Chapter 352 - – 347 Secret Meeting

One week later, somewhere around the western border of the land of Fire.

Inside an underground cave sat three people with three people around a round stone table, while a single person stood at the back of each of the three. The flickering flames of the candles made their shadows sway back and forth.

These three people sitting around the round stone table are none other than the Sandaime Hokage of Konoha, Yondaime Raikage of Kumo, and Yondaime Kazekage of Suna.

While the people standing behind them are Nara Shikaku, Mabui, and Baki respectively.

After a long silence, Sandaime Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen was the first one to break the silence… while holding his tobacco pipe in one hand, he passed on all the information Konoha has collected of Akatsuki to the other two Kages, and said, "Please look at this."

Receiving the information, Kazekage briefly glanced at the data collected by Konoha, and his face can't help but become gloomy.

Smack… Crush…

While Raikage on the other hand smacked the table and shouted, "Akatsuki Organization has grown to such a degree… Hokage… your Konoha has inescapable responsibility in this…"

Hokage nodded and said lightly, "I do not intend to shirk the responsibility that Konoha bears… but right now our top priority is to get rid of the threat of the Akatsuki Organization that is destabilizing the shinobi world by tilting the balance of power."

Kazekage said, "Uchiha Shinichi with Mangekyou Sharingan, Sasori with hundreds of puppets which also includes the puppet of the previous Kazekage, Immortal Kakuzu of Takigakure with five hearts, Hiruko with five Kekkei Genkai, an unknown individual with Space-Time Jutsu, Biwa Juzo one of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Kirigakure wielder of Kubikiribocho, Shinno Jinchuriki of Demon Moryo of the destroyed Land of Demons, Orochimaru one of the three Sannin of Konoha and a plant-like creature, apart from these there is also that leader of Akatsuki…"

The more he read, the more worried Kazekage got and finally can't help but sigh, "I never would have expected that Akatsuki Organization would have grown to such a point… if they are allowed to continue anymore, they will soon subvert the pattern of the Shinobi World."

Nara Shikaku shook his head, and said "No Kazekage-dono." – while Hokage continued Nara Shikaku's words with a deep voice, "They have already begun to subvert the pattern of the shinobi world, one shinobi village cannot deal with Akatsuki Organization alone… combined power is needed."

Raikage said, "Who will be participating in this joint raid from your villages?"

Sandaime groaned and replied, "From Konoha, I will personally take action, then Jiraiya, additionally, Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi Patriarch's too, and our most elite team consisting of, Hatake Kakashi Uchiha Shisui, Hyuga Kuroto, Might Guy will also be participating, finally a few other highly trusted Anbu will also be participating in the operation."

Kazekage said, "From Suna, I will personally participate, Honored Siblings, as well as Pakura and a few selected Anbu, will also be participating in the raid."

Seeing that both Hokage and Kazekage were coming in person as well as bringing some of their best men, Raikage nodded in satisfaction then said, "That's good, from Kumo I will personally participate, apart from me Bee and Yugito Nii, as well as some other highly trusted Anbu and Jonin will be participating together with me."

When Hokage and Kazekage heard the names of Bee and Yugito Nii participating in the raid, both of them showed an unexpected look.

This raid against Akatsuki is extremely dangerous, the fact that Raikage is willing to bring both of the Jinchuriki was surprising, this also shows Raikage determination to eradicate Akatsuki Organization.

…

Outside the cave where the three Kage were gathered, all the other accompanying shinobi were standing guard here.

At this time, Jiraiya came next to Kuroto and asked in a low voice, "Are you sure that the leader of the Akatsuki Organization has the Rinnegan dojutsu?"

Kuroto nodded, "The information I have obtained says so Jiraiya-sama… as for whether it is really true? I cannot be sure, but perhaps it is true as having the Rinnegan dojutsu might give the leader of Akatsuki Organization enough power to rein in individuals as strong as the members of Akatsuki Organization."

Jiraiya sighed and his face now had a tangled expression.

When Jiraiya learned the news about the leader of Akatsuki having the Rinnegan, the first person Jiraiya recalled was obviously that red-haired silent child named Nagato from the three children he taught in the Land of Rain during his three years stay in Land of Rain.

