Akatsuki Picks Up the Pace

Land of Rain.

Black clouds churned, and a continuous curtain of rain shrouded the entire city. Raindrops pattered against the dilapidated buildings, as if whispering the endless sorrow of this ninja village.

Inside a hidden high tower, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path stood silently, its massive, pitch-black hands slowly reaching toward the sky.

On its enormous fingertips, the projected figures of Akatsuki members flickered in and out of existence.

Confusion was etched onto all of their faces.

Juzo Biwa scanned his surroundings, his brows furrowed as he asked in a low voice, "What has happened?"

Beside him, Orochimaru's lips curled slightly, his raspy voice laced with a hint of mockery: "To summon us so urgently—could it be that our leader has met with some accident?"

His gaze flickered with a dangerous light.

Ever since joining the Akatsuki, Orochimaru had always harbored ulterior motives.

He coveted Pain's Rinnegan intensely; if Pain had truly met with an accident, it would undoubtedly be a god-sent opportunity for him.

"Heh, life is just so fragile."

Orochimaru licked his lips, his voice filled with fanaticism.

"Only by attaining immortality can one grasp the true essence of reality."

Sasori of the Red Sands let out a cold snort, his voice muffled as he retorted from within Hiruko: "Immortality? Utterly foolish! Only by mechanizing the flesh can one forge eternal art within the long river of time!"

Hearing this, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, making no effort to hide his inner derision.

"Art? That is nothing more than a futile delusion. Do you think that by sealing yourself inside that puppet body, you can escape death?"

"And do you think that by parasitizing the bodies of others, you can call that immortality?"

The two stood at loggerheads, the air thick with an oppressive tension ready to snap at any moment.

However, a sharp shout shattered the strained atmosphere.

"Enough!"

Pain's cold voice echoed through the tower, a flicker of chill passing through his Rinnegan.

"If you wish to continue bickering, I do not mind making you shut up myself."

Upon hearing this, Sasori and Orochimaru fell silent.

The method of joining the Akatsuki was not based on persuasive words; everyone had bowed before Pain's absolute power at one time or another.

Even the scheming Orochimaru had to restrain himself for the time being.

Pain swept his gaze over the group and spoke slowly: "Just this morning, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was summoned away by an unknown force."

The group was shaken.

"What?"

"Summoned away?!"

Everyone's eyes turned in unison toward the spot beneath Pain's feet where the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had previously stood.

Black Zetsu remained hidden in the shadows, watching everything with an expressionless face.

"Aside from me, someone is actually capable of utilizing the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path..." Pain said in a deep voice, dangerous ripples surging within his Rinnegan.

Even a god has moments where they are provoked.

And in this moment, Nagato felt an incomparable sense of humiliation.

"Our plans must change."

Pain stated firmly, his gaze resolute.

"Accelerate the pace and gather the Tailed Beasts as soon as possible."

"The risk of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path being stolen has made our time even more pressing."

"From this moment on, I want you to increase recruitment."

"Every operational squad must be equipped with two members, coordinating with each other to ensure efficiency."

"Zetsu, increase the intensity of the investigation. I want to know who in the current Ninja World is most suspected of summoning the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path!"

Black Zetsu nodded slowly, his voice low: "Rest assured, Pain. I will investigate it personally."

The projections gradually dissipated, and the members went their separate ways.

But after this brief meeting, ripples of different kinds stirred in everyone's hearts.

The Akatsuki was plunged into a state of busyness due to the disappearance of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

Meanwhile, another earth-shattering storm was sweeping through Kumogakure.

Before the gates of Kumogakure, three Tailed Beasts stood, their overwhelming chakra creating an invisible pressure that seemed to freeze the very air.

The Eight-Tails, the Two-Tails, and the massive Nine-Tails stood like three towering mountains, chilling to the bone.

The ninjas of the village gathered rapidly, their faces grave; even though they felt fear, no one retreated.

Atop the head of the Nine-Tails, Uchiha Yoru stood proudly, his scarlet Sharingan spinning slightly as he looked down upon the trembling Cloud Ninja.

He slowly raised a hand with a hint of mockery, as if scrutinizing a group of ignorant ants.

"You people..."

"Still want to struggle in vain?"

Uchiha Yoru's voice was indifferent, yet it carried clearly in every direction, "After your Fourth Raikage died, I had assumed you would learn the meaning of awe."

"I gave you a chance!"

However, the only response from the Cloud Ninja was an unyielding, furious glare.

"Bastard!"

"You devil!"

The ninjas gritted their teeth, wishing they could rush forward and fight to the death immediately.

Uchiha Yoru chuckled, a flash of disdain crossing his eyes.

Accustomed to the infighting of Konoha, he was actually somewhat surprised by the unity of Kumogakure.

Even when faced with insurmountable despair, they still chose to resist.

"Hmph, unity?" Uchiha Yoru muttered to himself, the corners of his mouth curling upward, "But, unity is useless."

As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand, and the Nine-Tails let out a low growl as scarlet chakra rapidly condensed.

A rotating black sphere of chakra emerged in the mouth of the Nine-Tails, and the oppressive pressure in the air instantly climbed to its peak.

"Tailed Beast Bomb."

BOOM—!!!

A destructive pillar of light erupted, tearing through the sky and heading straight for the Cloud Ninja!

"Get out of the way!"

"Barrier Ninjutsu! Set up defenses, quickly!"

The Cloud Ninja frantically unleashed defensive techniques, attempting to block the bombardment of the Tailed Beast Bomb.

Yet, in the face of the Tailed Beast Bomb, everything appeared so pale and powerless.

Rumble!!!

A terrifying shockwave swept through; the walls of Kumogakure collapsed instantly, the earth trembled, and dust filled the air.

Countless ninjas were sent flying by the shockwave, their screams rising one after another.

Uchiha Yoru narrowed his eyes, as if enjoying a meticulously choreographed play.

However, as the dust gradually settled, a swaying figure still stood amidst the ruins.

"You devil!!!"

A Cloud Ninja, covered in blood, pointed at Uchiha Yoru in fury, his eyes burning with raging fire.

Uchiha Yoru did not respond; only the low, rumbling growl of the Nine-Tails echoed in his ears.

"A devil?" He smiled slightly, his Sharingan spinning eerily, reflecting a sea of scarlet, "You will learn that true fear... has only just begun."

The next second, the chakra of the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails erupted violently! Furious Tailed Beast Bombs rained down like raindrops, carrying the power to destroy the world as they slammed into the terrified Cloud Ninja.

BOOM!!!

Deafening explosions rang out in succession, and scorching flames tore through the night sky.

Those once-arrogant elite ninjas were now as fragile as ants, swallowed by the Tailed Beast Bombs in an instant, flesh and blood flying everywhere as screams filled the air.

"Stop!! No, don't attack anymore!!"

"We surrender!! Please, spare us!!"

"Surrender now?"

Uchiha Yoru sneered, the tomoe in his Sharingan rotating slowly, filled with unspeakable mockery and coldness.

"Too late!!!"