As Tobi and Deidara soared through the skies on one of Deidara's clay birds, the tension in the air was thick with frustration. Deidara, still seething from the loss, grumbled under his breath.

"I can't believe this… I just got my arm back from that last fight, and now both of my arms are gone again!" Deidara spat angrily, glaring at the stumps where his arms once were.

Tobi, ever the optimist, floated alongside on the bird, his carefree tone not quite matching the dire situation. "Aw, come on, Deidara-senpai! No need to be so grumpy. You know, Kakuzu will probably lend you a hand! Get it? Lend you a hand!" Tobi chuckled, clearly amused with his own joke.

Deidara's eye twitched in irritation as he snapped, "Shut up, Tobi! This isn't the time for your stupid jokes!" He struggled to keep his balance on the bird without his arms to support him, making his frustration all the more visible. "Damn it… next time, I'll blow that brat Naruto to pieces, and I'll make sure the Mist Village pays, too!"

Tobi's cheerful tone remained, though there was a slight undercurrent of seriousness. "You always talk about blowing things up, Deidara-senpai! But don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities. We still have plans for those Jinchuriki."

Deidara huffed in response, his anger simmering but unable to find a release. "Just wait… my art will be the last thing they see."

As Deidara and Tobi flew through the skies, Deidara's sharp eye caught sight of something unusual in the far distance. Below them, on the outskirts of a forest, lay the unmistakable wreckage of a once-thriving village, now reduced to rubble. Smoke rose lazily from the ruins, and the sheer devastation was unlike anything Deidara had seen in some time.

"Oi, Tobi," Deidara called out, a mixture of curiosity and surprise in his voice. "What the hell happened down there? That village looks like it was completely obliterated."

Tobi's single visible eye gleamed with recognition as he observed the vast destruction. A slow, almost eerie chuckle escaped him. "Ah, that must be the handiwork of Pain… It seems our plan has gone off without a hitch. That," Tobi pointed lazily toward the destroyed village, "was Konoha, the Hidden Leaf Village."

Deidara's eyes widened in shock. "What? You're telling me that's Konoha?" His voice held a rare note of disbelief. "The whole damn village was wiped out like it was nothing?"

Tobi nodded, an unsettling cheerfulness in his tone. "Yup! Pain must've used his strongest technique. Looks like the village is nothing but a giant crater now." He chuckled to himself, as though the sight of the once-great Hidden Leaf reduced to a smoking ruin was nothing more than an amusing spectacle. "Oh, it's so flat! Kind of looks like a giant hole now, doesn't it?"

Deidara, usually the one who delighted in mass destruction, found himself taken aback. "An entire village… just like that?" He frowned slightly, a rare moment of respect for the sheer power it took to achieve such a feat. "Hmph, I've always appreciated a good explosion, but that… that's on another level."

Tobi laughed again, his voice almost giddy. "Pain's power is absolute! This was all part of the plan, after all. Konoha had to fall, and now… there's nothing left to stand in our way."

Deidara's gaze lingered on the massive crater, still smoldering in the distance. For all his bravado and love for his "art," the sheer scale of the devastation left him speechless for a moment. "Tch… guess Pain really did show them the true meaning of power, huh?"

"Exactly," Tobi replied, his voice softening into something more ominous. "With Konoha gone, the balance of power is about to shift. And soon, we'll bring true peace to this world… just as planned."

Deidara scoffed, still trying to process the destruction. "Hmph, I'd still prefer a nice, flashy explosion to end things, but I guess Pain's methods get the job done too."

As they flew over the remains of the Hidden Leaf Village, Deidara found himself both impressed and disturbed by the sheer force that had been unleashed. Tobi's laughter echoed in the air as they continued on their way, leaving behind the smoldering wreckage of Konoha, now just a memory of what once was.

As Kakuzu and Hidan ran through the dense forest surrounding the outskirts of what was once the Hidden Leaf Village, Hidan suddenly called out, "Oi, Kakuzu! Stop for a second!" His voice carried a mix of excitement and bloodthirsty glee.

Kakuzu, grumbling to himself, halted and turned to face Hidan, who was staring ahead with wide, manic eyes. "What now, Hidan? We don't have time for your nonsense."

Hidan pointed ahead, a wicked grin stretching across his face. "Look at that! Isn't that…?" He trailed off as the view of the obliterated village came into full view. The giant crater and smoldering ruins were all that remained of the once-great Konoha.

Kakuzu's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the destruction. It took him a moment to process what he was seeing. "This… This was the Leaf Village," he muttered in disbelief. "Completely wiped out…" Even Kakuzu, a man who had lived through countless wars and battles, was stunned by the sheer scale of the devastation. He'd seen villages destroyed before, but this was different—it was as if the entire place had been erased from existence.

