Kirigakure's Collapse

"The Taketori Family will rebel, and then they'll point out that the Genji is being controlled..."

"But the Taketori Family has gone mad; they will attack indiscriminately..."

"Therefore, no one will believe what a mad family says..."

"Then, even if the Terumi Family and the Hōzuki Clan come up with some kind of 'truth' explanation, it will be very difficult to gain people's trust..."

"Moreover, these powerful families are shrewd people. Once Zabuza over, no one will care about Genji anymore..."

"They will even try their best to cover up such scandals..."

In Kirigakure, under the almost insane and oppressive rule of "Genji," everyone was enduring suffering. Then, on a night that was almost peaceful and serene, the first roar that broke the silence in Kirigakure of the Land of Water erupted!

"Kill!"

They all deserve to die!

The Taketori Family, possessing the Shikotsumyaku, are born battle maniacs. Their short average lifespan is transformed into the most beautiful symphony of life, with countless bone veins blooming like splendid flowers under the dark sky.

Surged out from the clan's residence, dozens of the Taketori Family ninja headed straight for the Water Shadow Building.

"The Genji is unworthy of power! He's just a puppet being controlled!"

The battle formation roared past, each member howling in anger. Their voices, echoing through the night, momentarily stunned all the Hidden Kirigakure Ninja rushed to the scene. It was as if this unbelievable news had caused their minds to freeze instantly.

"Kill them!"

However, before the Hidden Kirigakure Ninja stationed in various locations could ponder this, the Kaguya clan members, their eyes bloodshot, began reaping lives one by one like demons.

Their indiscriminate attacks meant they no longer needed to consider friend or foe—at least these crazed members of the Taketori Family were definitely enemies!

A deafening roar erupted in the heart of Mist Shinobi. The Taketori Family, unstoppable, relentlessly advanced towards the Water Shadow Building. However, the more they slaughtered, the more the pent-up rage within the Kirigakure Ninja intensified. More and more Kirigakure Ninja arrived from all directions, and the tide seemed to be turning...

The advance of the Taketori Family's forces is becoming increasingly slow...

"These idiots! Idiots!"

The second elder is now in power in the Hōzuki Clan, and his eyes are filled with anger. By now, the news of what happened has reached the Hōzuki Clan.

It had been agreed that the three major families would act collectively to uncover the truth about Genji being controlled, but now, the Taketori Family has foolishly started their operation ahead of schedule...

"Immediately gather the clansmen! Go to the aid of the Taketori Family!"

"Elder! This is unacceptable! The Taketori Family has gone mad; they're attacking everyone indiscriminately..."

"The Anbu, other small clans, and commoner ninjas have already lost many lives at their hands... We are now supporting the Taketori Family..."

Since the death of the First Elder, the Hozuki Family has no longer been a one-man show. Although Hozuki Seigetsu holds power, he does not have the same prestige as the First Elder. Although the other elders who were trying to dissuade him did not finish their sentences, Hozuki Seigetsu understood their meaning.

He frowned slightly, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes. The unusual behavior of the Taketori Family could not have happened without someone else pulling the strings behind the scenes.

"It's his counterattack! It must be!"

Hozuki Seigetsu slammed his cane into the ground, his voice filled with endless grief and indignation.

"This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"

"All the Jonin various clans concealed their identities and surrounded the Water Shadow Building..."

"Assassinate Genji!!!"

"Yes!"

The Terumi Family's lights were also on. The sudden news plunged Terumi Yu into complete silence: the Terumi Family's Jonin had already set off to attack the Genji, but he was pondering how to handle this situation...

Things were all rushed and too hasty, making it difficult to minimize the losses. After this battle, Mist Shinobi will once again suffer heavy losses...

"Xiao Ming, what do you think about this?"

Mei Terumi frowned slightly. Things were getting increasingly out of the control of the three major families. After hearing Terumi Yu's words, she pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.

"While the Taketori Family may be reckless and not particularly intelligent, they would never act in such a way..."

"This must have been orchestrated by the person behind it all..."

"Therefore, there are two possibilities..."

"One possibility is that this is just a desperate struggle. Since they are controlling Genji to govern Mist Shinobi, the person behind it must not be too strong. It's just a last-ditch effort, nothing to worry about too much..."

"This is the most likely possibility..."

"Another possibility..."

She paused slightly, as if she herself was somewhat skeptical of this possibility she had conjectured.

"I believe Elder Hozuki will make the same choice as us. He can probably guess that the person behind it all is all bark and no bite. The Jonin of the Hōzuki Clan and Terumi Family have gathered together, and the Taketori Family is attracting all kinds of clans, Anbu, and commoner ninjas..."

