Shira and her companions from the Land of Wind are about to embark on their journey, while things are not peaceful in the Land of Rain.
Rain is always the main theme of Amegakure. Cold and continuous, it beats against the steel and rock towers and pipes, producing a monotonous and oppressive sound.
In the heart of this land shrouded in perpetual rain, the top floor of the tallest tower is unusually dry and quiet.
The dim light illuminated the fingers of the giant Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, upon which sat or stood several figures dressed in black trench Fūi embroidered with red clouds.
An illusion, yet so real.
The routine high-level slideshow meeting was tedious, consisting mainly of topics like funding, international developments, and a few unexpected minor issues that might disrupt the plans.
"So, things seem to be getting quite lively in Sunagakure lately."
A flippant, youthful voice rang out; it was the phantom of Deidara, codenamed " Azure Dragon."
He sat on the golem's little finger, swinging his legs, his golden ponytail swaying slightly under the Magic Lantern Body Technique, his tone full of amusement, "I heard some remarkable brat has popped up, hmm."
"Kid?" Another deep, rock-grinding voice rang out, coming from the codename " North Star " Kakuzu.
He stood atop the golem's middle finger, his green eyes gleaming with calculating light in the dim light. " Shira of Sunagakure, twelve years old, was promoted from Genin to Jonin three days ago, skipping her usual rank. Intelligence indicates she is not skilled in Ninjutsu Genjutsu, achieving this purely through Taijutsu."
"During the promotion test, this person directly repelled several Sunagakure Jonin, including Baki. His strength is tentatively assessed as elite Jonin level. He has special explosive methods and is suspected of mastering some kind of breathing Taijutsu."
Kakuzu rattled off the information with ease, then paused, seemingly calculating quickly in his mind, before adding, "There's no bounty on the black market yet. But given his age, strength, and status as Sunagakure Jonin, if a bounty were issued, the initial price would be at least 30 million ryo."
"If it can be confirmed that they possess a special bloodline or secret technique, the price can be increased to fifty to eighty million. If their blood and cell samples are complete, the price will be calculated separately."
"Hey, Kakuzu- senpai, why are you thinking about money all of a sudden, huh!"
Deidara pursed his lips. "The point is art! Art! To achieve that level using only Taijutsu, don't you think that's also a kind of explosive, instantaneous release of all power in 'art'? Although it can't compare to my instant brilliance, hmm!"
"Boring."
A cold, slightly metallic sound came from the golem's left thumb.
That was " Virgin " Scorpion; his Hiruko Puppet Shell appeared particularly somber in the illusion.
" Sunagakure has never lacked geniuses. Is it worth wasting meeting time on a slightly special Taijutsu ninja?"
That being said, no one knows what Scorpion, hidden within the puppet, is thinking at this moment.
Samehada might like that kind of vibrant Chakra, or rather, blood and energy.
Kisame, carrying the bandaged Samehada, grinned, revealing shark-like teeth, his smile cruel. "However, the feel of killing Taijutsu- type ninja must be quite different from that of Ninjutsu- type, right, Mr. Itachi?"
Standing beside him was " Vermilion Bird " Uchiha Itachi, as silent as ever. His scarlet eyes, marked with three Tomoe, remained calm and still in the illusion, as he listened quietly to the discussions of the crowd, like an emotionless statue.
Only when Kisame asked a question did he slightly raise his eyes, his gaze seemingly piercing through the illusion and landing on the distant south, on that Land of Wind.
"When Taijutsu reach their peak, one can even attain supernatural powers."
Itachi's voice was calm and indifferent, devoid of any emotion, as if stating a fact unrelated to himself, "This person is Sunagakure Might Guy, and a Taijutsu. If he continues down this path and grows stronger, he may become an obstacle in the future. But for now, he is not the organization's primary target."
The word "obstacle" in his words caused a slight pause in the atmosphere.
Itachi's judgments often carry significant weight within the Akatsuki.
"Tch, obstacles? We can just clear them out beforehand, huh?"
Deidara scoffed, "I'll find an opportunity to give him a central blooming art, and that'll be the end of it!"
"Idiot."
Kakuzu snorted coldly, "No bounty, no commission, just a preemptive attack on active Jonin of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Besides exposing your organization and attracting unnecessary vigilance and encirclement, what benefit is there? Can your 'art' conjure up funds for this operation?"
"You...!"
That's enough.
A deep, magnetic voice, yet with an undeniable air of authority, came from the golem's right index finger, interrupting the impending argument.
It is " Zero Burial," the Heavenly Path of Pain.
Even in the illusion, his Rinnegan still exuded a detached yet sacred aura. " Sunagakure Shira, already recorded. Her abilities are unique, and her potential for growth remains to be seen. Currently, the organization's primary task is to steadily advance and accumulate funds. Avoid unnecessary complications."
Deva Path Pain's gaze slowly swept over the crowd. "However, we must be wary of any unusually strong individuals appearing in various countries, especially those who may influence the future situation."
" Kakuzu, keep a close eye on his black market bounty. Sasori, if Sunagakure has any further information about him, please provide updates promptly. Everyone else, if you encounter any relevant intelligence while on your respective missions, do not ignore it."
"Understood," Kakuzu replied briefly.
The scorpion's puppet made a slight clicking sound, which could be considered as acquiescence.
Deidara scoffed, somewhat bored. Kisame licked his lips and remained silent.
Itachi lowered his eyes again, as if entering a meditative state.
"Then, the next topic..." Pain's voice continued, steer the conversation toward information about the underground vault of a daimyo in a small country.
The meeting continued against the backdrop of rain, and the topic of the suddenly rising Taijutsu Jonin Sunagakure seemed to be just a minor interlude, quickly overshadowed by more important plans and figures.
But in the hearts of some members, that grain of sand from the Land of Wind has already left its mark.
A twelve-year-old boy who, without relying on bloodline limits or Ninjutsu, could rise to the ranks of Jonin solely through his mortal body and so-called "breathing techniques"...
Under the watchful gaze of these two Rinnegan, and in the eyes of this organization whose future goal is to collect the Tailed Beast and overthrow the world, is this merely a chance encounter destined to be crushed sooner or later? Or is it a variable that might require a slight adjustment to the script?
Outside the Amegakure Tower, the rain continued to fall, as if trying to wash away all the dust and traces of the world.