In the real Shinobi World...
As the Chunin Ninja Exams hosted by Konoha were in full swing, far away in Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning, Fourth Raikage A stood before the window of the Raikage's Office, arms folded across his chest, his eyes blazing as he stared at the distant sky. His brows were tightly knit, and his face was filled with irritation and unease. Recalling the videos shown on the Heavenly Screen, especially Pain's Shinra Tensei, which had leveled Konoha, he felt an unprecedented pressure.
"Pain... who the hell is that guy?" the Raikage murmured, a trace of barely concealed irritation in his voice. The images from the Heavenly Screen kept replaying in his mind—Konoha reduced to rubble by Shinra Tensei, countless ninja powerless to fight back against that destructive force. Even he felt a chill at such power.
The Raikage considered himself powerful, particularly in Taijutsu and Lightning Release, where his mastery was nearly unmatched. Even against the legendary God of Shinobi World, Hashirama Senju, and Madara Uchiha, he was confident he could put up a fight. After all, those legendary powerhouses had long since passed away, while he was alive and in his prime. Yet Pain's appearance had left him feeling a hint of helplessness.
"If that Pain invaded Kumogakure, could we stop him?" the Raikage asked himself quietly, a trace of uncertainty in his voice. He knew that although Kumogakure's defenses were formidable, they would likely struggle to withstand power on the level of Shinra Tensei.
An image of Kumogakure rose in his mind—the towering Raikage building, the bustling streets, the well-trained ninja. These were all the fruits of his painstaking efforts over the years, things he took pride in. Yet Pain's power gave him a sense of danger.
"No, we can't just sit here and wait to die!" The Raikage slammed a hand on the desk, his voice filled with barely restrained anger and determination. "We have to find a way to strengthen the village. We can't let anyone destroy us so easily!"
Just then, the office door swung open, and his secretary, Mabui, walked in with a document in hand. Her expression was serious, and her voice held a note of respect. "Lord Raikage, this is the latest intelligence report on Konoha."
The Raikage nodded and took the document, quickly scanning its contents. His frown deepened, and a chill entered his voice. "Konoha's new generation is actually this strong? It seems Kumogakure can't afford to fall behind."
Mabui nodded, her tone cautious. "Lord Raikage, according to our intelligence, Konoha's new generation of ninja has performed exceptionally well. Although Kumogakure's younger generation also has many outstanding talents, their overall strength seems to be a little inferior."
The Raikage snorted, a trace of dissatisfaction in his voice. "Hmph, Konoha is just relying on the publicity from the Heavenly Screen. Kumogakure's ninja will never be inferior to theirs!"
Mabui said nothing, merely standing silently to one side. She knew that Lord Raikage always harbored an inexplicable hostility toward Konoha. But as his subordinate, she could hardly say anything more.
The Raikage fell silent for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. Kumogakure's younger generation came to mind—Killer B, Darui, C and the others. They were all pillars of the village, especially Killer B, who was powerful as the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki. Yet compared with Konoha's new generation shown on the Heavenly Screen, they still seemed a little lacking.
"That guy Killer B is strong enough, but he's far too carefree," the Raikage murmured, sounding a little helpless. "Darui and C are outstanding, but they still aren't enough to support the village's future."
His thoughts drifted of their own accord in another direction—to his younger brother, Killer B, whom he both loved and hated. Killer B's talent was unquestionable, particularly his control over the Tailed Beast's power, which almost no one could match. Yet he was too carefree, always getting up to some inexplicable "rapping" that gave his older brother quite a headache.
"If that guy Killer B could take things a little more seriously, perhaps Kumogakure's strength could rise to another level," the Raikage murmured, a note of regret in his voice.
Hearing the Raikage mention Killer B stirred complicated feelings in Mabui as well. She knew that although Lord Killer B was carefree, he was powerful, particularly in his control over the Tailed Beast's power, which almost no one could match. Yet his personality always left Lord Raikage feeling helpless.
"Lord Raikage, although Lord Killer B is carefree, his strength is beyond question," Mabui said carefully, her voice taking on a comforting tone. "As long as we guide him properly, he will surely become a pillar of the village."
The Raikage was silent for a moment before nodding, his voice firm. "You're right. That guy Killer B may be a headache, but his strength is not to be underestimated. We must make good use of his power. We can't let it go to waste."
Mabui nodded and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that although Lord Raikage was conceited, he could always make the right decision at a crucial moment.
In a tower in the Land of Rain, rain pattered against the windows, as though it would never stop. Nagato sat in a machine, his pale face looking particularly haggard in the dim light, but his gaze remained sharp as a blade, radiating an unquestionable authority. Konan stood beside him, holding an intelligence report Zetsu had just delivered, her brows slightly furrowed.
"Nagato, the intelligence Zetsu brought shows that Sunagakure has pulled back its border defenses somewhat, while Konoha's defenses haven't changed." Konan's voice was cool and calm, but there was a faint note of concern in it. "It seems Konoha hasn't detected the cooperation between Orochimaru and Sunagakure."
