Two years passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, the Akatsuki organization gathered all its members for another meeting.
In an unknown cave, the Gedo Statue emerged from the ground, looking as menacing as ever.
It extended its ten fingers, pointing towards the sky.
Pain stood on the right thumb, while Konan stood on the right middle finger.
"Pain, it's about time," Konan said softly.
Pain nodded slightly, then formed a hand seal.
**Phantom Body Jutsu!**
In the next moment, ghostly images appeared on the remaining eight fingers.
These images represented the other core members of the Akatsuki:
Sasori of the Red Sand, Hidan of the Three Platforms, Kakuzu of the Northern Dipper, Kisame of the Southern Dipper, Kaguya Kimimaro of the Void, Deidara of the Azure Dragon, Itachi of the Vermilion Bird, and Zetsu of the Black Tortoise.
"This is the first time everyone's been together," Deidara said excitedly, looking around.
Sasori, however, looked at Kimimaro and said, "Kimimaro, the puppet we worked on is almost done. You should come by and help with the finishing touches."
"Yeah! Hurry over. My C5 is also complete. I'd love to show it to you. How's your Star Splitter Bug?" Deidara added eagerly.
Kimimaro smiled faintly at their enthusiasm. "The Star Splitter Bug is doing well. I'll come over soon."
"Great! Just don't forget."
"I won't."
At this point, Kakuzu spoke up: "Kimimaro, Hidan's been surprisingly hard to kill. It's been over two years, and he's still alive. Next time, I'll try harder to finish him off so you can team up with me again."
"Hey, Kakuzu-senpai, that hurts my feelings! We've had a pretty good partnership these past two years, haven't we?" Hidan retorted.
"Hmph, if you call surviving just because of your immortality a partnership, then sure," Kakuzu sneered.
"You don't pull any punches, do you? If I get the chance, I'll curse you to death! Then the leader can put me with Kimimaro," Hidan shot back.
"Kimimaro, who would've thought you'd be so popular? These guys all want to team up with you," Kisame laughed, somewhat surprised by Kimimaro's rising status after two years of absence.
"It's just their way of showing appreciation," Kimimaro replied. "By the way, Kisame-senpai, my current teammate seems to have quite the interest in you. He's vowed to take your life and claim your sword."
"Oh? And who's bold enough to make that claim?" Kisame asked curiously.
"You've probably heard of him—Suigetsu Hozuki, younger brother of Mangetsu Hozuki."
"Suigetsu? That kid joined the Akatsuki too?" Kisame was surprised.
"He joined two years ago, but he's not a core member, so you might not know him. He's ambitious though, saying he'll take your sword and become a core member," Kimimaro said with a smile.
"Ambition's fine, but if he overestimates himself, he might lose his life," Kisame grinned, showing his shark-like teeth, similar to Suigetsu's.
"I'm looking forward to seeing your battle with Kisame-senpai," Kimimaro added, with a hint of tension in his voice.
At that moment, Pain interrupted the conversation, cutting off the casual banter. "Enough. If you have more to say, handle it later. Kimimaro, come to Amegakure after the meeting."
"Yes, leader," Kimimaro responded.
Itachi silently observed Kimimaro, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Despite joining the Akatsuki just over two years ago, Kimimaro had already built solid relationships with the other core members. Sasori and Deidara clearly saw him as a kindred spirit, while Kakuzu and Hidan had a favorable view of him. Even Pain and Konan seemed to have a decent opinion of him.
Had Kimimaro become the Akatsuki's social butterfly?
Itachi hadn't expected that.
Over the past two years, Itachi had maintained contact with Kimimaro. The two would often communicate via Heavenly Court Void, mostly discussing Sasuke's current situation.
This was part of the deal when Itachi helped Kimimaro join the Akatsuki.
Itachi also knew that Kimimaro had a close relationship with Orochimaru. Their collaboration with him was essential for Itachi's plans concerning Sasuke. If Orochimaru and Kimimaro decided to interfere, even Itachi wouldn't be able to control the situation.
Thus, despite the uneasy alliance, the cooperation between the three of them was solid. In the world of shinobi, alliances built on mutual benefit tend to last the longest.
