Back in the Hidden Mist Village, the sky above the ocean was dark and heavy, reflecting the urgency of the chase below. Zabuza charged forward, his feet skimming the surface of the water as he pursued Deidara with relentless speed. The rogue Akatsuki member was just ahead, his clay bird soaring above the waves, keeping just out of Zabuza's reach.

"Damn it!" Zabuza growled through clenched teeth, the mist swirling around him. He could feel the pressure of time slipping away, knowing that if Deidara managed to escape, the consequences would be dire. With every ounce of strength he could muster, Zabuza weaved more hand signs and unleashed another attack.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Zabuza bellowed, sending two massive water dragons surging from the ocean's surface. The serpentine creatures twisted through the air, homing in on Deidara with deadly precision.

Deidara glanced over his shoulder, a smirk playing on his lips as he effortlessly dodged the attack. His clay bird dipped and swerved between the water dragons as they crashed into the sea with a powerful splash, missing their target. "Hmph, nice try," Deidara mocked, his voice carried by the wind. "But you'll need more than that to catch me, un!"

Without missing a beat, Deidara reached into his clay pouch, pulling out several explosive birds and tossing them into the air. "C3!" he shouted as the birds expanded, turning into miniature bombs that soared toward Zabuza and Utakata.

Zabuza cursed under his breath as he saw the incoming explosives. He quickly shifted his focus to defense, weaving hand signs with lightning speed. "Water Style: Water Wall!" he called out, erecting a towering wall of water between him and the bombs. The explosions rocked the ocean, sending waves crashing in every direction, but the water wall absorbed most of the impact, allowing Zabuza to remain unharmed.

Meanwhile, Utakata floated calmly on one of his signature bubbles, navigating the battlefield with an eerie sense of calm. His eyes were fixed on Deidara as he blew another series of bubbles, each one glowing faintly with chakra. "Bubble Ninjutsu: Explosive Bubbles," Utakata muttered, sending the bubbles soaring toward Deidara's bird.

Deidara's eyes widened as the bubbles floated toward him. "Tch, annoying!" he spat, maneuvering his clay bird to avoid the glowing orbs. The bubbles, while slow-moving, were persistent, homing in on him with surprising accuracy. Deidara knew better than to underestimate Utakata's unique techniques, so he veered off course, trying to shake them off.

Zabuza saw the opening. "Utakata, keep him busy!" he shouted as he pushed forward, using the distraction to close the gap between him and Deidara.

"I'm on it," Utakata replied, sending more bubbles to keep the pressure on Deidara. They were getting closer, but Deidara's evasive tactics were keeping them just out of reach.

Back in the Mizukage office, Mei Terumi sat at her desk, her brow furrowed as she read the letter from Tsunade. The news from the Hidden Leaf was grim—an Akatsuki assault, led by Pain, had left the village in ruins, and they were urgently requesting assistance, particularly Naruto's help in repelling the attackers. Mei's heart sank as she set the letter down. The desperation in Tsunade's plea was clear, but Mei was in no position to provide immediate help.

One of her Anbu stood silently by the door, awaiting orders. The Hidden Mist had its own problems. Akatsuki activity had been increasing in their region as well, and the village was on high alert. Zabuza and Utakata were already out dealing with Deidara, and Mei knew that the village couldn't spare any more shinobi. She felt a wave of helplessness wash over her, knowing that her hands were tied.

"Tsunade… I wish I could send support," Mei muttered to herself, her voice filled with regret. She leaned back in her chair, eyes scanning the letter once more. "But we're stretched too thin here. We're dealing with Akatsuki ourselves. I can't afford to weaken our defenses."

She sighed deeply, her mind wandering to the group she had sent out earlier—Naruto, Haku, and Chojuro. They had been dispatched to the Hidden Sand Village on a diplomatic mission, but there had been no word from them yet. Normally, she wouldn't worry too much about Naruto, given his reputation and strength, but the Akatsuki's growing presence made her uneasy.

"We need Naruto and Haku back here as soon as possible," Mei said aloud, her eyes narrowing with concern. "I don't know what's keeping them, but we can't afford any more delays. Not with the Akatsuki breathing down our necks."

The Anbu stepped forward slightly, sensing Mei's internal struggle. "Mizukage-sama, should I prepare a team to locate them and bring them back?"

Mei shook her head. "No. We can't spare anyone right now. But I want you to send out scouts to monitor the surrounding areas. If there's any sign of trouble, I need to know immediately."

The Anbu nodded before disappearing in a flash, leaving Mei alone with her thoughts. She stared out of the window, watching the mist roll over the village, her mind racing. If Naruto, Haku, and Chojuro didn't return soon, things could spiral out of control. The Hidden Mist was teetering on the edge of a crisis, and if the Akatsuki made another move, she feared for the safety of her people.

