The streets were quiet in the dead of night.
Jiraiya sat on a stone bench, gulping down the beer in his hand. This was good stuff he'd gotten from Sumiki. When alone, a bit of drink could alleviate some worries. Jiraiya's eyes were fixed on the brightly lit room at the top of the Hokage Building. After a long while, he drank the last gulp of beer, then slowly stood up and vanished into the darkness.
The next day, at the Hokage Building.
Bang!
"He actually decided to go investigate Akatsuki's intelligence alone! Who told him about yesterday's events!" Tsunade slammed her hand on the table, her expression clearly displeased.
Shikaku, standing beside her, scratched his head awkwardly. "Apologies, Lady Tsunade. Last night... I was the one who told Jiraiya-sama about it..."
Tsunade sighed helplessly, resting her head on her hands. "Everyone is avoiding the Akatsuki organization now, wishing they were as far away as possible. Only Jiraiya is like this."
"I understand his personality best; he won't back down even if danger arises."
"For Konoha, if something were to happen to him now, it would be an immeasurable loss!"
Before Jiraiya left Konoha, he specifically left a letter. However, it only mentioned Sumiki's release of her from the servant relationship. The rest was blank. This made Tsunade worry about Jiraiya's safety. The Akatsuki's strength was something they had witnessed firsthand; a few of them combined could likely destroy a great nation. Going alone was a sure path to death.
"That guy, still so stubborn, such an idiot..." Tsunade bit her lip, looking out the window with frustration.
Cloud Village.
"Starting today, the missions assigned by the feudal lords of various countries are canceled. Without the Raikage's permission, no one is allowed to leave the village!"
In a dark, secret room, Killer Bee was escorted to a room by several Cloud Village ANBU guards. In another room was Yugito Nii. At the entrance of the secret room, a specially set up hidden area was located. Hundreds of elite ANBU from the Cloud Village were dispersed around the area.
Raikage Building.
"Raikage-sama, the news that Akatsuki might attack Cloud Village first might not be true. From the Sand Village area, someone saw Akatsuki's movements; their target should be Gaara," Darui said earnestly to the Raikage.
The Raikage slowly shook his head. "Regardless of whether the news is true or not, being cautious is always good."
"That secret room can isolate the Tailed Beast chakra from the Jinchuriki. For now, we'll have to trouble them both."
"Also, notify the Kage of the other four great nations. Inform us immediately of any special circumstances."
"In the current situation, helping each other is only right."
Darui nodded heavily. "Yes, Raikage-sama!"
Cloud Village border.
Pain and the others surveyed the situation in the village, ready to act at any moment. At this moment, two shadows landed on the ground with a whoosh. Konan turned her head and saw Kakuzu and Hidan.
"Mr. Su released Hidan, and the crucial part is that this guy is useless and doesn't want to come back!" Kakuzu gritted his teeth, staring at Hidan.
"Hey, you stingy iron rooster! I'm living a great life, so it's normal I don't want to leave. After all, you abandoned me for so long, and I'm still willing to team up with you now. If it were anyone else, I'd have sent them to hell long ago!"
The moment Hidan and Kakuzu met, they started arguing, earning disgusted looks from their teammates.
"Alright, your mission is to find the locations of the Eight-Tails and the Two-Tails."
"The rest of you, come with me to the Raikage Building..."
As Pain spoke and prepared to move, a black and white head suddenly emerged from the ground.
"No need. I've already found the locations of two Jinchuriki..."
"The Raikage still needs two people to contain him..." Black Zetsu reported the reconnaissance findings in a hoarse voice.
"Raikage? It's been a while since I stretched my muscles. How about I go give it a try!" Hidan swung his scythe and stepped forward.
Upon hearing this, Kakuzu quickly took out a small notebook from his pocket. After flipping through a few pages, he finally found the Raikage's name.
"It seems all past Raikages are named Ay, and their bounties are synchronized." Suddenly, Kakuzu's eyes gleamed with golden light. "One hundred million?!"
Closing the notebook, Kakuzu looked at Hidan seriously. "Perhaps this is the only good choice you'll make in your life. We truly are suited to be teammates!"
Hidan immediately rolled his eyes at Kakuzu with a disgusted expression. "So damn pragmatic."
"You two need to be careful this time. You only need to intercept his support. The Raikage's strength is quite tricky..." After Pain's instructions, he led Konan, Deidara, and Tobi as they sprinted towards the location Black Zetsu had indicated.
Meanwhile, at the Konoha border.
Itachi and Kisame walked leisurely through the forest.
"For your little brother, you've sure worked hard," Kisame said to Itachi with a half-smile.
Itachi shook his head. "I just think he followed the wrong person. Perhaps I was wrong to spare his life back then; such a person should be punished."
Kisame suddenly stopped. "Is it the new guy, Tobi, that caused your suspicion?"
"Did you come to Konoha to investigate any information or intel about his past?"
Itachi coughed a few times and clutched his chest. "Something like that. It's a feeling of distrust, and the leader seems to know him quite well."
"I'm not at ease with someone like that staying in the organization."
Kisame let out a dry laugh. "It's about Uchiha Sasuke, isn't it? You still haven't revealed your true thoughts."
"No matter what Mr. Itachi does, I will support you. Even though these eyes of mine were specifically arranged to monitor you."
Itachi smiled faintly at Kisame, then leaped directly into the Konoha village.
"Ah... waiting is the most detestable thing," Kisame said helplessly and sat on a rock.