Zetsu, who had been silent, also observed the relationships before him but wasn't too concerned. Whether the members got along or not didn't matter, as long as they completed their missions.
"The meeting will now begin," Pain announced, and everyone turned serious.
"All preparations within the organization are complete. It's time to begin capturing the Nine Tailed Beasts."
Pain's gaze swept across the group.
"I'll now assign the capture missions. Deidara and Sasori, you'll handle the One-Tail. Kimimaro and Suigetsu, the Two-Tail. Kakuzu and Hidan, the Five-Tail. Itachi and Kisame, the Six-Tail. I've already captured the Seven-Tail six months ago. We haven't yet located the Three-Tail's revival site, so we'll hold off for now.
"The Four-Tails' Jinchuriki, Roshi, has defected and is currently missing. Once Zetsu locates him, whoever's closest will go after him.
"As for the strongest, the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails, we'll decide on them after capturing the others. Any objections?"
"Leader, I have an issue. The One-Tail is too weak. It doesn't suit my ultimate art. Can we trade for a stronger Jinchuriki?" Deidara complained.
"Besides the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails, the power of the remaining beasts is roughly equal. There's no need to change assignments," Pain responded.
"But the One-Tail Jinchuriki is just a kid! It'll be boring," Deidara continued.
"Though he's young, the One-Tail Jinchuriki is now the Fifth Kazekage of the Sand Village. Capturing him won't be easy."
"Well, if you say so. Still can't believe they'd let a sixteen-year-old Jinchuriki be their Kage. Is the Sand Village that desperate? No talent left?" Deidara grumbled.
"If that's the case, I'll just capture him straight from his village."
young demolition enthusiast had a dangerous idea.
When everyone heard this, no one tried to dissuade him.
To them, it was nothing.
After all, none of them were exactly normal.
"Since no one has any objections, from now on Zetsu will be responsible for providing information. As soon as we have intel on a Jinchūriki or an appropriate opportunity, everyone will be informed to take action."
"Yes, leader!"
"Meeting adjourned."
With that, everyone dispersed, their projections from the holographic technique vanishing one by one.
Somewhere in the shinobi world.
Kimimaro slowly opened his eyes. Suigetsu, who was beside him, noticed and asked, "Boss, you're awake. What did the leader say?"
"The plan to capture the Tailed Beasts has officially begun."
"Awesome! I've been bored out of my mind. Boss, which one are we going after?"
Suigetsu asked excitedly.
"The Jinchūriki of the Two-Tails, Yugito Nii."
"When do we head out then?"
"No rush. We still need to wait for Zetsu to give us the intel. Before that, I need to make a trip to Amegakure."
"Huh? What for?"
"The treatment for Nagato is in its final stages. This time, I should be able to heal him fully."
"Oh, that's what it's about. Speaking of, who exactly is this Nagato? He's getting so much attention from the leader and Konan-senpai, all for the sake of healing his legs."
Suigetsu asked with curiosity.
"I suggest you don't pry too much into that, or you might not live long."
"Is it really that serious?"
Suigetsu swallowed hard in surprise.
"Yeah, it's that serious."
"Boss, from the way you're talking, does that mean you know something?"
Suigetsu asked, intrigued.
"I told you not to ask, and yet here you are asking again. Do you have a death wish? Your skills haven't improved much, but your curiosity sure has."
Kimimaro responded with a mix of frustration and amusement.
"Boss, that's not fair! I've been training hard these past two years, to the point where I almost lost my mind. By now, I can hold my own against you in a few moves.
If you didn't use that crazy Sage Void Mode, it'd be impossible for you to take me down in one hit."
Suigetsu boasted confidently.
"You're proud of that?"
"Heh, boss, you're so strong that just being able to last a few moves against your full power is an achievement. Even Sasuke and Neji might not be able to do better than me."
Suigetsu grinned mischievously.
"Forget it, I'm done talking to you."
Kimimaro said, standing up and stretching.
After sitting cross-legged for so long, his bones were feeling stiff.
As he stretched, he could hear his bones crack in relief.
Crack, crack, crack.
