The Return of the Blood Mist

Inside Amegakure's tower, the shadow of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path loomed over the assembled Akatsuki members. The Phantom Projection Technique from their rings cast the cold figure of Pain's Deva Path, whose Rinnegan swept across everyone present—Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, Kakuzu, Hidan, Deidara, Tobi, Konan, Zetsu, and the masked "Sake."

"The collection of the tailed beasts has reached a critical stage." Pain's voice was utterly even, yet carried unquestionable resolve. "Conventional methods are too inefficient. The major shinobi villages are already like startled birds. In that case, we will strike like thunder and shatter their defenses head-on."

Neji's brow creased slightly. A frontal assault on the Five Great Shinobi Villages? This went far beyond "capturing tailed beasts." It was practically a declaration of war. He quickly observed the others' reactions: Itachi remained impassive, as though he had expected this; Kisame bared his teeth in an eager, savage grin; calculation glinted in Kakuzu's eyes as he considered the costs; Hidan licked his lips, already impatient to begin; Deidara kneaded the clay in his hand, seemingly envisioning new "art"; Tobi flailed about, though no one knew what had excited him; Zetsu stood still as a plant, while Konan wore no expression.

"Three fronts. Simultaneous operations." Pain continued to announce the plan. "First front: Kirigakure. The target is the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Utakata. Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, 'Sake,' and Zetsu will carry it out. The Preta Path and Naraka Path will provide remote support. Itachi and 'Sake' will feint and create chaos. Kisame is familiar with Kirigakure's environment and will handle the capture. Zetsu will manage intelligence and support."

Neji's heart tightened. Kirigakure... the place known as the Blood Mist Village. Though the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, had implemented reforms after taking office, the lingering might of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist remained. This operation would mean facing Kirigakure's elite forces head-on.

"Second front: Iwagakure. The target is the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Han. Kakuzu, Hidan, Deidara, and Tobi will carry it out, with the Animal Path providing firepower support. Deidara was once an Iwagakure shinobi and knows the terrain and defenses. He will handle infiltration and guidance."

Deidara's eyes lit up. "Finally, I get to go back home and 'perform'! Yeah!"

"Third front: Kumogakure. The target is the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Yugito Nii. Capture the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer B, if the opportunity arises. I, the Deva Path, the Human Path, the Asura Path, and Konan will carry it out."

At those words, even the usually calm Itachi raised his eyes slightly. The leader was personally leading a team to seize Kumogakure's two tailed beasts. What confidence—or rather, arrogance.

Pain's Rinnegan gleamed. "To prevent intelligence leaks, depart immediately after the plan is announced. During the operation, no one is to act alone. Watch one another. Once the targets are captured, withdraw at once. Do not prolong the battle, and do not affect the plans that follow."

The plans that followed? Neji caught that phrase. What exactly was the "subsequent plan" Pain had mentioned? The Eye of the Moon? Or something else? But he had no time to think, because Pain had already issued his final command:

"Depart immediately. Let the Shinobi World know what true power is."

The Phantom Projection Technique faded, leaving only the patter of rain inside the tower. Neji exchanged glances with Itachi and Kisame, and the three silently headed for the exit. Zetsu's figure had already melded into the wall, departing ahead to scout Kirigakure.

"Newcomer, don't hold us back." Kisame carried Samehada over his shoulder and grinned. "The waters of Kirigakure run deeper than you think."

Neji's voice was calm. "I'll do my best."

Yet his mind raced. Three fronts were opening at once, which meant Konoha was safe for now. But after this storm sweeping through the Shinobi World, the entire balance of power would change. And he had to protect himself amid the chaos and continue advancing his own plans—less than five months remained until Orochimaru's next Living Corpse Reincarnation.

"Let's go." Itachi spoke briefly, his body already dispersing into a flock of crows.

Kisame laughed and followed. Neji gave Amegakure's gloomy skies one final look, activated the Body Flicker Technique, and vanished into the curtain of rain.

The storm had arrived.

Act One: The Blood Mist Returns

Land of Water, Kirigakure.

This shinobi village, shrouded in mist year-round, was covered in especially dense fog today. It was not natural; it was a sign that the defensive barrier had been fully activated. Ever since the Three-Tails vanished and the Six-Tails Jinchuriki Utakata had been pardoned and recalled, the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi had ordered the alert level raised to its highest state.

