Chapter 77: A New Personal Mission
The Akatsuki organization held regular meetings to keep up with each member's situation.
It was Hidan's first time attending one, and he looked around with curiosity—only to quickly grow bored.
"Tch. I'd rather be praying than sitting through this. Hey, Kakuzu, where's that guy anyway?"
"Shut up," Kakuzu snapped, glaring at him. After receiving an impressive financial incentive, he had decided to take Uchiha Obito's orders seriously. That walking gold coin was just too generous—he saw no reason to argue with money.
"But yeah... someone is missing."
Kakuzu scanned the room, frowning slightly.
"We've recently added a new member—Hidan, the missing-nin from Yugakure," Pain said, calmly controlling the Deva Path. He didn't care about Hidan's little outbursts.
"One more thing: Biwa Jūzō is dead. Uchiha Itachi, from now on you'll be teamed up with Kisame."
"Fine by me," Kisame grinned, unfazed. Itachi nodded silently, signaling his agreement.
They had previously been assigned a mission to Kirigakure—partly to earn money, but also to gather intel on the village's current state.
Unfortunately, they ran into the Fourth Mizukage, who attacked them on sight as if they were sworn enemies.
The result? Biwa Jūzō was now resting in peace.
"Another rogue from Kirigakure, huh?" Itachi mused. Was he fated to always work with ex-Kiri-nin? One dies, another shows up.
"Besides that, we need more funds—and more manpower to prepare for our future plans," Pain continued once both had acknowledged the new arrangement. "So we'll be taking on more missions and recruiting additional candidates. Any suggestions? Anyone to recommend?"
"No recruits on my end," Kakuzu said, seeing no one else speaking. "But I do have something to say."
"There's this kid in Konoha who's pretty talented. Itachi, you've encountered him before. Since you're from Konoha, you probably know more about him?"
"Who?" Itachi asked quietly.
"A white-haired brat who uses Flying Thunder God, has purple lightning, and can use Lightning Chakra Mode. That little punk and I have some history."
"Purple lightning…" Itachi immediately recalled the boy who had been with Kakashi during their last encounter.
Had that kid really progressed this far?
Not only Flying Thunder God but also the Lightning Chakra Mode?
Still, wasn't his hair black before? When did it turn white?
Though questions filled his head, he shook them off. "I already reported everything I knew last time. I don't have anything new."
"What, you actually got bested by a brat?" Sasori interjected with disdain from across the room. "You're really slipping."
"Hmph. Say that after you fight him," Kakuzu sneered, glancing sideways at Sasori.
"Oh, and by the way—did you know that kid's been following Hatake Kakashi? And guess what? Kakashi gave him a sword."
Sasori's expression shifted slightly. Sensing this, Kakuzu pressed the advantage.
"The original owner of that sword was the White Fang of Konoha. You know, the one who—"
"Do you have a death wish?"
"Try me."
Tension exploded in the room, the atmosphere instantly turning hostile.
"That's enough. This is not the place for petty fights," Pain's voice cut through the room, cold and commanding. The moment he spoke, everyone went quiet.
"That kid is dangerous. I suggest you all proceed with caution."
Black Zetsu's projection appeared, scanning the group before speaking with deliberate thought.
"He's only around thirteen or fourteen years old, but his future potential is enormous. For now, let's return to recruitment."
Black Zetsu had his own agenda. He was genuinely interested in testing that boy—Kitagawa Gen—because everything about him was beyond reason.
"As for recruits—there's a promising one near Iwagakure. He's Ōnoki's student, but due to personality issues, he now lives outside the village. That's our opportunity."
"Ōnoki's student? Worth a try. If Ōnoki took him in, he must be capable," Pain muttered, nodding after some thought.
"But be cautious. Iwagakure is one of our biggest clients. Avoid detection at all costs."
"Itachi, Kisame, you'll handle this. Sasori—you've been solo since Orochimaru left. Go with them."
"No problem," the three answered in unison, showing no objections.
"Then the meeting's adjourned," Pain said, stepping down and leaving without another word. Black Zetsu's projection also vanished—he had "fishing" to do.
"Where are you? I'll come to you," Kisame asked Itachi.
"I'm near a village on the Iwa border. Meet me there," Itachi replied casually.
"Hey, wait a minute!" Hidan suddenly called out just as Itachi was about to disconnect, causing him to frown.
"What is it?"
"You're from Konoha, right? You know that guy... Might Guy?"
Itachi found the question strange but nodded. "Yes. He's a very powerful shinobi."
"Great. I heard he was the second-worst in his class—the bottom-of-the-barrel loser?"
"…So?"
"So, who the hell was last?"
