Inside a specially constructed cave deep within the Akatsuki stronghold, the air was thick with tension. Pain, appearing as a seven-colored phantom, stared at the late arrivals. Zabuza and Kakuzu stood over the unconscious form of the Five-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Why the delay?" Pain's voice echoed coolly.
Zabuza snorted. "This guy had to stop for a bounty halfway through. Then he had to cash out at the exchange. That's why we're just now getting here."
Kakuzu's glowing green pupils narrowed. "Watch your tone, rookie."
"Hehe. Or what?" Zabuza rested a hand on the hilt of his Executioner's Blade. "You'll take my heart? I'd like to see you try."
"Enough," Pain cut in before the argument could escalate. "Resolve your personal issues later. We're moving out. The others are waiting."
Pain slammed his hands against the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu: Gedo Mazo."
The cave trembled as a massive, withered golem erupted from the earth. It had nine eyes, a tree-like body, and its hands were bound together in a singular gesture.
"Let's begin," Pain commanded, forming a hand seal. "Illusionary Body Technique!"
Seven-colored phantoms flickered onto the tips of his fingers. One by one, the Akatsuki members materialized as chakra projections—ten in total, encircling the Gedo Mazo.
"Two days and three nights," Pain announced. "Maintain your concentration. Do not interfere with the extraction."
He turned to Black Zetsu. "Zetsu. Surveillance. Report anything."
"Understood," Black Zetsu replied.
Kisame, leaning on Samehada, grinned at the projection of Menma standing opposite him. "You're the new guy, right, Menma? You've got skills. Orochimaru slipped past Sasori and Deidara a few times, but you caught him in one shot."
Deidara scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "Menma's got real artistry. Orochimaru is nothing to him. I could've blown him away easily with my explosions. But Menma... he handled that resurrected God of Shinobi puppet just as easily. Hmm!"
"The God of Shinobi?" Kakuzu's green eyes widened. "Hashirama Senju?"
Sasori, hidden inside his Hiruko puppet, glanced at Menma. "His Wood Release was overwhelming. Deidara and I couldn't touch him. We only survived because Menma intervened."
"Impossible!" Kakuzu's face twisted. "If that was the real Hashirama, none of you would be alive. It had to be a fake."
Zabuza chuckled darkly. "You old fossil. Menma's strength is beyond your imagination. You should keep that ugly mouth shut."
Kakuzu's killing intent flared, but Pain's voice silenced the room.
"Stop wasting time. We have work to do."
Itachi, silent until now, activated his Sharingan. "Iwagakure has requested a mission. Infiltration of the Four Star Village to steal classified data. Kisame and I are close enough to handle it."
Pain frowned. "Denied. You and Kisame have other assignments."
Without waiting for a reply, Pain activated the Illusionary Dragon Nine Consuming Seals. Ten massive blue chakra dragons shot from the Gedo Mazo's mouth, surrounding Han, the Five-Tails jinchuriki.
"Focus," Pain ordered. "The extraction begins now."