Join Us or Die

"Good morning, my friends!"

Naruto walked into the Cave Dwelling and greeted the Akatsuki members standing atop the giant fingers as projections, making a show of "goodwill."

Unfortunately, they were as cold as ever, staring him down.

"It hasn't been that long. Those two useless fools, Sasori and Deidara, couldn't even hold out for a little while!"

Hidan spoke with disdain.

The others said nothing, but anger simmered inside them.

After lying low for so many years, the Akatsuki's first collective operation since emerging was about to fail—and at the hands of a few nobodies!

They couldn't stomach it!

But what did that matter? Naruto didn't care.

He pointed the Heavenly Thunder Sword at the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Boom! A bolt of lightning blasted one of its eyes apart.

The Phantom Dragon Nine Seals stopped sealing Shukaku's Chakra, and Gaara fell to the ground with a thud.

The Akatsuki members' projections watched in silence. They said nothing, but their fury was plain to see.

"Since none of you have any objections, I'll be going!"

Naruto finished speaking and reached toward the unconscious Gaara. A whirlwind sprang up, carrying Gaara over to him.

Then Naruto swaggered out of the Cave Dwelling with Karin and the other three.

"Looks like we'll have to put our Tailed Beast hunts on hold for now," Hidan said sarcastically.

He was the newest Akatsuki member and felt little loyalty to the organization or its ideals. Coupled with his unhinged nature, it was no wonder he spoke so freely.

The projections of Kakuzu, Konan, Zetsu, and Tobi remained silent, though they were probably thinking the same thing.

Their final plan required every Tailed Beast. Only half of Shukaku had been sealed; they had to take back the other half, whatever it took!

For now,