Kabuto, the Loyal and Capable Lieutenant

"About the plan to capture the One-Tail..." Pain had barely begun assigning the mission when Kabuto, the organization's newest member, raised his hand.

"Leader, I haven't done anything to prove myself since joining the Akatsuki Organization. Why not let us handle this mission?"

Pain looked at Kabuto. Behind him, satisfaction gleamed in Nagato's eyes.

Now this was the loyal, capable lieutenant he wanted!

Kabuto had only just joined, yet he was already eager to put his talents to work. If only the Akatsuki Organization had a few more people like him.

Nagato had originally intended to give the mission to Sasori of the Red Sands. Sasori was from Sunagakure, after all, and knew the village well. Finding the One-Tail Jinchuriki would be much easier for him.

But with Kabuto volunteering, Nagato had no reason to refuse.

Besides, he wanted to observe Kabuto's abilities for himself.

"Fine. Make it quick."

"Once you're done, we'll launch our attack on Konoha immediately."

Kabuto and Hidan formed a team and set out to cause trouble for Sunagakure.

They were wearing Akatsuki cloaks now. Whatever they did, the blame would fall on the Akatsuki Organization.

So what did it matter what they got up to?

After separating from the main group, Kabuto summoned a white snake and slipped a note into its mouth.

The snake then vanished through Summoning, carrying the intelligence back to Konoha.

In Konoha, the Hokage Building had vanished from the village center. In its place rose a massive purple-black structure, a full hundred meters tall.

It towered over every surrounding building, even surpassing Hokage Rock at one point, and had become one of Konoha's most recognizable landmarks.

Xuanye was listening to a mission report on the top floor of the Castle Keep.

Thanks to the ninja's efficiency, less than three