After the video played on the Heavenly Screen, the Akatsuki leader's formidable strength was revealed to the world, putting the surrounding major nations on guard. They all stationed more ninja along their borders. Faced with this situation, Pain, the Akatsuki's leader, decided to keep a low profile for the time being and avoid drawing greater attention or provoking further conflict.
To that end, Pain used the power of his Rinnegan to project phantoms of the Akatsuki members to the gathering place at their base. Though the members were scattered across the world, Pain's power brought their phantoms together in the dimly lit hall as if they were truly there. At the center of the hall, Pain stood on high, his cold gaze sweeping over every member.
Pain's deep, forceful voice echoed throughout the hall. "Everyone, the situation has changed recently. The video on the Heavenly Screen has exposed us, and the surrounding major nations are already on guard. Their ninja are stationed all along the borders. Now we must keep a low profile. We cannot carry out any more large-scale operations."
He paused, then continued, "The Akatsuki needs time to lie low. Our goal has not changed, but this is not the best time to step onto the stage. The nations are already watching us like hawks, and acting rashly will only put us at a disadvantage. Therefore, I expect every one of you to exercise caution in the days ahead and avoid drawing unnecessary attention."
As soon as Pain finished speaking, the phantoms in the hall began to respond. Deidara folded his arms, a faint, disdainful smile on his lips. "Hmph, those major nations are just bluffing. But since the leader says so, I'll hold back for now, yeah."
Sasori stood to one side and said coldly, "Keeping a low profile isn't difficult for us. Puppets operate in secret to begin with, so they won't draw much attention."
Kakuzu responded without expression, "As long as it doesn't interfere with my financial plans, I don't care. But, leader, the movement of our funds may be restricted during this time."
Hidan waved his scythe and said impatiently, "What a pain! But since it's the leader's order, I'll put up with it for now. Still, I don't want to wait too long!"
Kisame grinned, baring his sharp teeth. "Heh heh, keeping a low profile isn't hard for me either. But Samehada won't stay this quiet forever."
Konan stood quietly beside Pain, her gaze passing over every member. "Everyone," she said calmly, "the leader's decision was made with the organization's long-term interests in mind. I hope you all understand and follow it strictly."
Zetsu's figure slowly rose from the ground, and he laughed ominously. "Heh heh, don't worry. I'll keep gathering intelligence and make sure we don't miss any opportunities."
Pain nodded and said in closing, "Everyone, remember that the Akatsuki's goal has never changed. We are merely waiting for a better opportunity. Until then, keep a low profile and build up our strength. When the time is right, we will act again and change this world."
When Pain finished speaking, the phantoms gradually faded, and the members' consciousnesses returned to their respective locations. Though they were in different places, each of them knew that the Akatsuki was about to enter a quiet period. Yet beneath that silence, undercurrents were stirring, waiting for the moment to erupt.
After the meeting, Zetsu's figure quietly disappeared into the shadows of the base, and he soon found Obito, who was hidden in the darkness. The two met in a concealed underground cave, where only a faint light illuminated their indistinct figures.
Zetsu's voice was low and hoarse, tinged with a sly laugh. "Obito, you heard Pain's decision. The Akatsuki may have to keep a low profile for now, but we can't stop moving."
Obito stood in the shadows, his gaze cold and inscrutable beneath his mask. "Of course. Pain's idea is only meant to keep the other members in line. Our plan can't be allowed to stall because of outside interference. Collecting the Tailed Beasts is key to the Eye of the Moon Plan. Zetsu, have there been any new developments in your intelligence network lately?"
Zetsu's body slowly rose from the ground, and a strange smile appeared on the white half of his face. "Heh heh, don't worry. My clones have been active all over. Gaara of Sunagakure, the Jinchūriki of the One-Tail, Shukaku, seems to have been given greater protection recently, but we'll always find a way through. Yugito Nii of Kumogakure, the Jinchūriki of the Two-Tails, Matatabi, keeps her whereabouts secret, but my clones have already pinpointed her location."
Obito nodded, a note of cruelty in his voice. "Good, but this still isn't the best time to strike. The nations have only just raised their guard. Acting rashly will only alert them. We need to wait for the right moment, preferably when they've let their guard down."
The black half of Zetsu's face moved slightly, and his voice grew darker. "Obito, what are you planning to do? Are we supposed to keep waiting forever?"
Obito gave a cold laugh, a sly glint flashing in his eyes. "Waiting doesn't mean doing nothing. We can use this time to further weaken the nations. For example, we could incite some small-scale conflicts and create internal strife among them. At the same time, we can continue monitoring the Tailed Beasts and their Jinchūriki to ensure we have the latest intelligence."