Back in the Hidden Leaf Village, chaos and destruction reigned as Tsunade stood on the roof of the Hokage building, overseeing the battle with grim determination. She had already deployed every available Jonin and Anbu to assist the villagers and keep them away from Pain's onslaught. Despite their best efforts, it was clear that the battle was slipping out of their control.

Suddenly, a chilling presence filled the air, and Tsunade turned to see a figure standing behind her. Her heart sank as she realized who it was. Pain. The eerie silence that followed made the scene feel like time had stopped, and every shinobi around her froze, their eyes locked on the terrifying figure.

Pain stood there, his cold, Rinnegan eyes focused solely on Tsunade. In his grasp was Kakashi, his body limp, impaled by one of Pain's black chakra rods. With a flick of his wrist, Pain tossed Kakashi's lifeless corpse onto the ground in front of Tsunade. The sound of his body hitting the ground reverberated through the air like a thunderclap, and the weight of what had just happened sank into everyone's hearts.

"Kakashi!" Shizune gasped in horror, her hands covering her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes.

Tsunade's breath caught in her throat, her body rigid as she stared at Kakashi's unmoving form. One of her strongest and most trusted shinobi, dead at the hands of Pain. The grief was overwhelming, but there was no time to mourn—not in the face of this devastating enemy.

Pain's voice cut through the tension like a blade, cold and unyielding. "I know Naruto Uzumaki was not transferred to the Hidden Mist Village, Hokage," he said, his tone devoid of emotion. "I can sense the deception. You're hiding him."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed, her heart pounding in her chest. Pain had come for Naruto, as expected, but there was no way she would reveal his location. Not when the stakes were this high.

"Believe what you want," Tsunade spat, her voice steady but filled with fury. "I won't tell you where Naruto is. Not now, not ever."

Pain's gaze remained unflinching as he stared down at her. "Then you'll have to face the consequences of your decision," he said, his voice echoing ominously. "Prepare yourself, Hokage. You've refused to cooperate, and now, you will understand true pain."

Without another word, Pain began to rise into the air, his body slowly floating above the village as a sphere of chakra started forming around him. The ground trembled beneath Tsunade's feet as she watched him ascend, her mind racing with dread. She could feel the buildup of energy in the air, and it was unlike anything she had ever encountered.

"What is he planning…?" Tsunade muttered under her breath, her eyes locked on Pain as he rose higher into the sky.

The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. Whatever he was about to do, it was going to be catastrophic. She had to act quickly.

"Shizune! Send out the evacuation orders immediately!" Tsunade barked, her voice laced with urgency. "Get everyone as far away from the village center as possible, now!"

Shizune snapped out of her shock, nodding frantically. "Y-yes, Lady Tsunade!" she stammered before rushing to relay the orders.

Tsunade turned her attention back to Pain, her fists clenched in frustration. This was it—the moment where everything could either fall apart or be salvaged. The lives of everyone in the village hung in the balance, and she knew that without Naruto, they were at a severe disadvantage.

As Pain floated above the village, his calm voice echoed down once more. "This world shall know pain. Almighty Push!"

With those words, a tremendous wave of force erupted from Pain, spreading out in all directions. The very air seemed to bend under the pressure as the village was caught in the shockwave. Buildings shattered, debris flew through the air, and the ground itself split apart as the immense power of Pain's jutsu tore through the Hidden Leaf Village.

Tsunade braced herself, her heart breaking as she watched the destruction unfold. There was nothing she could do to stop it—not alone. The village was crumbling around her, and she knew that they were facing their darkest hour.

Amid the chaos and destruction wreaking havoc on the Hidden Leaf Village, Sasuke and his team had barely managed to avoid the worst of Pain's almighty push. They were now standing atop the remnants of a shattered building, debris still raining down around them. Sasuke, however, was clearly in pain—blood trickled from his left eye, and his breath came in ragged gasps.

Suigetsu, Karin, and Jugo watched in stunned silence as a strange, purple, dark chakra swirled around Sasuke's body, slowly solidifying into the form of a skeletal rib cage. The chakra was dense, oppressive, and felt otherworldly, unlike anything they'd seen Sasuke use before.

"Sasuke!" Karin called out, her voice laced with concern. "What… what is that?!"

Suigetsu, normally the most laid-back of the group, couldn't mask his shock. "Yeah, what's going on, man? You've never used anything like this before!"

Jugo stepped forward cautiously, his eyes locked on the rib cage-like structure forming around Sasuke. "This chakra… it feels different. Is this some new power you've been hiding?"

Sasuke, still trying to catch his breath, looked down at the purple aura surrounding him. His hand instinctively reached up to wipe the blood from his eye, and his mind raced. He had no idea what this was. The power felt both familiar and foreign, like it was something buried deep within him that had suddenly been awakened. But it was taking a toll on his body, and he wasn't sure how long he could maintain control.

