Chapter 3: Too Late...

"…" = Talk

'…' = Thoughts

"…" = Kyubi/ Inner Sakura/Jutsus/ Black Zetsu

One Naruto Uzumaki was frowning as he inspected the scrolls in front of him.

Currently, he, Kakashi and Sakura, were standing in the Hokage's office while the blond of the team looked over different mission scrolls. He murmured something quietly as he switched from scroll to scroll; words along the lines of "no", "stupid" and "dumb"...

For Kakashi, it was quite a funny sight, if annoying a little bit. He simply looked with a nervous smile as his blond student did his… examination.

Sakura however wasn't pleased in the slightest. She had several tick marks on her head and looked very, VERY annoyed. She still hasn't forgiven her teammate for not letting her beat that shrimp Konohamaru for almost trying to kill her, and neither had she forgotten the rude way he had rejected her date yesterday. And now, she had to deal with this clownishness of his in front of the Hokage, who also was her teacher!

Tsunade herself, on the other hand, was amused. Anything that can take her mind of the damn paperwork had her seal of approval.

Naruto looked up from the scrolls and shot the Hokage a disappointed look. "Is this all you have, Granny?"

Pushing the insult to her age to the side, Tsunade smirked. "I have no idea what are you talking about. You wanted to do missions; I gave you missions."

"Yeah, missions." The whiskered blond snorted, "The missions you talk about are either taking care of some thief, protecting AND escorting a pig, and catching a fish. Catching. A. Fish! Why the hell would we catch a fish! We're ninjas, not fishermen!"

Sakura's turn to shout was up. "Naruto! Show more respect to Lady Hokage! Besides, you're the one that all these I missions are for because you're the one who's still a genin!"

"Low blow. Hehehe…" The Kyubi chuckled inside the blond's head.

"Now now Sakura, no need to be rude to your teammate…" Kakashi stepped in with his signature eye-smile, trying to ease the conversation. He didn't want his first mission with his students to start with a hassle. "And you Naruto, maybe if you try and ask… nicely, then Lady Hokage wouldn't mind giving us something more challenging. Isn't it so, Lady Hokage?"

"But of course," Tsunade confirmed, even though she wanted the scene of an annoyed Naruto rambling about D-rank missions to continue a bit longer. It was quite a mood refresher. "However, you have to know that Sakura is right, Naruto. You must do these D-rank missions if you want to advance in rank and become Hokage one day."

"Again with that nonsense…" the Kyubi snorted. "Was it always this easy to sway you with that buzzword kit? Because that white-haired fool and this Senju woman are abusing it a lot!"

'I kind of was easy to lead on with that…'

"Well, I for once appreciate that you changed. Your old self was insufferable..."

'Mind letting this conversation for later? I don't want to get them suspicious because I am standing still like this and talking in my head…'

Kyubi became silent.

Tsunade however was not. "Brat? Are you still with us? Or maybe you're reconsidering accepting one of those D-rank missions?" She didn't expect him to do so, bell if he did, she would add it to the list of abnormalities she was taking notes of concerning him.

Before Naruto could tell her that he hadn't trained with Pervy Sage all that time for these stupid missions, someone barged in the office.

"Lady Hokage! We have an urgent message!"

Tsunade's face hardened. It seems her good mood was going to be souring once again. 'This job is impossible…' "What is it, Shizune?"

"We have been sent a message by Suna a few hours ago! It says the Kazekage has been captured by Akatsuki!"

Four pairs of eyes widened at this. And for several reasons.

Normally, if a hidden village is attacked, the other hidden villages wouldn't care beyond preparing themselves should they be attacked as well, or expanding their territory if possible. But the case for Suna and Konoha was different. The two villages were in an alliance, the only one in the current state of the world. And anything that hurt one of the two villages was immediately a matter of concern for the other one. After all, it was this alliance that let the two villages without any major conflict, despite both being weakened after Orochimaru invaded Konoha and his misadventures in Suna.

In simpler terms, this alliance was vital for both Suna and Konoha.

The fifth Kazekage, among other minor contributors, was the main upholder of this alliance from Suna's side because of his high opinion of Konoha. As such, his abduction by Akatsuki is not only bad news for Suna, but it threatened the two villages' alliance, and so was bad news for Konoha as well.

