Akatsuki's Ambitions

Otogakure Underground Base, Orochimaru's Laboratory.

Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils swept over the secret scroll. When he reached the final request concerning Kekkei Tōta, a faint, ambiguous smile appeared on his pale face, and he gently shook his head.

"Kekkei Tōta... Heh heh, that little brat from the Hyuga Clan certainly has quite an appetite." He murmured, his hoarse voice echoing through the empty laboratory. "Dust Release... Ōnoki of Both Scales treats that old codger's ultimate technique as dearly as his life. Even I only know of its existence and some of its principles. The specific training method is likely known only to him and a very small number of Iwagakure's core members. It is a power of 'elimination' born from combining earth, wind, and fire nature transformations until they undergo a qualitative change. How could it be obtained so easily?"

He paced over to the cultivation tanks, where all manner of test subjects floated. "But... Kekkei Genkai..." He recalled the perfect compatibility of Hashirama Cells within Neji's body, his chakra's ongoing transformation into all five natures, and those Byakugan eyes of his, brimming with potential yet trapped at a bottleneck. This truly was an unprecedented "sample" of immense research value. His ambitions also required this "sample" to reach greater heights, so it could provide even more precious data and perhaps... become one of the candidates for a more perfect "vessel." Though Sasuke remained his first choice for now.

"Kabuto," Orochimaru called.

Kabuto Yakushi appeared soundlessly from the shadows and pushed up his glasses. "Lord Orochimaru."

"Make a copy of the materials in the 'B-37' database. Focus on theoretical speculations regarding the formation principles of non-dōjutsu Kekkei Genkai such as Storm Release, Boil Release, and Magnet Release, along with several incomplete ninjutsu scrolls and some of my experimental notes. Oh, and include that observation record on 'Crystal Release.'" Orochimaru listed the items. "As for Dust Release... give him all the analysis reports I have collected on the Third Tsuchikage's battles, as well as a summary of the theoretical difficulties of fusing three nature transformations. Let him understand that Kekkei Tōta is not something one can pile up through research materials."

Kabuto bowed slightly. "Understood. But Lord Orochimaru, giving him all this... won't it increase the risk of him slipping beyond our control?"

"Risks and benefits coexist, Kabuto." Orochimaru licked his lips, calculation gleaming in his eyes. "The Caged Bird is still there, and his core desire has not changed. Giving him a little sweetness and a loftier goal will only make him more dependent on the knowledge and resources I provide. Besides... I am quite curious which door this special 'vessel' might open for himself once he has these 'keys.' When he completely finishes his chakra nature transformation and attempts to reach for a higher level of power... it will surely produce very interesting data. As for the supply of drugs... never mind. I have my own plans."

"I understand." Kabuto turned and went to make the preparations.

Amegakure and various other places, over the following half year.

Just as Neji's intelligence had stated, Akatsuki's Tailed Beast capture plan had not stalled after being thwarted over the Two-Tails, but it could hardly be called smooth sailing either.

Act One: An Artistic Explosion on the Lake—The Capture Battle for Isobu, the Three-Tails (Wild)

The location was a vast, desolate inland lake at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water. Its waters were unfathomably deep, and rumor had it that the Three-Tails lurked beneath them.

Deidara was responsible for this mission, along with his new partner—the newcomer who wore a Spiral Mask, called himself "Tobi," and behaved in an utterly outlandish manner. Neji, under the name Sake, and Zetsu were tasked with standing guard around the perimeter, clearing out any unwanted intruders that might appear, including border shinobi from the two countries, and serving as backup.

Neji and Zetsu lay concealed within the lofty canopy of trees several miles from the lake. Between the Byakugan's long-distance vision and Zetsu's scouting spores, they had a complete view of the battlefield.

"Senpai! Senpai! Is that big turtle really down there? Hmm!" Tobi shouted by the lakeshore as he hopped circles around Deidara's clay giant bird.