At 18 years old, Kimimaro now stood at 6'0", his frame fully developed.
Years of training had given him a well-balanced physique.
Underneath the black cloak with red clouds, he hid lean but explosively powerful muscles.
The two red dots on his eyebrows were gone, replaced by a golden cloud pattern on his forehead.
It looked like a third eye.
This golden cloud pattern was the culmination of his training over the past two years.
Kimimaro called it the Seal of the Sage Void.
It combined Jūgo's Curse Mark, Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Seal, the first five gates of the Eight Gates technique, and an enhanced version of his Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse).
Once activated, its power was terrifying.
With this strength, even if he faced Nagato at full power, he wouldn't be afraid.
Of course, this power had yet to reach its peak and still had room for growth.
Three days later, at Amegakure.
Kimimaro returned to the village with Suigetsu after almost a year of absence.
A year ago, Nagato's condition had stabilized, only requiring simple bandage changes.
So there was no need for Kimimaro to visit Amegakure frequently for check-ups.
But today was different.
Today was the day he predicted that Nagato's legs would fully heal, which is why Pain had summoned him back.
After all, this concerned his legs, and Pain naturally cared deeply.
Pain sat on the tongue of the large demon statue atop Amegakure's tallest tower, gazing into the distance.
Konan stood beside him.
Nearby, Nagato, with his red hair and using a cane for support, also stood watching.
"Nagato, how are you feeling?"
Konan asked with concern.
"I'm feeling good. My legs have mostly healed, and Kimimaro's medical ninjutsu is indeed remarkable. Though it took two years, the results are excellent."
For once, a smile appeared on Nagato's face.
For a patient, the moment of recovery is always a happy one.
Even though Nagato had his doubts before, he was still excited when this day finally arrived.
"That's good. After Kimimaro's final treatment, you should be fully recovered."
Konan's face softened, showing her relief.
She had waited for this day for a very, very long time.
"They're here."
At that moment, Nagato sensed the chakra of Kimimaro and Suigetsu as they entered Amegakure, walking through the village's rain.
"I'll go meet them."
Konan transformed into sheets of paper, disappearing in front of Nagato.
Meanwhile, Kimimaro and Suigetsu had just stepped through Amegakure's gates.
This place was all too familiar to them by now.
"Even though this isn't my first time here, I still gotta say, the rain here is just too much. I like water, but rain is different. Living in such a damp place all the time would drive me nuts."
Suigetsu, turning his body to water, complained.
"This rain isn't ordinary rain, you know. It's a powerful sensory ninjutsu. You really have no idea, do you?"
Kimimaro looked at Suigetsu with disdain for his ignorance.
"Sensory ninjutsu? No way. You mean this massive downpour is all part of a sensory technique? Who's casting it? That's crazy!"
"Who else could it be in Amegakure? It's obviously the one in the tower."
Kimimaro pointed toward the distant tower.
Just then, Konan, in the form of paper, materialized in front of them.
"Kimimaro, you're finally here."
"Konan-senpai! And me too, don't forget! Hehe."
Suigetsu, feeling ignored, hurriedly tried to get some attention.
But Konan wasn't interested in him at all.
"Kimimaro, follow me. Pain and Nagato are already waiting for you."
"Alright."
Seeing that Konan was ignoring him, Suigetsu looked dejected.
"Boss, does Konan-senpai have something against me?"
"You talk too much. It's not just Konan-senpai who has a problem with you. When we meet the leader later, you better keep your mouth shut, or you'll regret it."
Suigetsu quickly shut his mouth at the warning.
Kimimaro found it amusing.
Suigetsu's fear of Pain was deeply ingrained.
Aside from Orochimaru, Pain was the only other person Suigetsu was this terrified of.
The reason? One time Suigetsu got too chatty in front of Pain and was hit with a Shinra Tensei that shattered him, nearly taking him out for good.
Since then, Suigetsu hadn't dared to speak out of turn around Pain.
With Suigetsu silent, the world grew peaceful.
It wasn't long before the three of them reached the top floor of the tallest tower in Amegakure.
"Long time no see, Kimimaro."
(End of the chapter)