Obstinate! The Fear Seen Through by Kamui

Deep within Amegakure, inside a sealed chamber.

Konan placed the intelligence reports sent back from various parties before Nagato.

"Iwagakure has accepted the Uchiha commission."

"Sunagakure moved the fastest. More than half the Bounty Exchanges within the Land of Wind have been destroyed."

"Kirigakure and the other minor ninja villages are also taking action one after another."

"The only one that has yet to state its position is Amegakure."

Nagato sat in the shadows, his Rinnegan resting on the reports for a long time without answering.

Konan continued, "How should we respond to the Uchiha?"

"Tell me about the Uchiha Shrine first."

Nagato suddenly spoke.

"You've had contact with them. What did you think?"

Konan fell silent for a moment before giving her assessment.

"They live up to their reputation."

"The group that came to Amegakure was merely an ordinary Temple squad, yet all four possessed the strength of elite Jonin."

"The captain, Uchiha Kaito, was even stronger."

"By Akatsuki Organization standards, he had already reached the level of an S-rank rogue ninja."

Nagato's gaze narrowed slightly.

"S-rank?"

"That's right."

Konan's tone was solemn.

"They also possessed a secret technique that allowed them to coordinate with one another."

"Once the four joined forces, their chakra and combat rhythm rapidly stacked upon each other."

"When that squad truly unleashed its power, it could briefly display Kage Level combat strength."

"And that was only an ordinary squad."

The chamber fell silent.

Nagato finally understood why Orochimaru had suffered defeat in Konoha.

An ordinary Uchiha Shrine squad could unleash Kage Level strength. Not to mention Mangekyo wielders like Fugaku, Shisui, Itachi, and Lumen.

"What about Orochimaru?"

Nagato asked, "Is he still being held by the Uchiha in Konoha?"

"Yes."

Konan nodded.

"Kakuzu and Sasori escaped, but Orochimaru could not be rescued."

"He knows