Hidan burst into laughter, his sadistic amusement evident. "Damn! This is hilarious! Think of all the bodies I could offer to Lord Jashin! There's gotta be hundreds, no, thousands of fresh corpses just waiting for me to bless them!" He licked his lips, his fingers twitching at the thought of all the sacrifices he could make.

Kakuzu, always the pragmatic one, scowled at Hidan. "Forget it. We're not here to indulge your sick rituals. We've got orders—Tobi said we need to regroup at the Akatsuki base, and I don't plan on disobeying him just so you can play with corpses."

Hidan grumbled in protest but followed Kakuzu's lead. "Man, you're always such a buzzkill, Kakuzu. We could've had a little fun! Lord Jashin would be pleased, and I'd finally get some satisfaction after that last battle." He clenched his scythe, eager to get back into action.

Kakuzu ignored Hidan's ramblings as they continued on their path, heading away from the devastated village. The sight of Konoha, reduced to nothing more than a smoking crater, lingered in both of their minds, though for different reasons. Kakuzu, always calculating, wondered how this destruction would affect the power dynamics of the shinobi world, while Hidan simply hungered for the next chance to spill blood in the name of his twisted religion.

As Tobi and Deidara arrived back at the Akatsuki base, the atmosphere was tense. The usual quiet that filled the halls of the hideout felt heavier than normal. Deidara was still nursing his wounds and grumbling about his lost arms, but Tobi's mind was elsewhere, lost in thought as they entered the shadowy headquarters.

Suddenly, from the depths of the darkness, Black Zetsu emerged, half of his body materializing from the wall. "Tobi," Zetsu's deep, gravelly voice echoed through the chamber, "we need to talk."

Tobi, sensing the urgency in Zetsu's tone, nodded. His playful demeanor vanished as he silently gestured for Deidara to leave him. "Go patch yourself up," Tobi said without looking at Deidara, his voice lacking its usual jest.

Deidara grunted in annoyance but walked off, muttering about clay bombs and missing limbs.

Once Deidara was out of sight, Tobi turned to Black Zetsu, his single visible eye narrowing. "Follow me," Zetsu said as he led Tobi to a more secluded area of the base, away from the prying eyes and ears of the other Akatsuki members.

When they were certain no one could hear, Tobi's entire demeanor changed. He straightened, the playful facade gone, replaced by a cold, calculating presence. His voice deepened, adopting the tone of the legendary Uchiha Madara. "What happened, Zetsu? Speak."

Black Zetsu's expression was serious, his glowing eyes reflecting the weight of the news he carried. "It's about Konan and Pain."

Tobi's eyes narrowed further. "Go on."

"Konan… has fallen in battle with Jiraiya," Black Zetsu reported, his voice cold and emotionless. "She couldn't defeat him and sustained fatal injuries. However, Pain—Nagato—managed to destroy the Hidden Leaf Village before he was defeated. The village is nothing more than rubble, but…"

Tobi's grip on the armrest tightened as he anticipated the worst. "But what?"

Zetsu hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Nagato wishes to speak with you."

Tobi's eye twitched with slight irritation. "Nagato… wants to speak with me?" His tone was laced with suspicion.

Zetsu nodded, maintaining his calm. "Yes. He's requested your presence. But there's more." He paused briefly before continuing. "Nagato… may be starting to doubt the cause. The loss of Konan and the defeat by Jiraiya seem to have shaken him."

Tobi, now fully in his Madara persona, stood in silence for a moment, contemplating Zetsu's words. His plan relied on Nagato's unwavering belief in their cause. Any doubt or hesitation from Nagato could prove to be a liability.

"Nagato," Tobi muttered under his breath, "even in defeat, he still complicates things."

After a moment of thought, Tobi turned back to Zetsu. "I'll deal with Nagato later. There are other matters I must attend to first. The Akatsuki must remain strong, even if its leadership falters."

Black Zetsu nodded in agreement. "Of course. But you must act soon. Nagato's condition is worsening, and his will might not hold for much longer."

Tobi's eye flashed dangerously. "I'll ensure Nagato remembers his place. But for now, I need to address the remaining members. We must regroup and prepare for the next phase."

Without another word, Tobi turned and headed back toward the heart of the Akatsuki base, leaving Zetsu behind in the shadows. His mind raced, plotting his next move. If Nagato was faltering, he needed to act swiftly to ensure the success of his plan.

