Akatsuki's Teamfight

Deep within Akatsuki's dim, secret base, a sealing ritual for the Three-Tails had just concluded.

The Akatsuki members projected here through the Demonic Illusion: Light Projection Technique had already departed.

Deva Path Pain's lifeless Rinnegan turned toward Minamoto Takuya, the "Vermilion Bird," who was about to leave. His low voice echoed through the empty stone cavern.

"Vermilion Bird, regarding the Nine-Tails... do you truly not need the organization's assistance?"

Minamoto Takuya's Wood Release clone paused, then slowly turned around. A trace of barely perceptible surprise crossed his face.

He tilted his head slightly, his probing gaze settling on Nagato.

"Oh? Why ask that all of a sudden?"

Nagato did not evade the question and answered frankly.

"Madara Uchiha approached me again not long ago. He seems particularly concerned with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's whereabouts and once again proposed a concrete plan to capture the Nine-Tails. He believes now is the right time to act."

Hearing Madara Uchiha's name and his proposal, Minamoto Takuya was briefly stunned before realization dawned on him. A relaxed smile even curled across his lips.

"I see. As for the Nine-Tails..." His tone was calm, yet he tossed out information enough to shake the entire Akatsuki Organization.

"There's no need to trouble yourselves. In fact, during that Chunin Exam in Konoha—the one Orochimaru disrupted—the Nine-Tails had already fallen under my control."

"What?!"

Even Nagato, usually so composed, was profoundly shaken. For the first time, undisguised astonishment appeared in his Rinnegan.

Minamoto Takuya had captured the Nine-Tails long ago? And without any of them noticing?

This was not merely unknown intelligence to Akatsuki. To the entire Shinobi World, it was no different from a bombshell.

Minamoto Takuya seemed quite pleased by Nagato's reaction. Watching him, he made a suggestion with almost casual ease.

"If you want it now,