Chapter 44: A Brewing Storm

While the events at the Hyuga compound were happening, the Akatsuki members were also busy with their intense discussions.

"Madara, Naruto has become too powerful. He is now a threat to our plan." Black Zetsu explained the situation to Obito/Tobi.

Obito was also shocked by the news. "Are you sure you saw it correctly? There is no way that such a young ninja can cause such destruction."

"I am sure Madara. Maybe he mastered the nine-tails chakra the destruction felt like that. Everything was burned to the ground... even Orochimaru was killed."

"But how can that be?"

'Sensei, first you failed me, and now your son is becoming an obstacle in my path.'

"We can't allow him to disrupt the plan. Zetsu, inform Nagato to advance the timeline. If an opportunity arises, we'll extract the Nine-Tails immediately."

----------------------------------

In Amegakure, raindrops pattered against the iron buildings as the Akatsuki convened. Nagato stood at the centre (Yahiko's Puppet),

"Why did you call this meeting Nagato?" whispered a concerned Konan.

"I will let everyone know about our plans. There might be huge changes."

"You all are gathered today because I want to announce our new plan.

It has been brought to our notice that the Nine Tails Jinchuriki might have mastered the Nine Tails chakra and his strength can jeopardise our goal to attain peace."

'What? Naruto has already mastered the Nine-Tails chakra! I didn't expect that but this is a good thing for the village.' Thought Itachi with a stoic expression. 

'I wonder how Sasuke is doing. Hope you become strong enough to defeat me soon. I don't know how much more this body will support me.' He kept the same face without showing any fluctuation in his expressions.

"Our plan is simple, Naruto is organizing a fanfest and many important figures from the Daimyo's circle will also be present there. We will attack them and cause chaos.

Itachi, you and Kisame along with Sasori and Deidara will infiltrate the village and during that chaos, try capturing that Jinchuriki.

If he proves too powerful, you can use Hinata Hyuga to distract him. The information says that he has a soft spot for that girl."

"But Pain, what about One Piece? I want to see the ending. Didn't you hear about the manga? I heard it's becoming very popular. If we capture him now, we won't know how it ends! Can't we let him complete the novel first?"

Deidara as one of the biggest fanboys in Akatsuki, was more concerned about the One Piece. Who would tell him about One Piece if they captured Naruto and extracted the tailed beast from him?

"Shut up Deidara! The leader must have a good reason for this decision. And don't forget the original intention of Akatsuki." This time it was Kisame who rebuked Deidara.

Itachi who was beside Kisame felt worried. 'I need to pass this information to the village. Such a massive attack will destroy the village.'

"Trivial matters like that don't concern me," Pain said coldly.

"Nothing is more important than peace. No matter how strong he becomes, he is nothing before God's power."

"It's time for Konoha to know Pain once again."

--------------------------------------

In a town near the Fire Nation's border, a man stood atop a wall surrounding a bathhouse.

He was a tall, well-built man with fair skin, spiky white hair, and red lines under his eyes.

Suddenly, a passing woman noticed him and screamed. Realizing a man was peeking, the rest of the women in the bathhouse began attacking him with whatever they could grab.

The man, clutching a book, quickly realized the situation had worsened and made his escape.

"It has been a long time since I returned. Sensei also sent me a letter. I wonder how my Godson has grown." The man mused aloud while making his escape from the bathhouse.

--------------------------------------

"Hey Shizune! Hurry up or those debt collectors will catch up."

"Wait, Lady Tsunade, I am coming!"

After running for a few minutes, the trio of Tsunade, Shizune and Tonton the pig came to the edge of a forest.

"We should rest here for a few minutes and then move towards Konoha."

"Are you sure Lady Tsunade? We haven't been to Konoha all this time."

"I don't know, Shizune. I want to see this Fanfest and meet the author behind those books. I can't recall anyone this talented in Konoha.

Anyway, I heard that a huge collection of good alcohol is going to be there."

"Admit it, Lady Tsunade, that you are also a big fan of those books, otherwise you wouldn't visit Konoha just because of alcohol."

"You are getting too cheeky, Shizune. And we are going to use our transformation technique. No one should know that I am visiting Konoha."

"Hai, Lady Tsunade." Shizune cheered as she was also quite happy that she would get to visit Konoha again and also visit Fanfest for her favourite books.

--------------------------------

Amid the vast deserts of the Land of Wind, something stirred within the sand. A sudden explosion shattered the silence.

Two figures emerged from the explosion. A handsome young man of dark complexion and another short woman with golden hair that falls softly around her shoulders. Her attire is a simple yet elegant gown. She carries a delicate fan, decorated with sakura blossoms. Despite its beauty, the fan exuded a menacing aura.

"23, what garbage dump have you brought me to? Are you forgetting your duties?" the short woman shouted at the young man.

The young man knelt, bowing his head to the ground.

"I deeply apologize, young mistress, for causing you such displeasure with my mistake.

"I promise it won't happen again."

"You'd better not displease me again, or I'll deal with you as I did with your father, 21, and your brother, 22. Remember your place, slave," she sneered as she observed the desert around her.

"Hmmm, this is a strange place. If not for that spatial disturbance, I wouldn't have come here to this lump of garbage.

Something is definitely off about this place, no not just this place, the air, the sand, the sky.... it all feels like ..... yes just like an illusion but at the same time very real. And what the hell was that spatial torrent?"

A crazy smile appeared on the face of the short woman as she covered her face with the fan before she muttered," Did I find something fun here? Hehe, I wonder if I can find anyone worth my time on this trip."