As Obito stepped out of the private room, he took a moment to adjust to his new persona. He had transformed not just his appearance, now clad in a dark blue robe emblazoned with the Uchiha symbol, but also his resolve. He was Madara Uchiha, the figure shrouded in mystery and power. He strode with purpose toward the meeting chamber, his Sharingan gleaming ominously beneath his mask.

As he approached the gathering, Deidara emerged from the medical wing, still reeling from the implications of losing his arms. His gaze snapped to Madara, fury flaring within him. "What are you going to do about my arms?" he shouted

Madara paused, letting the tension in the air build. Deidara, fueled by frustration, attempted to kick Madara, but his leg passed straight through him, as if he were nothing but a mirage. Confused, Deidara stumbled back, disbelief etched across his features. "What the hell?!"

Madara's demeanor remained calm, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I'm not what you think I am, Deidara," he said, letting the illusion dissipate to reveal his true form. He activated his Sharingan, the three tomoe spinning with a mesmerizing energy. "I am Madara Uchiha, and I have taken the reins of the Akatsuki."

Deidara's jaw dropped, realization dawning on him. "Madara Uchiha?! But… you're supposed to be a legend! Why are you here?"

Madara stepped closer, his presence dominating the space. "Because this organization needs a leader who can execute the true vision. The Akatsuki has been faltering, and I will restore it to its former glory."

"What about my arms?" Deidara snapped, still trying to comprehend the situation.

Madara interrupted firmly. "But first, we have an important meeting to attend. I need everyone to understand the direction we're headed in."

Deidara's expression shifted, the anger fading slightly into confusion. "But what about—"

"Enough," Madara commanded, his voice low and steady. "You'll get your chance to express your grievances after the meeting. Right now, you need to trust that I will make the necessary sacrifices for the Akatsuki to thrive."

Madara surveyed the gathered Akatsuki members: Hidan, Kakuzu, Kisame, Deidara, Tobi, and Black Zetsu. The atmosphere in the room was charged with a mix of loyalty and apprehension, but as he looked around, he noted one glaring absence.

"Where is Itachi?" Madara asked, his voice cold and steady.

Kisame scratched his head, a frown forming on his face. "He went out to take care of some business. We haven't heard from him since he left. It's been a while now."

Madara's gaze sharpened, his mind racing. Itachi's absence was concerning, especially given the recent chaos. What could he be plotting? His suspicion deepened; Itachi had always been a wildcard in their ranks, and now he had the potential to disrupt Madara's plans if left unchecked.

"I see," Madara replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "We can't afford any loose ends. If he's up to something… he needs to be dealt with."

"Should we go look for him?" Hidan suggested, a manic grin stretching across his face. "I wouldn't mind a little hunt!"

Kakuzu scoffed, crossing his arms. "Finding him could waste our time. Itachi is capable of taking care of himself. If he wanted to return, he would. We have more pressing matters to discuss."

Madara nodded, acknowledging Kakuzu's point but unable to shake off the unease that settled in his gut. "True, but we cannot ignore the fact that he might pose a threat to our plans. For now, we will continue without him, but I want eyes on Itachi. I don't want any surprises."

As the remaining Akatsuki members gathered in the dimly lit chamber, Hidan leaned against the wall, a curious expression on his face. "So, what happened to Pain?" he asked, glancing at Madara with a hint of impatience. "I thought he was supposed to be leading us."

Madara regarded him coolly, his demeanor unshaken. "Pain was sent to destroy the Hidden Leaf Village," he replied, his voice steady. "The mission was a success, but he is currently occupied with other matters. I will be taking charge of the Akatsuki from now on."

Kakuzu crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "So, you're saying that all of this destruction we witnessed was the handiwork of Pain? That explains a lot." His tone was more thoughtful than incredulous.

Deidara nodded, finally connecting the dots. "So that giant hole we saw was Konoha? Damn, that's impressive. But what does this mean for us?"

Madara straightened, asserting his authority. "It means we will be reorganizing our efforts under my leadership. You will all serve your roles, but you will follow my commands. Understand?"

Everyone nodded, acknowledging his position without question. The air of respect and obedience filled the room.

Tobi, eager to lighten the mood, piped up. "Why don't we have a celebratory party for our new leader? It'll be a blast!"

Deidara rolled his eyes. "Shut up, Tobi!

Kisame chuckled, the corners of his mouth curling up. "A little celebration wouldn't hurt. We just secured a massive victory, after all. Plus, it's not like we do this every day."

Hidan's eyes lit up with mischief. "As long as we can bring some sacrifices to Jashin, I'm in. A party sounds like a perfect opportunity to bring offerings!"

