On the Brink of Eruption

"Fine. Since you're also a member of the Uchiha Clan, I'll make an exception and tell you. I chose to obey Konoha's higher-ups. I love Konoha; this is the place where I was born and raised. But who in the clan ever cared about me? They all treated me like a weapon! So what if I'm a genius? I'm still..." Itachi said bitterly.

"Oh, so it looks like you intend to destroy the Uchiha Clan." Jin muttered to himself in disappointment.

"If a new Uchiha Clan is to be built, the old one must perish," Itachi said firmly.

"Stop lying to yourself. I know you were forced into this! Akatsuki isn't frightening, and Konoha's higher-ups are just paper tigers. When Akatsuki attacks, adapt to the situation. Don't worry, I've got everything covered! I won't let the Uchiha Clan fall!" Jin vanished again, but he did not leave. He stayed to watch Itachi's reaction.

"Can Akatsuki's attack really be stopped? Konoha's higher-ups also want to destroy the Uchiha Clan! Should I fight to the death for the Uchiha Clan, or preserve a trace of its bloodline?" he said to the sky. Suddenly, powerful resolve burst from his eyes. "I'll definitely find a way to have it both ways!"

Jin smiled. He knew his words had worked, though he still could not guess what solution Itachi had in mind.

"It's raining! What a nuisance. I hate this weather. Looks like tonight's operation will have to be postponed!" Konan had just woken from an afternoon nap and discovered that it was raining outside. For Konan, who loved paper folding and cherished her creations dearly, this was utterly detestable. Then she smiled. "Now I have another excuse to spend one more day having fun in Konoha! It won't be too late to carry out the mission tomorrow. We have plenty of time anyway."

Jin did not know that all the preparations he had made while braving the rain had been rendered pointless by a single sentence from Konan. Still, that extra night gave all the major clans time to make their choices.

Jin returned to his room, changed clothes, and sat quietly. While restoring his chakra, he considered how to deal with every possible change. But he never imagined that Konan had postponed the plan.

"Jin, let's go eat barbecue." Itachi appeared outside Jin's door.

"What? Didn't you say we'd eat tomorrow?" Jin looked at Itachi in confusion. Is he trying to lure me out of the village so I can hide?

"Because you behaved well and stayed inside all day, I want to reward you. So? Are you going or not?" Itachi asked enticingly.

"It's raining outside." Jin truly did not want to go out at a time like this. If Akatsuki showed up now, it would be troublesome.

"Yeah, it's raining. I don't even know how to thank this rain," Itachi said absentmindedly as he gazed at the downpour outside.

Jin looked at Itachi, utterly unable to understand what he was thinking. He was impossible to read. "Let's go tomorrow instead!"

"Fine. But you have to behave tomorrow too! You won't be denied barbecue," Itachi said after calming himself.

Only then did Jin understand why Itachi had come. He also vaguely guessed that the clan massacre would take place tomorrow night. That meant he still had one night and one day left. Jin nodded and looked at Itachi. "Don't worry. I've got everything covered!"

Itachi shuddered all over and studied Jin carefully. In the end, he shook his head and left through the pouring rain. Jin's heart pounded wildly. Why does he keep looking at me? And with that same strange look. Itachi isn't cracking under the pressure, is he?

The night passed without incident. Jin's clone stood in the rain all night.

Time passed quickly. By the following dusk, Konoha's streets and alleys had been washed countless times by the rain, yet it continued to fall, growing heavier and heavier.

The time came to midnight.

Jin paced back and forth in his room, anxiously waiting.

"Boom! Crack!" A bolt of lightning tore across the sky, followed by a clap of thunder.

What the hell is going on? Why hasn't it started yet? I've been waiting so long the flowers have withered! Jin roared inwardly.

The rain had turned into a torrential downpour and was becoming even more violent. Outside the window, all he could see were countless streams of water striking the ground, raising sheets of mist as visibility dropped lower and lower. Jin glanced at the raging storm outside and smiled helplessly. "Looks like Akatsuki's attack will be delayed again."

"Damn this rainstorm! It's infuriating!" Konan said angrily.

"What's the big deal? We can wait a little longer. I have a feeling Konoha is acting strangely right now," Deva Pain said.

The Third Naruto smoked as he watched the rain outside, then asked the person behind him, "Have you found Akatsuki's whereabouts?"

"Not yet. We're still investigating."

This rain is making me so restless! Hurry up and stop already! This fatal blow really isn't easy to strike, the Third Naruto thought silently.

The rain annoyed many people, but it had no such awareness. It continued falling on its own, though it gradually began to weaken.

"Damn it, this rain nearly flooded Konoha. It's finally gotten lighter. I was going stir-crazy! Whoever said, 'Let the storm come even fiercer,' better think of me before saying that again," Jin grumbled bitterly, venting his resentment toward the rain.

"The rain has finally stopped! Are Konoha's higher-ups joining the battle?" Deva Pain asked.

"It rained the entire time, so I never got in touch with them. I don't think they'll object," Konan said happily.

"Confirm it quickly! I don't want anything going wrong with the plan."

"I have good news! Konoha's higher-ups agreed, but it seems something happened on their end."

"We'll handle it ourselves. Others can't be relied on! Begin the operation!"

The Third Naruto's crystal ball closely monitored the Uchiha Clan compound. "Has it begun?"

"Itachi Uchiha, have you thought this through?"

Two figures appeared in the courtyard of the Uchiha Clan head's residence.

"Itachi, have you thought this through?" A loud shout startled everyone in the Uchiha Clan.

The ninjas all flashed into view. Uchiha Fuchiu stood in the center, with Itachi to his left.

"You're Akatsuki members, aren't you? What do you want with Itachi?" Uchiha Fuchiu was horrified to discover that the two people before him possessed an overwhelming presence, at least comparable to the Third Naruto.

"Our organization has come specifically to invite Itachi to join us!" Konan said with a smile. "Since polite invitations failed last time, we have no choice but to use force this time!"

"I can join you, but you must spare my family!" Itachi stated his condition.

"We can spare your family. However, our organization only accepts rogue ninjas, and rogue ninjas who have killed people from their own village. What a pity! Last time was such a perfect opportunity!" Deva Pain smiled eerily. No one knew what he intended to do.

"Then allow me to experience your techniques!" Uchiha Fuchiu said to Pain after glancing at Itachi. Pain also prepared himself for battle.

Konan stepped forward and said to the two of them, "Don't fight yet! I..."

At that moment, a very discordant voice rang out.