"I don't know…" Sasuke muttered, his voice barely audible. "This… this power. It just appeared."

Karin squinted, adjusting her chakra senses. "Whatever it is, it's on another level. It's like your chakra has changed completely. Are you sure you can handle this?"

Sasuke gritted his teeth and tried to steady himself, his vision still blurred from the strain on his eye. He felt the purple chakra pulse and shift, expanding the rib cage further. It was as if his body was responding to the intensity of the battle around him, pulling out a hidden power he hadn't even realized he had.

"I don't have a choice," Sasuke said firmly, though his voice betrayed a hint of uncertainty. "I need this power. If we're going to survive here, we need to be stronger than ever."

Suigetsu, ever pragmatic, glanced at the devastation around them—the remnants of Pain's attacks, the crumbling buildings, the overwhelming sense of doom that hung in the air. "Well, whatever this is, it might be the only thing keeping us alive right now. If you can control it, we might stand a chance."

Jugo nodded in agreement, though his concern for Sasuke was evident. "Just don't push yourself too hard. This could be dangerous if you don't know how to fully use it."

Sasuke's mind raced as he tried to focus through the pain and confusion. He had heard stories of this kind of power—whispers of a power linked to his bloodline, to the Uchiha clan. But he had never imagined that he would manifest it himself. Could this be the legendary Susanoo? The thought sent a chill through him, but he knew now wasn't the time to dwell on it. He had to use this power to protect his team and survive the battle.

Naruto, Haku, and Chojuro moved swiftly through the dense forest, making their way back to the Hidden Mist Village from the Hidden Sand. The trees blurred past them as they dashed across the outskirts of the Leaf Village, but something in the air caused Naruto to slow down. His sharp senses picked up on a disturbing scent—a mixture of smoke and burning debris. He stopped in his tracks, eyes narrowing as he gazed toward the sky. In the distance, columns of dark smoke rose into the air, spreading ominously above the forest line.

Naruto's heart sank. "That's coming from the Leaf Village," he muttered, his voice heavy with concern. His stomach twisted as the feeling of dread washed over him. He couldn't shake the sense that something terrible was happening, and the urge to go back to his home tugged at him strongly. "I need to check it out."

Before Naruto could take a step toward the village, Chojuro grabbed his shoulder firmly. "Naruto, we can't. We have to head back to the Hidden Mist," Chojuro said, his voice stern but not unkind. "Mei-sama requested us, and we still don't know why. The situation could be urgent."

Naruto hesitated, his mind torn between his duties and the growing worry gnawing at him. The Leaf Village was in trouble—he could feel it in his bones. But the mission to the Hidden Mist had to take priority. He knew he wasn't a shinobi of the leaf anymore but he still wanted to check it out.

As Naruto wrestled with the decision, Haku stepped forward, his calm presence grounding Naruto's scattered thoughts. He gently took Naruto's hand, his gaze understanding but resolute. "I know you're worried, Naruto. But Chojuro is right. We have a duty to Mei-sama, and she wouldn't call us back if it wasn't important. We'll help the Leaf Village when we can, but for now, we need to trust Mei."

Naruto looked into Haku's eyes, his worry mirrored in them but tempered by Haku's calm assurance. His heart still ached with the need to protect his home, but he knew Haku and Chojuro had a point. They didn't know what awaited them in the Hidden Mist, and Mei's situation could be just as dire.

With a reluctant sigh, Naruto nodded, squeezing Haku's hand. "Alright, let's go. I trust you guys." He cast one last glance over his shoulder, the sight of the smoke still visible in the distance. "But whatever's going on there, I hope they're okay…"

Tobi stood on the ocean's surface, watching Deidara intently as his partner furiously molded more of his explosive clay into a series of intricate bombs. The tension in the air was palpable. Deidara's frustration was evident as he cursed under his breath, trying to prepare for yet another attack against the forces chasing them. The mission to capture the Three-Tails was proving more complicated than either of them had anticipated.

Without a word, Tobi's Sharingan activated, and in an instant, he teleported beneath the waves, disappearing into the cold, dark depths of the ocean floor. The weightless environment did little to soothe the urgency of the situation. His eyes scanned the area as he spotted the familiar, shadowy figure of Black Zetsu materializing from the rocky seabed, its eyes gleaming as it approached him.

"Madara," Black Zetsu's voice came out in its usual eerie, whispering tone. "What's the delay with capturing the Three-Tails? I thought Deidara had things under control."

Tobi—his true identity as Madara Uchiha still a secret to most—crossed his arms, his expression hidden beneath his mask. "It's not just the Three-Tails," he said, his voice calm but laced with irritation. "The Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Utakata, has gotten involved. He's attacking us, and he's not alone."

