The steady drizzle outside the Akatsuki's Rain Country hideout beat against the windows in a ceaseless rhythm. Within the dim chamber, Nagato sat slumped in his mechanical frame, his frail body wracked with pain.
Konan entered quietly, her paper wings folding behind her as she approached. Her eyes lingered on him, full of worry.
"Nagato," she said softly, "can your body still endure this pace? If it becomes too much—"
"God does not fall," Nagato cut her off, his voice hoarse yet unyielding. For him, there could be no weakness, not while their plan remained incomplete.
But almost immediately, his words were betrayed by the violent coughing fit that seized him. Blood spattered into his hand, and his thin frame trembled under the strain. Alarmed, Konan hurried to his side, pressing medicine into his palm. Nagato swallowed it with effort, and after a moment the trembling subsided, though his body still felt heavy as lead.
Exhaling slowly, he asked, "Why did you come to me directly? Something must have happened."
Konan nodded, her expression grave. "Two more of our core members have been lost—Hidan and Kakuzu. Three in total recently. Our strength has been dealt a significant blow."
Her words hung in the air, heavier than the rain outside.
"And… according to intelligence, Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchūriki now wields Sage Techniques. The same as Jiraiya-sensei."
Nagato's eyes narrowed, but his voice remained calm. "Sage Mode, is it? Do not let that trouble you. A mere technique changes nothing. Our plan remains the same."
Still, he noted the information carefully. If the Nine-Tails had truly reached such a level, then their timetable would require adjustment.
"Go with the Deva Path," Nagato continued. "Find Uchiha Obito. He will pair with Deidara for the next mission. We are too few to allow him to linger in the shadows any longer. It's time he contributed."
Konan inclined her head. "Understood." Then her body dissolved into a thousand fluttering sheets of paper that streamed out into the rain.
Far from the Rain Country, Obito stood cloaked in the darkness, his single Sharingan glowing faintly as Konan and the Deva Path found him.
"I'll agree to your arrangement," he said, his voice smooth but edged. Yet in the recesses of his thoughts, he considered something else. Naruto's power was beginning to grow beyond his projections. Stronger than expected… but still within reach of manipulation. For now.
Elsewhere, on the borderlands of the Earth Country, Itachi and Kisame walked a quiet path.
"Did you hear?" Kisame said, his voice tinged with grim amusement. "Hidan and Kakuzu have been killed by Konoha shinobi."
Itachi's reply was little more than a faint hum of acknowledgment. His expression betrayed nothing, but deep within, he was unsettled. Naruto's growth was faster than he'd anticipated. That boy had surpassed all expectations.
Itachi's thoughts flickered briefly to Sasuke. If Naruto truly possessed Sage Mode, then perhaps—just perhaps—he could entrust Sasuke's salvation to him.
Kisame chuckled. "You're as cold as ever. Sometimes I wonder what you're after."
"You wonder too much," Itachi replied, his crimson Sharingan flashing toward him. The quiet weight of killing intent rolled from his body like an icy tide.
Kisame raised his hands with a grin, though even he felt the pressure of that gaze. "Scary as always. Truly, the Uchiha clan is the gods' favored."
Without another word, Itachi turned and walked ahead, pausing only to murmur, "Let's move." Kisame followed, still smiling.
Back in Konoha, the returning shinobi crossed the village gates, their mission complete. Though the enemies had been formidable, their teamwork had prevailed. Shikamaru, Ino, and Chōji in particular seemed lighter; the shadow of Asuma's death eased by their victory.
Naruto, after resting briefly at home, realized his supply of ninja tools had run low. He grabbed his coin pouch and headed into the village streets.
At the entrance to a bustling weapon shop, he found Tenten carefully arranging blades on the display. When she spotted him, she broke into a bright smile.
"Naruto! Here for supplies? Tell me what you're looking for—I'll pick out the best stock for you."
"Heh, in that case, I won't hold back," Naruto joked, scratching his head sheepishly.
Tenten's enthusiasm shone as she guided him through the shelves, pointing out durable kunai, finely balanced shuriken, and specialized tools with care. To her, friends deserved only the best recommendations.
In the end, Naruto bought a thousand shuriken—perfect for honing the Flying Thunder God technique, though they'd also serve well in a fight. He picked up a few larger weapons as well, just in case.
"Come by often," Tenten said, pleased.
"No problem. Thanks, Tenten. If I ever run out of patience shopping elsewhere, I'll just come here," Naruto grinned.
Her laughter followed him out of the shop as he slung the heavy bag of tools over his shoulder.
Soon after, he arrived at the Forest of Death training grounds. The thick canopy loomed overhead, the air damp and heavy. To most, it was a place of unease, but to Naruto, it was the perfect field for pushing himself further.
Rest was never part of his vocabulary. Only moving forward, breaking through.
As he tightened his headband and scattered the first set of marked shuriken across the clearing, his eyes blazed with determination. Whatever obstacles stood before him, he would sweep them aside—one step, one battle, one victory at a time.
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