The Akatsuki base had changed drastically over the past few weeks.
What had once been an ancient, hidden hideout carved deep inside a mountain had now become something far more advanced.
Computers hummed quietly across several rooms.
Large monitors displayed satellite feeds and news broadcasts from around the world.
Communication systems connected us to secure networks and hidden channels across the internet.
All of it had been installed thanks to Orochimaru.
The man had adapted to modern technology disturbingly fast.
Now the Akatsuki base had access to the internet, encrypted communications, and even several hacked satellite systems.
Money made all of that possible.
And thanks to our new mercenary organization, money was no longer a problem.
Kakuzu alone had brought in enormous amounts of cash through bounty hunting and high-paying contracts.
Criminal organizations.
Corrupt corporations.
Secret government groups.
They all needed problems solved.
And the Akatsuki solved problems very efficiently.
Of course, the most important part of our logistics came from White Zetsu.
When supplies needed to be purchased, a clone would simply appear in a city somewhere in the world.
It would buy whatever we needed.
Food.
Equipment.
Electronics.
Laboratory materials for Orochimaru.
Then the clone would simply sink into the ground and travel underground until it returned to the hidden mountain base.
No vehicles.
No delivery routes.
No witnesses.
Which meant no one could track our supply chain.
It was the perfect system.
Meanwhile, I sat alone in the central chamber of the base.
Dozens of scrolls surrounded me.
Sealing formulas covered the stone floor in complex patterns.
I held one of the Uzumaki scrolls open in front of me, studying the intricate script carefully.
Fuinjutsu.
The art of sealing.
Normally, mastering even the basics of fuinjutsu took years of study.
The techniques were complicated.
Precise.
And extremely dangerous if performed incorrectly.
But for me…
It was surprisingly easy.
After all, I wasn't just an Uzumaki.
I had the highest form of the Uzumaki bloodline.
My chakra reserves were enormous.
My life force was monstrous.
And my talent for sealing techniques was absurd.
The moment I began studying the scrolls, the knowledge felt… natural.
Like remembering something I had always known.
I dipped the brush into ink and carefully traced another formula onto the stone floor.
Chakra flowed into the seal.
The markings glowed softly.
Then the formula activated.
A small storage seal opened in the center of the circle, releasing a cloud of smoke before closing again.
Perfect.
I nodded slightly.
"Not bad."
In just a few days I had already mastered several advanced sealing techniques.
Storage seals.
Barrier seals.
Chakra suppression seals.
Binding techniques.
And I had only scratched the surface of the scrolls.
The Uzumaki clan had developed hundreds of powerful sealing arts across generations.
Weapons could be sealed inside scrolls.
Massive beasts could be imprisoned.
Even chakra itself could be locked away.
And with my talent, I was learning faster every day.
Behind me, footsteps approached.
Konan stopped beside the doorway, watching the glowing seals covering the floor.
"You're improving quickly."
I glanced back at her.
"Uzumaki bloodline."
Konan nodded slightly.
"That helps."
She studied one of the more complicated formulas.
"That seal… what does it do?"
"A defensive barrier."
I tapped the symbol at the center.
"If activated, it creates a chakra shield strong enough to block most attacks."
Konan raised an eyebrow.
"Most?"
"Depends on the attack."
I stood up slowly, brushing dust from my cloak.
"But it's a good start."
Konan looked around the chamber again.
"You've filled the entire floor with seals."
"Practice."
The more I studied fuinjutsu, the more ideas began forming in my mind.
Defensive barriers around the base.
Transportation seals.
Seals that could store enormous weapons or chakra constructs.
Possibilities that would make the Akatsuki even more dangerous.
Konan folded her arms.
"The others are busy as well."
"Kakuzu?"
"Completing another contract."
"Orochimaru?"
"Still experimenting with the biology of this world."
That didn't surprise me.
The scientist had been fascinated ever since discovering the existence of meta-humans.
Zetsu was running the information network.
White Zetsu clones continued multiplying slowly thanks to Orochimaru's research.
Sasori had already begun constructing new puppets using modern materials.
Yahiko was helping manage the organization's structure.
The Akatsuki were growing stronger every day.
I looked down at the glowing seal beneath my feet.
Chakra pulsed through the formula as I completed the final stroke.
The seal activated with a faint flash.
Then faded.
Success.
I smiled slightly.
"Soon."
Konan tilted her head.
"Soon what?"
I looked up toward the ceiling of the hidden base.
"Soon the world will learn something."
"And what's that?"
My smile widened slightly.
"That the Akatsuki aren't just another criminal group."
Far above us, across cities and continents, rumors about the mysterious organization with red cloud cloaks were spreading faster every day.
Heroes were investigating.
Criminals were whispering.
Governments were starting to notice.
And every time someone spoke the name—
Akatsuki
The system rewarded me with more points.
Which meant our power would only continue to grow.