I do not own Naruto Shippuden or any of the characters.

Test of Faith

Danzo stepped into the massive cavern and looked up at the towering, ominous statue on the far wall then looked sideways at his two escorts. The blonde that had found him while the rest of his Missing Nin team fought shoved him forward roughly and the other snickered and walked forward to the left hand and jumped onto the index finger while the blonde leapt onto the right one. One by one, multicolored holograms of the other mysterious members of the group appeared on the other fingers leaving only the left little finger empty.

"I ordered you not to summon us unless you had important news," one of them, a man with spiky hair and silver eyes with a ripple design growled. "Unless this man is a target or has a large enough bounty on his head to end our attempt at raising funds, you are wasting time."

"Is order," the one with grey hair slicked back grinned, "no, yes, and no we're not."

"That much of a bounty huh?" the only female silhouette questioned. "Who is he?"

"He was a Konohagakure Elder," the blonde replied. "The crazy bastard was hiring Missing Nin to stage a coup d'etat! We hopped on and decided to see how it would go. His plan went sideways, though, when the damn Hokage refused to wipe out the Uchiha. Anyway, my clay clone got beat and Hidan got himself decapitated. We dug him back up and Danzo proved himself extremely proficient in medical jutsus, being able to reattach it. Figured he'd make a good recruit."

"He failed and you decided he would make a good recruit?" the first silhouette questioned. "Don't you think we have enough failures? We have you, after all."

A couple chuckled but the woman, the one speaking, and the blonde all stayed silent and with seconds the others were silent too.

"You have been nothing but disappointing Deidara," the hologram stated, his voice flat but somehow dripping malice and rage. "You bring in next to no money. You bring in no information regarding Jinchuriki ever. And now you bring in a fool of a Village Elder who lost a coup to a half dozen jonin at most. You are a failure Deidara."

"Told you he wouldn't be happy," Hidan sneered.

"You are no better Hidan," the female snapped. "You are constantly attacking and trying to kill you partners, Deidara being the fifth that we will be separating you from for their safety. You have both failed miserably in your missions. Hidan, if we knew how to kill you, you would be dead. Deidara, we would kill you, but you are still good at incapacitating targets. Hidan, report to Kakuzu, he will be your new partner. Sasori, I'm afraid you will have to work with Deidara, maybe then he will get something done."

"What about Danzo?" Deidara questioned, knowing that they might as well know whether or not to turn him in.

"For now, Kisame is going to meet up with you and test him," the first hologram stated. "Should he deem Danzo worthy, Danzo will be accepted into our ranks as Orochimaru's replacement. If not, he will be returned to Konoha by one of our less popular members for the bounty. As a reminder, each of you should be searching for any possible recruits."

"I have a complaint," Deidara spoke up suddenly. "Why is it that all of us have to cringe in fear at our lack of progress while Konan never has to report? I mean really. She's a cold bitch and she never has to-"

The first hologram made the Seal of Confrontation and Deidara's entire body lit up red as the hologram's ripple designs began moving outward while new ones began to spread from his pupils. Deidara's scream of agony spread through the cavern, making everyone except Danzo, Konan, and their leader. After nearly a minute, the hologram ended the jutsu and Deidara fell to his hands and knees on his finger, panting for air.

"The reason that Konan does not need to report is because she is with me," the hologram growled. "She doesn't report because she does exactly what I tell her to as I tell her to do it. Something you could learn to do."

And with that, both he and Konan's holograms were gone.

"Alright then," Kisame, a tall man with gills below his eyes and a massive sword on his back. "I'll see you guys soon."

He disappeared and Kakuzu told Hidan to hurry up. Sasori promised to be there quickly then the rest of the holograms vanished and Danzo sighed.

"With I had brought my sword," Danzo sighed.

"A sword won't help against him," Hidan promised. "He's going to tear you apart."

An hour later, Kisame and Sasori arrived and Hidan loaned Danzo his scythe. Kisame charged forward, swinging a fist and Danzo stuck the scythe into the ground and leaned out of the way of the punch then dropped to the ground planting his foot in Kisame's chest and sending him flying backward. Danzo picked the scythe up, resting it on his shoulder with the blades hanging down and Kisame drew his sword. They both charged again and this time, their blades met with a loud clang before Danzo's scythe blade slipped down Kisame's blade and Kisame planted a knee to his face smashing him back. Danzo took the scythe with him and the scythe took the wrapping that Kisame kept on his sword.

"Impressive," Danzo grinned eyeing the sword.

"Thank you," Kisame smiled hefting his eight foot long sword with a blade made out of scales and a small skull pommel. "It absorbs chakra from enemies and transfers it to me. I am known as the tailless tailed beast."

"I don't give even half a shit," Danzo sneered sticking the scythe into the ground and making hand seals. "Wind Style, Vacuum Bomb!"

He blew a massive blast of wind out at Kisame who simply swung his sword and absorbed the entire attack. His sword grew until it was as broad as he was tall and he grinned. Danzo instantly began making more hand seals and instantly fired a barrage of the same attack at Kisame. Kisame absorbed all twenty then lifted his sword that was now quivering and massive. Kisame seemed to have a bit of trouble holding it up and moving it but when Danzo sent a second barrage, Kisame absorbed them all as well. Then Kisame growled in frustration and channeled all of the chakra from his sword into him before doubling over, coughing up blood and gasping for air.

"What did you...do to me?" Kisame gasped.

"Everyone has a limit to the amount of chakra they can hold," Danzo stated. "I knew that your body was used to having a massive amount of chakra in it so I pumped enough to kill thirty jonin into you. Then, I placed a seal in the chakra itself that is rejecting your chakra. In a little more than minute, you'll be dead. Unless you concede. And just so you're aware, I control the seal mentally. If I wish it to reactivate at any given time, it will."

"I give!" Kisame shouted. "Deactivate the seal!"

"Release!" Danzo said making the Seal of Confrontation and Kisame stood glaring at him.

"Welcome to the Akatsuki, partner," Kisame sneered holding his hand out.

"Thank you," Danzo grinned. "Hidan, catch."

Danzo tossed him his scythe and Hidan nodded then left just as Sasori arrived.

"Did I miss the big brawl?" Sasori questioned.

"No brawl," Deidara stated. "Danzo put a seal inside Kisame and made him puke blood."

"Something like that," Danzo stated.

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