"This is a rather somber news…" Kakashi said out loud. He has personally dealt with Akatsuki in the past, specifically Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshikage, and they were no slouches. If whoever captured the Kazekage was anywhere near those two's level, then they have a problem.

"Agreed Kakashi…" Tsunade said with a very serious face. It seems she was going to grant Naruto's demand of a more challenging missions after all. "Team Seven, it seems that we will have to postpone your assigned missions for today in light of this new predicament." The tension in the room became very thick. "In a few hours, I want you to be ready for a mission of S-rank. Your task will be to get information on the Akatsuki who fought the Kazekage and offer any help possible to Suna in retrieving him. Engaging Akatsuki themselves is optional."

Kakashi and Sakura nodded at this. She had only heard of the organization that is Akatsuki before from her teacher. And she told her that they consist of mostly elite ninjas, the likes of Itachi Uchiha, Sasuke's brother…

This was to this was her chance le prove her worth after all that training!

Naruto for his part had other thoughts. 'Shit… I knew those guys were strong, but they really fought Gaara and defeated him IN his Village?' Jiraya had told him once in the last months of his training trip that Gaara became the Kazekage of Suna. It was quite an accomplishment for someone so young to become Kage.

"Hmph. You're overestimating Shukaku's abilities. That idiot is the weakest among the Bijuus, and his jinchuriki is a teenager. Being beaten by a bunch of well-prepared shmucks, or even just one isn't that unreasonable."

Naruto mentally rolled his eyes. 'Of course, you'll think that. You're so full of yourself…'

"And your point is?"

'These Akatsuki guys defeated someone like Gaara in his own home where he has the advantage of sand for his Jutsus. I don't want to take chances with people like that until use I can use that…'

Kyubi was silent for a second before he replied, "You know, I am almost hurt by the fact that you think my chakra alone isn't enough to skewer through whatever fool is on your path, but you do have a point here…"

'Only one fool though if they're as strong as S-rank, not a bunch. And if I use your chakra, questions are going to pop, especially if I use beyond what I should be capable of because of my training…'

"Hmhmhm… Well, well, well, would you look at that, you are actually planning things now." Kyubi smiled darkly. "Feeling smarter, kit?

'Hey, I am just looking for myself! Besides, you read with me that missing people thing going on, right? What if THAT was Akatsuki too? I don't want to jump into their hands like an idiot. Would throw a wrench in everything I want to do, and I don't want that…'

"Hmph… I guess you should explain it to those humans with you then. They've been starring for quite a while now…"

Naruto returned his attention to the other people with him in the room. Sure enough, they were eying him, no doubt waiting for his response.

And so, he dropped the bomb on them.

"Granny, I don't want to be in this mission."

Everyone stared at him with shock.

Uzumaki Naruto, who spent half an hour mumbling about how useless and dumb the D-rank missions were and wanted more of a challenge… was now backing down when said challenge presented itself?

Quickly regaining her composure, Tsunade asked him. "And why is that Naruto?"

"I don't feel I am ready to face Akatsuki yet if they were capable of taking down Gaara… I want to have more time to train in a specific jutsu that'll make me strong enough to fight them…"

Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the mention of the Kazekage's name and wondered from where did Naruto know the name before shrugging. 'Most likely Lord Jiraya told him…' the one-eyed man was more interested however in the latter part of his student's answer.

As was Tsunade. "And what pray tell, would be this mysterious jutsu, that'll make you confident enough to take on S-rank shinobis?" 'I'll have to check with Jiraya later on this…' she added as an afterthought.

Naruto chuckled before winking and sticking out his tongue. "Hehe, it's a secret."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow at this unsubtle evasion of the Hokage's question. 'Note to self: Naruto is stronger and smarter…'

Sakura for her part wasn't as perspective. "This isn't the time to act like an idiot Naruto! The Kazekage is in danger! We must hurry and help!" " You tell him! Shannaro!"

"And I told you right now that I don't feel like… no, I know I am not strong enough to beat people from Akatsuki!" The blond jinchuriki ignored the snort of Kyubi. "And in case you don't remember who Akatsuki is, then let me remind you that it is a group of S-rank ninja! S-Rank! S as in Strong! You know, people you'll be useless against!"

