"So, everyone—how did it feel, your first time traveling to another world?"
Back at the Fire Daimyō's mansion, Naruto turned to the gathered members of Akatsuki and asked with a smile.
"Didn't feel like much," Deidara muttered, yawning in boredom. "It was like watching a movie of the Nine Tails battle, that's all."
"True," Kisame said slowly. "It was just a test run—and in the world we're most familiar with."
"But to actually cross into another world at all… now that is extraordinary."
"Even I saw a young Third Hokage," Kakuzu added, rare awe creeping into his voice. "Unbelievable."
"Then I hope you're all ready," Naruto said. "Next time I call, we'll head to a new world together."
"Oi, oi, oi! Naruto, why wait until next time?!" Deidara perked right up, suddenly restless. "Who knows how long that'll be! No way, no way—I say we go today! Otherwise I'm not leaving! I'm staying put, yeah!"
Naruto, patient as if coaxing a child, tried to calm him down. "I'd like that too, but once we reach another world, it won't be a matter of a day or two before we return."
The next world might even be the "new world"—and Naruto himself wasn't fully confident. To drag along Akatsuki, with their chaos-loving tendencies? He doubted he could keep them in line.
Better to test the waters first.
"It's not just about me. I'm sure everyone here has things they need to take care of, too."
"Deidara, my new puppet design still needs refinement," Sasori drawled, not entirely just to dissuade him—he truly did have ideas brewing.
"Didn't have much drive before," Hidan chimed in, "but now I've got some new thoughts too. Can't afford to embarrass myself in another world."
Deidara looked around at Naruto and the others, then huffed, puffed out his cheeks, and turned away with a pout. "Tch. Boring!"
"With that, this Akatsuki gathering is over," Nagato declared. "Until next time."
The group quickly dispersed, leaving only Naruto and his usual two companions—though this time, there was one extra.
Kisame.
He approached the three, his small bead-like pupils glinting strangely.
"Something you need, Kisame?"
The shark-like man stood silent for a moment, then rasped in his rough, gravelly voice—before turning and leaving alone.
---
Kirigakure, the Village Hidden in the Mist.
After the meeting, Kisame returned to his homeland—the place he had come from before Naruto's summons had brought him to the Land of Fire.
Deep in an underground reservoir, where pipes crisscrossed and water flowed endlessly…
"Kisame. Long time no see."
From the shadows of a corner, space distorted. A figure emerged, speaking in a low, heavy voice:
"You're late."
"My lord. It's been too long." Kisame grinned—an ugly, almost pained smile—and answered respectfully, "I ran into a small accident along the way. That's why I'm a little late."
"Is that so? I thought perhaps you had betrayed me."
Whether in jest or suspicion, the figure's words carried weight.
"How could I?" Kisame's face betrayed no cracks. Still deferential, he replied, "I've been following your instructions—lying low within Akatsuki, quietly awaiting your return."
"Your plan, my lord—I look forward to it greatly."
At that, the figure stepped out of the shadows.
That all-too-familiar swirling mask—Uchiha Obito had returned.
In the original tale, Obito—under the guise of Madara—had recruited Kisame. Out of all the Akatsuki, Kisame had been the only one truly convinced by the so-called "Eye of the Moon Plan."
And now, with just a few words, Kisame earned Obito's trust once again.
After all, honest men are always the easiest to believe.
And when an honest man lies—it always lands.
"My lord," Kisame said after a pause, as if weighing his words, "but Pain has already abandoned the mission to capture the Tailed Beasts. Will that not affect our plan?"
"He now proclaims himself a god. The Five Great Nations have all been subdued beneath his power—they bow to him completely."
"It seems impossible to shake his resolve."
That Nagato… I knew he couldn't be relied upon.
And all because of those Rinnegan eyes…
Unaware that Nagato had inherited strength from Isshiki, Obito still believed all his power came from Madara's Rinnegan. Bitterness and envy welled in him, but he forced them down, answering in Madara's grave, commanding tone:
"Do not worry. Even without Nagato, our plan will proceed."
"Then I am reassured." Kisame nodded, then said boldly, "In that case, I'll leave Akatsuki now. From here on, I'll follow your steps directly—to carry out the great plan."
Obito, satisfied by Kisame's decisiveness, still raised a hand to stop him. "No."
"I need you to remain there."
"To continue watching from within Akatsuki."
"But…" Kisame frowned, puzzled. "There's no point in staying now, is there?"
No point? The Rinnegan is still there. The Nine Tails jinchūriki is still there.
"There must be someone of ours inside Akatsuki."
"…As you command." Kisame bowed his head. "Then I shall take my leave."
"Wait." Obito halted him once more. "There is something you should know."
"Let me introduce someone. He shares our ideals and our goals—a comrade in every sense." Obito stepped aside, revealing a figure behind him.
"You should know him well—you were from the same village once."
"…!"
Kisame froze at the sight, then quickly composed himself. His grin widened until it nearly split his face.
"No wonder we had to meet here. I never imagined you would become our comrade as well."
He deliberately emphasized the word comrade.
"Hmph."
The man gave only a cold snort in reply, then fell silent.
---
Some time later, Kisame emerged alone from the underground reservoir. Drying the water from his body, he quietly pulled out a certain item—Akatsuki's unique ring, used for remote gatherings and communication.
"Moshi, moshi—Naruto? I'd like to make a report."
The rat hidden in the dark had finally decided to act.
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