Nagato was silent for a moment, gazing through the window at the overcast sky in the distance. Rain streamed down the glass, as though the entire world were shrouded in gloom. His voice was low and hoarse, with a trace of indifference. "That Orochimaru is a cunning character, just as I thought. He's using Sunagakure, trying to start a war during Konoha's Chunin Ninja Exams without alerting Konoha."
Konan nodded, her tone tentative. "Are we sure we shouldn't intervene? If Orochimaru and Sunagakure succeed, Konoha could fall into chaos. That might be an opportunity for us."
Nagato slowly turned his head, his gaze as deep as an abyss as he stared at Konan. "No, Konan. We don't need to intervene. Let them fight and wear each other down."
Konan paused in surprise. She looked at Nagato, a trace of doubt in her voice. "But if Orochimaru and Sunagakure fail, Konoha might become even stronger. That might not be good for us."
The corners of Nagato's mouth lifted slightly in a cold smile. "Konan, our goal is to make this world feel pain and thereby usher in true peace. The struggles between the great nations are part of our plan. Let them wear each other down and destroy each other. That will make it easier for us to achieve our goal."
Konan was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I understand. The wars between the great nations will make them reap what they've sown, and we only need to wait for the right moment before stepping in to end it all."
Nagato's voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of cruelty. "That's right. Orochimaru and Sunagakure's actions will only plunge Konoha into deeper pain. We need only watch quietly as it all unfolds. Once they're exhausted, we'll deliver their final judgment in the name of God."
Konan looked at Nagato and said softly, "I'll continue monitoring Orochimaru and Sunagakure's movements."
Nagato nodded, turning his gaze back to the window. "Go, Konan. Remember, our goal is to make this world feel pain, not to become embroiled in the conflicts of the great nations."
Konan gave a slight nod, then turned and left the room.
Because of their exposure on the Heavenly Screen and the vigilance of the major ninja villages, the Akatsuki's members had been forced to limit their activities outside and hide in the shadows for the time being. This forced "vacation" left these powerhouses, who were accustomed to acting freely, extremely irritated, and they all began venting to their partners.
Deidara and Sasori sat in a corner of the base. Deidara fiddled listlessly with the clay in his hands, his face full of discontent.
"Hey, big brother Sasori, when is this going to end?" Deidara complained impatiently. "We hide here all day, and I don't even get a chance to set off an explosion. My artistic inspiration is going to dry up, yeah!"
Sasori shot him a cold glance, the puppet parts in his hands clicking softly. "Shut up, Deidara. Your 'art' will only bring unnecessary trouble. All the major ninja villages are watching the Akatsuki now. Keeping a low profile won't hurt you."
Deidara curled his lip, clearly dissatisfied with Sasori's answer. "Hmph, big brother Sasori, you're too rigid. Art should be spectacular and explosive. What's the point of hiding here, yeah?"
Sasori ignored his complaints and continued concentrating on the puppet in his hands, though the corners of his mouth lifted in a barely perceptible smile. Clearly, he had long since grown used to Deidara's chatter.
Elsewhere, Hidan and Kakuzu sat beside a battered old table. Hidan swung the bloody Triple-Bladed Scythe in his hand, his face full of irritation.
"Kakuzu, why do you think we have to hide here? I'm immortal! Those small fry from the ninja villages can't do a thing to me!" Hidan shouted, his voice full of disdain.
Kakuzu shot him a cold glance, the account book in his hands rustling as he flipped through it. "Shut up, Hidan. Being immortal doesn't mean you can't cause trouble. All the major ninja villages are on higher alert now. Our mission is troublesome enough already, so don't make things worse for me."
Hidan snorted in dissatisfaction, but when he saw Kakuzu's icy gaze, he reluctantly shut his mouth. Before long, however, he found a new topic. "By the way, Kakuzu, what do you think Boss Pain is planning? We can't hide here forever, can we?"
Kakuzu closed the account book, a trace of impatience in his voice. "Pain's plans are none of your concern. We just need to follow orders. Stay out of everything else."
Deidara curled his lip, clearly dissatisfied with Kakuzu's answer, but there was nothing he could do about it. He could only swing his scythe in boredom, muttering, "This is so damn boring. I don't even have a sacrifice. Lord Jashin is sure to blame me..."
At a base somewhere in the Land of Water, Kisame leaned against a wall, Samehada trembling slightly in his hand, as though expressing its dissatisfaction as well. He glanced at Uchiha Itachi beside him and spoke in a teasing tone. "Mr. Itachi, don't you think hiding like this is a little too stifling? I haven't had a chance to stretch my muscles in a long time."
Itachi remained expressionless, his gaze deep and calm. "Kisame, patience is also a form of training. All the major ninja villages are watching us now. Acting rashly will only expose our plans."
Kisame shrugged, sounding a little helpless. "Mr. Itachi, you're always so calm. But you're right. Boss Pain's plan is more important. It's just... these days are really boring."
Itachi didn't answer, merely gazing quietly into the distance, as though thinking about something. Seeing this, Kisame stopped complaining too. He simply fiddled with Samehada in boredom, muttering under his breath, "It'd be nice if I could find somewhere to raise some hell..."