Konoha's Tatsuya

Land of Rain, Village Hidden in the Rain.

"Nagato… the operation in Kirigakure… has failed."

Atop a towering metal spire, Konan approached the Deva Path from behind, her voice soft.

"What happened?" the Deva Path inquired.

"That person's manipulation of the Fourth Mizukage was discovered," Konan explained. "Kirigakure's elders secretly collaborated with Konoha's ANBU Squad 11 to defeat the fully transformed Fourth Mizukage, completely breaking him free from that person's control."

"He can't even control a mere village like Kirigakure, and he dares call himself Madara Uchiha? Heh!" The Deva Path's voice was cold, dripping with disdain for Obito.

"Nagato, we cannot be careless about this," Konan cautioned, her tone turning serious. "According to the intelligence they sent back, Konoha ANBU Squad 11's secret technique user, Tatsuya Akimichi, has seen a massive increase in strength over the past two years or so. He heavily injured the fully transformed Fourth Mizukage with just two techniques and managed to break him free from that person's control entirely. Based on their report, it's highly likely Tatsuya Akimichi has now fully mastered Sage Art."

"Sage Art?" For the first time, a slight fluctuation entered the Deva Path's monotone voice.

"Yes. The two techniques that severely wounded the Three-Tails, Isobu, should be Sage Art," Konan confirmed.

The Deva Path fell silent.

After a moment, Konan spoke again, "Nagato… could Tatsuya Akimichi be Jiraiya-sensei's successor?"

"Unlikely," the Deva Path denied, shaking his head. "All three Great Sage Regions of the ninja world possess Sage Art. Jiraiya-sensei's Sage Art is completely different from his."

"Another Sage has emerged in Konoha… This could be detrimental to our plans," Konan stated gravely.

"Rest assured," the Deva Path declared, extending his right hand as if grasping the empty air before him. "I have already ascended to godhood. There is no power left in this world that can stop me."

Boom!

Suddenly, an intense repulsive force blasted outwards into the sky.

Rain continued to fall incessantly over Amegakure. High above, the curtain of rain was abruptly severed, countless raindrops suspended and then reversing trajectory, flying back towards the heavens.

Just then, the Deva Path's expression shifted slightly. He sensed the telepathic signal transmitted through his ring. Forming a hand seal, his consciousness instantly manifested within the secret cavern housing the Gedo Mazo.

Nearby, projected onto two of the statue's giant fingers, the figures of Zetsu and Kisame Hoshigaki were already present.

The Deva Path's gaze inevitably fell upon Kisame. This must be the new member that person recruited into the organization. Judging by the fluctuations of his chakra, his strength seemed decent enough.

One after another, the consciousness projections of Kakuzu, Iwamoto, Orochimaru, Sasori, and Konan appeared on the remaining fingertips of the Gedo Mazo.

"Leader," Black Zetsu's voice rasped once everyone had materialized. "This is Kisame Hoshigaki, a new recruit to the organization. I brought him today so everyone could meet."

The various Akatsuki members turned their spectral gazes towards the newcomer, Kisame.

After observing Kisame for a few seconds, the Deva Path spoke, "Kisame, you will partner with Zetsu for the time being. You'll be assigned a permanent partner when more new members join."

"Understood, Leader," Kisame replied with a wide, shark-like grin, readily agreeing. His own eyes swept over the assembled Akatsuki members. Even in this projected state, Kisame could sense the extraordinary power radiating from each of them.

The Deva Path's voice echoed once more, "Everyone, take this time to rest and recuperate. The organization will undertake a major operation soon. Dismissed."

As he finished speaking, the projected figures vanished one by one.

Konoha, Hokage Tower.

Ibiki Morino, now twenty-six years old and recently promoted to head of Konoha's Intelligence Division by the Third Hokage after years of tempering in ANBU, walked into the Hokage's office holding a report.

"Lord Hokage, this is the latest intelligence from Kirigakure," Ibiki announced respectfully, handing the document to the Third.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took the report and read it carefully.

"Where are Kakashi and his team now?" the Third asked, looking up at Ibiki after finishing the report.

"They've already landed in the Land of Fire, sir," Ibiki replied. "They should arrive back in the village within a few days."

The Third nodded. "Mm. Have Shikaku and the others make the necessary preparations. As soon as Kirigakure's special envoy arrives, the alliance talks are to begin immediately."

"Yes, sir." Ibiki acknowledged the order respectfully and took his leave.

Once Ibiki had departed, Hiruzen was alone in the office. He reread the intelligence report, a complex mixture of surprise and worry crossing his aged face.

Sage Art! Tatsuya Akimichi had truly mastered Sage Art. Furthermore, judging by the report detailing the battle against the fully transformed Fourth Mizukage, the power of his Sage Art seemed to surpass even Jiraiya's.

Normally, the emergence of a second incredibly powerful Sage within the village should have been cause for celebration. However, this particular Sage carried a great deal of uncertainty. Hiruzen felt he couldn't quite get a handle on him. Tatsuya Akimichi was highly unpredictable, someone the Third felt he couldn't fully control.

"Deliver this intelligence to Shikaku," Hiruzen decided after a moment's thought. It was best to share this information with the Ino-Shika-Cho clans quickly. He summoned an ANBU operative and gave the order.

"Yes, sir." The ANBU acknowledged and vanished swiftly.

Not long after, the heads of the three clans – Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza – all received the intelligence report dispatched from the Hokage's office.

Regarding Tatsuya's actions during the Kirigakure civil conflict, Akimichi Choza was naturally pleased. Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi, however, wore slightly more complicated expressions. On one hand, they were delighted that such a dazzling genius had emerged from one of the three clans.

On the other hand, this genius's behavior in certain aspects gave them quite a headache.

The stronger he became, the greater the potential for him to become a massive destabilizing factor in the future.