Location: Hidden Rain Village.
A chilling, ceaseless rain perpetually enveloped the tall tower that pierced the gloomy sky. Inside, the spacious area at the highest point of the tower was dimly lit, with only a few distorted, flickering shadows cast upon the cold stone walls.
The members of the Akatsuki Organization were gathered here, either through the Shapeshifting Jutsu or the Projected Imaging Jutsu.
On the gigantic fingers of the Gedo Statue, illusory or solid figures appeared one after another.
Pain (Heavenly Dao), Konan, Itachi, Deidara, Sasori, Kakuzu, Hidan, Kisame Hoshigaki, Zetsu, and Uchiha Obito, who wore a spiral mask and called himself "Tobi."
The atmosphere was unlike the usual casualness or hidden agendas; today's meeting carried an invisible solemnity.
Pain Heavenly Dao's Rinnegan, devoid of emotion, swept over everyone, and his cold voice echoed in the spacious hall.
"I have gathered you all to confirm one matter: the Konoha Crush plan has completely failed, and Orochimaru has fled in disarray."
The news was like a stone thrown into stagnant water, creating ripples.
"Huh? That Snake-voiced guy with the twisted sense of humor failed? Where is he now?"
Deidara spoke first, with a hint of schadenfreude in his tone.
"How lame! Hm!"
Sasori, hidden within Hiruko beside him, let out a low, hoarse voice.
"He's probably tinkering with something somewhere, but Orochimaru's strength shouldn't be underestimated. Konoha being able to defeat him means they still have some hidden reserves. Hmph, perhaps I can replenish some Puppet Materials."
Kakuzu's green eyes gleamed with a keen sense for money.
"The failure of the plan means the Tailed Beast capture process might be affected. Time is money; delays are losses."
Hidan, carrying his Triple-Bladed Scythe, looked impatient.
"So annoying! Why don't you just say who we're going to kill next? Lord Jashin needs more sacrifices!"
Kisame Hoshigaki grinned, revealing his shark-like teeth, a ferocious smile.
"To make Orochimaru stumble, Konoha must have produced an interesting fellow, wouldn't you say, Itachi-san?"
He looked at Uchiha Itachi, who had been silent beside him. Itachi's eyes were closed, as if indifferent to everything, offering no response.
Zetsu's Yin and Yang face swayed from side to side, the White Zetsu part speaking with an exaggerated tone.
"Oh my, it wasn't just a simple failure~ According to the intelligence gathered, Lord Orochimaru was defeated by an incredible little girl this time! Super—amazing!"
"A little girl?"
Deidara scoffed.
"Zetsu, has your intelligence been ruined by the rain? Huh? Did you get it wrong and pick up a children's novel instead?"
The Black Zetsu part confirmed in a low voice.
"The news is accurate. Hyuga Hinata, the main daughter of the Hyuga Clan, only twelve years old, defeated the Edo Tensei strongmen summoned by Orochimaru in front of everyone, and forced his main body to retreat with an unknown Lightning Release Spell."
Upon hearing this, even Uchiha Itachi, who had kept his eyes closed, slightly opened them, a faint trace of surprise flashing in his crimson Sharingan.
The others also showed varying degrees of shock and scrutiny.
"Twelve years old? Repelled Orochimaru? And even broke the Edo Tensei?"
Kakuzu's tone was grave.
"This growth rate... the threat level needs to be re-evaluated, as does the bounty."
"Hyuga Clan? That Byakugan Family that only knows how to use Gentle Fist?" Hidan sneered dismissively.
"How strong can they be?"
"Hehe, don't underestimate her~" White Zetsu gesticulated wildly, "I heard that what she used wasn't ordinary Lightning Release Chakra at all, but lightning like divine punishment! Orochimaru's snakes, poisons, and even the kusanagi sword were useless against her! Even the spirits of the First Hokage and Second Hokage were purified by her with a flick of her hand!"
"Could it be some unknown Forbidden Jutsu?" Kisame Hoshigaki guessed.
Pain Heavenly Dao slowly spoke, bringing the discussion back to the main topic.
"Hyuga Hinata's existence is indeed a huge variable. Her power is unknown, and she has the ability to interfere with our plan."
Tobi (Obito), wearing a spiral mask, interjected in a playful tone.
"Wow! So scary, so scary! If a twelve-year-old can defeat a Sannin, won't us Seniors be out of a job? Seniors, you have to work hard!"
But his single eye, behind the mask's hole, gleamed with deep, unfathomable light.
Konan's clear, cold voice rang out.
"Pain, what do you mean?"
Pain Heavenly Dao surveyed everyone and issued his command.
"Zetsu, increase intelligence gathering on this Hyuga Hinata. I need to know her Ninjutsu and her weaknesses. Before she officially becomes an obstacle to our plan, we must gather enough information."
"As for the others, the Tailed Beast capture plan's priority remains unchanged, but you must act more cautiously. Try to avoid direct conflict with her near Konoha."
"Tch, as if I'm afraid of her?" Deidara grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"My art is invincible! Hm!"
Sasori said coldly, "Caution is necessary. Unknown enemies are the most troublesome."
Kakuzu, meanwhile, pondered that if he could capture her, perhaps her heart would fetch a good price... "Then, disband." Pain Heavenly Dao said no more, his figure dissipating first.
The other members also successively dispelled their jutsu, and the light and shadows extinguished one by one.
Finally, only Zetsu slowly sank into the ground, and Tobi remained standing.
The White Zetsu part chuckled.
"Hehe, Konoha is getting more and more interesting! Tobi, do you want to test that little girl's strength?"
The Black Zetsu part said in a low voice, "Hyuga Hinata... her appearance might disrupt many people's plans. We need to pay close attention."
Tobi ignored Zetsu's chatter. He looked up at the gloomy tower top, a barely perceptible curve forming at the corner of his mouth beneath the mask.
"Hyuga Hinata... where did this anomaly come from? Since when did the Hyuga Clan have such combat power?"
"It seems an unexpected stumbling block has appeared before the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan."
"But that just makes it more interesting, doesn't it?"
Tobi muttered to himself, his figure slowly twisting and disappearing from where he stood.
Only the ceaseless sound of rain in Hidden Rain Village continued to patter outside the tower, as if foreshadowing that the undercurrents of the Ninja World, due to the sudden emergence of a white-eyed girl, were becoming even more turbulent and unpredictable.
[The Akatsuki Organization has officially listed the host as a highly monitored target and potential threat. Influence has expanded to an international terrorist organization, gaining 5000 points.]
[Current points balance: 12550 points.]
The System's notification flashed through Hinata's mind.
"Oh? It seems my information has spread. This is getting interesting."
Hinata grinned; this was what made it fun.
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