"Shut up, Tobi! Get your 'specialty' ready and don't hold me back! Hmm!" Deidara stood atop the bird's back, continuously kneading explosive clay with both hands. His burning gaze was fixed upon the placid lake, like an artist facing an uncarved piece of jade.

"Roger! Tobi will do his best! Muda muda!" Tobi struck a thoroughly unimposing pose.

Neji frowned beneath his mask and quietly asked Zetsu beside him through chakra transmission, "Senior Zetsu, why did the leader send an intern with such a... 'unique style' on such an important mission? His compatibility with Senior Deidara seems..." He truly could not understand the point of pairing a living joke with such a dangerous mission as capturing a Tailed Beast.

Zetsu's aloe-like head swayed slightly, his voice carrying its usual eerie tone. "Tobi is a newcomer. He needs experience. Besides, his abilities... may have something special about them. The leader's arrangements always have a reason. Watch closely. Deidara is about to begin."

Deidara stopped hesitating and tossed several clay birds into the lake. The instant they entered the water, the birds dissolved, but the chakra contained within them spread outward like ripples, penetrating deep into the lakebed.

"Art is an explosion! Katsu!"

"Boom! Boom boom boom—!!!"

The lake surface did not explode immediately, but muffled thunder erupted from its depths. The entire lake began to shake violently, as though a volcano had erupted underwater! Enormous waves surged skyward, and columns of water shot dozens of meters into the air!

"Roar—!!!"

A roar filled with ancient fury and pain rose from the lakebed. The water churned as if boiling, and a monstrous beast as large as a hill burst from the water, covered in a heavy shell and bearing three steel-like tails—Isobu, the Three-Tails! Its crimson eyes locked onto the white giant bird in the sky and the two small figures atop it, while dense Water Release chakra began gathering in its mouth.

"Here it comes! True material for art! Hmm!" Rather than being alarmed, Deidara was delighted. He controlled the giant bird to deftly dodge the high-pressure water cannon fired by the Three-Tails. The blast missed and carved deep trenches through a distant stretch of woodland.

"C2: Giant Dragon!" Deidara threw out a huge amount of clay, which instantly gathered into a clay dragon comparable in size to the Three-Tails and roared as it charged toward Isobu. The dragon did not ram it head-on. Instead, it spat out countless tiny explosives at close range—clay spiders, grasshoppers, and more—that clung to the Three-Tails' shell, tails, and even tried to crawl into its eyes, ears, mouth, and nose like a swarm of bees.

"Boom boom boom boom—!"

A continuous barrage of explosions blossomed across the Three-Tails' body. Flames and smoke instantly swallowed its massive form. Its shell cracked, fluid—a mixture resembling chakra and bodily fluids—splattered everywhere, and Isobu let out a painful roar. Its three massive tails thrashed wildly, smashing the lake surface and kicking up tsunami-like waves, while it condensed more and denser Water Release attacks in an attempt to shoot down that irritating bird and the explosive dragon.

Deidara weaved through the sky like a premier ballet dancer, evading deadly strikes again and again by the narrowest margins. His hands scarcely paused as fresh clay bombs constantly took shape and rained down: C1's fast-exploding little birds disrupted Isobu's vision, the C2 Giant Dragon kept up the pressure, and C3: No. 18 Doll was occasionally deployed to inflict terrifying large-scale destruction, pulverizing the rocks along the shore.

The entire lake region became a hell of explosions and water. Firelight dyed the sky red, while mist mixed with smoke to form thick clouds. Shockwaves continuously spread outward, and even Neji, watching from afar, could feel the earth trembling beneath his feet and scorching gusts striking his face. Deidara had brought the destructive power of explosions and aerial mobility to their utmost limits, forcefully suppressing this Tailed Beast renowned for its defense and strength through endless "artistic" bombardment.