Black Zetsu's eyes flickered with interest. "Utakata… and who else?"

"Zabuza Momochi," Tobi replied, the name rolling off his tongue with a hint of amusement. "One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and that bothersome Ao, a former Mist hunter-nin. They've joined forces, and they're complicating the capture."

Black Zetsu absorbed the information, the gears in its mind already turning. "That's quite the team. Deidara and you won't be able to deal with all of them at once."

"Exactly," Tobi said, his voice tightening with impatience. "They'll follow us if we don't get rid of them. And we can't afford to be delayed any further. Reinforcements—send them. Immediately."

Black Zetsu remained silent for a moment, its expression unreadable. Then, with a slow nod, it replied, "Reinforcements have already been dispatched. You should expect someone soon. With them, you'll be able to finish this without further complications."

Tobi's eyes gleamed through the holes in his mask, satisfied. "Good. If we don't capture the Three-Tails and deal with Utakata, Zabuza, and Ao soon, this will become a problem."

Black Zetsu slowly began to melt back into the ocean floor, its voice echoing as it vanished, "Don't worry. By the time they arrive, you'll have everything you need."

Tobi remained silent, staring out into the dark, murky depths for a moment longer. Reinforcements or not, they needed to act quickly. The longer this dragged out, the more enemies would come, and the harder it would be to maintain control over the tailed beasts. With a subtle shift, Tobi reactivated his teleportation jutsu and reappeared on the ocean's surface beside Deidara, who had finished preparing his bombs.

"Reinforcements are on the way," Tobi said, his voice calm yet commanding. "Prepare for a final strike. We need to eliminate them before they become more of a nuisance."

Deidara smirked, his confidence returning as he looked at his partner. "Tch, about time. Let's make this quick. I've got enough clay to blow them all to pieces. Yeah!"

As Deidara prepared his bombs, Tobi silently watched the horizon, waiting for their reinforcements to arrive. The battle ahead would be fierce, but with the right backup, they could finally put an end to Utakata, Zabuza, and Ao—and claim the Three-Tails for the Akatsuki.

At the gates of the Hidden Mist Village, the tension was palpable as one of the Hidden Mist Anbu patrolled with a keen eye. The village had been on high alert ever since the recent Akatsuki activity, and with Naruto's team expected to return soon, the Anbu was focused on spotting them. He thought he had seen movement in the distance when, suddenly, a fiery blast erupted from the treeline.

The Anbu's reflexes kicked in, but the firestorm was intense, overwhelming the guards near the gate. The source of the attack became clear as one of Kakuzu's terrifying masks hovered above, releasing flames that scorched the area. The Anbu barely had time to react before being forced into defensive positions, scrambling to counter the sudden attack.

From behind the trees, Kakuzu stepped forward, his stitched-up body towering over the battlefield. He glanced coldly at the flames his mask had unleashed and then barked orders back into the forest. "Hidan, hurry up!" he growled, his patience wearing thin. "Deidara and Tobi are expecting backup. We don't have time to play."

Kakuzu turned around, irritation flashing in his eyes as he saw Hidan kneeling on the ground, deep into his ritual. Blood dripped from his scythe as he enjoyed the twisted pleasure of his own pain, grinning maniacally in the midst of his ritualistic trance. The symbol of Jashin marked the ground beneath him as he seemed oblivious to the urgency of the situation.

"Hidan!" Kakuzu shouted, his voice a thunderous command. "Stop wasting time with your damn ritual. We're here to assist Deidara and Tobi, not play around with your sadistic nonsense."

Hidan, still laughing and writhing in ecstasy, opened one eye to glance lazily at Kakuzu. "Oh, come on, Kakuzu, don't be such a killjoy. You know how much I love this part. A little fun never hurt anyone… well, except for them."

Kakuzu's patience snapped. "The mission comes first, idiot! Get up, or I'll cut you down myself."

With a groan, Hidan rose to his feet, wiping the blood from his scythe. "Fine, fine. But you really know how to ruin a good time."

The two Akatsuki members regrouped, with Kakuzu sending out another of his masks to survey the area. The fire from the previous attack still burned in the distance, casting an eerie glow over the mist that surrounded the village. They could feel the remaining Mist Anbu forces regrouping, preparing to defend their home. But Kakuzu was confident. He had fought far more challenging enemies before, and he was ready to tear through anyone who got in their way.

"We deal with these Mist shinobi quickly," Kakuzu said coldly. "Then we meet up with Deidara and Tobi. No delays."

Hidan grinned, hefting his scythe. "Whatever you say. Just let me spill some more blood before we leave. Jashin demands it."

As the Hidden Mist Anbu prepared to face the Akatsuki duo, the battle at the village gates was about to erupt into chaos.