Inside the Mizukage's office, Mei stood by the window and looked out over the village blanketed in fog. She was a mature, beautiful woman, but sharpness and worry hid within her emerald eyes.

"Mizukage-sama, all defensive barriers have been activated. The sensory division is operating in twenty-four-hour shifts. The current members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—Chojuro and Ringo Ameyuri—are in position. The remaining Jonin have deployed according to the designated plan." The ANBU captain knelt on one knee as he reported.

"What about Utakata?"

"He is in a secret safehouse in the western part of the village. Two ANBU squads are protecting him at close range, and the barriers are three layers deep."

Mei nodded, but the unease in her heart did not fade. Akatsuki... that mysterious, dangerous organization. If they could capture the Three-Tails without a sound, their threat to Kirigakure was far from over.

"Tell everyone to remain vigilant. I have a feeling..." Before she could finish, a piercing alarm rang throughout the village!

"Enemy attack! The eastern barrier has been breached! Their number... four!"

Mei's pupils contracted. "So soon?!"

Act Two: Kisame's Homecoming

On the eastern side of Kirigakure, atop a seaside cliff.

Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, Neji, and Zetsu's clone stood before a breach in the barrier. Kisame had forcibly torn the barrier open through brute strength combined with Water Release—he knew Kirigakure's barrier system inside and out.

"Tch. After all these years, the defenses are still the same old routine." Kisame rested Samehada on his shoulder and looked at the faint outlines of village buildings in the dense fog, a complicated look flashing through his eyes. This had once been his home, and the place he had betrayed.

"According to plan, 'Sake' and I will create chaos and draw in the main force." Itachi spoke calmly. "Kisame, take Zetsu directly to the safehouse. The Preta Path and Naraka Path will support you from the perimeter."

Neji activated his Byakugan for two seconds. Within his three-hundred-and-sixty-degree vision, large numbers of chakra signatures were converging from every direction. Three were especially prominent—two sharp as blades, likely ninja sword wielders; the other immense and scorching, carrying the distinctive unrest of a tailed beast. It was Utakata, the Six-Tails.

"The enemy is here," he said tersely.

Before his words had even faded, dozens of Kirigakure shinobi rushed out of the thick fog. At their head were two figures wielding unusual blades.

"Akatsuki scum! How dare you invade Kirigakure!" A feminine shout rang out as lightning exploded. The newcomer was a girl with short purple hair, wielding the twin Lightning Blades: Kiba, wrapped in lightning—Ringo Ameyuri, the current wielder of the Lightning Blades: Kiba.

At her side stood a gloomy blue-haired boy carrying the enormous Hiramekarei—Chojuro, wielder of the twin blades Hiramekarei. He was introverted, but his strength could not be underestimated.

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist..." Kisame grinned. "Perfect. Let me see what the younger generation is made of!"

Ignoring the plan entirely, he swung Samehada and charged straight at them!

"Kisame!" Itachi's brow furrowed slightly, but he did not stop him. Plans could not keep up with changes. Kisame's "willfulness" might create even greater chaos.

Water Release: Great Shark Bullet! Kisame formed hand seals and spewed a gigantic water shark from his mouth, sending it lunging toward the Kirigakure formation.

Lightning Release: Lightning Fang! Ringo Ameyuri struck her twin blades together, and wild lightning transformed into the shape of a massive hound to meet the water shark.

Water and lightning collided, erupting into a sky full of mist and electricity. Chojuro moved at once, swinging Hiramekarei. Hiramekarei: Release! The blade instantly expanded several times over, slashing at Kisame's side with mountain-cleaving force.

Kisame neither dodged nor retreated. Samehada rose on its own to meet Hiramekarei in a direct clash!

Clang—!!!

The deafening impact scattered the surrounding mist. Chojuro was knocked back several steps, only to discover in horror that some of Hiramekarei's chakra had been absorbed by Samehada!

"Careful! His sword can devour chakra!" Chojuro shouted urgently.

But Kisame had already plunged into the crowd like a tiger among sheep. Wherever Samehada swept, ordinary Kirigakure shinobi fell wounded, their chakra drained before they collapsed helplessly. As a former Kirigakure shinobi himself, he knew their combat styles and coordinated tactics intimately. He could often predict their attacks and inflict maximum damage at minimal cost.

