บท 401: Tag-Team
"What does he plan to do with the tailed beasts? I don't think he is strong enough to control all 9 of them. The only reason grandpa was about to do it is because of wood release that weakened the tailed beasts." Tsunade asked. She knew that Madara was no idiot who would just collect the tailed beasts without planning ahead but she couldn't think of anything.
"That is the extent of my knowledge on the Akatsuki's goal. Many in the Akatsuki didn't even know that Tobi is the actual leader of the group. They thought it is Pain." Itachi said.
"We need to figure out why he wants them all and that too before the meeting of the kages. I guess we have to put the matter of those two mercenaries aside for now. I am sure that Yami and Sasuke aren't the types to just trust some mercenaries...they will be fine." Tsunade said as she glanced at Itachi trying to figure out what was going through the man's mind.
"The safety and the well-being of my brothers is my cross to bear. I promised our parents to keep them safe and I will fulfill it. I need to go to the Hidden Rain Village and ask Tobi myself." Itachi said as he looked at Tsunade with determined eyes.
Tsunade knew that it would be impossible to persuade Itachi to not go to the hidden rain but she still had to try "Itachi you haven't fully recovered yet. You won't be able to stand up to Pain much less to Madara."
"I can take on Pain if strategized properly and as for Madara, he isn't what he used to be...his power has greatly diminished." Itachi said to which Tsunade stood exactly in front of him and said "You don't understand Itachi..going there is like walking into the tiger's den. How many will you be able to fight with half your strength. And i can't risk sending in an Anbu group with you when times are these busy. You can't go there alone" Tsunade said much like ordered. She wasn't going to let Itachi walk into his own grave.
"He won't be alone…I'll go there with him." a voice came from behind. It was none other than the Toad Sage Jiraya. Tsunade rolled her eyes and said "What are you talking about Jiraya…I am already telling this kid not to go and instead of helping me out here you are talking about going with him."
Jiraya walked inside the room with a smirk on his face and said "Look at him Tsunade…do you think he will stay even if you tell him to? Its better for me to accompany him since I am sure that the two squads that are being held hostage won't just stay still."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Tsunade asked. She didn't think that the squads that were captured will try to do anything since the difference in their strength is high.
"One of the captured kids is the Nara heir…and just like his father, he will make up for his strength with his sharp mind. He isn't the type to just sit quietly…Naruto has told me a lot about him…infact he refers to the nara heir as his first friend. The kid along with the others will definately try to do something and I want to be there when they need backup.
Tsunade started contemplating what Jiraya had just said. He wasn't wrong in guessing that Shikamaru would try to do something to get out of there and at such times Jiraya and Itachi being there to backup them up doesn't sound like a bad idea. Tsunade turned towards Itachi and asked "What do you think? I can send you two there as a backup but that's it…I don't want you two to go face to face with Pain or Tobi…you hear me?"
This wasn't what Itachi had in mind but it was better than nothing so he nodded and said "I understand…we will try our best to avoid a direct confrontation and prioritize getting the hostages out."
"Good" Tsunade said as she glanced at Jiraya and signaled himt to walk outside with him. Jiraya understood and gave a slight nod "We'll leave tonight Itachi. I'll see you later" and then walked out of the room with Tsunade.
"Jiraya…the kid's condition is no joke…he has been reduced to half his full strength and I am sure that if he confronts Pain or Tobi…he will try to use his full strength even if it kills him." The playful expression on Jiraya face suddenly vanished as he said "The kid has been through way more than someone his age should have…don't worry…I'll make sure he stays alive. No matter how strong these kids get and how much burden they take upon themselves…we oldies need to knock sense into them once a while."
Hearing the last part, tsuande shot a nasty sideeye towards Jiraya and said "Speak for yourself…you must be old not me. Hmph" and continued to climb up and leave while Jiraya was left behind giving a long sigh. While plans of rescue and backup were being made at the Hidden leaf village, the main building of the Hidden Stone village was quite chaotic and the villagers had started to notice that as well.
**
Hidden Stone Village
"What's happening? The security in the village and especially around the Tsuchikage building seems to have tripled in the last hour." a villager said as he stood at the side of the road talking.
"I don't know what happened but I have seen 5 of the 8 elders go inside the building in the last half an hour. It must be something important for 5 elders to go."
"Not 5 but 7…see behind you…two more elders are coming" another man standing at the side said.
The elders of the Hidden Stone Village and suddenly started to gather at the Tsuchikage building. None of them knew why they were being called but they didn't have the guts when the Tsuchikage has told them to come no matter what…they were sure that there definately was something importatnt that Onoki wanted to discuss.
Onoki had just entered the building through the back entrance. He was accompanied by 3 guards who walked behind him. As onoki entered the building, he saw his granddaughter kurotsuchi standing by the stairs talking to her subordinates. Seeing her grandpa walk in, she immediately instructed them all to go perform their duties and she walked towards Onoki.
"Grandpa all the preparations have been made like you had requested." Kurotsuchi said.
"How many elders are here? and what have you told them up until now?" Onoki asked to which Kurotsuchi replied "The two grand elders have been told that we have recieved a letter from he hidden leaf asking for our co operation to get rid of the Akatsuki while the other elders have only been told to come to the main building at thier earliest for an important meeting."
"Good…its not like i even care what they decide when I will do what i want to." Onoki said as he entered the meeting room. As he walked in, he saw a big oval table with people sitting around it and murmuring something. The next second, the voices started to die down because Onoki just stood there at one end of the table just looking them.
When the entire atmostphere became quiet, Onoki sat on his chair and said "We have recieved a proposal form the Hidden leaf to co operate with them and the other great villages to meet and get rid of the Akatsuki."
"What? the Akatsuki? why would we want to get rid of them. They are a good proxy for us to keep the others busy." An elder sitting on the right side of Onoki said. "He is right. We have used the Akatsuki from time to time to get rid of anyone who comes our way.
"Well now is not the time to use them since the one they are after this time are the Jinchurikis.
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