Hi guys. I'm sooo happy that you all reviewed for the previous chapter. Seriously I danced for joy! I'm really, really happy to know that heartlessrayne, Miku Udahara and all the rest of you are still with me! Thank you guys soooo much! Another reason to celebrate is because 'The Reason for Existing' has finally reached 50 chapters! Phew can you believe I planned to make it less than 20 chapters? I just can't stop writing this story and I really hope it's becoming too monotonous or boring for you, because if it is then please do inform me.


Pain felt a strange dread in his heart as he roamed the halls of Amegakure's base searching for his partner whom he had dismissed in a trance.

"I sent her to Madara's room knowing that it was dangerous for her to go there. And now I can't find her anywhere. This is all my fault" he thought clenching his fist as he quickened his pace.

He suddenly spotted Kakuzu standing at the end of the hallway counting a large wad of money. As Pain hurried up to him he looked up.

"Kakuzu, when was the last time you saw Konan?" asked Pain.

"Hmm, if I recall correctly the last time I saw her was five hours ago when she was entering Tobi's room looking rather worried. I don't think I saw her after that" said Kakuzu getting back to his counting and walking off.

"Tobi...Madara...i have a strange feeling he knows exactly what has happened to Konan...and yet when I met him an hour ago..."

FLASHBACK

"Ah, Nagato, I was hoping to talk to you and...why what's wrong? You look rather harassed" said Madara in his silky tone which always implied more than what it said.

"Nothing at all. I just can't find Konan anywhere. You haven't seen her have you?" asked Nagato

Madara did not reply for a while but then Nagato heard him chuckle a little and speak in that velvety tone he so disliked. "No, I can't say I have. Perhaps she was taken out?" he suggested as a chilling hand seemed to grip Nagato's heart.

"What do mean by 'taken out'? " he asked hesitantly.

Madara laughed, "I meant perhaps she just went out for a little fresh air. You know how much she loves to fly. She'll be back in a few hours don't worry. I'll keep an eye out for her" he said before teleporting away.

END FLASHBACK

"Taken out. I just can't get those words out of my head. I'm getting more and more vary of Madara as each day passes. His goals are questionable. I...don't know which path I should take at this juncture" he muttered as Zetsu crawled out of the wall near him.

"Excuse me Leader-Sama but Sasori and Akane have just returned. And they have Itachi and Sakura Haruno with them. They're outside your room awaiting your orders sir" said Zetsu as he sank back into the wall.

Nagato sighed, "I'll have to deal with this first" he thought as he approached the room. Suddenly he halted, "Takigawa-San has clearly declared herself against Madara and Itachi has been distrustful of Madara since he wiped out his clan. I think I can entrust them both with my situation" thought Pain as he reached his room to find Itachi and Sakura standing outside accompanied by Sasori and Akane.

"Sasori, take Haruno and throw her back into the dungeons. I have too much on my mind to deal with her at this moment. She will not get a scrap of food for a week." said Nagato as Sakura's eyes went to Itachi's who gave her a reassuring look.

At Sasori's tug Sakura slowly walked away with him. Not attempting to struggle.

"The two of you had better come in, it's not safe out here" said Pain as Itachi and Akane exchanged a glance and entered the room.

As they entered Pain performed a handsign and struck one wall of the room. After which he placed a talisman on the door.

Akane looked around, "Hmm, your reason for placing a barrier here? Is there something you don't want somebody to know?" she asked perceptively.

"Sit down both of you" instructed Pain in a quiet but authoritative voice. As the two complied he picked up a pencil and began tapping the blunt end on the table.

After what seemed like ten minutes he spoke, "Konan has disappeared"

Akane's eyes widened in surprise, "Disappeared? What do you mean?" she asked.

"Konan went into Madara's room to run an errand for me about five hours ago...I have yet to find her anywhere. I've combed the base and the entire span of Amegakure and have failed to locate her anywhere. All the guards stationed at the gates as well as the civilians know Konan and anyone spotting her would have immediately reported to me" said Pain as the tapping grew quicker.