His pink-haired teammate winced at his comment.

'…and cheekier too, apparently…' Kakashi added mentally. Shizune silently exited the room.

"Finish her… Finish her… Finish her…" Kyubi chanted. He rather enjoyed whenever his jailor would shit-talk those Konoha Tree-Huggers. It was a rather satisfying thing for him.

Naruto for his part wasn't done. He was still irritated from knowing that they would have initially just started with those D-rank missions and then when he wanted to pull out from an obviously very dangerous mission, his female teammate, the weakest one in the room, wanted to play the moral ground for against him!

Thankfully though, or unfortunately, Tsunade interjected. "I see your point Naruto. I will have another team support Kakashi and Sakura on this. You are dismissed." Of course, there are deeper reasons for accepting his sudden resignation from this mission.

At first, she thought the young blonde would do whatever he could to go after the Kazekage since from what she knew, they were friends, and he would do anything to go and save him even if it meant going against her orders, so might as well send him in officially. But if he withdrew himself from going, it saved her from the headache of facing the old farts and them bringing – again – how incompetent she was for sending their jinchuriki away to chase off after Akatsuki, and amidst the dilemma of missing people no less.

Kakashi nodded at her decision, seemingly understanding her hidden motives.

Naruto nodded too, grinning and giving her a thumbs up.

But Sakura was having none of it.

"What? But Lady Tsunade… Why!? Why are you letting him do what he wants when our team is going to be sent in such a dangerous mission!?" She just didn't understand this display of favoritism.

"Oh, it's fine Sakura-chan. Don't sell yourself short. I am sure you would help a lot in this mission..." Pink haired girl's face somewhat eased at the compliment. "…once you die."

An arrow hitting her heart described perfectly her feelings at the last bit.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHA! And the match is settled with two to one for the whiskered bastard! HAAAAAAHAHAHA!"

'Yes! Yes! I would like to thank everyone who helped me reach this far, which is everyone and anyone but a certain Grumpy fox...' Naruto thought with audible mock laughter and left the office of the Hokage.

"Ha! You wish! You should be thanking me for your entire miserable life for saving you from being these hypocrites' little bitch."

'But you didn't. Or have you gotten too old and started forgetting now?' Naruto replied, trying to get back at the Kyubi.

He failed.

"Hehehe… Keep telling yourself that kit. We both know that I am right...'

Back within the Hokage's office, a dim silence fell as Naruto left the room. His rather harsh comment toward Sakura left them a bit startled, more so when he laughed after it.

None however was more hurt than Sakura. Being useless was still a sore and sensitive spot that she didn't like being touched upon.

"Ahem…" Kakashi cleared his throat, breaking the silence and bringing everyone's focus back to him. "…you …said that we will have a support team, Lady Hokage?"

Tsunade nodded. "Indeed. I'll send Shizune to fetch me team Guy. You're the team leader for this one, Kakashi. As I said earlier, your mission is to assist Suna in retrieving the Kazekage and getting information on the one who fought him. Engaging Akatsuki or killing them is optional. Is it clear?"

The silver-haired jonin nodded his head.

Kyubi was quietly watching the streets of Konoha from within Naruto's mindscape, though with an annoyed expression.

"Hey look! It's that demon child again…"

There was no cage binding him. He simply sat in the middle of… darkness and yellow… water – piss maybe?

"Yeah, it's him…"

He saw people come and go, going on their simple life, some talking, while others were ninjas and did ninja stuff.

"I wonder why Lady Hokage allows that freak to walk freely like that…"

Some were whispering and pointing at his jailor. And since he saw the outside world through his eyes, it was so damn annoying.

"Probably gone soft on him because he is a blonde too or some shit…"

After about a century of being trapped in this stupid village, the majority of which he had been trapped in his past two jinchurikis, and the rest being trapped, once again, in a simpleton foolish child, he became fed up with this village of tree-huggers and its hypocrites.

"Hey cut him some slack will you! He didn't do anything wrong ever since he came back…"

The only saving grace of his existence that relined him from pointlessly trying to escape his host was… well… his host.