Zetsu nodded, a satisfied smile appearing on his white face. "Heh heh, that's Obito for you. I'll keep having my clones gather intelligence and make sure we don't miss any opportunities. But as for Pain... do you really intend to keep him in the dark forever?"
Obito's voice was low and icy. "Pain is just a pawn in our plan. His Rinnegan may be powerful, but his ideals don't entirely align with ours. The Eye of the Moon Plan is our ultimate goal. To achieve it, the necessary secrecy and sacrifices are worthwhile."
Zetsu gave an ominous laugh. "Heh heh, you're right. In that case, I'll keep working in the shadows to ensure our plan proceeds smoothly."
Obito turned and looked into the depths of the cave, as if gazing at a moment in the future. "Zetsu, remember, our goal isn't just the Tailed Beasts, but the transformation of the entire world. The moment the Eye of the Moon Plan is realized, all pain and war will disappear, and true peace will arrive."
Zetsu's figure slowly sank into the ground, his voice gradually fading into the air. "Don't worry, Obito. I'll always stand by your side. When the time is right, we'll bring the entire world under our control."
After Zetsu disappeared, Obito stood alone in the cave, the corners of his mouth lifting beneath his mask in a faint, cold smile. He knew that the real battle had yet to begin, and that his and Zetsu's actions would one day completely change the shape of the world.
During this quiet period, the Akatsuki members returned to their respective bases. On the surface, they ceased their activities, but in reality, they did not let their guard down. Everyone understood that this was only the calm before the storm, and that the real battle would erupt in the near future.
Both Pain and Obito knew that the Akatsuki's plan required patience and the right timing. They had to wait for the nations to let their guard down or for a new opportunity to appear before they could act again. In the meantime, the Akatsuki members would continue preparing in secret, waiting for the moment that could change the world.
The Land of Iron...
General Mifune stood atop the gate tower, watching the third video playing on the Heavenly Screen with a grave expression. In the video, the ninja displayed astonishing strength. The interplay of all kinds of Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and Taijutsu seemed to proclaim that the age of ninja could not be shaken. Mifune tightened his grip on his sword, a surge of complicated emotions filling his heart.
He recalled the samurai's once-glorious history. In that era, samurai had protected the peace and dignity of their country with exquisite swordsmanship and fearless courage. The samurai had once been the highest ideal in this land, and no one had dared look down on them wherever their blades were directed. Yet as time passed, the rise of the ninja gradually changed the shape of the world. Their versatility and varied abilities gave them dominance on the battlefield, while the samurai were gradually pushed to the margins.
Mifune took a deep breath and looked into the distance with a resolute gaze. "Ninja may be powerful," he murmured to himself, "but we samurai must never fall into decline like this. The glory of the samurai must not disappear with our generation."
He turned, descended from the gate tower, and summoned all the senior samurai of the Land of Iron. In the meeting hall, Mifune stood before them, his voice loud and firm. "Everyone, you have all seen the video on the Heavenly Screen. The strength of the ninja is indeed astonishing, but that does not mean we samurai should retreat. On the contrary, this is an opportunity for us to reflect and improve."
He looked around and continued, "We samurai have a long history and a deep heritage. Our swordsmanship and our will are our most precious assets. But times are changing. If we cling to our old ways, the times will eventually leave us behind." An older samurai stood and asked respectfully, "General, do you mean that we need to change?"
Mifune nodded, his gaze resolute. "Yes, we need to grow stronger. But that does not mean abandoning samurai traditions. On the contrary, we must embrace new strengths and techniques while preserving the spirit of bushido. We can learn from some of the ninja's strengths, such as their tactics and intelligence-gathering abilities, but we must never lose what lies at our core: our swords and our convictions." Another, younger samurai said excitedly, "General, we are willing to follow your guidance and help the samurai rise again!"
Mifune smiled faintly and patted the young samurai on the shoulder. "Good. With that kind of determination, we have hope. Next, I will draw up a series of training plans to improve everyone's strength. At the same time, we must strengthen our exchanges with the outside world and learn from the advanced experience of other nations. We cannot work in isolation. Only by continually improving can we gain a firm foothold in this era."
After the meeting, Mifune went alone to the training grounds. He drew the sword at his waist, its edge gleaming coldly in the moonlight. He gazed at the blade as if he could see countless predecessors reflected in it. In a low voice, he said, "The glory of the samurai will never disappear on my watch. No matter how the times change, we will find a path of our own."
Standing on the training grounds and watching the samurai train diligently, he was filled with hope. He knew the road ahead was full of challenges, but as long as they stood united, the future of the samurai would not be bleak. He clenched his fist and silently vowed, The age of the samurai will never end like this.