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Note-
Hakase in japanese literally means Doctor.
So it is changed to Hiro
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In a cave within the Hidden Mist Village…
*Sh*
Zetsu appeared from below the ground.
"Zetsu," the masked man called out as from behind Yagura.
*Sh*
Another figure appeared from the ground.
"Nagato, huh?" The masked man frowned from behind his mask.
"It's a clone," Zetsu answered.
"Madara,"
"We might need to change our plans," Nagato said.
"…" The masked man stared silently.
A few minutes later…
"I see…" The masked man murmured as he stared at Nagato.
Although he appeared calm on the surface, behind the mask, Obito was sweating bullets.
He then observed Nagato's expression for a few seconds.
Obito, as a former Hidden Leaf citizen, knew how much powerful the legendary sannins were. However, there was also the Rinnegan which forced Hanzō the Salamander to run away back in the Third Ninja War when Obito tried to recruit Nagato. Even the sannins together again in the Second Ninja war could only fight Hanzō to a draw, But this time Nagato had failed despite the absence of Tsunade.
"Nagato," The masked man called out.
"Yes," Nagato looked at the masked man.
"As you said,"
"Let's go into hiding for now,"
"It's better to leave Orochimaru out until the final stage where we come out," The masked man said.
"Noted,"
"I'll hold the meeting now," Nagato said as he sat down on the floor.
———————————-
Somewhere along the borders of the Land of Fire,
Two figures sat in a restaurant covered in Black robes with red could patterns. Both wore straw hats while one of them had a huge thing wrapped in bandages on the back.
The people around the duo casually chatted about the recent happenings.
"So, the other day I was asking my boss for time off to go to the Hidden Leaf," A man said.
"So, what did he say?" The man opposite to him asked.
"He says he was taking some time off too, But he was going to the Hidden Sand," The first man continued.
"Hidden Sand?" The second man asked.
"I was confused too, but apparently the Sports Festival is said to have changed venues," The first man replied.
"Oh, you mean the new time light dome?" Another man from a nearby table asked.
"Yeah, the new monument," The first man said excitedly.
"I'm heading there too," The man said as he got up from his table to join in on the conversation.
"Looks like we are heading to the West now,"
"Itachi," Kisame said as he stared at Itachi who was drinking from his teacup.
"So it seems," Itachi replied emotionlessly as he took a sip.
Soon the duo left the shop and proceeded on their way once again.
…
Sounds of footsteps echoed as they walked on a neat pathway in the middle of a grassland.
*sh*
Itachi and Kisame stopped walking.
Itachi turned towards Kisame who nodded at him, The duo then proceeded towards the grass and settled down.
*sh*
Itachi and Kisame appeared virtually in front of all the members gathered in the room.
"Finish this meeting fast,"
"My bird can't auto-pilot, Hmph!" Deidara complained since he was on his way over to the Hidden Leaf…
"Calm down," Sasori who was virtually next to Deidara said.
"Akatsuki has decided to withdraw from all missions effective immediately," Nagato announced.
"What?" The other members stared with shocked expressions.
"Are you joking?" Kakuzu and Deidara asked at the same time.
"I didn't get my partner yet," Kakuzu complained.
"I just joined you guys," Deidara complained as well.
"Yours is a punishment," Nagato said as he looked at Deidara.
"…" Deidara remained silent.
"The Akatsuki will no longer operate on the surface, but our group will exist in a state of Hibernation," Nagato said.
Itachi while remaining emotionless was frowning internally,
("The third said that there was a boy I had to meet no matter what,")
("Will this mission be canceled?") Itachi thought.
"What about our mission?" Kisame asked suddenly.
"Hmm…" Nagato mulled over for a few seconds which suddenly gave light to Itachi's flickering hope.
"Disguise yourselves and bring the money back," Nagato said.
"mm," Itachi nodded.
"The same goes for all of you,"
"Disguise yourselves,"
"Our main objective for the next few months is to gather the minimum money that is required for the final phase," Nagato commanded.
"Got it," The others in the room nodded.
"What of Orochimaru?" Deidara inquired since he was on his mission to fix his mistake, he was still interested in the failure of his first mission.
"Orochimaru is less of our concerns now,"
"We will deal with him when we are in the final phase," Nagato said.
"I see…" Sasori said slowly; However, internally, he understood that Orochimaru was tough even for the most powerful ones in their group.
"Any other questions?" Nagato asked as he stared at all the members one by one, only to see them standing silent.
"Meeting Adjourned," Nagato concluded.
…
*sh*
Itachi opened his eyes, followed by Kisame.
Kisame then looked at his sword - Samehada.
"How am I going to disguise you…" Kisame stared at his sword, which reacted by slowly curling its hilt around Kisame's arm.
Itachi looked at the Horizon…
("An entire week before the Sports Festival Begins…") Itachi thought as he stared in the direction he and Kisame were supposed to proceed in…
——————————
(Whoosh!)