"Madman!" Ringo Ameyuri flew into a rage, lightning surging around her body. Lightning Release: Lightning Armor! She became a streak of lightning, her speed soaring as her twin blades attacked Kisame in a relentless storm.

Kisame only laughed wildly. "Too slow!" Samehada swept from an odd angle, striking precisely where Ameyuri's twin blades met. The lightning was forcibly absorbed and devoured by Samehada!

"What?!" As Ameyuri stared in shock, Kisame's foot had already slammed into her abdomen, sending her flying dozens of meters and crashing through a building.

"Ameyuri!" Chojuro hurried to rescue her.

At that moment, Itachi Uchiha, who had not moved until now, made his move.

He did not attack the Kirigakure shinobi directly. Instead, he formed hand seals with both hands and drew a deep breath. Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

But what he expelled was no ordinary flame. It was a special fire imbued with the qualities of Amaterasu's black flames! Though it lacked the power of true Amaterasu, it retained some of the black flames' traits—difficult to extinguish and continuously burning!

A black-and-crimson fireball over ten meters wide blasted into the most densely packed area of Kirigakure shinobi, instantly igniting buildings, trees, and even rocks! Cries of agony rose one after another as Kirigakure's formation fell into chaos.

"Now." Itachi spoke to Neji.

Neji understood. He pressed both hands to the ground. Earth Release: Rock-Stealing Rod! Dozens of sharp stone spikes erupted from the earth, not to kill, but to create obstacles and divide the battlefield. At the same time, he deliberately controlled their placement, leaving Kisame and Zetsu a route toward the west of the village.

"Zetsu, move!" Kisame swept aside the shinobi blocking his way with Samehada and sprinted toward the village's western side alongside Zetsu's clone.

Chojuro tried to stop them, but Neji blocked his path.

"Your opponent is me." Neji's tone was flat. He needed to buy Kisame time without exposing too much of his strength—he could only use Earth Release, Water Release, and Petrifying Touch. He absolutely could not use Gentle Fist, Wood Release, or Sage Arts.

"Get out of my way!" Chojuro roared, swinging Hiramekarei with all his strength.

Neji did not take the blow head-on. His figure evaded like a ghost as he formed hand seals. Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld! The ground beneath Chojuro instantly turned into a mire, impeding his movements.

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet! Several Kirigakure Jonin supported from the flank, and three water dragons lunged toward Neji.

Neji's Byakugan had already seen through their trajectories. He brought his hands together before his chest. Earth Release: Rock Flow Fortress Wall! A circular stone wall rose from the ground and blocked the water dragons. The instant they struck the wall, his ten fingers flicked repeatedly, channeling Petrifying Touch chakra through the water currents and petrifying parts of the dragons' surfaces, freezing them solid!

"What kind of technique is that?!" the Kirigakure shinobi cried in alarm.

Just then, a scorching, immense chakra erupted from the west side of the village!

Utakata, the Six-Tails, had joined the battle.

Act Three: Battle of the Tailed Beast

The safehouse in the western part of the village had already become ruins.

When Kisame and Zetsu's clone arrived, the two ANBU squads assigned to protect Utakata had been wiped out—not by them, but by Utakata's own rampage.

When Kisame tore through the final barrier, he found Utakata in Half-Tailed-Beast Transformation. His upper body was covered in a dark crimson tailed-beast chakra cloak, while two tails made of bubbles swayed behind him. Pain and fury intertwined in his eyes.

"Akatsuki... it's you again!" Utakata's voice carried a double tone, the consciousness of Saiken, the Six-Tails, influencing him.

"My apologies, Utakata-senpai." Kisame grinned, and Samehada trembled eagerly. "I'll be taking your chakra."

Bubble Release: Bubble Wave! Utakata opened his mouth and spewed out countless colorful bubbles. They appeared beautiful, but contained corrosive chakra and exploded on contact.

Kisame neither dodged nor retreated. Samehada lunged straight into the mass of bubbles. To everyone's surprise, it absorbed and devoured most of the explosive force and corrosive energy from the bubbles!

"Just as I thought, tailed-beast chakra is the finest food!" Kisame laughed madly and charged forward. Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique!

Five water sharks leaped from the pooled water on the ground and tore toward Utakata. His tails swept out, bubbles gathering into a shield that blocked the sharks, but Kisame was already close. Samehada smashed down with a howling gust!

