Konoha.
On the very day the Third Hokage's body was brought back, an autopsy was performed.
The results showed multiple injuries inflicted by Orochimaru.
Though none were fatal on their own, his death was undoubtedly tied to Orochimaru.
From then on, Konoha became even more determined to capture this missing-nin.
That day, Tsunade, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation, was drinking at a small tavern.
Draining her cup in one go, Tsunade muttered,
"What's up with Jiraiya? Still no word from him?"
"Probably hanging around in some woman's bed again. That guy's old, but his pervy nature never changes…"
"And he has the nerve to say he still thinks about me… (๑¯ω¯๑)"
Shizune, always close by to look after Tsunade, tried to speak up for him.
"After all, Amegakure is Akatsuki's base. Maybe Jiraiya-sama has his reasons."
As they spoke, an ANBU suddenly appeared, kneeling before them.
"Latest report from the front lines: an Orochimaru base has been found on the border of the Land of Water…"
"Really?"
Hearing this, Tsunade shot to her feet, all traces of drunkenness gone.
The ANBU nodded.
"Yes.
The intel also states that the lake where Kirigakure's Tailed Beast resides is not far from Orochimaru's base.
However, after sending this message, the informant has gone silent. It's likely he was killed…"
Tsunade's eyes narrowed in thought.
Then she ordered,
"Contact Kakashi's team and Kurenai's team. Have them form a joint reconnaissance squad and head to the Land of Water to investigate."
"Yes, ma'am." The ANBU vanished.
A little while later…
Konoha's Intelligence Division came looking for Tsunade.
Scratching her head, Tsunade sighed. Being Hokage truly left her no peace!
"What now?"
The intel-nin reported,
"Latest news from the Land of Lightning: Shinju and Naruto successfully rescued Yugito, the Two-Tails jinchūriki. The Raikage even awarded them the 'Kumogakure Peace Medal'…"
"There's also word from the Land of Demons: Shinju cashed in the bounties on Hidan and Kakuzu's corpses…"
Listening to the report, Tsunade's lips slowly curled into a grin. (σ≧︎▽︎≦︎)σ
They actually managed to make money off Akatsuki!
That brat Shinju didn't let her down!
Wiping away her smile, Tsunade asked seriously,
"Do we know Shinju and Naruto's next move?"
The intel-nin shook his head.
"The last sighting was in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, Land of Lightning. No word after that."
Tsunade nodded.
"Valley of Clouds and Lightning—that's where Killer B lives. Those two brats must have gone to learn about Tailed Beast training…"
...
Land of Water, Orochimaru's base.
Orochimaru had just heard from Kabuto that Shinju had killed Akatsuki's Hidan and Kakuzu.
"That child really didn't disappoint me," Orochimaru said with delight.
His feelings toward Shinju were complicated—admiration, covetous desire, and even a bitter sort of "love" that could never be fulfilled.
"Akatsuki's attempt to capture the Two-Tails has failed. With Hidan and Kakuzu gone, perhaps it's time for us to stir things up."
Orochimaru mused aloud.
Once a member of Akatsuki himself, he had later defected, leaving him in constant conflict with the group.
After some thought, he said,
"Don't rush to use Guren's body just yet. Isn't the Three-Tails nearby…"
Kabuto's eyes widened.
"Orochimaru-sama, you mean—"
Orochimaru smiled.
"Send Guren and that child together. Guren wields Crystal Release, and that boy's chakra carries the power to control the Three-Tails. If we can capture the beast for our own use, all the better."
Kabuto nodded, donned his hooded cloak, and quietly withdrew.
...
Land of Water's border.
Shinju and Naruto, originally headed for Amegakure, had gotten lost and drifted here instead…
That day, after leaving the Raikage's office, they'd stopped by the Valley of Clouds to ask Killer B about the Tailed Beasts.
Although the Nine-Tails inside Naruto's seal had been suppressed by Shinju's tags, its power wasn't truly usable yet.
According to Killer B, long training was still required.
Originally, B had considered honoring his promise to Konoha years ago by taking Naruto to Turtle Island for training.
But after thinking it through, they realized: with Akatsuki hunting Tailed Beasts like mad, putting both the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails in one place was practically delivering them on a platter.
Even with Shinju acting as a powerful bodyguard, Akatsuki's mysteries ran deep—no one knew what hidden powers they still held…
In the end, the plan was dropped.
Now, Shinju and Naruto were drifting across a lake in the Land of Water.
"Splosh…"
Suddenly, the three Akatsuki rings on Shinju's hand began to pulse faintly with chakra again…
Ever since the day he'd acquired them, these strange rings would occasionally emit that faint chakra.
Only at those moments would the inner seals become visible.
Shinju had discovered this and used every fleeting window to study and slowly break down the barrier…
...
Inside a certain cave.
On the massive Gedo Statue, six figures of Akatsuki members stood in projection.
Zetsu spoke first.
"Hidan and Kakuzu are dead. That boy cashed in their corpses at a bounty station. I searched the bounty station afterward but couldn't find the 'Three' or 'North' rings."
On another finger, the leader spoke.
"Kakuzu was our treasurer. His death will cause serious financial strain on the organization…"
Deidara grumbled,
"We've got a lot of problems in the group right now. Can the Tailed Beast capture plan even continue?"
The leader replied,
"Of course it will. I'll find a way to get funds."
Deidara added,
"By the way, Sasori-senpai asked me to check—since we failed to capture the Two-Tails, are we sending people back to the Land of Lightning?"
The leader shook his head.
"With Hidan and Kakuzu's failure, Kumogakure is on high alert. Capturing another there soon would be difficult. Focus elsewhere for now. The Three-Tails in the Land of Water has no host. Deidara, Sasori—you two go."
Deidara piped up again.
"Tobi's here with me. He wants to tag along to the Land of Water too."
The Akatsuki leader narrowed his eyes, then nodded.
"Fine. If he wishes to go, let him."
...
Elsewhere…
After immense effort, Shinju finally broke the last seal on the rings. His consciousness was drawn into a strange space…
The Gedo Statue's massive fingers.
On the finger marked "North" , Shinju's silhouette suddenly appeared!
Akatsuki members: --003d͟͟͞͞(꒪ᗜ꒪ ‧̣̥̇)
(≖╻≖;)
ヽ( ຶ▮ ຶ)ﾉ!!!
⊙▽⊙
How the hell did this kid sneak in here?!
"What is the meaning of this?!"
The Akatsuki leader's thunderous voice boomed, filled with authority!