"You know, Takeru's kind of right… don't you guys have a life or something instead of shit-talking behind a kid?"

Kyubi couldn't tell what happened to his jailor or even how it led them to their current… relationship, as of right now.

"Look at you, Hizo, trying to humanize the demon child of all people. What would your dead family think of you defending their killer?"

He had just remarked that Naruto's dark and negative counterpart, idly dubbed Dark Naruto, disappeared one day, and his jailor came to him and asked for help and guidance.

"I know what they would think you bastard… and it is much better than what your father and little brother will think of you if they knew you're picking on an innocent and good kid."

Kyubi would have roared in laughter at this villager if he was not annoyed. He also would have roared with laughter at Naruto, his jailor, for coming to him and asking for aid. Of all things he could do, Kyubi never thought that Naruto would do that. But the blonde had given him a deal that he had found most interesting. And he accepted it.

Now, what he most likely thought could define his relationship with the blond would probably be…

"Hey kit, would you mind finding whatever place you want to train in quicker? These miserable villagers' whispers are starting to irk me."

'Then mute the link! You can do that you know…'

…odd.

The blond jinchuriki had been strolling the streets of Konoha. He wanted to move to a secluded area where nobody would be seeing him train. He didn't want anyone picking on what he was doing in case they recognize it.

'So…' Naruto started. '…do you have any idea where I can train without anyone interrupting?'

"And why are you asking me? Does it seem like I have a map of this stupid village?"

Naruto stopped his walk. '…You're the ancient fox of and mister I-am-better-than-anyone-and-everyone. You're the one who's supposed to be the brain of this team.'

"A brain that you refuse to listen to most of the time because you are still chocked full of retard genes…"

"Oh shut up…" The blond grumbled and resumed his walk.

"Hehehe. My point is proven!"

'And about my question?'

"You should have thought it when you were busy shit-talking that pink girl…"

'Yeah yeah… keep poking fun at something that you pushed me to do. I bet it makes you feel soooo smart…'

"Pushed you to do? Weren't you the one who wanted to get even with that girl because she hit you a lot?" Kyubi pointed out. "Also, I AM Smart, kit!"

'Sure, sure.' Naruto thought with a visible eye roll. 'So you're just going to ignore my question?'

"Yes."

'You suck…'

Demonic laughter was his response. Naruto shrugged at this. 'Oh well I guess I'll just train in some unused training ground and hope no one bothers me or recognize what I am doing…' He knew that was unlikely with the ANBU he senses watching him, but it was that or nothing he guessed…

He walked some more interrupted before Kyubi talked to him again. "You know, I personally think that you walked out of that mission because you are jealous of Shukaku's jinchuriki and wants him to die because he one-upped you on that Kage shit…"

'Not everyone thinks as twisted as you Kyubi…'

"But you aren't everyone…" Kyubi said humorlessly.

'And I don't think like you, either. Gaara is a friend, sure, but I am not risking everything I want to do for him. I hope they manage to save him though…'

"So cold... And I thought you never give up. Where did that go?"

'I DID never give up. I didn't accept that mission to begin with…'

"But you gave up on Shukaku's jinchuriki. What would he think of you if he knew, I wonder…?"

'You're one to talk…!' the blonde accused. 'Didn't you abandon your family? Your 'brothers'?'

"Not everyone thinks as twisted as me kit …"

Naruto slapped his forehead at this. 'Just shut up, ok?'

Kyubi chuckled at this. Truly, odd was possibly the only word that could describe the relationship he had with his jinchuriki.

Who would've thought that he, the giant creature of doom and destruction, would… normalize himself, with someone from this damn village of tree-huggers?

Quite a few actually.

But let's not dwell on that.

"Hey look, guys! It's Naruto!"

Someone yelled from behind him. Naruto turned to check who it was and was met with two faces.

"Oh great. More annoyances…"

Naruto didn't answer his giant furry 'partner' and instead looked at the approaching trio, two of them he recognized as Kiba and Hinata. He also noticed that Kiba's dog, Akamaru, became wolf sized. "Hi, there! Been a long time since…"

"H-hi N-nar-rut-to…" Hinata stuttered, her face colored rosy. She looked down and was poking her fingers together, and fidgeted in her place. It was a cute scene really, if not shameful for the fact that she's the heiress of the Hyuga Clan.

