Naruto: North and South

Far away, it was rare for everyone to gather—not for team-building this time, but for something serious. Though the location was still the rooftop, the atmosphere was far more formal. Present were Konan and Haruno Sakura. No one knew what Nagato had said to her, but after that day, Sakura seemed to have grown a decade overnight.

“…Destroying Konoha won’t solve the problem. Killing them outright might feel satisfying, but what must happen will still happen. Yet, this matter cannot simply be left unresolved. Only those who have experienced the same pain can truly understand one another. Even now, I think this: whatever was done in the past will bring suffering in the future…”

Nagato spoke with patience, without anger. Everyone in Akatsuki listened intently—or at least, that was how it appeared on the surface.

Some eyes were fixed on the leader, but minds drifted elsewhere. By synchronizing their chakra with Kita’s, they silently transmitted their thoughts to one another.

—What has the leader been reading lately? Why does he keep talking nonsense?

—Uh, I don’t know what he read, but I think what you said is right.

This ability had been gained accidentally after the tailed beasts were exiled. The ten of them had once connected their chakra as one; later, they discovered they could communicate silently through chakra resonance.

—Um… Big Brother, what’s the leader saying? I don’t understand at all. I understand every word, but together… I just don’t get it.

In the organization, the only one who could be called “Big Brother” was Deidara—this was his title.

—Summed up, it’s nonsense. You don’t need to understand.

As always, Kita spoiled Deidara. She thought this was unwise and added a note.

—You need to let Deidara think for himself more.

—Think about what? About what the leader said? What’s there to think about?

—Uh, well… that’s true too.

—Hey, Kita, why don’t you tell the leader to say it simply? I don’t get it at all.

The three chatted intensely. When more than three share chakra resonance, it forms an invisible magnetic field, easily sensed by perceptive ninja. Those with dōjutsu could even see this invisible field clearly.

Obito adjusted his chakra and interjected.

—Leader’s giving a lecture, and you three are daydreaming?

It sounded righteous. If he hadn’t joined the resonance, it would have been truly justifiable.

Deidara didn’t argue but asked sincerely.

—What’s the leader lecturing about? Can you explain? I don’t understand, hmm!

Obito felt drained by this question, because he himself only half-understood. No—not half-understood, he knew just enough to be frustrated.

—Huh? Hidan, what’s up? You haven’t blinked in forever, hmm!

Deidara noticed Hidan staring motionless, eyes wide open, arms crossed on the wooden bench. He hadn’t blinked once.

—He’s asleep.

Kakuzu’s voice blended into the tiny magnetic field; he had also noticed his colleagues’ distraction.

—Wow, that’s amazing—sleeping with eyes open? I want to learn! How does he do it, hmm!

—Don’t know.

—Keep it down, or we’ll get noticed.

Itachi interjected.

—The leader has Rinnegan; next time, mask your presence.

—He’s too into it right now to notice anyway.

Obito’s words were irresponsible, but outwardly, he still seemed attentive, nodding occasionally. In terms of appearances, Obito was the most serious.

—You fool, Sister Konan will notice.

Itachi said this. Kita turned to see Konan’s death glare. She had noticed immediately. Kita groaned; Konan, after all, was a perceptive ninja.

Kita decided to stay silent and quietly withdrew from the “group chat.”

—Hey hey hey, Kita, why’d you leave?

Kita, by nature, was cunning—a fact the Akatsuki knew well. Kakuzu glanced at silent Konan and also withdrew from the “group chat.”

When Nagato raised the topic to life and peace, Kita truly could not comprehend.

—Konan, did Nagato eat something weird recently?

Honestly… Konan really wanted to say she didn’t know either what Nagato had eaten, or what crazy book he had read. But as part of the leadership, she only said:

—Shut up and listen carefully.

Kita thought her summary skills were weak. To ensure mission success, she asked further:

—I don’t understand. Just tell me, what exactly does he want to do?

Konan thought for a moment. She knew indulging Kita wouldn’t help. Though she too was partly confused, she grasped the gist and said:

—Simply put: revenge those with grudges. Complaints and revenge.

Nagato, still speaking, stiffened. He looked puzzled at Konan, utterly confused.

—Is this what I meant?

—Uh…

—Not really?

Nagato felt deeply hurt; that was not what he intended. Awkward silence filled the rooftop. Only Konan, calm as ever, filed her nails—just before the “meeting” she had trimmed them, now it turned out to be wise.

A crow’s caw broke the tension. Itachi thought it was his, but the crow landed on Kita instead. She smiled apologetically, and the chakra from the summoned crow, full of intelligence, flowed into her body. Her gaze then fell on Obito.

—What’s wrong? Nagato asked.

—Konoha’s Hatake Kakashi committed suicide at home yesterday afternoon.

The group froze. Obito was first to react, slapping the table and laughing hysterically.

—Hahaha!!! Kakashi committed suicide? Don’t mess with me! He despises suicide! He’d never do that! Hahaha—

The laughter gradually fell silent. Shadows moved into the void. Obito’s face turned pale.

—Kakashi’s in trouble, Kakashi’s in trouble—

—Wait, Obito, Kita goes with you.

—I know.

Before a warning could be given, the two disappeared from the rooftop. Nagato said briefly and efficiently:

—Prepare yourselves. Upon return, take Konoha directly. Destroy the Hyuga. Annihilate the Byakugan.

Truly, everything could be summed up in that one sentence.