Reviving the Uchiha Clan: Starting with a Legacy of Many Descendants

As Pain finished dealing with the Gedo Statue, now saturated with Tailed Beast chakra, Tobi—who claimed to be "Madara"—descended from above and said in a low voice:

"Let's go. Time to deal with the last Tailed Beast Jinchuriki: Konoha's Nine-Tails, Uzumaki Naruto…"

"This time, there can be no mistakes. We're all going together."

"Tch!" Hidan scoffed. "Sorry! I'm not used to working with others. Leave capturing the Nine-Tails to me and Kakuzu. The rest of you can wait here at the base."

Sasori sneered, "Leave it to you? You couldn't even handle the Eight-Tails, and you still dare to volunteer? Leave the Nine-Tails to me."

Deidara patted his chest confidently. "That's right! Scorpion-senpai and I are more than enough! Hmm!"

After speaking, Deidara leaned close to Sasori and whispered, "Scorpion-senpai, once we're in Konoha, let's settle it with rock-paper-scissors to decide who gets to fight. Hmm!"

At some point, White Zetsu emerged from the ground, his face twisted in a fake smile as he reminded them:

"This time is completely different. The Five Great Nations have devised a coordinated response to our Tailed Beast hunts. Going after the Nine-Tails now is equivalent to facing the combined forces of all five nations."

Black Zetsu added, "I don't need to elaborate on their strength—you all know it well. Even with all of Akatsuki's members mobilized, there's no guarantee we'll successfully capture the Nine-Tails. Deidara, I suggest you behave this time and refrain from solo action."

Hearing this, even the usually stubborn Deidara fell silent.

As confident as he was in his art, Deidara was still well aware of his own limits when facing the combined might of the Five Great Nations.

Tobi turned to Black and White Zetsu with a serious expression.

"Well? Have you located the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"

White Zetsu smirked. "Of course. With my sensory abilities, finding him is child's play~"

Black Zetsu explained, "Uzumaki Naruto is currently hiding in the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools, accompanied by one of the Sannin, Jiraiya of Konoha."

Hearing Jiraiya's name, Pain and Konan's eyes flickered slightly, seemingly reminded of their past. However, the memory only lingered for a moment.

"Very well…" Tobi nodded. "Pain, take all the members with you to capture Uzumaki Naruto. I'll remain in the shadows and provide support if anything unexpected happens."

White Zetsu volunteered, "I'll handle the guiding. Combat isn't really my forte, as you all know."

Black Zetsu added, "I'll stay behind to look after the child of Akatsuki. Konan, don't worry—I'll keep him safe."

Konan nodded. "Alright, I'll leave it to you."

Without saying much more, Pain gestured to the members to move out and headed straight for the exit.

"This will be Akatsuki's first full-scale operation. We cannot fail!"

"Disperse!"

With those words, one by one, the figures vanished into thin air.

Land of Fire, Konoha Village

Due to the Land of Fire being at the center of the world, the Five Kage had unanimously decided to establish the headquarters of their alliance in Konoha Village.

In the intelligence department hall, everyone was frantically working, processing the incoming reports from scouting ninja.

"Damn it! It's been so many days, and we still haven't found Jiraiya and Naruto! Where the hell could they be?" Raikage bellowed angrily, his impatience evident.

The other Kage said nothing, understanding his frustration. After all, Raikage's younger brother, Killer Bee, was still missing, and the longer they delayed, the graver the danger.

At that moment, an intelligence ninja suddenly shouted excitedly:

"We've found them! We've located Jiraiya-sama and Naruto!"

"The Eleventh Reconnaissance Team reports that they are in the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools!"

"Naruto is alive and has not been captured!"