"I never imagined that any force in the Shinobi World could possess such ambition and capability..."

"You mean there's an ambush at Genji's location?"

"You want to wipe out the remaining forces of our three families in one fell swoop?"

"That possibility is almost nonexistent..."

Terumi Yu's brows furrowed tightly. Mei Terumi said might have made his heart sink. However, after thinking for a long time, he came up with nothing. There was no movement from the major ninja villages, so it was impossible for a large-scale infiltration to go unnoticed. Although the identity of the person behind it was unknown, with so many ninjas, it was impossible for them to be lost.

Thinking of this, he gradually relaxed and slowly nodded.

"I hope so..."

Probably no one would have imagined that Akatsuki's first appearance would be in such a way—in the Water Shadow Building, Genji lay dazed on the ground, while Kato Osamu stood by the window, quietly watching several people dressed in the same robes leap from the darkness into the Water Shadow Building.

Obito Uchiha chuckled as he introduced the current members of Akatsuki to Kato Osamu one by one, while Kato Osamu's gaze swept over these people who looked unusual.

"Is that guy called Hidan?"

"Kakuzu this is the guy Kakuzu all along..."

Kakuzu in the bounty hunter world, was someone Kato Osamu had heard of but never seen before, so he couldn't help but take a few more glances at him.

Several people jumped through the window and entered, their eyes all fixed on Kato Osamu.

"You seem to have forgotten someone's name..."

The hunched-over man's cold gaze swept over them; he seemed to have very sharp senses, having heard Kato Osamu and Obito Uchiha talking.

"Sasori of the Red Sands... the organization's great artist..."

"Scorpion, wait a moment, then let the newlyweds come and admire your art..."

Kato Osamu quietly observed Sasori of the Red Sands. The name easily evoked images of the Sunagakure and, consequently, Puppet Technique. He had already discerned that the man before him was nothing more than a puppet. He could sense the constant Chakra fluctuations emanating from him, controlled by a hidden 'core' within.

"Your gaze is making me very uncomfortable..."

Kato Osamu's gaze sent a chill down Sasori's Hiruko's massive stinger, like a venomous scorpion, hurtled towards him at lightning speed, piercing Kato Osamu's cheek almost against his face, a few strands of hair slowly drifting down from the air.

Kato Osamu remained unmoved, a hint of a smile still playing in his eyes, as he turned to look at Obito Uchiha.

"Can I kill him?"

"It probably won't take too long and shouldn't affect this operation..."

"Hey, my word doesn't count, Nagato is the leader..."

Obito Uchiha shrugged, seemingly a little more lively in front of the Akatsuki members, which made Obito Uchiha roll his Kato Osamu. Ever since he put on that mask, this guy seems to particularly enjoy creating a persona.

"I wonder what it would be like to turn you into Human Puppet..."

Scorpion snorted coldly and slowly retracted its stinger. Although this mission was mainly about meeting the new recruits, there was no need to rush before the task was completed.

After all, there's no Human Puppet he can't get, not even a shadow puppet.

"Oh, so this is the new member?"

"So, brother... would you like to join the Evil God Cult?"

Hidan

The man named Hidan seemed quite polite, wearing the Akatsuki's standard Akatsuki cloak, and approached Kato Osamu.

"Oh? Evil God Cult?"

"You won't be punished for killing someone, and not only that, the Jashin will be even happier..."

"What do you think? Isn't this doctrine fantastic!"

"How about we join the Evil God Cult together? Let's offer our prayers to the Jashin together!"

Although Kato Osamu couldn't see anything special about Hidan at the moment, being in the Akatsuki meant he should at least be considered a 'strong' person, even though he was a guy who had been brainwashed by a 'cult'.

"Hey, Obito Uchiha, where did you find these guys?"

"Apart from that Kakuzu who seems relatively normal, are all the people in Akatsuki like that?"

"Hey! Newcomer! Did you even hear what I said?! Let's all offer our prayers to the Jashin!"

"Don't worry, although Hidan only recently joined, don't underestimate him. He's practically immortal..."

"Immortality?"

Upon hearing this name from Obito Uchiha, Kato Osamu's gaze towards Hidan took on a strange glint.

"Cough..."

Kakuzu stood quietly to the side, seemingly a man of few words, his entire body concealed by a cloak that revealed only his eyes.

The subtle hostility caused Kato Osamu to frown slightly. As if sensing Kato Osamu's gaze, Kakuzu's deep voice slowly rang out.

"Kid, I heard your head is worth a hundred million taels of gold?"