Madara glanced around the room, a hint of amusement crossing his usually stoic features. "If you must have a celebration, it can wait until after we regroup. I expect you to prepare for the next phase of our operations."

"Fine, fine," Tobi conceded with a grin. "But I still think we should have some fun after all this serious stuff."

Deidara chimed in, impatience clear in his tone. "So what's the plan, Madara? We can't just sit around waiting for Itachi to come back."

Madara leaned forward, an intense look in his eyes. "The Leaf Village is in ruins, and this is our opportunity to strike a decisive blow. We need to consolidate our strength and resources while the other villages are in disarray. We will make our presence known."

Kisame's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Are we planning an attack? I could use some good fighting!"

"Not yet," Madara replied, raising a hand to silence him. "We need to gather intelligence and ensure we understand the landscape. While we bide our time, we can prepare for the next phase of our plan. We will not only rebuild our strength but also destabilize our enemies further."

Black Zetsu nodded, taking a step forward. "And what about the bijuu? We still have the remaining tailed beasts to capture."

Madara's gaze turned steely. "We will focus on the tailed beasts once we have more intel. If we can control them, we can reshape the very fabric of this world. But we must act wisely. We cannot afford to lose any more members."

Deidara folded his arms, still visibly irritated. "So, what do we do until then?"

Madara smirked slightly, an unsettling gleam in his eyes. "You will engage in your own missions, but keep them discreet. Focus on gathering resources and intel on any villages that remain intact. I want to know their strengths, weaknesses, and any potential threats to our plans.

Madara watched as Deidara shifted nervously, his frustration evident. "So, what about my arms?" he pressed, crossing his arms over his chest defiantly. "Am I just supposed to wait here while you plot your next move?"

Madara raised an eyebrow but maintained his calm demeanor. "Black Zetsu, bring forth one of the White Zetsu," he commanded. "We'll use it to provide you with new arms. They should function adequately until we can devise a more permanent solution."

Black Zetsu nodded, disappearing into the shadows for a moment before returning with a White Zetsu, its featureless face blank but attentive.

"Follow Black Zetsu," Madara instructed Deidara. "He'll help you with the transfer."

"Wait, what?" Deidara exclaimed, a look of indignation crossing his face. "I'm not going anywhere with him! I don't trust Tobi or that Zetsu!"

Tobi, overhearing this, chuckled lightly. "Oh, come on, Deidara! We're all on the same side here. I just want to help!"

Madara stepped in, his tone stern. "You will follow instructions, Deidara. This is not the time for disputes. Your arms will be restored so you can contribute effectively to our plans. Tobi will not interfere."

Deidara huffed but, seeing Madara's unyielding gaze, begrudgingly relented. "Fine! But if anything goes wrong, I'm holding you all responsible!"

As Deidara walked away with Black Zetsu, Madara turned to the remaining members of the Akatsuki. "Now, as for the rest of you," he began, his voice authoritative. "Prepare for your missions. I want each of you to gather intel on the remaining villages. We need to know who still stands after the destruction of Konoha and what resources they may possess. Hidan, Kakuzu—your task is to eliminate any potential threats that could interfere with our plans."

"Consider it done!" Hidan grinned, his enthusiasm infectious.

Kakuzu nodded in agreement, already strategizing. "I'll ensure we profit from this chaos while we're at it."

"Good," Madara said, his tone approving. "Kisame, I want you to scout along the coastlines. If there are any remnants of the shinobi forces, we need to find out their movements. Deidara, once your new arms are ready, I want you to create distractions in strategic locations. Make our enemies think twice about pursuing their agendas."

"Understood," Deidara called back from the distance as he followed Black Zetsu.

"Lastly," Madara continued, locking eyes with Tobi, "I want you to keep a close watch on Itachi. He may pose a threat if he decides to act against us. Gather whatever information you can on his whereabouts and intentions. We cannot afford to be caught off guard."

"Sure thing, Madara!" Tobi said, a gleam of mischief in his eye as he saluted.

Madara dismissed them with a wave of his hand, watching as the members began to disperse, each one fueled by ambition and purpose. In his mind, he laid out the next steps of their grand design, calculating every move with precision.

Once they had all left, Madara allowed himself a moment of contemplation. The destruction of Konoha was just the beginning, and with the Akatsuki under his control, he was closer than ever to achieving his vision for the world. But he knew that shadows loomed—especially Itachi's. Whatever his brother was plotting, Madara would be ready.

With that thought, Madara turned to the map spread out on the table, tracing potential targets with a finger, each one representing another step toward power. The pieces were in motion, and he would ensure that they fell into place perfectly.