"Before calling someone else an idiot, I suggest you take a good look inside your own head and figure out what's actually in there."
"What the hell did you just say, you bastard, Kisame?!"
Kisame ignored Hidan's outburst, but his expression darkened slightly as he glanced at Kakuzu.
"I have to say, your decision this time was quite reckless. Bringing these two brats along on a mission? That's basically sending them to their deaths."
Kisame's words didn't seem to bother Haku, who simply stood by with his eyes slightly narrowed, a quiet smile on his face. As for Suigetsu, he looked visibly annoyed, arms crossed, staring up at Kisame.
"Kisame-senpai, I've always respected you, but why are you looking down on me? The Hozuki Clan and your Hoshigaki Clan have always had a good relationship. I'll have you know, I'm pretty strong!"
Kisame looked down at Suigetsu, his face full of amusement.
"You sure know how to talk, kid. But let me tell you something—this world of bloodshed only respects power. If your brother, Mangetsu, were here, maybe he'd have some credibility in my eyes. But you? You didn't even graduate from the Academy. Forget it."
Suigetsu's older brother, Mangetsu, had died due to a hereditary illness. Otherwise, the Hozuki brothers together would have been a formidable force in the shinobi world.
"Enough. Stop arguing." Kakuzu finally interjected. "The mission I'm taking them on isn't particularly dangerous. While I'm away, Konan will handle the organization's affairs. You two should take some time to connect with Yahiko and Nagato. When I return, you will officially be members of Akatsuki."
Hearing Kakuzu's decision, Hidan and Kisame could only sigh in resignation.
"Fine. I heard your little Akatsuki group is picking a new leader. I, as the first disciple of Jashin-sama, am obviously the most qualified!"
It was clear that Hidan's devotion to his so-called god was absolute—he wasn't afraid to say something this ridiculous out loud.
Kisame smirked. "Just don't come back with the corpses of these two kids."
With that, the conversation ended, and the group dispersed.
...
A few days later.
Konoha, Naka River.
Naka River flowed through the entirety of the Land of Fire, giving life to countless people and creatures. It was often called the River of Life.
Decades ago, a spiky-haired boy and a bowl-cut-haired boy used to play by this very river. They skipped stones, splashed in the water, and even did... other things. Later, they would stand at the very peak of the river's flow and establish the great village of Konoha.
Sitting by the riverbank, Kakuzu stared into the flowing water, lost in thought.
"One by one, old friends fall, leaving me alone to watch over this shinobi world. I suppose that, too, is a kind of loneliness."
He picked up a smooth stone and casually flicked it across the water.
Plop. Plop. Plop. Plop.
The stone skipped gracefully before finally reaching the other side.
Then, something unexpected happened. The calm river suddenly rippled, and a human-shaped form emerged from the water. Soon, a head fully took shape from the liquid.
"Oi, oi, Kakuzu-sensei, what's with the stone skipping? You hit me!"
Kakuzu smirked. "Oh? My bad."
Suigetsu rubbed his forehead, wincing.
"Seriously, how much longer do I have to stay here? It's been three days and nights already. If I don't get to move soon, I'll dissolve into the water at this rate!"
"You're literally made of water. Staying in the river should actually strengthen your bloodline limit. Stay put until you locate the target. Then, and only then, can you come out."
Suigetsu groaned at Kakuzu's command.
"Tch. I'm so jealous of Haku. He doesn't have to do anything. Just sits there looking cute and gets away with it."
Sighing, Suigetsu took a deep breath and submerged himself back into the rushing currents of the Naka River.
...
Upstream, a battle was unfolding.
Uchiha Shisui never expected that his revered Danzo would one day betray him.
He had already promised Danzo that he would use Kotoamatsukami to manipulate their clan leader, Fugaku.
Kotoamatsukami was different from ordinary genjutsu. Unlike Tsukuyomi, which created an entirely new world within an illusion, Kotoamatsukami implanted a thought directly into the target's mind—rewriting their very beliefs.
It was as if someone who had been tortured all their life suddenly believed, without question, that they deserved it—that it was normal, that they were born guilty. With such a belief imprinted in their heart, they would never try to resist or escape.
Shisui was certain that once he used Kotoamatsukami, Fugaku would be changed. He would no longer hesitate. He would stand firm in protecting Konoha. He would take it upon himself to eliminate any rebellious Uchiha, ensuring peace between the clan and the village.
Theoretically, his plan was sound. But reality proved otherwise.
Danzo didn't believe him.
Instead, Danzo had brought over a hundred ROOT operatives to ambush him.
First, they stole Shisui's right eye. Then, they poisoned him. And now, a hundred highly trained shinobi were closing in for the kill.
Wounded and weakened, even with Susanoo activated, Shisui found himself struggling against the relentless assault. His injuries were severe—his strength was fading fast.
And then... he was struck down.
As his body plummeted from the cliffside, Shisui's heart was heavy with regret.
If he was gone, what would happen to Konoha? To the Uchiha? Would civil war be inevitable? How many more lives would be lost in the chaos to come?
His vision blurred. He closed his remaining eye.
"Itachi... I couldn't entrust my final wish to you..."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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