And what was Tobi doing? Most of the time, he clung tightly to Deidara's clay giant bird, occasionally getting flung around while shouting in panic. Only when Deidara ordered him to "use Wood Release" did he hurriedly form hand seals and coax a few crooked, frail-looking wooden branches from the lake surface or shore, trying to bind the Three-Tails. They were usually snapped apart by a sweep of its giant tail or caught in the explosions almost immediately. His performance was that of a completely incompetent intern, almost as if he had come sightseeing.

"This Tobi..." Neji was speechless. "Other than that barely passable Wood Release—which is honestly an insult to the First Hokage—he's completely dead weight. What is the leader thinking?" He muttered quietly, but inwardly he thought, Obito really knew how to put on a show.

The battle lasted nearly an hour. Though Isobu had thick hide, a sturdy shell, and enormous chakra reserves, it ultimately could not endure Deidara's high-mobility, sustained heavy-firepower "bombing art." Its movements grew increasingly sluggish, its shell was badly damaged, and the speed at which it gathered chakra had fallen drastically.

"Final strike! C4: Garuda!" Deidara finally unleashed his killing move. A clay doll the same size as himself was thrown into the air, rapidly expanded, and then... silently shattered into countless nanoscale clay spiders invisible to the naked eye, drifting toward the battered Three-Tails like dust.

Isobu instinctively sensed the deadly threat and tried to dive into deep water, but it was too late. Garuda's nano-bombs entered its body through its wounds with every breath.

A fanatical smile curled across Deidara's lips as he linked his thumb and forefinger. "Art is... Patrick Star! Katsu!"

There was no earth-shattering explosion, but Isobu's enormous body suddenly stiffened. An eerie light shone from within it, and then its incomparably resilient flesh seemed to collapse from the inside. Countless minute explosions occurred in every corner of its body, thoroughly destroying its vitality and ability to resist from the inside out. Its massive body crashed onto the shattered lakeshore, raising smoke and mist into the sky. At last, it stopped moving, leaving only a faint chakra signature as it awaited sealing.

Deidara slowly descended and looked over his "masterpiece," nodding in satisfaction. "Hmm! Now this is perfect explosive art!"

Tobi jumped down from the bird's back, ran over to the Three-Tails, and curiously poked it. "Wow! It really isn't moving! Senpai is amazing! Hmm!... But the insides seem like a total mess. What a waste of that shell. Can we sell it for money?"

From afar, Neji withdrew his gaze and said to Zetsu, "It's over. Senior Deidara's Explosion Release truly has remarkable effects against targets this large and not especially fast. It's just..." He glanced at Tobi, who was still yelling and making a fuss beside the Three-Tails' corpse.

"It's just that Tobi's performance confuses you?" Zetsu's voice betrayed no emotion. "Everyone has their own 'value' and 'place.' Let's go. It's time for us to clean up the traces and prepare to receive them at the sealing site." He sank into the ground first.

Neji gave the devastated lake and the enormous Three-Tails corpse one last look, taking in the violent residual chakra and smell of gunpowder in the air before turning away. Deidara's art was the splendor of destruction. Tobi's performance, meanwhile, reminded him that Obito Uchiha could use Wood Release as well. Geniuses truly did not need to explain themselves. Still, Obito's childish act deserved a twelve out of ten, plus two bonus points. If Neji had not known Tobi was Obito Uchiha, he would absolutely have been fooled.

Act Two: A Duel of Lava and Raging Tides—The Capture Battle for Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki

Compared to the "air-to-ground" bombardment at the Three-Tails battlefield, the Four-Tails capture battle was an entirely different sight—closer to a traditional shinobi duel, yet far more intense.

Target: Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki and Iwagakure rogue ninja. The location was a barren volcanic region on the border of the Land of Earth, where Roshi trained year-round in the company of lava.

Operatives: Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki.

Neji did not personally attend this time. Instead, he watched through chakra footage shared by Zetsu, transmitted by special spores attached to distant rocks. Even so, the intensity of the battle left him holding his breath.

