First Meeting with "Akatsuki"

BOOM!

As the chakra of five different natures detonated, the entire valley shook as if struck by an earthquake. Boulders shattered, and the terrain shifted violently, transforming the V-shaped valley into a U-shaped basin.

The dust from the explosion was quickly suppressed by the downpour. Hiruzen Sarutobi had nearly exhausted his chakra reserves to unleash this S-rank ninjutsu.

"To this day, no one has ever survived this technique."

Hiruzen Sarutobi panted heavily, staring into the center of the blast, muttering to himself.

The curtain of rain seemed to want to help Hiruzen Sarutobi see clearly, falling harder and harder until he spotted the figure. Uchiha Shisui emerged from the distance, walking slowly toward him, completely unscathed.

"How is this possible?" Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured, his voice instantly swallowed by the wind and rain.

His pupils contracted sharply as the scene of the First Hokage's battle against Uchiha Madara flashed through his mind, and he suddenly realized the truth.

"So that's how it is. Has it reached the end for me as well..."

His expression was desolate, but soon, a resolute light reignited in his eyes. He straightened his spine.

"However, for the Will of Fire, for Konoha, I must eradicate a threat like you! Even if it costs me my life!"

Seeing Uchiha Shisui reach an appropriate distance, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not hesitate to weave hand seals, his hands moving like a blur.

Following his movements, the surrounding air seemed to churn, and a mysterious, ancient power began to converge.

In an instant, a massive phantom of the Death God slowly emerged behind him. The entity radiated a sinister aura, holding crimson prayer beads in one hand and a white blade in the other.

"Hmph, so the so-called Death God behind you is also a spiritual entity!"

Uchiha Shisui looked up at the phantom behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, the corners of his mouth curling into a sneer of disdain.

"Third Hokage, if this is your final trump card, then it truly is a pity."

Uchiha Shisui shook his head slightly, his tone laced with mockery.

"This level of power cannot harm me. Eightfold Hell!"

With that, the Sharingan in Uchiha Shisui's left eye manifested, blood tears streaming down his cheek as a purple-black Karma Flame instantly ignited on the Death God's left hand.

The Death God's hollow, ferocious gaze locked onto Uchiha Shisui, as if venting endless rage at the one who dared to offend its majesty.

The next second, it swung its sharp white blade without hesitation. With a crisp "crack," the arm engulfed in the purple-black Karma Flame was severed by its own strike.

Black mist billowed from the stump, intertwining with the rain to create a bizarre and eerie scene.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had been focused entirely on the movements of the Death God behind him, and when he saw this sudden action, he was struck with utter astonishment.

The moment the Death God's blade fell, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a piercing, agonizing pain erupt from the depths of his soul, and he couldn't help but let out a scream.

He could clearly feel the spiritual energy in his arm rapidly dissipating.

His face was filled with disbelief, his eyes clouded with confusion and shock. He could not understand why the Death God would begin to mutilate itself before he had even performed the critical step of seizing Uchiha Shisui's soul.

Furthermore, because his soul was tightly bound to the Death God, the pain from the entity's injury was transmitted to his own soul without the slightest attenuation, subjecting him to unimaginable torture in that brief moment.

The Death God seemed to sense that the strange power of the boy before it could harm it, and it did not hesitate to dissipate; it had no intention of risking its own existence for the sake of a single soul.

"How! The Dead Demon Consuming Seal has failed!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi knelt on one knee, looking at Uchiha Shisui in confusion, as if hoping to find the answer from him.

"Lord Third," Uchiha Shisui looked down at Hiruzen Sarutobi from above, a mocking smirk on his face. "A ninja should always gather intelligence before attempting to kill."

He shook his head slowly, his eyes full of playfulness.

"You thought you knew all my methods, but unfortunately, your arrogance has been your undoing."

With that, Uchiha Shisui raised his foot and, with irresistible force, stomped Hiruzen Sarutobi firmly into the ground.

"You... if you're going to kill me, then do it!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was pressed tightly into the muddy ground, rain and sludge filling his nose and mouth, making it difficult to breathe.

Yet he held on, gritting his teeth to squeeze out the words. Even as a prisoner, the dignity of the Third Hokage would not be trampled upon.

"No, I think I'll spare your life for now."

Uchiha Shisui said indifferently. He glanced down at the Third Hokage beneath his feet with a flicker of disdain, then turned abruptly, his figure quickly blurring into the rain.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished from the chaotic battlefield, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi lying alone in the mud, with nothing but the sound of the fading rain and his own heavy, ragged breathing.

"Lord Third! Quickly! Over here!"

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi's consciousness began to fade, an urgent shout pierced through the layers of rain and drilled straight into his ears.

In a ruined village within the Land of Rain, the sound of ninja tools clashing echoed faintly through the downpour, punctuated by occasional screams and roars.

Uchiha Shisui walked slowly down the road wearing a conical hat. His goal was to join the Akatsuki, an organization that was just beginning to show its edge in the Land of Rain.

"Who goes there?"

At that moment, two ninjas clad in black robes and wearing Amegakure headbands spotted Uchiha Shisui. They drew their Kunai and shouted sharply.

"Don't be nervous. I heard the Akatsuki is recruiting ninjas. I wonder if I might have a chance."

Uchiha Shisui tilted his hat upward, revealing his cold, stern face.

Seeing that the person before them intended to join, the man let out a sigh of relief and spoke slowly:

"Welcome, though you must still come with us to meet Lady Konan! Only once Lady Konan gives her approval will you truly be considered one of our own."

The other man also spoke up: "Our Akatsuki organization exists to build a world without war, a world of peace. Since you share our resolve, please come with us."

Uchiha Shisui nodded slightly. With a turn of his body, he stepped onto the muddy ground and followed behind the two Amegakure ninja.

The three of them sprinted through the curtain of rain. Though the droplets pelted their bodies and splashed into layers of spray, it did not hinder their speed in the slightest.

In less than half a day, they finally reached their destination. A hidden underground cavern appeared before them, its entrance cleverly concealed by lush vegetation and the falling rain.

The two ninja stopped first, turned back to confirm Uchiha Shisui's position, and then led him into the cavern.

Contrary to the dark and damp environment Uchiha Shisui had imagined, the interior had been perfectly renovated. The walls were bone-dry, and the warm yellow light cast throughout the cave made it feel quite cozy.

As Uchiha Shisui entered, the members inside all turned their gazes toward him, only lowering their guard once they saw he was not wearing a forehead protector.

"Follow me. Lady Konan and the leader are in the inner chamber."

Uchiha Shisui nodded and slowly followed the member leading the way.