"Are you insinuating that Madara had something to do with her disappearance?" asked Itachi, speaking for the first time since he entered the base.

"I'm more or less convinced, however I lack any solid proof. Madara Uchiha is a man I would never trust alone with Konan, very recently I have begun to doubt his plans involving the Jyubi. A recent study I made has revealed to me that the Jyubi cannot be revived by just combining the chakra of the remaining Nine-Beasts together" said Pain.

"So you're saying there's something more?" asked Itachi.

"Perhaps, however the page on that book was torn away so I was unable to read any further. But I know one thing by now. Madara Uchiha is definitely hiding something from all of us." said Pain.

"And you think that Konan-San accidentally came across what he was trying to hide from us and as a result...he whisked her away?" suggested Akane gravely.

Pain nodded, "Madara has a dimension which he has created. It is only accessible to him or to anyone given a key to the dimension. Unfortunately I have not been given the key so I'm unable to check"

"And your reason for telling us about this is?" asked Itachi.

"I have decided that going along with Madara's plan now will only lead to great suffering and agony for every human alive in the shinobi world today. My goals are for Eternal Peace, not Eternal suffering. I will need to find out exactly what Madara wishes to do and stop it, and most of all, I wish to know what he's done with Konan. For this I need help. You're help Itachi. And your help Takigawa-San" said Pain.

"My help? I fail to see how I can help you Leader-Sama" said Akane impassively , her eyes cold and steely.

"You possess great power in addition to the power of the Scroll of Five Ways. Added to that you have some of Madara's own chakra within you and are extremely intelligent, perceptive and determined. I also know that you are determined to stand against Madara. I feel ashamed to say it, but I beseech you to aid me" said Pain lowering his eyes.

"Astounding. His love for Konan-San far outweighs his pride. He's willing to bow to an inferior warrior for help if it means getting Konan-San back. His love for her is...well I just didn't imagine him having the capability to love anyone, let alone to this extent" thought Akane as her eyes softened.

"I was merely joking earlier Leader-Sama. It goes without saying that I will aid you. I too am fond of Konan-San. After I destroyed Konoha and was suffering from the aftereffects after Sasori-San it was she who was always ready to be there for me. Being the only two proper female members of Akatsuki we share a bond you men will probably find it difficult to understand" said Akane grinning as Pain looked up, his ringed eyes not looking so cold and malicious as they usually did.

Although he didn't say anything his lips curved upward a little and he cleared his throat and turned to Itachi.

"I joined Akatsuki so that I could protect Konoha and Sasuke from destruction and darkness. Yet I have failed in both tasks" he said glancing at Akane who hung her head in shame.

"There's no need to look like that Takigawa-San. You must have had your reasons for doing what you did. I am merely lamenting on the fact that neither was I able to stop you from doing it, and nor was I able to stop Sasuke from embracing the darkness" said Itachi as Pain stared at him.

"You are truly a shinobi covered in darkness Itachi Uchiha. Even I cannot understand the complexity of the situations surrounding you" said Pain.

"That is perhaps true. But it does not change the fact that Sasuke is falling to prey to the darkness with every second. That darkness is Madara Uchiha. So with these two hands I will bring him down. Having someone of your and Takigawa-San's caliber by my side will indeed be a great reassurance" said Itachi.

Silence reigned over the room for about five minutes as each of the three shinobi in the room went over their thoughts before Pain stood up.

"Then from this moment the three of us are united in finding the truth about Madara Uchiha, bringing him down...and finding Konan again" said Pain holding out his hand.

"United" said Akane placing her hand on Pain's

"United" said Itachi placing his hand on hers.


In Madara's dimension Zetsu stood behind the Uchiha as he stood surrounded by nine wooden coffins.

On one of the coffin's was the talisman stating 'Seal'. The rest were all empty and rotating slowly.

"Am I at liberty to know who else your planning to pop into these boxes?" asked White Zetsu.

"We're your most loyal subordinates and you're keeping secrets from us. This is a great insult to our hard days of labor for you" accused Black Zetsu.

