"Mr. Itachi, your little brother seems quite remarkable too. He actually killed two of Konoha's advisers," Kisame said with a chuckle.
Uchiha Itachi's expression remained impassive. "The stronger he is, the better. It means my spare eyes are almost ready."
"What a cruel man you are," Kisame said with a smile.
Uchiha Itachi looked down at Killer B's body and thought, Sasuke, just how much do you know?
Perhaps I should change my plans, Uchiha Itachi thought. Sasuke's growth has already gone beyond what I planned...
Meanwhile, Nagato received an intelligence report from Zetsu.
"Nagato, we've received some new information."
"What is it?" Nagato asked.
"It concerns our Akatsuki. Word is spreading through the Black Market that the Allied Shinobi Forces didn't wipe us out. Instead, we took the opportunity to use Golden Cicada Shedding Its Shell and go into hiding," Zetsu said.
Nagato frowned almost imperceptibly. "Ignore those rumors. We only need to stay out of sight. Those shinobi villages won't maintain this level of vigilance for long. Jinchūriki aren't emotionless tools."
Naturally, Neji had spread that information. With him around, the Akatsuki wouldn't have such an easy time carrying out their plans.
At first, the intelligence circulating in the Black Market about the Akatsuki's continued existence did attract the attention of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, and they all stepped up protection for their Jinchūriki.
But time slipped by, and soon more than a year had passed.
During that year and more, the intelligence agencies of the Five Great Shinobi Villages found no trace of Akatsuki activity. The villages gradually lowered their guard, deciding that the information circulating in the Black Market was nothing more than a rumor.
The days continued to pass, and almost two years went by in the blink of an eye.
According to Konoha's