Land of Water, on a lone island.
"Nagato, how long until the sealing site for the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path is complete?"
"A few years, I'll do everything I can to shorten that time."
Uchiha Makito, Zetsu, and Nagato were gathered in a cavern, staring at the enormous face of the Demonic Statue ahead. A flicker of joy flashed through Black Zetsu's heart.
It was finally beginning.
This Demonic Statue in front of them had no combat ability. It had been placed here solely to seal the nine Tailed Beasts.
This was also one of the most crucial steps for resurrecting the Ten-Tails in the future.
Once the work on the Demonic Statue was done, everything else could begin.
At that moment, Black Zetsu spoke again.
"Madara, Nagato, there's another matter. I've received news—the Nine-Tails jinchūriki is pregnant."
As he said this, Zetsu let out a sinister smile.
"Even though we can't capture the Nine-Tails now, I think we should still take action."
"If Konoha continues to flourish like this, it'll affect our future plans as well."
Uchiha Makito and Nagato exchanged looks. A sharp gleam appeared in both the Sharingan and the Rinnegan.
Clearly, both wanted to move.
"I'll go!"
"Leave it to me!"
They spoke in unison, then glared at each other the next instant.
They both knew very well—since their plan was just starting, one of them had to remain behind.
But surprisingly, Black Zetsu let out another eerie chuckle.
"Both of you will go."
"Whether it's Namikaze Minato or Gekko Chizan, neither is easy to deal with."
"If one of you goes alone, the results might not be ideal."
Black Zetsu had planned from the start to send both.
This way, they could ensure the Tailed Beast rampaged during childbirth while also delivering a devastating blow to Konoha.
"Madara, your ocular powers can control the Nine-Tails, so you'll be the main force."
"Nagato, you support him. Hold back Konoha's shinobi."
"Especially..."
"Gekko Chizan!"
When Chizan's name was mentioned, a flash of anger passed over Nagato's face.
His hatred for Gekko Chizan was still deep.
"Correct. I've heard he seems to have a child now."
"Hehehe, you understand, don't you?"
Nagato's brows furrowed. He understood Black Zetsu's meaning—but to make him do something like that, he really didn't want to.
Black Zetsu noticed his reaction.
"Gekko Chizan has always acted with no sense of proportion. Many people have suffered serious losses because of his shamelessness."
"To deal with him, we don't need to use honorable methods."
"Don't you think so?"
Black Zetsu had spent years analyzing Gekko Chizan and discovered he was someone with absolutely no bottom line.
So he felt no guilt about using any method against him.
"Fine. When do we act?"
Nagato accepted the plan. As far as he was concerned, as long as it harmed Konoha, it didn't matter if the method was disgraceful.
"No rush. I'll keep watching closely."
"With Sharingan dojutsu available, controlling the Nine-Tails will be easy."
"At the same time, we have another task."
Black Zetsu was fully used to his strategist role now—he planned, Makito and Nagato executed.
"Recruit six people to become members of the organization."
"The sealing ritual for the Tailed Beasts requires nine people. It's a necessary condition."
Uchiha Makito and Nagato both nodded.
Recruiting help was good—after all, with too few people, nothing was convenient.
"What about people from Kirigakure?"
"There are a few whose strength meets the standard."
Nagato had been observing Kirigakure for a while and found several decent candidates.
Black Zetsu shook his head.
"Better not use people from the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Our actions directly oppose all of them."
"If we must choose from them, then we need to force them out of their villages and make them rogue ninja."
"Only then can we ensure they work wholeheartedly for us."
"In other words, we must create another organization and absorb talent."
Organization...
Hearing that word, Nagato felt a sharp pain in his heart.
Back then, he, Yahiko, and Konan also wanted to create an organization.
But because of that bastard Gekko Chizan's interference, everything changed.
"An organization sounds good."
"Let me think... Since we're aiming to revolutionize this world, why not call it Apex Shinobi? How about that!"
"Overturn the shinobi world! Apex Shinobi! What an amazing name!"
Uchiha Makito burst into loud laughter, convinced the name he came up with was brilliant!
He didn't notice the darkened expressions on Nagato's and Zetsu's faces.
Apex Shinobi...
Nagato: Why does Uchiha Madara have such a bizarre brain... does living too long make you insane...
Black Zetsu: ...Madara, why did you choose such a guy...
White Zetsu: Makito is a good kid, just a bit... apex!
That very day, a new organization suddenly appeared in the Land of Water— abbreviated as Akatsuki!
Gekko Chizan: I **you **—that's the name I came up with! Where's my copyright fee!
A few days later, dozens of shinobi defected from Kirigakure.
For a time, the entire village sank back into gloom.
...
Land of Fire, Forest of Death.
"So, why did you two kids join the ANBU?"
As the ANBU training instructor, Gekko Chizan looked at the new recruits who had just entered.
He was not okay at all.
Because standing before him—one big, one small—were Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Shisui. Even though they wore masks, Chizan would never mistake their familiar presence.
"My father recommended me. He said I should undergo this baptism to better train my swordsmanship and abilities."
"I came on my own, Captain Chizan. Please guide me well!"
Gekko Chizan let out a powerless nod, then instantly switched to a new expression.
All thirty ANBU recruits in front of him wore masks.
"Since the Hokage has appointed me as your instructor—"
"Let's begin."
"This forest is full of danger. Go."
"You have three days. Don't let me find you. Don't let me kill you."
"Good luck!"
Chizan's voice dripped with malice.
The ANBU rookies felt their hair stand on end.
The instant he finished speaking, Kakashi and Shisui moved without hesitation.
The two of them turned into shadows and dashed into the Forest of Death. They both knew Chizan well.
If they were slow, something terrible would absolutely happen!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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