In the footage, Roshi was a powerfully built middle-aged man with a resolute expression, his entire body radiating searing heat. Faced with the sudden appearance of Itachi and Kisame, he did not panic. Instead, his fighting spirit surged. "Akatsuki insects, and you dare disturb this old man's cultivation?"

The battle became intense almost instantly. Roshi attacked first, forming hand seals with both hands. "Lava Release: Granite!" What spewed from his mouth was not flame, but a scalding molten mixture that flowed like magma before rapidly hardening into solid rock. It crashed toward the pair from all directions over an enormous range, and after hitting the ground, it formed persistent burning zones.

Kisame bared a mouthful of sharp teeth in a savage grin and slammed Samehada heavily into the ground. "Water Release: Great Exploding Water Shockwave!" Astonishing chakra erupted as a vast volume of water surged from his mouth. It was no ordinary current, but raging waves infused with his unique chakra—dense and overwhelmingly forceful—as they met the torrent of lava head-on!

"Ssshhh—!!!"

Water and fire collided, producing white steam that covered the sky and earth. Explosive shockwaves swept through the area, cracking even the hard volcanic rock. Lava and water clashed fiercely and annihilated one another, their noise resembling a thousand boilers boiling at once.

Roshi's expression shifted slightly. He had clearly not expected his opponent's Water Release to be so formidable, or his chakra reserves so terrifying. He immediately changed tactics. Dark-red Tailed Beast chakra surged around him as he entered Half-Tailed-Beast Transformation, his speed and strength soaring while his abilities were enhanced. "Lava Release: Scorching River Rock!" One lava sphere after another, like miniature volcanic bombs, shot from his hands in rapid succession, traveling at extreme speed along tricky trajectories.

At that moment, Itachi Uchiha, who had been standing quietly to one side, moved. His Sharingan instantly transformed into a Mangekyo Sharingan pattern, his cold gaze locking onto Roshi.

"Tsukuyomi."

There was no earth-shattering sound, but Roshi's body suddenly froze as he moved at high speed and prepared to launch another attack. The chakra of his Half-Tailed-Beast Transformation wavered slightly. Though the Four-Tails' interference and his own powerful will prevented Tsukuyomi from fully controlling him, that instant of mental impact and agonizing pain was enough to slow his movements and interrupt his assault.

How could Kisame let such an opportunity pass? Roaring, he charged into the lingering steam, swinging Samehada and raising sharp water blades. "Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique!" Several sharks formed from water shot forward with shrill cries, lunging at Roshi while Kisame himself closed in. Samehada trembled excitedly, craving chakra.

Roshi roared and forcibly suppressed his mental discomfort. His Half-Tailed-Beast-transformed arm became covered in an even thicker suit of lava armor, and he smashed a Water Shark Bullet apart with one punch before colliding viciously with Kisame's Samehada!

"Clang!!!"

A deafening metallic crash rang out. With the Tailed Beast's power supporting him, Roshi's strength was astonishing. But Kisame's strength was equally terrifying, and more importantly, the instant Samehada made contact, it began crazily absorbing Roshi's chakra—especially that scorching Tailed Beast chakra!

"What?!" Roshi felt his chakra rapidly draining away, and horror surged through his heart as he tried to pull back.

But Kisame's combat experience was incredibly rich, and close-quarters grappling was precisely his specialty. While using Samehada to cling stubbornly to Roshi, absorb his chakra, and weaken both his power and Lava Release, he quickly formed seals with his free left hand. "Water Release: Five Feeding Sharks!" Five more solid and ferocious water sharks leaped from the water beneath their feet—the remnant of the earlier Great Exploding Water Shockwave—and bit at Roshi from different angles.

Roshi struggled to keep up, and casting Lava Release became increasingly difficult. Itachi prowled around the outskirts, his Sharingan constantly tracking the battle. Every so often, he would interfere with a Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson or shuriken techniques, forcing Roshi to divide his attention. Whenever Roshi attempted a complete Tailed Beast transformation, Itachi used Amaterasu's black flames to threaten and halt him.