"A pleasure to meet you, Uzumaki Naruto. It truly has been a while since we last met." One of the trio Naruto didn't recognize spoke.

The blond looked at him and squinted his eyes. "Um… who…?" He trailed before it dawned on him. "Oh right, you're the Bug guy. Shino!"

"It seems you haven't changed much Uzumaki Naruto. You're still forgetting about your friends…" Shino uttered, gloomy clouds surrounding him.

Kiba sweatdropped at this. "You're still not over not being chosen on that mission, Shino?"

"You would be too if the people you considered friends forgot about you in a very serious matter like that…" Shino punctuated his words with a glare, or at least what looked it since most of his face is hidden with his hood and high collar.

'I don't want to deal with this now… I need to find a place to train as fast as possible and make the most out of my time here...' Naruto thought as he tried to hightail out from this situation.

Hinata noticed it. "Um, ar-are you g-goi-ing som-mewhere, Naruto?"

'Fuck…' The blind mentally cursed as all three were now focusing on him. "I was going to train a bit."

Kiba raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you just come back from a training trip?"

"Yeah I did, but I kinda didn't finish something. It's mostly Taijutsu to be honest…" He lied in the last part, but they wouldn't know.

"I-if so, wh-why do-don't you c-come tra-train wi-with us, Naruto? Ku-Kurenai-sensei ju-just g-gave us a d-day off…"

"No." Naruto's answer was nonchalant and instantaneous, and it came off a bit rude for Hinata – she was shocked by how her secret crush refused her offer so casually. "I want to train alone…"

Kiba snickered. "Ha! What's wrong Naruto? Are you chickening out of a challenge?"

'Can't you idiots lake a hint!' Naruto thought furiously. He was basically telling them to fuck off and they still were clinging to him like glue!

He then looked at Kiba and laughed. "And who's the challenge? You, Kiba? Or the mumbling mess over there that is Hinata?"

Another shock hit Hinata, and she looked a bit with wide eyes at Naruto. Was he always this rude? She remembered him being so sweet and caring, but here he acted like a brute.

Shino stayed silent and merely looked, analyzing the situation.

Kiba however was not. "Hey, you jackass. You don't insult my teammates in front of me!" He meant Hinata specifically, but he didn't want to say it out loud.

"Whatever…" Naruto eye-rolled and was about to jump away before he felt a hand on his shoulder. 'For the love of…!'

"Just beat them up and move on!" Kyubi advised. These weak pests were starting to get on his nerves as well.

"You're not going anywhere until you apologize for what you said!" Kiba spat. He didn't know if the blond was pulling a Sasuke on them and felt superior because he trained with the legendary Jiraya of the Sannin but he was not going to let him disrespect them like that.

"Nope. I won't do that. Later." A smokescreen appeared suddenly from nowhere. All three of them and a few bystanders coughed and struggled to see. When it cleared, they looked around but Naruto was nowhere to be seen.

"That. Piece. Of. Shit!" Kiba growled, stomping the ground. Akamaru barked in agreement.

"You're the one who provoked him," Shino said.

"And he just shit-talked us like we were some nobodies or something! I don't know about you, but I don't let that shit slide when it happens to me or my team!"

"He insulted you and Hinata. He didn't do such thing to me." Shino didn't know whether he should feel good about this or feel bad because Naruto probably forgot about him. Again.

Hinata for her part was on a world of her own. This encounter, as quick as it was, has weighed on her a lot. 'Naruto-kun... he said I am a mumbling mess… He bad-mouthed me… but at least I didn't faint… Maybe I need to speak with him alone later…' She blushed furiously at the thought of her and Naruto alone.

Kiba gave her a look when he saw her blushing, before growling again. Even when he shits all over her, she still fawns over that bastard Naruto. Meanwhile, he, her teammate, asked her out multiple times and she rejected him every time.

'That lucky bastard…'

"I know what you are thinking Kiba, but you have more pressing matters you need to focus on." Shino was hinting at his missing mother and the matters of the Inuzuka clan right now.

Kiba knew that already, but he swore though, as soon as he fixed things on his end, he was going to teach that blonde whiskered bastard a lesson.