Utakata crossed his arms to block. The tailed-beast cloak collided with Samehada with a dull boom. The ground beneath his feet cracked and sank, revealing Kisame's terrifying strength.

Even more deadly, Samehada began frantically absorbing tailed-beast chakra the instant it made contact! Utakata could clearly feel his strength draining away.

"Get away from me!" Utakata roared. The Full Tailed-Beast Transformation process accelerated, and a third and fourth tail began to emerge as his chakra grew even more violent.

But Kisame was vastly experienced. He understood the danger of Full Tailed-Beast Transformation and had to subdue Utakata before he completely lost control.

Water Release: Great Exploding Water Shockwave! Kisame abandoned absorption and shifted to full suppression. An enormous volume of water burst from his mouth, instantly turning the hundred meters around them into a lake! Utakata was swept up by the rushing water, his movements hindered.

"Zetsu!" Kisame shouted.

Zetsu's clone emerged from the shadows and pressed both hands to the water's surface. Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence! Countless trees grew wildly from the water, coiling around Utakata. This was not an attack, but restraint—Wood Release had a degree of suppressive power over tailed beasts, especially in restricting chakra flow.

Utakata struggled. Bubbles, corrosive liquid, and the unfinished form of a Tailed Beast Bomb repeatedly blasted apart countless trees, but more trees wrapped around him. Kisame took the chance to launch consecutive Water Release attacks, exhausting Utakata's chakra and stamina.

The essence of this battle was attrition. Kisame's chakra reserves already rivaled those of a tailed beast, and with Samehada's aid, he forcibly suppressed the Half-Tailed-Beast Transformation Six-Tails Jinchuriki.

"That should do it." Kisame spotted an opening and Samehada suddenly lengthened, the spikes along its blade plunging deep into Utakata's abdomen—not a fatal wound, but a direct strike into his chakra core!

"Arghhh—!" Utakata screamed. His tailed-beast cloak surged violently, then began flowing back into his body out of control. Samehada was crazily extracting his chakra, even disrupting the balance between the Jinchuriki and tailed beast.

Zetsu's clone promptly added a sealing formula, temporarily sealing Utakata's chakra flow.

In less than ten minutes, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki had been successfully captured.

Act Four: The Terror of the Preta Path and Naraka Path

On the main battlefield in the east, the battle had entered its fiercest stage.

Itachi Uchiha and Neji faced Kirigakure's entire main force. Besides Chojuro and Ringo Ameyuri, who had rejoined the battle, over a hundred Kirigakure Chunin and Jonin had arrived in succession, along with the Fifth Mizukage herself—Mei Terumi.

"Akatsuki... you really came." Mei stood atop a water dragon, looking down over the battlefield. She saw the chaos to the east, the tailed-beast chakra erupting in the west, and the two troublesome enemies before her.

Itachi's Sharingan swept across the battlefield as he calmly assessed the situation. "The Mizukage herself, two ninja sword wielders, twenty-seven Jonin, and over a hundred Chunin. 'Sake,' prepare to withdraw."

"Understood." Neji nodded. He had consumed a considerable amount of chakra, but it remained within manageable limits. The key was that the Preta Path and Naraka Path should be appearing soon.

Mei wasted no words, immediately forming hand seals. Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique! She spewed a sticky, intensely corrosive acid that covered half the battlefield!

Ordinary Water Release and Earth Release could not defend against this technique. Anything it touched would melt. Itachi immediately retreated, while Neji poured all his strength into Earth Release, raising three thickened stone walls before him.

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle— The stone walls were rapidly corroded, but they bought precious time.

Lightning Release: Lightning Shockwave! Ringo Ameyuri coordinated with the Mizukage, releasing a wide lightning net from her twin blades to seal off their avenues of escape.

Water Release: Water Formation Pillar! With a swing of Hiramekarei, Chojuro sent a massive water column soaring into the sky before it crashed down like a waterfall.

The triple assault nearly sealed every path of retreat.

At that critical moment, two figures abruptly appeared at the edge of the battlefield.

One was fat and wore a vacant expression; the other had a stern face and two horns growing from his head. They were the Preta Path and Naraka Path among Pain's Six Paths!

"What... are those?" Mei's pupils shrank sharply. She had never seen enemies like them.

The Preta Path slowly raised both hands toward the ninjutsu raining down from above.