This battle became a war of chakra consumption and crushing elemental suppression. Roshi's Lava Release was certainly powerful, but it was heavily restrained by Kisame's seemingly endless, exceptionally high-quality Water Release. Combined with Itachi's precise, deadly genjutsu and dōjutsu pressure, as well as Samehada's absurd chakra-absorbing ability, Roshi's defeat had been inevitable from the start.

The battle lasted half an hour. The volcanic region was a complete mess, littered with puddles, cooled lava, shattered rocks, and steaming mist. Roshi eventually exhausted his chakra, his Half-Tailed-Beast Transformation dissipating as he fell to one knee, covered in wounds. Kisame held Samehada to his throat.

"Not bad chakra. It has quite a spicy taste." Kisame licked his lips, seemingly savoring the Tailed Beast chakra he had absorbed.

Itachi slowly walked over, his eyes calm and unruffled. "Seal him."

As the footage shared by Zetsu finally froze on the image of Roshi being subdued, Neji remained silent for a long time. Kisame's ocean-like, unfathomable chakra reserves, his masterful use of Water Release, and his incomparably fierce close-combat style had left a profoundly deep impression on him.

So this was the "Tailed Beast Without a Tail"... Even with the reserves accumulated by the Yin Seal and the explosive power of the Strength of a Hundred, compared to him in terms of total chakra and sustained output, I am likely still nothing more than a stream before a river and sea. His understanding of absolute power was once again overturned. The waters of the Shinobi World ran deeper than he had imagined. And Akatsuki had more than one monster like Kisame.

These were the only results achieved over the past half year. As for Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki of Iwagakure, and Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki of Kirigakure, as intelligence had indicated, both were placed under strict protection by their villages. Under Ōnoki's leadership, Iwagakure had hidden Han extremely well and laid down layers of traps and barriers. Under the firm rule of the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, Kirigakure had not only pardoned Utakata but also brought him into its core protection circle. After the Three-Tails' disappearance, its defenses had been strengthened to an unprecedented degree. Akatsuki's scouts, mainly Zetsu's clones, reported that it would be difficult to find a reliable opening in the short term.

Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki of Takigakure: Takigakure's leader had enough self-awareness to know his village could not protect a Jinchuriki. He unexpectedly came up with the idea of "studying abroad," secretly sending Fū to Konoha under the pretense of academic exchange, while truly seeking asylum. After weighing all considerations, Tsunade agreed to the request. Fū was settled within the village, with ANBU and the Jonin corps jointly responsible for her safety during her "studies."

Time passed. Only five months remained until the next Living Corpse Reincarnation date set by Orochimaru. During that period, Neji completed the transformation of his non-elemental chakra into all five chakra natures. He also secretly practiced Kekkei Genkai and researched Kekkei Tōta, while training in the Eight Gates as well. He could now open the fifth gate, the Gate of Limit. The main issue was that he was often away and unable to train conveniently. With his talent, he should have been able to open the sixth gate, the Gate of View, by now. He still could not afford to slack off.

The atmosphere at Akatsuki's base grew increasingly heavy. More and more eyes on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had lit up, yet subsequent capture missions met with repeated setbacks. Pain's patience was wearing thin, and the orders he issued became ever more concise and cold.

After compiling all recent intelligence, Zetsu reported to Pain, "Leader, the situation is not optimistic. The major shinobi villages have all heightened their vigilance. The Jinchuriki are either heavily protected or their whereabouts are unknown—referring to the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails. Conventional infiltration and luring strategies will take much longer and involve more variables."

Pain's Rinnegan glimmered coldly in the shadows. "The collection of the Tailed Beasts concerns the Eye of the Moon Plan. There can be no failure. Since hunting in the shadows is inefficient... then we will shift to direct assault in the open."