Meanwhile – Land of Rivers

Somewhere far, far away from Konoha… eleven figures were gathered.

Rocks surrounded them from floor to ceiling, alluding to their location to be some sort of cave. Darkness crept around them but stayed out of reach as the light of a body-sized lantern chased it away.

The figures themselves were not distinguishable despite being visible by the lantern's light. Each of them wore a cloak of black color with red clouds on it, and everyone stood atop a rock of round shape.

"Deidara, Sasori, did you get the Ichibi?" One of the figures, a man with a swirling mask and short spiky hair asked. His voice had a very commanding tone.

"Yup. Though he was quite the annoying little shit, un!" Deidara said. He was one of two among everyone whose features were distinguishable. He had blond hair which was tied in a half ponytail with the rest hanging down freely. A bang of hair hid his left eye, leaving only his right blue eye visible.

"That's because you took your time and fooled around instead of finishing him quickly…" A grumbling voice came from a man next to him. He was the shortest one from the bunch, looking hunchback. His face was covered by a black tissue, and his head only had a few large hair strands sticking out of it.

Deidara huffed. "If I did finish him off quickly, Sasori my man, I wouldn't have shown nearly as much of my art as I did. All of that village needed to witness such a beautiful and magnificent display."

"Of your faggot pride." A tall man, the tallest one in the cave actually, interrupted Deidara with a laugh. His hair was spiky, though much more than the man with the swirling mask. His face has some markings around his eyes and he was carrying a large sword behind him.

"HAAAAAAHAHAHAHA! Good one, Kisame! And look, he's missing his jerking one too! Gonna need a 'hand' with that one. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The one who talked right now had silver slicked-back hair and pink eyes and was grabbing a huge scythe. He laughed like a maniac.

"Hidan, shut the fuck up." Another one said, glaring at the pink-eyed man. He was tall too, slightly less than the one named Kisame. His face and hair were covered entirely in a mask, leaving only his eyes visible; his creepy eyes that is, complete with green irises, no pupils, and red sclerae.

"YOU shut the fuck up Kakuzu! Or better yet, eat a dick and shit it!"

"Are you all done?" A rather quiet force asked, though it immediately silenced everyone. He too had spiky hair, though less than Kisame but more than the man with the swirl mask. His face had a lot of piercings, and his eyes were ringed and purple.

The same man then went through a few hand seals before clapping his hands together. "Kuchiyose: Gedo Mazo (Summering Gedo Statue)."

A giant demonic statue looked appeared behind them. An earthen-colored humanoid entity with a mummified appearance, and a continuous swirling motion on its body. It had nine eyes, one open and eight closed. Its hands were posed in a way that all its fingers were pointing up.

"Shit man, that thing looks creepier each time I see it…" Hidan said, though no one paid him mind.

Each one teleported to one of the statue's fingers, except Deidara and Sasori who jumped at to their position on the statue's fingers, and the man with the swirl mark teleported to the statue's nose.

Deidara then summoned a clay bird in the between of the statue's hands. In a poof of smoke, the clay bird disappeared and an unconscious person laid in its place. It was the Kazekage of Suna, Gaara of the Sand.

The man with the purple ringed eyes clasped his hands together, and so did the rest.

"Fuinjutsu: Genryu Kyufujin (Sealing Technique: Phantom Dragons Nine Consuming Seals)!"

Immediately, chakra dragons surged from the statue's mouth and engulfed The Kazekage's body. His eyes, nose, ears, and mouth started leaking what looked like red chakra, all siphoned into the statue's mouth.

"While we wait for the sealing to end, is there any news on our targets that any of you want to share?" The man with the swirling mask asked.

A short silence fell before being interrupted by Kisame. "Hehehe… well then, I'll start. Itachi and I have found the Hachibi. He is in Kumo and is the Raikage's brother. A bit of a sassy one, but nothing too hard to manage."

Hidan followed. "And we found Yonbi and Gobi. Bunch of pansy jobbers if you ask me..."

"You're one to talk…" A snort came from Kakuzu.

"Yeah fuck you Kakuzu!"

