Naruto's mind had been racing since he made the decision to confront the Akatsuki directly. There was no turning back now. The message from Black Zetsu had sealed it—time was running out. The Akatsuki had already captured the Three-Tails, and if they moved on to the next, the Four-Tails, it would only be a matter of time before they began collecting all of the Tailed Beasts. Naruto couldn't let that happen. He couldn't afford to wait for another opportunity.

He had trained for years in this dimension, honing his skills and mastering his powers, but now it was time to put all of that to the test. The world he had grown used to—the peace he had built in his own solitude—was about to be shattered by the chaotic storm of war.

Kaguya stood by his side, watching him with her usual inscrutable gaze. "You're making a dangerous move, Naruto. The Akatsuki is not a group to underestimate."

Naruto's eyes were cold, reflecting the seriousness of the situation. "I know. But I can't let them get any further. If they gather all the Tailed Beasts, they'll have the power to reshape the world. And if they succeed in reviving the Ten Tails, the balance of everything will be lost."

Kaguya's gaze softened slightly. "You're right. But remember, your actions now will have far-reaching consequences. Even if you destroy them, other forces will rise in their place. You're playing a game with powers far beyond your comprehension."

Naruto clenched his fists, his red dragon-themed katana gleaming at his side. He had heard her warnings, and though he respected her, he was resolute. "I'll deal with whatever comes next. For now, I'm taking down the Akatsuki."

The plan was simple—strike fast and decisively. Black Zetsu had informed Naruto of the Akatsuki's location, a remote hideout in the mountains, far from any major village. This was their base of operations, and it was where the next Tailed Beast was being held. If Naruto could reach them before they moved on to the Four-Tails, he could disrupt their entire plan.

As Naruto made his way toward the hideout, his thoughts wandered briefly to the village he once called home. He had spent so many years dreaming of peace, of becoming Hokage, but now that dream felt like a distant echo. The path he had chosen was one of power and control, and there was no turning back. The peace he sought could only be brought through force, and he knew that more enemies would come, drawn by his growing power.

Naruto arrived at the hideout in the dead of night, the moon casting a pale light over the mountain peaks. The Akatsuki had made the mistake of thinking their base was secure, isolated from the world. But they had underestimated him. The wind howled through the rocky cliffs, carrying the scent of the earth, and Naruto stood at the edge of their hideout, watching in silence.

He had come alone. Kaguya had stayed behind, advising him to move carefully, but Naruto was no stranger to taking matters into his own hands. If he could catch them off guard, he might have a chance to eliminate a few members before they even realized what was happening.

With a deep breath, he stepped forward. His presence was barely felt, like a shadow moving through the darkness. His long white hair flowed behind him like a ghostly trail, and the red dragon katana on his back was the only sign of his arrival. The Akatsuki were strong, but they were not invincible. He knew that better than anyone.

As he crept closer to the hideout, he could sense the presence of several Akatsuki members. They were not all here—only a few had been left to guard the base—but it would be enough. He moved with calculated precision, using the shadows to conceal his movements. His mind was focused, calculating every step, anticipating every counterattack.

He could feel the energy in the air, thick with the tension of the coming battle. And then, just as he neared the entrance to the hideout, he saw them—two figures standing at the entrance, their backs to him. Naruto's eyes gleamed with cold determination as he sized up his opponents.

The first was a tall, imposing man with spiky blonde hair and a long, flowing cloak. The second, standing a little farther back, was a figure wrapped in a dark, hooded cloak with a unique, serpentine pattern.

Naruto recognized them immediately—Killer Bee's captor, the one who had taken the Eight-Tails, and the other… Zetsu, the mysterious spy and informant who had been working with the Akatsuki from the start.

Without hesitation, Naruto moved.

In a flash, he was upon them. His katana was already unsheathed, and in one swift motion, he aimed for the first man—Hidan. The blade sliced through the air with a deadly hum, the red dragon motif glowing faintly in the moonlight. Hidan barely had time to react as the sword found its mark, leaving a deep gash across his chest. He staggered back in surprise, his eyes wide with shock.

The other figure—Zetsu—reacted faster. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a vine from the ground, attempting to ensnare Naruto. But Naruto was already several steps ahead. With a simple flick of his wrist, the vine was severed, and Naruto moved like a blur, his sword singing as it cut through the air. Zetsu's eyes widened as he realized just how fast Naruto had become.

"I should've known it wouldn't be that easy," Zetsu muttered under his breath, disappearing into the shadows.

Naruto narrowed his eyes. He couldn't let Zetsu escape—he needed to finish this now, before the rest of the Akatsuki arrived. He turned his attention back to Hidan, who was still staggering, trying to recover from the brutal wound.

"You're not getting away," Naruto growled, his voice low and filled with menace. Hidan sneered, drawing his scythe, and swung it with surprising speed. But Naruto's reaction was faster still. With a single, fluid motion, he dodged the strike and brought his katana down on Hidan's weapon, severing it with ease.

Hidan stumbled back, unable to comprehend how someone could be so fast, so precise. But Naruto's eyes were cold, his focus unwavering. He would not stop until every last Akatsuki member had fallen.

Zetsu reappeared, his black-and-white form emerging from the ground like a serpent. "You're faster than I expected," he said, his tone laced with grudging respect. "But this fight is far from over."

Naruto smirked. "You're right. It's only just begun."

And with that, the battle erupted into chaos. Naruto fought with precision, his movements faster than the eye could follow. Hidan and Zetsu were strong, but against his unrelenting assault, they were little more than pawns in a game much bigger than themselves. The Akatsuki had made their first mistake by underestimating him.