With the decision settled—Inoiki would strike at the Akatsuki within their own stronghold of Amegakure, accompanied by Jiraiya and Team Kakashi—the meeting in the Hokage's office began to draw to a close. Inoiki exchanged a brief glance with Naruto, and together the two stepped toward the door, their footsteps fading as they left the room.
Jiraiya, however, did not follow. While Tsunade remained seated behind her desk, he lingered against the wall, arms loosely crossed. His expression was casual on the surface, but his eyes carried a depth that betrayed the weight of his thoughts. He hadn't been gone so long as to be ignorant of Konoha's struggles, but fragments of information weren't enough—he needed the details, the complete picture. And Tsunade, more than anyone, could give it to him.
----
The following day, the group gathered at dawn, just as they had planned. Inoiki stood at the head of the formation, joined by Team Kakashi—Kakashi Hatake himself, Naruto, Sakura, and Sai—while Jiraiya brought up the rear. The gates of Konoha loomed behind them, fading into the distance as they set out on their mission toward Amegakure.
If circumstances had been different, Inoiki might have preferred a swifter approach. His chakra reserves was advanced enough that teleportation was within his reach, but to transport so many across such a distance would place an enormous strain on him. The risk outweighed the reward. A direct surprise attack would have been ideal—striking at Akatsuki before they had time to organize their defences—but the reality was harsher. Once word of their departure spread, it was inevitable the enemy would be forewarned.
That knowledge sat heavily with Inoiki as the team moved across the landscape, leaping from tree to tree in synchronized rhythm. A prepared Akatsuki meant tighter defences, sharper traps, and far more problems for him to deal with. Still, there was no other option. If the enemy was expecting them, then he would simply have to cut through whatever resistance awaited. For now, he chose to go with the flow, conserving his strength.
----
The team travelled at a measured, moderate pace, careful not to push themselves into exhaustion. Each of them understood the importance of maintaining their peak condition—after all, the Akatsuki were not an opponent one could face while weary or distracted. There was always the looming possibility that the enemy might already be aware of their movements, waiting to spring an ambush somewhere along the path. Against an organization of such overwhelming strength, a single lapse in readiness could spell disaster.
So they moved cautiously but steadily, halting to rest whenever necessary. Days slipped by in this rhythm of travel—swift movement balanced by calculated pauses for recovery. It was not wasted time but a deliberate strategy to ensure that when the inevitable clash came, they would be prepared to unleash their full power.
What they did not know, however, was that their departure from Konoha had not gone unnoticed. The moment they crossed the village's borders, pale, plantlike figures had already stirred beneath the soil. White Zetsu, scattered like living surveillance across the Land of Fire, had been watching closely for exactly this.
Ever since Inoiki's recovery, Akatsuki had anticipated this very outcome. They understood his nature, his drive for vengeance, and above all, the weight of his strength. It was only a matter of time before he would come seeking them. His recovery was not just a threat—it was a certainty that he would act.
And now, with him moving openly alongside such a formidable group—Jiraiya, Kakashi, Naruto, and the rest of Team Kakashi—their intentions were undeniable. This was not a patrol, not a small mission, but a decisive march aimed directly at the Akatsuki.
Through the network of White Zetsu spread across the land, the information was carried swiftly back. Inoiki's every step was observed, every shift in direction noted. From his trajectory, the truth became obvious: the team was heading straight for Amegakure.
That single revelation was all the Akatsuki needed. They knew without doubt that a storm was approaching their stronghold.
-----
As Team Inoiki drew closer and closer to the heart of Amegakure, a very different scene was unfolding inside the tallest building of the hidden village—the headquarters of the Akatsuki. Within its shadowed chamber, dimly lit by the pale glow of rain filtering through high windows, a meeting of all active members was underway. They sat in a circular formation, each presence radiating its own menace, while at the head of the table sat Pain, calm yet commanding, his ripple-patterned eyes giving weight to every word.
Breaking the silence, Pain spoke in his steady, controlled tone.
"Inoiki, accompanied by Jiraiya and Team Kakashi, is moving directly toward us. What do you all have to say about this?"
From the side, Kisame gave a toothy grin, his deep voice rumbling across the chamber.
"It's not unexpected, is it? We knew this was coming. After all, once Inoiki managed to escape from you—even while injured—it was only a matter of time before he returned. Now, after becoming strong enough to wipe out Kakuzu and Hidan in an instant, there's no question about it. He was bound to come for us."
His words carried a cold logic, and several of the members nodded in agreement.
Gathered in the room at that moment were Pain, Konan, Tobi, Kisame, and Zetsu, joined as well by the newly recruited Team Taka. Sasuke sat silently with his teammates—Suigetsu, Jugo, and Karin—each of them observing the exchange with varying degrees of tension and curiosity. Their presence added a new edge to the gathering, the balance of old and new members creating an atmosphere thick with unspoken rivalry and purpose.
Pain's gaze swept over all of them before he continued.
"We will not rush to them. Instead, we shall wait here. Within Amegakure, under the veil of my Rain Tiger at Will Technique, every movement can be tracked, every disturbance felt. With this, Inoiki's sensory abilities will be suppressed. He may be sharp, but this is our territory—our home ground."
At this declaration, the room settled into a quiet but unanimous agreement. Each of them understood the weight of Pain's words. His technique was infamous for overwhelming the sensory skills of even the most gifted shinobi. Against someone like Inoiki, whose perception was said to border on the extraordinary, this countermeasure was crucial. Within the rain-drenched stronghold of Amegakure, the Akatsuki would hold the advantage.
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