The next instant, a sight that every Kirigakure shinobi would remember for the rest of their lives unfolded:

The Lava Release acid, lightning net, massive water pillar... every technique rapidly shrank and vanished as it neared the Preta Path, as if swallowed by an invisible black hole! They were not defended against or neutralized—they were completely "absorbed"!

"How is that possible?!" Mei blurted out. Her Lava Release, Ringo Ameyuri's Lightning Release, Chojuro's Water Release—A-rank and even S-rank techniques—had been so effortlessly dispelled?

The Naraka Path, meanwhile, approached the severely wounded yet living Kirigakure shinobi who had been set aflame by Itachi's black fireball. He pressed one hand against a shinobi's forehead, and something horrifying happened—the shinobi let out a miserable scream as his soul was forcibly pulled from his body and drawn into the Naraka Path's hand!

The Naraka Path's other hand summoned a phantom of the King of Hell's head, and the extracted soul was fed into the King of Hell's mouth.

"What is he doing?" Neji watched with a chill in his heart. Was this the power of the Rinnegan? How bizarre and terrifying!

The Preta Path continued forward. Everywhere he passed, the Kirigakure shinobi's ninjutsu became useless. Fire Release, Water Release, Lightning Release, Wind Release... regardless of attribute or power, everything vanished into the Preta Path like mud sinking into the sea.

"Focus your attacks on that fat one!" Mei was a Kage Level powerhouse, and she swiftly identified the key point.

Dozens of Kirigakure shinobi formed hand seals at the same time, unleashing a downpour of different techniques toward the Preta Path. But the result was the same—they were all absorbed! The Preta Path's aura even continued growing stronger as he absorbed the techniques!

"Physical attacks! Use taijutsu and ninja tools!" Chojuro shouted.

Ringo Ameyuri became a streak of lightning and charged forward, her twin blades stabbing straight toward the Preta Path's throat. Yet the Preta Path merely reached out and caught the lightning-wreathed Lightning Blades: Kiba with his bare hand! The lightning was absorbed into his palm, and the twin blades could not advance another inch.

"What?!" As Ameyuri stared in shock, the Preta Path's other hand was already striking toward her chest.

"Ameyuri, watch out!" Chojuro swept Hiramekarei across, forcing the Preta Path back.

But the Naraka Path was just as threatening. He continuously extracted souls and healed his companions, preventing Kirigakure's casualties from mounting while wounded enemies rose to rejoin the battle. As one side waned and the other grew, Kirigakure's morale began to falter.

"So this is... Akatsuki's true strength?" Mei gritted her teeth. She finally understood why the Three-Tails had vanished without a trace, and why the major shinobi villages feared Akatsuki so deeply.

"Mizukage-sama! The chakra signature in the west... has disappeared!" a sensory shinobi reported in terror.

Mei's heart sank. Utakata... had been captured.

"Withdraw." Itachi's voice reached Neji's ears.

Neji nodded and formed hand seals with both hands. Earth Release: Rock Lodging Collapse! He poured out his chakra, causing a wide section of the battlefield's center to cave in and create chaos.

The Preta Path and Naraka Path began withdrawing. Their mission had been completed—to create sufficient chaos and support Kisame's capture. It was time to leave.

"You think you can escape?!" Mei was furious. Boil Release: Skillful Mist Technique! She exhaled a high-temperature acidic mist, this time across a wider area and at greater speed, trying to engulf their entire escape route.

But the Preta Path turned around, spread his hands, and absorbed the Boil Release completely once more!

Taking that opportunity, Itachi unleashed a genjutsu. Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique! Several pursuing Jonin stiffened as they fell into a brief illusion.

Neji, meanwhile, used Petrifying Touch to solidify the ground and create obstacles. The two of them coordinated with the Preta Path and Naraka Path, swiftly breaking away from the battlefield and vanishing into the dense fog.

Mei wanted to pursue them, but looking at the devastated village, her wounded and fallen subordinates, and the now-calm chakra signature to the west, she finally stopped with gritted teeth.

"Treat the wounded. Count the losses... and strengthen the village-wide alert." She issued the order wearily, her eyes filled with unwillingness and fury.

Kirigakure had lost. The Six-Tails Jinchuriki Utakata had been forcibly taken by Akatsuki despite layers upon layers of protection.

The news spread like a storm, shaking the Shinobi World.