"Peace my friends. You'll find out very soon exactly who are meant to fill these coffins." said Madara nonchalantly. "The fools, they don't realize that they themselves are to be the occupants of one of these coffins" thought Madara as he finished tying a chakra bind around Konan's coffin which sank back into nothingness.

"Humph, you'll tell that snot nosed brat Sasuke but you won't tell us. Another insult" said Black Zetsu irritatedly.

"Now. Now. Maybe we should give it a rest for now Brother. But do inform us at the earliest stage possible Madara-Sama. We're very curious to know" said White Zetsu.

"Of course my friend. Now, have Sasuke and his team departed for Amegakure yet?" asked Madara.

"Yes sir, they've left. By the way, Nagato seems to be rising in panic about Konan. He may rebel very soon. What should we do if he does?" asked White Zetsu.

"Subdue him. Powerful though he is I have complete faith in your abilities to capture a person alive." said Madara.

Both Zetsu's appeared rather flattered at this piece of unexpected praise and failed to notice the slight jerk of Madara's head.

"Fools, worthless fools all of them. Throw them a piece of bread and they'll come sniffing and licking your feet. It feels good to know they're be two less fools in this world after I become the God of the New World. If Nagato were to battle them then both him and Zetsu would be gravely injured allowing me to grab both of them alive in one swoop" thought Madara.


"Tsunade-Sama! Tsunade-Sama!" cried Shizune as she burst into Tsunade's office room, heavily collided with another person and went down with him.

"Really Shizune, why must you always run like that?" asked Tsunade irritably.

Shizune rubbed her head and found herself staring at the drooling Genma Shiranui who lay beneath her.

"Oh I sure could get used to this!" he drawled as Shizune frowned and got up to find herself in an office choc filled with people.

Behind Tsunade stood the two elders looking uneasy and in the two chairs placed before Tsunade sat Danzo and Hiashi Hyuga.

Besides them all the top ranking shinobi in the village namely, Kakashi, Gai, Ibiki Morino, Anko Mitarashi, Inoichi Yamanaka, Shikaku Nara, Tsume Inuzuka, Choza Akimichi, Shibi Aburame and three members of the Anbu who were clearly the Supreme Commander and his two lieutenants.

"Oh, I didn't know there was a meeting going on" she said apologetically.

"Never mind, after hearing such a news anyone would be apt to panic and rush" said Tsunade as Danzo cleared his throat.

"Yes?" asked Tsunade clenching her fist.

"I believe Tsunade, that this is very obviously a trap. Do you not see the consequences of even considering this offer? Firstly we'll be tagged as a criminal nation. The alliance with the other nations will be destroyed and all four will declare war on us. Our people will die and Konohagakure will cease to exist if you accept this offer" said Danzo.

"Umm," said Shizune as all eyes turned on her, "May I see the letter?" she asked hesitantly as Kakashi, who was holding a piece of paper handed it to Shizune at a nod from Tsunade, ignoring the disapproving glares of the Elders.

Shizune looked over the letter. It read,

To the respected Godaime Hokage Tsunade-Sama

Madara Uchiha's actions are indeed strange, for it leads to this absurdly ridiculous situation where I have to write to a member of the Hidden Villages. The Akatsuki has targeted and captured eight of the nine tailed beasts with the Hachibi lying right before me at this moment. I think in the best interests of both your Konoha and my Ame, that we propose this offer to you. Please read it out even if you have no intention of accepting. We propose this, that Konoha lend us few of their most talented shinobi. What we chose to do with these shinobi is simple. Bring down Madara Uchiha. While it is true you have only learnt of the existence of Madara Uchiha at last week's Kage Summit I'm sure you have realized the gravity of the situation. Your Uzumaki Naruto is the only jinchuriki who remains alive today. As such you will need to protect him with everything you have got. That is where our return to you comes in. If you lend us aid in bringing Uchiha Madara down, we will cease hunting Naruto, release Haruno Sakura back to you completely unharmed. We will give you enough information about the remaining four villages that will aid you to subdue them with blackmail or alliances. On top of that you will not only guarantee that the other villages do not attack you, but if needed you can also create war amongst them by leaking out the information. Akatsuki wishes you at least consider the offer. If it is a no, (thought I truly hope it isn't, if only out of concern for your apprentice Sakura Haruno's life or the life of your jinchuriki because Madara Uchiha is already on the move), then you may either return this letter back to Amegakure, or can send your own letter showing your refusal. If your answer is yes then I would like to invite you to a meeting. A place of your choice. You may bring however many shinobi you want. I hope you do take the right decision.

