Naruto: What Kind of Starter Pack is 13 Years Late?

The Akatsuki holds regular meetings to stay updated on the status of each member.

Hidan was attending such a meeting for the first time. He curiously looked around, and immediately felt bored.

He complained, "Tch, attending this meeting is less productive than doing more prayers. Oh, by the way, Kakuzu, why isn't that guy here?"

"Shut up."

Kakuzu glared at Hidan. Under the financial offensive, he had already decided to listen to Obito.

That walking gold coin gave a lot, and he didn't need to go against money.

"However, it does seem like someone is missing." Kakuzu scanned everyone in the room, then slightly frowned.

"We recently had a new member join, Hidan, a rogue Ninja from Yugakure." Nagato, controlling Pain, spoke. He didn't care about Hidan's small actions.

He continued, "Also, Jūzō is dead, so Itachi, you will be partnered with Kisame from now on."

"No problem."

Kisame grinned, laughing carelessly, while Itachi nodded coldly in agreement.

They had previously received a mission to go to Kirigakure. Besides earning money, they also needed to investigate the current situation in Kirigakure.

But unfortunately, they encountered the Fourth Mizukage, who seemed to have a grudge against them and immediately attacked without a word.

The final result was that Jūzō 'returned home to his roots'.

"Another rogue Ninja from Kirigakure?"

Itachi wondered if he had some special connection with these rogue Ninja from Kirigakure. Otherwise, how could one die and another appear?

"In addition, we need more funds and more manpower to prepare for future plans."

Seeing that neither of them had any objections, Pain continued, "So we need more missions, and to recruit more suitable personnel. Do you have anything to say, or anyone to recommend?"

Seeing that no one else seemed to be speaking, Kakuzu simply said, "I don't have anyone to recommend, but I do have something to say."

"There's a kid in Konoha who's quite strong lately. Itachi, you've met him before, and since you're from Konoha, you should know more about that kid, right?"

"Who?"

Itachi was sparing with his words, and Kakuzu's voice was cold.

"A white-haired kid who can use Flying Thunder God, and also masters Purple Lightning and Lightning Release Chakra Mode. That kid has some grudge with me!"

"Purple Lightning."

Itachi instantly recalled the kid who was with Kakashi.

Has that kid grown to this extent?

Not only can he use Flying Thunder God, but also Lightning Release Chakra Mode?

But, wasn't that kid black-haired? How did he become white-haired?

Although his mind was full of questions, he still shook his head and said, "I already reported what needed to be said last time. I don't know anything more."

"I didn't expect you to suffer a loss against a kid?"

Sasori, not far away, heard their conversation and looked over with some disdain.

He said, "You're really regressing with age."

"Hmph, wait until you meet him." Kakuzu looked at Sasori, and suddenly laughed.

"By the way, you should know that kid is with Kakashi, right? Then do you know that Kakashi gave him a sword?"

"..."

Sasori's gaze began to change, and Kakuzu pressed on, "The original owner of that sword seemed to be Konoha's White Fang, and he killed…"

Sasori interrupted, stopping Kakuzu from running his mouth, "Do you want to die?"

Kakuzu said without any fear, "You want to try?"

In just an instant, the entire meeting room became tense.

"Enough, this is not for you to argue. Don't forget the organization's rules." Fortunately, Pain spoke in time.

His deterrent power was still strong, and everyone immediately quieted down.

"That kid is very powerful. I advise everyone to be careful." Black Zetsu's phantom also spoke at this point.

He scanned the crowd, pondered for a moment, and then spoke, "He's only thirteen or fourteen now, and his future is probably immeasurable. For now, let's talk about recruitment."

Black Zetsu had his own plans. He really wanted to test Takemi, as he was truly outrageous.

"As for recruitment, there's a good kid in Iwagakure. He's Ōnoki's disciple, but due to personality issues, he's currently living alone outside Iwagakure. This is our chance."

"Ōnoki's disciple? We can try. Being Ōnoki's disciple means he's capable enough." Pain pondered for a moment, then finally nodded.

"However, this must be handled carefully. Iwagakure is our major client, so it's best not to let them discover it. Itachi, Kisame, you two go. Sasori, you don't have a teammate after Orochimaru left, so you go too and take a look."

"No problem."

All three nodded, showing no objections.

"Then, the meeting is adjourned."

After Pain finished speaking, he simply jumped down and left. Black Zetsu's phantom also immediately disappeared, he intended to go 'fishing'.

"Where are you? I'll come find you." Kisame looked at Itachi and asked.

Itachi replied casually, "I'm in the village on the border of Iwagakure. You can come find me."

"Hey, wait a minute!"

But just as Itachi was about to 'log off', Hidan's voice suddenly rang out, causing him to frown.

Itachi asked, "What's wrong?"

"You're from Konoha, you know that Might Guy, right?" Hidan asked, curiously observing Itachi.

"Yes, he's a very capable Ninja."

Itachi felt strange, but nodded. However, the next moment, Hidan stumped him.

"It's good that you know him. I heard he was second to last in his class, right?"

"...So?"

"So, who was the last idiot in their graduating class?"

"..."

— — —

"Eh? There's really a mission?"

In Konoha, inside the Hokage Office, Takemi stood beside Jiraiya and Kakashi, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a strange expression.

Takemi did want to go out, which was why he had asked Jiraiya to inquire.

But what he didn't expect was to find a suitable mission in just one day?

"This mission is urgent, so prepare yourselves." Sarutobi Hiruzen was extremely serious, and he spoke loudly.

"According to our investigation, that mysterious organization is currently operating near Iwagakure."

"Iwagakure?"

Jiraiya and Kakashi both frowned slightly upon hearing 'Iwagakure'. Iwagakure was not particularly friendly towards Konoha.

During the Third Great Ninja War, the two sides truly fought fiercely in th3 Land of Grass.

"Iwagakure, huh?"

Takemi didn't react much to this. He hadn't participated in the war, but he roughly understood what was going on.

'Counting the time, it seems it's indeed time for Deidara to join Akatsuki.'

Deidara was a young man with an artistic flair. To prove his art, he even accepted numerous terrorist missions.

But because he was too troublesome, even though he was Ōnoki's disciple, everyone couldn't stand him, and he ended up living alone outside Iwagakure.

"That's right, Iwagakure."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, holding his pipe and speaking in a deep voice, "Their activities are all near the border. We haven't figured out what they're doing yet."

"Didn't Ōnoki discover anything?" Jiraiya asked, somewhat puzzled. He remembered Ōnoki being very perceptive.

"Danzo's side has news that Iwagakure might be employing that mysterious organization." Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke with some helplessness.

Now, he only hoped that Iwagakure wouldn't have the same issues as Kirigakure.

"So, as long as they don't actually enter the Land of Earth, Ōnoki might not interfere. For now, we can only rely on ourselves."

"Is that so?"

Jiraiya's lips twitched a bit. He wanted to find a mission but didn't expect it to be so troublesome.

However, he still nodded seriously and said, "I understand. We'll prepare and then depart. Just the three of us?"

"It's possible you'll enter the Land of Earth, so Guy…"

Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his pipe, hesitated, but quickly shook his head and warned, "Don't worry, I will send Anbu to support you. And remember, if you enter the Land of Earth, you must avoid attracting the attention of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki."

Ōnoki was very terrifying. His Kekkei Tota was much more terrifying than ordinary Kekkei Genkais.

"Alright then, old man, we'll be ready."

Jiraiya thought about Guy's fighting style, then simply nodded, and then straightforwardly led Kakashi and Takemi out of the Hokage Office.