Three months has passed after last screen projection.
The Ninja World was once again thrown into turmoil. News spread like wildfire.
The Jinchūriki hosting the Two-Tails, Matatabi; the Five-Tails, Kokuō; the Six-Tails, Saiken; and the Seven-Tails, Chōmei, had all vanished. They were presumed captured.Though none of them know the names of the tail-beasts except Killer Bee and maybe Yugito.
The Five Great Shinobi Villages immediately convened an emergency video conference using a special technique.
Ōnoki , spoke first, his voice grim. "I strongly suspect Akatsuki is behind the capture of these Jinchūriki!"
The Fourth Raikage slammed a fist onto his desk. "I agree! We previously saw that Uchiha brat, Sasuke, wearing an Akatsuki cloak when he attacked Killer Bee!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Four Tailed Beasts have now been taken... What is their ultimate goal?"
Terumi Mei interjected, "Our immediate priority must be to protect the remaining Jinchūriki. We cannot allow Akatsuki to gather all nine Tailed Beasts!"
Baki, representing Sunagakure, raised another concern. "What about Orochimaru?"
Ōnoki waved a dismissive hand. "Dealing with Orochimaru must wait. The Tailed Beasts are the greater threat right now!"
As the Kage debated strategies to recover the missing Jinchūriki, an aide suddenly interrupted the secure transmission.
"Urgent report! The screen that vanished three months ago has reappeared! All Kage, please observe!"
Ōnoki addressed the others, "We'll reconvene after viewing whatever this screen reveals!"
"Agreed!" came the unified response from Hiruzen and the other leaders.
Across the skies of the Ninja World, massive projection screens shimmered back into existence. An image froze upon them: a gathering of figures in distinctive black cloaks adorned with red clouds. The sight sent shockwaves through every village.
---------------------
Konoha Village,
"Look! Seated right there... isn't that Uchiha Itachi?!" a shinobi exclaimed, pointing.
"It is! It's definitely him! He actually defected and joined Akatsuki!" another gasped.
Hiruzen felt a chill settle over him. The instant he saw Itachi, he understood. Everyone depicted on that screen had to be a member of the infamous Akatsuki.
"So," he murmured, "is this reveal focused entirely on the Akatsuki organization?" He added thoughtfully, "Whether intentional or not, perhaps this screen is helping us grasp the dangers we face..."
Nearby, Jiraiya's eyes widened as he scrutinized two figures in the image. "Konan? Yahiko? Is that really them?"
Tsunade, standing beside him, recognized them too. "Jiraiya, aren't those two of the orphans you trained during the war?"
"Yes..." Jiraiya breathed, bewildered. "But... the rumors said all three of them were dead..."
---------------------
Kirigakure,
"That man carrying the large, bandaged sword... Hoshigaki Kisame! One of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!" a Kiri ninja identified him.
"I can't believe it! Such a powerful shinobi, killing his superiors and joining Akatsuki..."
"They called him the 'Tailless Tailed Beast,' didn't they? He must be monstrously strong..."
The Mizukage, Terumi Mei, gazed at Kisame's image, her fist clenching tightly. She knew his power firsthand. Numerous pursuit squads sent after him had failed, leaving the dangerous rogue ninja free.
---------------------
Sunagakure,
An elderly woman with gray hair stared intently at a figure with short red hair. Tears welled in her eyes. The boy's face looked just as she remembered – perpetually fifteen. Yet, she knew, he should be over thirty by now.
"Sasori..." Elder Chiyo whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Finally... I see you again, my grandson."
Her brother, Ebizō, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Sister, don't despair. Now we know where he is. We can bring him back."
"Yes," Chiyo said, a spark of determination lighting her eyes. "We must bring Sasori home and make amends."
---------------------
Iwagakure,
Ōnoki glared at the image of a blond youth with a distinctive high ponytail. Resentment flared within the Tsuchikage. This brat, Deidara, could have inherited his position, could have become the next Tsuchikage. Instead, he'd abandoned the village, joined Akatsuki, and used his Explosion Release artistry to cause destruction across the lands, bringing only infamy to Iwagakure.
Akatsuchi sighed, " Junior Brother (Kōhai) Deidara still looks as cool as ever... unlike me, huh."
Kurotsuchi huffed, "Brother Deidara is always causing trouble. Humph, he always knows how to make Grandpa angry."
---------------------
Kumogakure,
The Fourth Raikage surveyed the assembled rogue ninja with a cold snort.
"Hmph. At least Kumogakure maintains discipline. No traitors from our village have joined this rabble." He paused, squinting at one figure. "But that masked man... he looks like the one who accompanied Sasuke when they pursued Danzo." His eyes narrowed.
"Could he be involved in Killer Bee's capture?"
---------------------
Takigakure,
"It's him! Kakuzu!" a Taki shinobi cried out in fear. "The man who nearly decimated our village! That terrifying monster is also part of Akatsuki!"
"Why is this organization gathering so many S-rank criminals?" another wondered aloud.
"Our Seven-Tails Jinchūriki... Fū... she was likely captured by Kakuzu!"
"He must be alive using that forbidden justu."
---------------------
Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water),
"Hey, isn't that guy with the huge three-bladed scythe the fanatic who was preaching about some death god cult a few years back?" someone recalled.
"That's him! Hidan! I remember he tried to force people to listen to his twisted Jashin beliefs! An absolute lunatic!"
---------------------
Across the Ninja World,
Whispers and fearful murmurs spread among the populace.
"What could this dangerous organization be planning?"
"We'll have to wait for the screen to reveal more, I suppose."
"One thing's for sure... a group like that can't be up to any good."
The next second, the static image of the Akatsuki members vanished from the screens, replaced by moving pictures. The revelation had begun.