"…"
────
"…Wait, are you saying this is an actual mission?"
In the Hokage's office of Konoha, Kitagawa Gen stood beside Jiraiya and Kakashi, his expression slightly odd as he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Gen had indeed wanted to get out of the village, which was why he'd asked Jiraiya to help him request a mission.
But he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly—barely a day later, here they were.
"This mission is urgent. Make your preparations," Hiruzen spoke with utmost seriousness.
"According to our intel, that mysterious organization has been spotted operating near Iwagakure."
"Iwagakure?"
Jiraiya and Kakashi both frowned at the name. Iwa was far from friendly toward Konoha.
Back during the Third Great Ninja War, the two sides had practically spilled their brains out across the Land of Grass.
"Iwagakure, huh?" Gen didn't show much reaction. He hadn't fought in the war, but he'd read enough to understand the situation.
By this timing... Deidara should be about to make his debut.
Deidara, the young man with a strong artistic streak, had taken on numerous terror missions just to prove his "art."
He was so extreme that even as Ōnoki's student, no one in Iwagakure could really deal with him.
In the end, he ended up living alone outside the village.
"Yes, Iwagakure." Hiruzen nodded, biting on his pipe as he continued in a grave tone. "They've been moving near the border, but we haven't figured out their objective yet."
"Ōnoki hasn't noticed?" Jiraiya asked, clearly puzzled. The old Tsuchikage was known for being sharp.
"Danzo's intel suggests that Iwagakure might've hired this mysterious group." Hiruzen sounded helpless as he spoke. The last thing he wanted was another situation like what happened with Kirigakure.
"So, as long as they haven't crossed into the Land of Earth itself, Ōnoki probably won't interfere. For now, we're on our own."
"I see…" Jiraiya winced. What was supposed to be a simple scouting mission had ballooned into a major operation.
Still, he nodded and said firmly, "Got it. We'll prepare to head out. Just the three of us?"
"There's a chance you may cross into enemy territory, so Guy…" Hiruzen hesitated, pipe between his teeth, but eventually shook his head and added a warning: "I'll send ANBU to back you up. But listen carefully—if you enter the Land of Earth, do not draw Ōnoki's attention. That old man's Particle Style (Dust Release) is far more terrifying than most Kekkei Genkai."
"Got it, old man. We'll be ready."
Jiraiya nodded and promptly left the Hokage building with Kakashi and Gen in tow.
"Seriously, I just wanted a mission. Didn't expect it to turn into this much trouble…"
Once outside, Jiraiya grumbled, glancing at Kakashi. "You sure you're okay, Kakashi? Just got out of the hospital and we're already dragging you along."
"No worries." Kakashi smiled and shook his head. "I've been fine for a while now. The doctors just wouldn't let me leave."
"That's true. When I went to visit Kakashi-sensei, I caught him sneaking up to the rooftop to train," Gen added with a nod.
Even though Kakashi had been in the hospital for over a month, he hadn't been resting.
Gen was also curious—he had no idea how Kakashi's Mangekyō Sharingan was progressing.
In the original timeline, Kamui's full potential wasn't shown until three years later, but this Kakashi had already developed things like "Kamui Shuriken" and "Kamui Raikiri" right after awakening it.
Maybe there's a surprise in store...
"By the way, Iwagakure's pretty far. Which route are we taking?" Gen asked after a bit of thought.
"There are three: through the Land of Waterfalls, the Land of Grass, or the Land of Rain," Jiraiya replied.
"Let's take the shortest—through Grass." Kakashi seemed hesitant at first but quickly suggested it.
In truth, just hearing the name "Iwagakure" brought back memories, but he'd decided to confront them.
"Rain Country it is!" Before he could finish, Jiraiya cut him off with a hearty laugh.
"That place's my lucky spot. Faced off against Hanzo the Salamander there once. Besides…" Jiraiya paused for a moment, then continued more somberly: "I had three students in that country once. But endless war buried them. I wasn't the best teacher, I admit. This time, let's go through the Land of Rain. I want to pay my respects."
He sounded casual, but the heavy emotions behind his words were unmistakable. Gen couldn't help but shake his head silently.
Honestly, I would've preferred the Land of Waterfalls... but Jiraiya seems determined.
"That place isn't your lucky spot at all…" Gen muttered to himself.
And then—his system interface popped up unexpectedly:
[Exclusive Mission: Jiraiya's Side Quest ②]
[Title: Life or Death]
Assist Jiraiya in investigating the Akatsuki's operations.
This quest will not interfere with standard side quests.
Accept? [Yes / No]
"…"
"What is this, beach volleyball now?"