Regards

Pain, Leader of Akatsuki

P.S. We have information on the whereabouts of Uchiha Sasuke as well, if that would please you.

Shizune looked up and gravely handed the note back to Kakashi who accepted it without a word.

"Now I'll cut to the chase. This letter has arrived yesterday. Just a week after Madara's declaration of the 4th Great Shinobi World War. I have very carefully gone over the pros and cons of this letter and would like you all too hear it. This is a serious matter and it concerns the Daimyo as well, thus we have informed him and his reply should come momentarily" said Tsunade, "Kakashi, if you will be so kind"

Kakashi stepped forward, "The disadvantages of accepting are numerous. Firstly the whole thing may turn out to be a trap and not only will we loose Naruto, but also complete Uchiha Madara's plans which he revealed to us at the Summit a week ago. Secondly, many of our shinobi even Lady Hokage herself could be wounded or even die should we accept. Our relationships with the neighboring villages and also the other four Great Ninja Nations will become extremely volatile and inharmonious. Our civilians may have to suffer agonies. If Akatsuki attacks and kills the shinobi force they have asked for, our village will loose a large chunk of it's fighting power" said Kakashi.

Tsunade cleared her throat, "As for the advantages. Those too are many. If the request is genuine I have no doubt that we would seriously hamper Uchiha Madara's plans if not stop them completely. My apprentice Haruno Sakura would be safely delivered back to the village itself. We could prevent war with the other villages by sharing with them the information we have on Akatsuki, Madara Uchiha and the other villages. We could save Naruto from dying and save the Kyubi from falling out of the grasps of Konoha. We could gain crucial information on Sasuke Uchiha and his whereabouts. We would regain all the eight other bijuu and by sharing them out as my grandfather had done we could strengthen our relationship with the other villages. Our might as the most military-wise strong village would be unquestioned. They might also have a lot of information regarding many of our missing-ninjas enabling us to quickly round them up"

"Hmm, for once Tsunade has raised some valid points" admitted Homura Mitokado.

"I for one think it would be greatly beneficial to Konoha is we did accept their offer. Tsunade has raised some good points" said Koharu Utatane.

"Simpletons, Tsunade wants to accept this offer merely to rescue her apprentice and very shrewdly she has raised several points that even she is against but will say it to please the Elders. They're just as bad. Any chance they get to obtain dirt upon the other villages and to keep the Uchiha bloodline within the village they pounce on it. I for one don't think for an instance that this is genuine, however there is a slight possibility that it is. For having collaborated with Madara in the past I am well aware that he does not value his subordinates at all" thought Danzo.

"I think we should take a vote" said Tsunade finally as everyone murmured their approval.

'We'll begin with you Danzo, do you or do you not accept this offer?" asked Tsunade.

"I reject their offer" stated Danzo.

"I accept" said Homura.

"I accept too" said Koharu.

"I accept" said Kakashi quietly.

"Yosh, we should take a challenge head on. A battle of youth should never be backed down from. We will all shine in our youthful glory as we defeat all the age old evils in the world! Register my approval please!" cried Gai.

Slowly all the shinobi in the room excepting Hiashi Hyuga, Shibi Aburame, Danzo and surprisingly Shizune voiced their disapproval.

"Please don't get me wrong. I do want all the things that Tsunade-Sama has stated and I do want to get Sakura back but I'm so scared if this is a trap we'll lose everything, I already lost my parents and my uncle to war, and I don't want to lose Tsunade-Sama, Naruto-Kun or anybody in this village" said Shizune pleading for her case.

Genma gave her a one armed hug as Anko patted her shoulder comfortingly.

