Shigure received Darui inside the Mizukage's office.
However, the moment Darui stepped inside, he skipped all formalities and asked a direct question.
"Lord Mizukage, do you know about the Akatsuki Organization?"
That single sentence made Shigure pause.
Yugiri, standing beside him, frowned slightly and glanced at Shigure.
Akatsuki? What organization was that?
Shigure narrowed his eyes.
"Why are you suddenly asking about them?"
Darui's expression darkened.
"The Hidden Cloud Village was attacked by the Akatsuki Organization. Lord Killer Bee has been captured."
Killer Bee… captured?
Even Shigure was taken aback.
At the same time, he realized his own oversight.
Since he had already obtained the Eight-Tails' chakra, he had not paid close attention to Kumogakure. His intelligence network had been focused on tracking the movements of the other Tailed Beasts, while the Eight-Tails had been largely ignored.
But even so… this still shouldn't have happened.
Killer Bee was a perfect Jinchūriki, immensely powerful in his own right. On top of that, the Hidden Cloud Village still had the Fourth Raikage.
How could Bee have been taken so easily?
"Lord Raikage personally fought members of the Akatsuki Organization and was injured," Darui continued gravely. "He is currently undergoing treatment."
Darui looked directly at Shigure.
"Our village will spare no cost to pursue the Akatsuki Organization. That is why Lord Raikage sent me here."
"If Lord Shigure has any information regarding Akatsuki, please share it with us. The Hidden Cloud Village is willing to pay an appropriate price."
Shigure frowned slightly.
The Fourth Raikage still required treatment—this meant his injuries were far from light.
Shigure narrowed his eyes and studied Darui carefully.
"I do know something about the Akatsuki Organization."
Darui's eyes lit up instantly.
"Lord Mizukage, please tell me! The Hidden Cloud Village will never forget this favor!"
"Two members of Akatsuki once came to the Hidden Mist Village," Shigure said calmly. "I sent them to the bottom of the sea."
This time, it was Darui's turn to be stunned.
Akatsuki… had gone to the Hidden Mist Village?
And yet no other village had heard anything about it.
Clearly, the Hidden Mist Village had dealt with the matter quietly and decisively.
Darui hesitated before asking, "Were they… after a Tailed Beast?"
"That's right," Shigure replied with a nod.
The Hidden Mist Village had only ever possessed one Jinchūriki—Shigure himself.
Which meant that, at the time, Akatsuki's target had been Shigure.
The outcome was obvious.
According to the Fourth Raikage's own assessment, Shigure's strength was likely no weaker than Senju Hashirama—the God of Shinobi who once brought order to the chaotic era.
And within the Hidden Mist Village, Shigure fought in terrain perfectly suited to him. A shinobi proficient in Water Release, possessing the Ice Release Bloodline Limit, and capable of controlling Tailed Beast chakra…
Akatsuki members stood no chance.
Darui took a deep breath.
"Then… Lord Shigure, do you know where the Akatsuki Organization is hiding?"
Shigure did not answer immediately.
The Hidden Cloud Village was clearly prepared to go to war.
If he revealed Akatsuki's location now, Kumogakure would almost certainly mobilize its forces and launch an all-out assault.
Instead, Shigure asked calmly, "How is Lord Raikage's condition?"
Darui frowned, then let out a helpless sigh.
"His injuries aren't life-threatening, but he still needs time to recover."
That alone said enough.
The battle had been fierce.
Shigure finally spoke,
"Based on what I know, the Akatsuki members are highly likely still within the Land of Lightning—or somewhere nearby."
He continued evenly,
"When they captured the One-Tail from Sunagakure, they immediately extracted the Tailed Beast after securing it."
"The Akatsuki Organization's objective is the Tailed Beasts."
"So right now, Killer Bee may already be in the same situation as the One-Tail Jinchūriki was back then—having the Tailed Beast forcibly extracted by Akatsuki."
Darui was visibly shaken by this revelation.
If that were true, then they had no time to lose.
Once a Tailed Beast was extracted, it would not only be an immeasurable loss for the Hidden Cloud Village—Killer Bee himself would almost certainly die.
At that thought, Darui could no longer sit still.
The precise location of the Akatsuki Organization was no longer the most urgent matter. He had to send this information back to Kumogakure immediately.
If they were even a moment too late, everything would be over.
Seeing Darui's agitation, Shigure fell into deep thought.
Dealing with the Akatsuki Organization was not an issue—but not right now.
At present, he still had too many matters to handle: the remaining Tailed Beasts, the reorganization of the village clans, and the unresolved affairs with Sunagakure.
He would need at least ten more days before he could free himself to confront Akatsuki directly.
"I've been secretly investigating the Akatsuki Organization's movements," Shigure said suddenly. "I've found some clues—but I still can't confirm their exact location."
Darui turned toward him in surprise.
He hadn't expected the Hidden Mist Village to be investigating Akatsuki at all.
"Then, Lord Shigure, where exactly are they—?"
Shigure interrupted him calmly.
"When I confirm the Akatsuki Organization's exact location, I will inform you immediately."
"I also intend to destroy this organization. Our goals are the same."
"Go back and tell Lord Raikage not to worry. Wait for my news."
Darui considered his words for a moment, then nodded.
Although Akatsuki hadn't visibly harmed the Hidden Mist Village, they had once targeted Shigure himself.
As the Mizukage, it was only natural for him to seek retaliation.
"Understood."
"I hope Lord Shigure remembers our agreement with Kumogakure. After this matter is resolved, the Hidden Cloud Village will repay the Hidden Mist Village generously."
After seeing Darui off, Shigure stood in silence.
He hadn't expected the Akatsuki Organization to make such a large move against the Hidden Cloud Village.
Nagato must have personally taken action.
Perhaps even Obito had been involved.
Otherwise, subduing both the Eight-Tails and the Fourth Raikage would not have been so easy.
Moreover, Nagato's physical condition at this time was far better than it would be two years later—meaning his current strength was likely even more terrifying.
Truly formidable.
Stealing the Eight-Tails and seriously injuring the Fourth Raikage…
That alone proved it.
Shigure knew he needed to accelerate his plans.
Among the remaining Tailed Beasts, only three were left beyond his reach: the Two-Tails, the Five-Tails, and the Nine-Tails.
He did not yet possess their chakra.
Once he gathered them, he would obtain complete Six Paths power.
At present, the Akatsuki Organization would be busy sealing the Eight-Tails.
This was the perfect opportunity for Shigure to search for the remaining Tailed Beasts.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.
Haku entered quietly.
"Lord Shigure, the people you asked me to find are almost ready."
Shigure looked up.
"They're ready?"
"Good," he said calmly. "Then let's begin."
There was no need to rush the search for the Tailed Beasts.
The cloud pigeons would find them sooner or later.
For now, he would first settle the matters of the Tailed Beasts already in hand—and the formation of the Bloodline Limit clans.
(End of Chapter)
💎 100 P.S = +1 Bonus Chapter
🔟 Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin
😊 Thank You For Your Support!