Even though Nagato did not have any special control over those Dojutsu back then, the ocular power that dojutsu had made Jiraiya believe that they are perhaps truly Rinnegan.

At that time, Jiraiya even believed Nagato to be the 'Child of the Prophecy' who would bring a great revolution to the shinobi world. Who can save this shinobi world, but alas that did not happen. After returning to Konoha Jiraiya heard of the death of the three… this news devasted him, and since then Jiraiya did not venture to the Land of Rain due to obvious reasons…

After a long silence, Jiraiya said with a said voice, "If… this information is correct… *haah* then perhaps I know… who the mysterious leader of the Akatsuki Organization is."

"What…?! Who?" – Kuroto exclaimed (faked) in a surprised look.

Jiraiya shook his head and does not seem to want to talk about this anymore, instead, he spoke, "Even Orochimaru has joined the Akatsuki Organization… I seemed to be able to save no one… Will you be able to fight against Orochimaru should he come after you during this raid?"

Kuroto said after a while of silence, "There is no other option… even if he was my Sensei… even if he taught me many things… but… he has betrayed the village and has joined hands with a criminal organization… as his former disciple and subordinate… if I have to fight against him, then I will do so without any hesitation."

This was of course a lie, Orochimaru has already betrayed Akatsuki long ago, but there was no need to inform others of this. In fact, Kuroto also did not inform the villagers of the betrayal and death of Shinno, the reason is of course to make everyone take this battle extremely seriously… the more awed everyone will be of the Akatsuki, the more cautious they will act, the more chances of success of this operation.

Jiraiya sighed after hearing Kuroto's words, it was his duty to bring back Orochimaru all along, but he failed and now this happened… as a teacher and a friend he is being proven to be a failure.

One disciple died and he couldn't do anything, the other has turned into the leader of a criminal organization. One friend is lamenting the pain of losing her otouto and lover while the other has taken the road of no return, and even joined a terrorist organization, and yet he couldn't do anything to save either.

If that's not a failure then what is?

Not wanting to talk anymore, Jiraiya turned around and walked away… perhaps he wanted to be alone for some time?

Kuroto knows that Jiraiya is struggling but he cannot take care of the old man… Right now, his entire focus is on Akatsuki Organization.

The people present here, make up a pretty strong lineup.

From Kumo's side, Kuroto easily recognized Killer Bee, Yugito Nii who was glaring daggers at Kuroto and the rest of the team -11, then there is young lazy Darui, C, Samui, and Mabui being present inside the cave.

From Suna, Kuroto could see Honored Siblings of Suna, Pakura, as well as Maki (Pakura's disciple), with Baki being present inside.

Lastly, from Konoha, there is, Jiraiya, Shisui, Kuroto, Kakashi, Might Guy, Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Choza, and finally Shikaku Nara being present inside the cave.

While supporting his chin, Kuroto thought, 'Counting three Kages, Jiraiya-sama, Shisui, Jinchuriki of Hachibi and Nibi, Elder Chiyo, and finally Pakura. There are already nine Kage-Class individuals present here… Then if I count Ino-Shika-Cho Patriarchs, Kakashi, Guy, Elder Ebizo, Baki, Maki (who is surprisingly extra strong compared to the original story because of Pakura being alive here), Darui, C, Samui, and Mabui, there are more than twelve Elite Jonin Class Shinobi, and finally, I am also here…

So, I think the chances of us winning against Akatsuki, especially with an element of surprise are quite high…'

And this is obviously not the final raid… Suna may not have deployed many Anbu because of what recently transpired in Suna, but Konoha and Kumo are not the same… more of the direct Anbu will be participating in the raid.

'If nothing goes wrong, I might be able to take advantage of the chaos and take away the Rinnegan pair from the eyes of Nagato.' – this thought flashed in Kuroto's mind.

Kuroto is actually very interested in the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage Gamamaru. According to his prophecy, a revolution is inevitable, and such a revolution will be brought on by the 'Child of Prophecy' which means that in a certain way the resurrection of Otsutsuki Kaguya will happen regardless of other's actions.

So Kuroto is a little curious, what exactly will happen should the Rinnegan that can bring back Kaguya is obtained by him… will Juubi still be revived? Will Kaguya still come back or is it not going to be the case?

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