"I understand your point Shizune, but looking at this from a sentimental point of view will only result in our loss" said Tsunade gently.

Shizune looked down, "Yes of course, I'm sorry. I too accept their offer" she said slowly as Danzo got up, scraping his chair.

"No decision can be taken without the consent of the Daimyo" he said as soon a messenger bird soared in through the office door and dropped a letter onto Tsunade's desk.

Koharu Utatane went forward and picked it up. Rolling it open it she read out, "The Daimyo wishes to inform Konohagakure that he believes and trusts in the decision of the Hokage and accepts whatever decision she may have made in light of the current situation, only providing that he has at least five platoons of Anbu to guard him and his family at his estate"

"That just means he's too lazy to take a decision and too cowardly to fend for himself if Tsunade-Sama's desicion fails" thought Kakashi as Tsunade frowned.

"Lion" she said sharply as the Anbu Supreme Commander who had been standing quietly at the back, donning a Lion Anbu Mask came forward and fell on his knee.

"Can I trust you and your Squad One, along with Squad, 2,4,6 and 9 to provide protection around the Daimyo's mansion and fight till your death if this turns out to be a trap?" asked Tsunade sharply.

"You have my word Lady Hokage, as the word of every member of the Anbu" said Lion in a deep voice with his head bowed.

"Very good, prepare to depart immediately" ordered Tsunade as he quietly disappeared along with his two lieutenants.

She turned to face Danzo, "There you go. I have the permission of the Elders, the vote of almost all the top ranking village shinobi and the permission of the Daimyo. I have decided to accept this offer and any step you take against it will be seen as treason" she said silently challenging Danzo.

He looked at her with his one eye and turned away, "You will regret this Tsunade, you will regret this heavily" he said before shuffling out.

"Kakashi, inform Naruto of this and tell him to meet me in my office today. If he wants to come along he'll have to put up with certain restrictions. If he somehow gets away, Shizune I want you to scout every location where he might leave from and release the gaseous sedative there. If need be we'll keep him unconscious for the whole war" said Tsunade cracking her knuckles dangerously as Kakashi and Shizune nodded.

"Genma, increase protection around the village. Make sure every gate is manned. Also get the barrier team working double to ensure the validity of the barrier. Ibiki make sure all the prisons are properly guarded and all prisoners are subdued. Anko recall all the Nijuu Shotai from their missions and aid the remaining Anbu squads in patrolling the parameter of Konoha and protecting the civilians" ordered Tsunade as the three cried out "Hai" in unison.

"Inoichi, Shibi, Choza, Tsume and Hiashi I want the support of your clan members to protect Konoha while you five will accompany me, Kakashi, Guy and Naruto to Amegakure. Shikaku, your job is the most important. I want Shikamaru to join me on my journey and while we're all gone I am appointing you as the Temporary Hokage for Konoha, am I understood?" asked Tsunade.

Hiashi Hyuga coughed his disdain at being ordered about but the remaining clan heads including Shibi Aburame who had initially protested against the offer, nodded their heads. Shikaku stood up, "It'll be a terrible drag, but for the sake of my duty towards Konoha and to my family I will become Hokage temporarily, and I will die before I let anything happen to Konoha" he said slowly as Tsunade nodded.

"Shizune, if any fighting does take place I will leave it to you to heal the wounded all right? Also when not healing you will remain by the Elders in case they need aid" said Tsunade.

"Understood, Tsunade-Sama" said Shizune.

Tsunade turned around to face the village through the glass wall which showed a young genin team arguing on the road. The only girl was yelling at a brown haired boy who had a mutinous look on his face while the third boy walked a little behind them with a cool demeanor of not being the least interested.

"Konoha will make it through this war. Madara Uchiha will go down. My will of fire will be as inextinguishable as yours Grandfather or yours Sarutobi-Sensei" she thought.

She turned, "Prepare to move out at once" she cried as everyone cried out "Hai!"


Whew,, 4010 words! I made that chapter longer than usual to give you guys something extra to read. I'm glad I was ab;e to get it done within this week. Hope you guys like reading it! Do review! See you all next time.