this 'antique' who had survived from the end of the Sengoku era until now, possessed a historical perspective unattainable by ordinary people.
He spoke slowly, his voice carrying memories and confirmation: "In my memory, since the founding of Hidden Leaf Village, especially after the era of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, although Hidden Leaf Village was powerful, it almost never played the role of an active aggressor or the instigator of a large-scale war."
"They tended more toward defense, forming alliances, or counterattacking after being attacked."
"Actively attacking another Ninja village is indeed a first."
Kakuzu's words undoubtedly increased the abnormality of this matter.
Hidden Leaf Village's behavioral pattern had undergone a fundamental shift.
Subsequently, Zetsu recounted the intelligence gathered about Hidden Leaf Village.
"We were indeed quite surprised as well,"
Pain admitted, a hint of solemnity also seeping into his voice.
Hidden Leaf Village's movements this time directly related to the difficulty and timing of the Akatsuki Organization's collection of the Tailed Beasts.
Because this time, Hidden Leaf Village utilized the Nine-Tailed, which indicated that Hidden Leaf Village's Tailed Beast and its Jinchuriki had reached a reconciliation, making them much harder to deal with.
Furthermore, with this incident, the other Ninja villages in the future—
At this moment, Deidara looked at the empty space beside Kisame.
"Wait, why hasn't that guy Uchiha Itachi arrived yet? It seems I haven't seen him much lately."
The astral projection light shadow representing Kisame shook its head, the movement conveying a sense of helplessness: "To deal with the previous sudden situation, Mr. Itachi used a technique that consumed an immense amount of energy."
"The consequences were severe. Although he didn't say it explicitly, I observed that not only has his vision declined significantly, but more importantly, the physical burden is enormous. He coughs up blood almost every day now."
"He needs a long period of quiet rest and recuperation now. He probably won't be able to carry out high-intensity missions in the short term."
As Uchiha Itachi's teammate, losing a reliable—
At the mention of Uchiha Itachi's injuries, the atmosphere in the cave seemed to grow even more somber. The core members of the Akatsuki Organization more or less understood the power and cost of the Perfect Susanoo.
"If the intelligence you sent back earlier is true,"
Kakuzu's green light shadow turned toward Kisame, his tone becoming serious.
"For Uchiha Itachi to be able to retreat unscathed while facing the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi... then he is already quite extraordinary."
"Paying such a price is not surprising."
Kakuzu knew well how terrifying the strength of those at the 'Kage' level was.
The fact that Itachi could leave alive was a miracle in itself.
Of course, his current state also indirectly confirmed what kind of fearsome power was gathered inside Hidden Leaf Village at this moment.
"Speaking of which..."
Kakuzu shifted the topic, mentioning another key figure.
"Orochimaru... is truly a terrifying fellow."
His voice carried a complex emotion, containing both wariness of his strength and regret for not making money together with Orochimaru before.
Orochimaru's ability to bring the dead back to life held immense business opportunities; even if it were one life for one life, two lives for one, or even more!
No matter how great the cost, there would be plenty of wealthy people scrambling to hire Orochimaru.
"He has actually returned to Hidden Leaf Village and seems to have reached some sort of cooperation with the new Sixth Hokage."
"This also means that the First and Second Hokage, whom he 'resurrected' using the Edo Tensei, are now likely permanently stationed in Hidden Leaf Village, becoming part of Hidden Leaf Village's combat power."
This deduction caused all the light shadows to tremble.
The God of Shinobi and the master of Forbidden Jutsu had returned to the mortal world; this was disastrous news that completely shattered the balance of the Ninja World!
Sasori's voice carried a coldness that saw through the ways of the world.
"In that case, it's not surprising that Hidden Leaf Village is now actively initiating wars."
He analyzed: "Looking back at history, in previous Great Ninja Wars, Hidden Leaf Village was mostly the party passively enduring attacks; even if they won, they often suffered heavy losses."
"Now, they have top-tier powerhouses from the past once again, and they have a Sixth Hokage who is ambitious, possesses extraordinary strength, and acts without any scruples..."
Deidara's astral projection light shadow made a shrugging gesture and took over the conversation.
"After being suppressed for so long, now that they have an absolute advantage in power, anyone would naturally think about settling past accounts with interest."
"The Grass Ninja Village is just the first sacrifice."
Pain was silent for a moment, seemingly agreeing with everyone's words.
His cold voice rang out again:
"Hidden Leaf Village's movements have seriously interfered with the balance of the Ninja World and may also affect our plan to collect the Tailed Beasts."
"We must reassess the situation and adjust our strategy."
"For this new Sixth Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto, and the older generations of Hokage resurrected behind him, we need to devote more attention. If necessary..."
He didn't finish, but the murderous aura permeating the cave had already explained everything.
The Akatsuki Organization's meeting continued in an unprecedentedly somber atmosphere.
Hidden Leaf Village's sudden 'unsheathing of its sword' not only shocked the Grass Ninja Village and surrounding small nations but also made this massive organization hidden in the shadows feel a tangible threat and variable.
The winds and rains of the Ninja World, because of Naruto's actions, had suddenly become fierce.
"I do have one point, hmm, that I'm very, very curious about!"
Deidara's voice was crisp; the vitality and curiosity of a youth made him unable to resist speaking up.
"And that is—"
He reached out and pointed toward Pain.
"Our leader and that legendary Senju Hashirama, who pacified the Sengoku era and is called the 'God of Shinobi'..."
Deidara's voice rose, carrying an excitement as if witnessing an epic duel:
"Just... who is more powerful?"
"..."
The silence inside the cave was even deeper than before.
This question was too direct, too sensitive, and too... transgressive.
One was Pain, who called himself a god, and the other was Hashirama, who was called the God of Shinobi; it was truly hard to say which of the two was stronger.
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