Orochimaru and Jiraiya landed on a patch of grass.
Jiraiya's eyes traced the direction where Orochimaru was looking at.
The duo stared at an abandoned building covered with plants all over.
"This Dr.Hiro,"
"Just who is he?" Jiraiya asked.
"Does his current identity matter?" Orochimaru asked as he looked at Jiraiya.
"…" Jiraiya stared silently at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru shook his head.
"Follow me," Orochimaru said as he walked towards the building.
"Why don't you just tell me!" Jiraiya complained as he followed behind.
…
As Orochimaru continued to walk, he suddenly stopped.
"A trap?" Jiraiya asked.
"No"
"It's a snake," Orochimaru replied nonchalantly as he stared at a small snake enter a hole in the ground.
"Hmph," Jiraiya could only snort as he watched Orochimaru play the nice guy not wanting to hurt even a fly.
"Let's go," Orochimaru said as he proceeded forward.
Jiraiya also followed behind Orochimaru without question.
As the duo entered the building…
Orochimaru looked at the floor.
"Three to the left and Four to the front," Orochimaru said as he walked around in the direction he mumbled in.
After reaching, he knocked on the floor.
*tk!* A handle popped out.
"There," Orochimaru moved to make way for Jiraiya.
Jiraiya then pulled the handle up to reveal a small entrance enough to fit a person that led underground.
"Let's go," Orochimaru said as he proceeded forward.
Jiraiya followed after Orochimaru leaving the trap door open.
As the two descended the staircase, they came across a small lab.
"Looks like this place is active after all…" Jiraiya murmured as he stared at all the colorful test tubes.
As the two proceeded further in, Jiraiya understood that the Dr.Hiro they were looking for was not only competent in using chemicals but also other masteries as well in weapons, tools, etc.
Soon they arrived at a place where animals were in cages.
"…" Jiraiya silently stared at all the strange creatures that were trapped in the cages.
As a ninja, Jiraiya had already come across things like this; thus, he was not that worried about the freedom of these trapped animals.
(Bang!)
Jiraiya's and Orochimaru's sight were drawn towards the source of the sound.
At the end of the hall, a man in a white lab coat stared at a well-built monkey that was currently rampaging within its cage.
"The results show almost negligible difference compared to the boost before…" The man said as he noted down on his notebook, following which he turned to see Orochimaru and Jiraiya heading towards him.
"Orochimaru!"
"Jiraiya-sama," The man backed two steps as he raised an arm in defense.
"Dr.Hiro," Orochimaru called out.
"You know my real name?" The man asked.
"Yes," Orochimaru nodded as he slowly moved his eyes to stare at the rampaging monkey within the cage.
"This is my test subject,"
"Dr.Shinnou wanted to test the Highest possible state that could be achieved with the Gates system,"
"And here I am using steroids," Dr.Hiro said as he pointed to the syringes loaded in the inner pocket of his lab coat.
"hehe," Orochimaru smirked.
"Orochimaru, wrap this up fast," Jiraiya said.
"Patience," Orochimaru said as he took a step forward towards Dr.Hiro.
"Here's the information you wanted," Orochimaru said as he pulled out a scroll.
"I'm afraid that won't do," Dr.Hiro said as he shook his head.
Orochimaru frowned, "what do you mean by this?"
"I'm helpless, really," Dr.Hiro said.
"Speak," Jiraiya interrupted.
"…"
"The scroll was to bail out my hunter," Dr.Hiro said.
"Hunter?" Jiraiya stared at Dr.Hiro
"Yes, He always got me the things I needed for my research and inventions, unfortunately, a few days ago, He was taken…" Dr.Hiro paused.
"Taken?"
"Where?" Orochimaru asked.
"Hozuki Castle," Dr.Hiro answered.
"…" Jiraiya and Orochimaru stared at the man.
"So, now we have to infiltrate this place to get him out, huh?" Jiraiya asked.
"Jiraiya-sama, The Hozuki Castle is…"
"Hmph, Leave that to us," Jiraiya said, following which he turned towards Orochimaru.
"What is that project of yours?" Jiraiya asked.
Orochimaru looked at Dr.Hiro.
"Please wait," Dr.Hiro said following which he ran in.
Soon Dr.Hiro came out of his room with two neatly rolled up sheets.
*Flap!*
The sheets were unrolled and neatly placed on the table.
"As requested,"
"Blueprints for Project 7610!"
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https://66.media.tumblr.com/78c854142857eb963fcbafdf006fa00e/tumblr_nbqoazHrvG1qjv6zxo2_250.gif
(Sorry for the delay) Happy Birthday to Itachi!
Also, anyone took a guess at what Hozuki Castle is and the Project 7610?
Also there's a reference in the chapter from Shippuden Movie 2 so check that out.