Chapter – 371 Cause of Kazekage’s Death

At the temporary base of tri-Alliance.

The current atmosphere at the camp was heavy.

"Damn Akatsuki, damn Kiri, how dare Mizukage work with the Akatsuki!" – Raikage roared in anger.

After learning what happened on Suna's side, especially the fact that the Kazekage is 'missing' of all things everyone was shocked and angered at the same time, more so at Mizukage who actually dared to step in and helped the Akatsuki.

Hokage muttered with a solemn expression, "Kazekage-dono is missing… Jinchuriki of Nibi is captured by them and is being used by Akatsuki… ninety percent of the manpower we brought with us is dead… this result is too devastating."

Pakura said coldly, "Our idea of raid this time was too reckless… especially our attempt of sending a team for pre-investigation… if we hadn't done that and went on with the approach as the shinobi from Konoha had said to launch a direct assault on the Akatsuki without any pre-investigation, perhaps the result would have been much different than what it is now…"

When Pakura pointed this out both Hokage and Raikage had more guilty expressions…

'True, if only we had followed that approach… The leader of Amatsukami would have fought with the leader of Akatsuki anyway, but we could have cut our losses to a very minimum…' – Hokage thought.

Hokage questioned Pakura, "And how will Suna now proceed?"

Pakura thought about Hokage's question, then said, "I am not the one to decide here… those above me will decide and then the Elder Council of Suna will execute it… a new Kazekage must be chosen, there is no other option… well, that's all I can say for now."

Hokage nodded and said, "As allies, Konoha will give Suna and Kumo all the help that's needed."

At times like these, it is better to give all the help other villages need to recuperate from their losses such that their alliance grows stronger and Akatsuki or Amatsukami cannot take advantage of the rift that may occur between them.

Therefore, Hokage is willing to give out some monetary concessions if it can help Konoha in dealing with the enemy in the long run.

Pakura bowed to Hokage, "That would be very kind of you Hokage-dono, I thank you on behalf of Sunagakure."

At the same time, Raikage also nodded gratefully to Hokage's kindness, then questioned, "All that aside, for now, we have to focus on Akatsuki's objective, from what I am told, the leader of Akatsuki plans to collect all the Bijuu to create a weapon of mass destruction… Akatsuki has already captured Yugito… which means that they already have Nibi in their hands, it's also possible that they have also captured the Jinchuriki of Rokubi as he is missing along with the Kazekage… we don't know which Bijuu will they go after next time, so we have to formulate plans to ensure the safety of Jinchuriki, while also a plan to rescue the Jinchuriki that have been captured by them."

Pakura nodded and continued, "At the same time, we have to also figure out what exactly has been going on in Kirigakure… and why exactly is Mizukage cooperating with Akatsuki."

Hokage nodded and said, "We have to also start forming a united alliance of all the Shinobi Village, the existence of Akatsuki is threatening the entire Shinobi world as a whole… and we don't know the true depths of Akatsuki so it is better that we plan ahead while keeping the worst situations into account."

Raikage said, "True, but first, we have to find a way to rescue the captured Jinchuriki."

Hokage nodded towards Raikage then said to Pakura, "Sunagakure need not worry about the lives of Chiyo and Ebizo, we will provide them with the best medical treatment, I will have my disciple Tsunade personally take care of it…"

Pakura again bowed towards Hokage and said, "Suna will be very grateful…"

Hokage then stated, "In conclusion, all three villages will use their own means to collect information on the location of Akatsuki's new base… and keep each other updated on that information to prepare directed countermeasures."

Raikage and Pakura nodded, then Hokage stated, "With that, this meeting is adjourned."

When Hokage walked out of the meeting room of the three parties he instructed Jiraiya, "Find and bring Tsunade back to the village at the shortest time possible, this time she does not have any choice in the matter, it's an order from the Hokage, is that understood?"

Jiraiya nodded and disappeared.

…

On Kuroto and Itachi's side.