"We've located Rokubi and Sanbi. They're both in Kiri. Though Sanbi is just roaming around there. Rokubi is still in his jinchuriki, and he's hiding in villages in the outskirts of Water Country. He's quite the sneaky one. Hehe…" Another figure explained. His changing voices alluded that he was two persons, but he definitely was only one. He had some sort of plant-like maw jutting from both sides of his neck and short hair. His eyes were yellow, though his left one was with a sclera and his right one didn't have a scelera at all.

"I see. And what about you Itachi? Do you have anything to add?" The marked spiky-haired man inquired and looked at a man with black hair and onyx eyes.

"I have nothing to add other than what we know…" Itachi said quietly.

"Tobi, aside from the Jinchuriki hunt, what are we going to do with Orochimaru? It's been years since he defected from Akatsuki and he is a traitor to our group." The sole female of the eleven figures spoke. She had short straight hair and amber eyes, with a labret piercing and a flower atop her head.

"Yeah, I want to kill off that snake bastard, un," Deidara added.

"Orochimaru is not a threat to us, leave him be for the time being. If he sells us out or gets on our way, I'll deal with him personally." The man with the swirling mask, now identified as Tobi, clarified while glancing at the female and Deidara.

The female narrowed her eyes and Deidara just huffed.

A long silence ensued. And after a while, the Kazekage fell to the ground with a thud, the chakra dragon returning to the statue's mouth. The giant statue closed its mouth, a second eye-opening on it, before disappearing in a giant puff.

"Heh, that was quick. Why the hell can't it be quick like this every time?" Hidan was the one to ask.

And Itachi was the one to answer. "It is Twelve hours for each tail, Hidan. Leader already explained it last time…"

Kakuzu shot him a disapproving look. "You're wasting your time on him, kid. This idiot hit his head way too many times to remember important and delicate informal like that."

"Shut the hell up Kakuzu you cunt!"

And just like that, every one of the figures disappeared one by one and the light of the lantern's light dimmed with each disappearance before fading completely, leaving only the Kazekage's dead body on the dark cavern.

A few days later, when the Konoha rescue team will arrive, they will only find an empty cave and a dead Kazekage. Their mission is now prematurely failed.

In another place all the way in Ame, inside a room in the tallest lower, four people were standing, an almost palpable silence surrounding them.

And it was the man with the ringed eyes who broke it, his voice echoing in the room. "Tobi, the Chunin Exams will be held in a few weeks in Ame."

"And?" Tobi asked, looking at the man straight in the eyes. "Why will I care about that? This is your village. Do with it whatever you please…"

"I will be using that jutsu, Tobi…" the man clarified. The female with the flower stood by his side, looking impassive.

Tobi narrowed his eyebrows under his mask. "Well shit then. You could have said that earlier when we were at the meeting."

"It would have alerted the other members of our affiliation to Ame and Pein's identity. Something you warned us against," she replied in the man's stead, now revealed to be named Pein.

White Zetsu chimed in. "Konan's kinda right you know." And his black half immediately berated him. "Be quiet you idiot."

Tobi shot them a side glance, before refocusing on Pein and Konan. They couldn't see it because of his mask, but he was glaring. "Just tell them that jinchuriki hunt will be on hold for a certain time in a later meeting." His form started to be warped in a vortex. "And make sure to do your work properly." And just like that, Tobi disappeared.

"I guess that is our cue…" The Black half of Zetsu said and started to, for a lack of a better word, sink into the ground, "Later!" White Zetsu added seconds before both disappeared.

Now alone, both Konan and Pein slood silently in the room. "Pein…" Konan started, looking at him. "Are you sure we are doing the right thing? By siding with him?"

"Yes."

His answer was swift and decisive, with no hint of disappointment or hesitation.

Considering both of them knew who Tobi was, she was rather envious of Pein's resolve toward her question. Her own consciousness was not as easy on her.

Pein walked past her to the window and stood outside, letting the rain fall on him and closing his eyes. Wordlessly, Konan dematerialized into a myriad of papers and flew out of the room.

Pein just kept closing his eyes and facing upward, not bothered in the slightest as Konan's paper passed him.

AN: I changed the sealing time. I know that it took three days, but I needed to skip the Kazekage rescue mission so… yeah…