Chapter 165: Infiltration of the Land of Earth
With their assignments clear, the members of the Eagle team dispersed to carry out their missions. Time was of the essence; before the news of Orochimaru's death could spread and cause widespread chaos among his network, they needed to secure his assets. This task fell to Karin. Before joining the Eagle, she had efficiently managed one of Orochimaru's strongholds, and Ren trusted her capability. To ensure her safety and success, he assigned Suigetsu and Jugo as her guards. Orochimaru's followers were a treacherous lot, unlikely to submit willingly. When persuasion failed, force would be necessary.
Sasuke's mission was no less daunting. He was to locate Guren and the boy Yukimaru, the key to finding the Three-Tails. This would inevitably lead to a confrontation with the tailed beast itself, all while evading or battling any Akatsuki members on the same trail. Within the Eagle, only Ren and Sasuke possessed the strength for such a task, making Sasuke the natural choice.
Ren's own mission was perhaps the most perilous. He was to infiltrate the Land of Earth, find the Akatsuki duo—Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki—who had been dispatched to capture the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, and seize their prize. According to his knowledge, they succeeded in the original timeline, meaning he would likely have to face two elite, S-rank shinobi simultaneously, all while avoiding detection by Iwagakure's ninja forces.
As he traveled, Ren wore a long, hooded cloak that obscured his features. His infamy had spread across the nations; every major village now had his likeness in their bingo books. Discretion was paramount.
*Crossing the border now. If my identity is exposed, Iwagakure will mobilize immediately, likely sending their Tsuchikage after me. This mission must be conducted with stealth,* Ren thought, his senses alert.
He passed through a small border town, noting the increased security. Iwagakure shinobi were checking the documents of travelers at the gate, a clear response to the heightened tensions in the shinobi world. After being stopped and giving a false identity, he was waved through.
Once inside the Land of Earth, Ren paused. He closed his eyes, focusing his chakra. Three years prior, during a brief, inconclusive skirmish with Itachi and Kisame, he had managed to plant a subtle Flying Thunder God mark on Itachi. It was a long-shot contingency, but now it was paying off. He could feel a faint pull, a general direction. Itachi was indeed here.
*Just as I thought. Itachi is in the Land of Earth, confirming their target is the Four-Tails. The Jinchuriki, being a rogue ninja, would stay far from Iwagakure, making him an easier target for Akatsuki. But without a space-time technique like mine, extracting him from the heart of this territory won't be easy for them.*
Ren followed the sensation, the signal growing stronger as he moved. He finally stopped at the edge of a dense, rocky forest. The pull was clear now; Itachi was inside.
*Good. My foresight to mark Itachi proves useful. Finding the Four-Tails directly would have been far more difficult.*
Ren stepped into the forest, his movements silent. The sky, which had been overcast, suddenly opened up, releasing a heavy, cold rain.
***
Deep within the same forest, two figures moved swiftly through the downpour. Uchiha Itachi walked calmly, his Akatsuki cloak dark with rain. Beside him, Kisame Hoshigaki carried the massive Samehada slung over his shoulder. Wrapped in the bandages at the base of the sword's hilt was their captive: the unconscious form of the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, an old man named Roshi.
The Akatsuki had already suffered losses. Sasori of the Red Sand had been the first to fall during the mission to capture the One-Tail. Then, more recently, the immortal duo, Hidan and Kakuzu, had been killed by Uchiha Ren, a significant blow that cost the organization two core members at once. Each member was a powerhouse; losing two in a single encounter was unprecedented.
"It's starting to rain heavily," Kisame remarked, his shark-like eyes scanning the gloomy canopy. "We should find shelter. Catching a cold would be an undignified end for shinobi of our stature."
Itachi's Sharingan glowed faintly in the dim light. "The Leader is awaiting our contact. With this capture complete, Deidara's team should have secured the Three-Tails by now. It will soon be time to begin the sealing process for both beasts."
"Let them wait a little longer," Kisame grinned. "Once the sealing starts, we'll be immobilized for days anyway. A short delay won't matter."
As they continued their search for cover, neither was aware of the presence now tracking them, a shadow closing in through the pouring rain. The hunter had found his prey, and a clash between the Eagle and the Akatsuki was now inevitable.
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