After leaving Kirigakure, Guts didn't return to Konoha.
Instead, he headed directly to the Land of Tea a small island nation surrounded by sea, its northern territory technically under the jurisdiction of the Land of Fire.
In practice, it was a subject state. As long as Guts revealed his identity, no one here dared to stop him.
This ti, he brought no one.
No won.
No distractions.
He traveled alone.
After arriving in a small coastal village, Guts bought a large helping of atballs and strolled casually through the streets, munching while listening to the Voice of All Things.
From the whispers of leaves to the humming of soil, even the flowers and wind told him what he needed to know.
Soone like the Six Tails Jinchūriki had passed through here.
And if that person was still nearby—he would be found.
anwhile, deep within one of Akatsuki's hidden bases...
The flickering glow of the Magic Lantern Body Technique filled a dark cave. Phantom silhouettes of various mbers appeared in a ring but this ti, two shadows were absent.
Kakuzu and Hidan.
Pain didn't mince words.
"Kakuzu and Hidan are dead."
Kisa laughed without sympathy. "So even the 'immortal duo' can die, huh?"
"They accomplished their goals," Pain replied calmly. "They captured the Two Tails and the Seven Tails. That's enough."
His eyes then shifted toward the battered forms of Deidara and Sasori.
"You two... your injuries?"
"No one walks away unscathed after eting that monster," Sasori said coldly.
Pain's gaze narrowed. "The fact that you're still standing is impressive."
Shisui silent till now smirked faintly. "Well, you lived. That alone is surprising."
"Hmph."
Deidara scowled. Normally, she would've snapped back. But the mory of Kirigakure the rocks, the mountain, the fear made him fall silent.
He shivered slightly and said nothing.
"Is Guts still in Mist territory?" Pain asked next.
Zetsu's dual voice echoed.
"No. He's left. The Three Tails hasn't been moved though."
Shisui leaned forward. "Did he return to Konoha?"
"I don't know," Black Zetsu admitted. "If I get too close, he'll sense . And if he senses … I'll die."
His tone carried an uncharacteristic trace of fear.
Even Zetsu didn't want to get near him.
"With Sasori and Deidara recovering, I'm assigning Shisui and Zetsu to retrieve the Three Tails," Pain decided.
"Should be simple... so long as Guts isn't there."
Zetsu chuckled. "Mist Shinobi aren't worth worrying about without their monster around."
"Oh, right," Pain added, his tone suddenly casual. "The one who killed Orochimaru… that kid Sasuke… he's been snooping into our organization lately."
Kisa let out a low laugh. "Looking for you, Itachi?"
Itachi said nothing.
"He's not part of our plan," Pain continued, "but his interference is a liability. It's better to eliminate him now."
"I'll kill him!" Deidara snarled without hesitation. "I hate the Uchiha."
Sasori crossed his arms. "Orochimaru was always a pain. If this Sasuke kid killed him, then he's worthy of becoming one of my puppets."
The art duo had found their new target.
Only now did Itachi's eyes narrow slightly.
If it were just one of them, Sasuke might win. But if both went after him…
He wouldn't stand a chance.
Still, Pain didn't care what Itachi was thinking or how much of a brocon he secretly was. With a final wave, he ended the eting.
Half a month passed.
In that ti, Shisui and Zetsu infiltrated Kirigakure.
With Guts gone, Shisui used his Mangekyō Sharingan to control the Three Tails. They captured the beast before Mizukage Terumi i even had ti to react.
anwhile, Itachi and Kisa encountered the Four Tails Jinchūriki Rōshi near the borders of Takigakure.
After a brief skirmish between Kisa and Rōshi, it was Itachi's illusions that finally subdued the man.
Now, Akatsuki had collected:
One Tail
Two Tails
Three Tails
Four Tails
Seven Tails
More than half the Tailed Beasts.
Only the Five Tails remained.
But capturing him wouldn't be easy.
Jinchūriki Han was still loyal to Iwagakure, officially serving as a shinobi under their banner.
Though mistreated and closely watched by fellow Rock ninja, he remained within village walls.
A frontal assault would bring retaliation from the village's main forces.
After much debate, Pain ordered a new combined team:
Shisui and Zetsu
Itachi and Kisa
Zetsu had uncovered a rare opportunity—Han was outside the village, lightly monitored.
Kisa would create a large-scale diversion, drawing Iwa forces away.
Then, Itachi and Shisui would strike swiftly—both masters of speed and deception.
It was a clean plan.
And for the first ti in many years, Itachi and Shisui two friends stood side by side once again.
Just two Uchiha, watching the sa sunrise from a mountaintop.
"The boy… Sasuke. He's grown," Shisui said quietly, arms folded. "Even if he had help, he still killed Orochimaru. He's coming for you."
Itachi stared ahead silently.
"Do you understand what that ans?"
Shisui's voice had a trace of pressure behind it now.
Itachi finally spoke.
"I'm running out of ti."
Sick or not, Itachi had already decided.
The day he raised his blade against his clan, his fate had been sealed.
He would die by Sasuke's hand.
A sinner's death... deliberate and deserved.
It didn't matter what lies he told. What masks he wore.
At the end of the path… was always atonent.
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