Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki walked along a mountain path, their heavy footsteps kicking up small clouds of dust.
Ever since leaving Konoha, they had been wandering around the Land of Fire, gathering intelligence on one hand and waiting for an opportunity on the other.
"Mr. Itachi, that Jiraiya seems to have been following us for quite some time. Is it really alright to let him keep doing that?" Kisame asked, turning to Itachi.
Jiraiya had been discovered by Itachi shortly after he began tailing them, but Itachi had not exposed him. He had merely led him in circles.
"It's fine. Let him follow us. We aren't taking any action anyway, and we might not necessarily be able to beat him."
"Hehehe, how would we know without trying? The chance to fight one of the Sannin really excites me."
At that moment, a Kamui vortex appeared before Itachi, and Obito stepped out of it.
In a cold voice, he said, "Akatsuki is under attack. Come with me, quickly."
Zetsu had arrived with him as well.
When Kisame saw Obito's Sharingan, his pupils contracted. He spoke in surprise, "It's you! I haven't seen you in a long time. And you show up with news this big?"
Itachi looked at Obito without speaking, only frowning slightly. Obito had not yet joined Akatsuki and instead operated from behind the scenes.
Thus, Itachi had rarely seen him since the clan massacre years ago. Still, Obito's Sharingan made him instantly recognizable.
"Stop hesitating! Nagato is in grave danger. Even Orochimaru has arrived. Wait! Are you being followed?"
Black Zetsu urged them on, then noticed Jiraiya hiding not far away.
Kisame said indifferently, "Hehehe, he's the tail that started following us when we went to Konoha. He's been around for quite a while."
Obito narrowed his