Both Kuroto and Itachi were currently flying in the direction of Ancor Vantian that was hovering over the rain clouds of the Land of Rain.

At this time Itachi asked, "Kuroto-san, are you alright?"

Kuroto said, "It's nothing too serious, just the amount of Natural Energy in my body is much more than what I am adapted to… it would be fine after I wash it out completely with my own Chakra… so it's nothing to worry about."

After that, both of them were quiet until the air fortress came into sight. Landing on the air fortress Kuroto asked Itachi as the two walked deeper into the air fortress, "Itachi-kun, how much time do you have in your hand?"

Itachi thought about it and said, "As per your instructions, my Jonin Sensei, as well as the two other members of my genin team, are in a Genjutsu of mine. A Karasu Kage Bushin is keeping them accompanied in the missions… I have also made sure to stretch the mission times as long as possible within a reasonable limit that wouldn't arouse anyone's suspicions so I would say that I still have a week at my hand."

"In that case-…" Poof… Before Kuroto could say anything further a crow appeared in front of him from a poof of white smoke.

Kuroto raised his eyebrow and after taking out the small scroll from the crow he unfolded it and read the content.

"This is…?" – He was taken aback by the information written on it.

Itachi was confused at Kuroto's shocked expression, "What happened Kuroto-san?"

Kuroto passed the scroll to Itachi while saying, "The Yondaime Kazekage of Sunagakure is…"

"Missing?!" – Itachi was also shocked.

Kuroto thought a little and said, "Although it is stated that he is missing… but based on the additional information I can judge that he is most definitely dead… there is no otherwise!"

"Based on this ritual circle made out of blood?" – Itachi asked again.

Kuroto nodded while he thought of Hidan, 'Hidan is literally too dangerous if used correctly… just a drop of a person's blood and he can kill anyone no matter how far that person is… it's not strange if Yondaime Kazekage Rasa is already dead…

Also, Kakashi did mention that he encountered Hidan while he was searching for the traces of Akatsuki… Damn, I never would have thought that Hidan would have been recruited into Akatsuki at such an early stage!'

At this time Itachi asked, "Kuroto-san?"

Kuroto shook his head and said to Itachi, "Itachi-Kun, I have a new mission for you…"

Itachi nodded prompting Kuroto to continue.

Kuroto said, "There are two parts in this mission, firstly since the Kazekage is 'missing' so there is a need of new Kazekage… although I am certain that no one other than Pakura is currently capable of filling that position in Sunagakure… but I want you to go to Sunagakure and ensure that Pakura becomes Godaime Kazekage without any opposition."

Itachi nodded, "Alright, and what's the second?"

Kuroto said, "For the second part, after Pakura becomes the Kazekage… instruct her to investigate a religion called 'Jashin', this religion is the key to the death of Yondaime Kazekage…"

"Jashin?" – Itachi muttered thoughtfully.

Kuroto nodded and explained, "I am not sure as to what exactly this religion is… but this symbol is the symbol of Jashin. From what little information I have, a follower of Jashin is capable of becoming a living voodoo doll. Once that living voodoo doll ingest even a drop of blood from his target, he is capable of torturing and killing that person very easily. Moreover, the living voodoo doll becomes an immortal as such killing him becomes too difficult… as far as I know, there is only one method… and that too is not certain if he is rescued by others…"

"If that is the case then how to deal with such a person?" – Itachi muttered while analyzing. Every Jutsu has its weakness so there has to be something that can be used.

Kuroto said, "It's not that I don't have some theories about other methods… but we need more information… without that, I cannot be certain… so investigating Jashin itself is really important."

Itachi nodded, "It will be done!" – then his body divided into hundreds of crows which then flew outside the Air Fortress, in the direction of Sunagakure.

With Itachi gone, Kuroto gritted his teeth in frustration, 'Damn it…!'

.

.

Read up to Chapter - 625 on P.a.t.r.e.o.n. Page: p-atreon.com/Milta_translations