In Konoha, they wiped out the Sarutobi clan at the start.

Chapter 176 Akatsuki Organization Meeting

"Not bad." The Akatsuki members were taken aback, looked at each other, and then answered.

"Something has happened in Konoha. For some reason, the Chunin Exams were suddenly moved up. Orochimaru used the Sound and Sand ninjas to declare war on Konoha, but it seems he failed to destroy the village." Pain finally spoke, his pale purple Rinnegan rings opening as he looked around before finally settling on Chiya, awaiting his report.

"Orochimaru... he's really a disgrace." Deidara said disdainfully, hands on his hips.

Chiya shrugged slightly. "The leader's intelligence is indeed accurate. Orochimaru's attack on Konoha happened during the day, and you found out in the evening. I haven't even had a chance to report to you yet."

"Has Orochimaru's plan started ahead of schedule?" Itachi and Kisame's phantom forms appeared, and upon hearing Chiya's words, Itachi couldn't help but ask.

Kisame also looked puzzled, because there was still a week until the time when Chiya had told them about the collapse of Konoha.

Therefore, during this time, they went to other places to complete their tasks.

Chiya spoke nonsense with a straight face: "It all happened so suddenly, I don't know where you all went, so I didn't have time to inform you. But don't worry, the mission is complete. The Third Hokage died in battle, the First and Second Hokage were sealed, and Orochimaru has lost the ability to use the Impure World Reincarnation technique, as well as all the ninjutsu that require hand seals."

Payne asked indifferently, "Tell me the specifics."

Chiya said, "The power that the Impure World Reincarnation can exert is related to the strength of the living sacrifice. In order to give his teacher some face and fulfill the so-called title of 'the strongest Hokage of all time,' Orochimaru used two genin as sacrifices in the still immature Impure World Reincarnation to revive the First and Second Hokage."

"As a result, these two former ninja gods and the fastest ninja in the world have had their strength weakened to an appalling degree. Putting aside their immortality through the Impure World Reincarnation technique, I'm afraid any group in our organization could fight them."

"When the Third Hokage was finally outmatched, he used that technique that led to their mutual destruction. I experienced it firsthand, and I must say it was extremely dangerous. It allowed one to sacrifice their own soul to summon a Shinigami (death god). The Shinigami would use the caster as a medium to extend a demonic hand, pull the person's soul out of their body, and swallow it whole."

Upon hearing that it could seal souls, all the Akatsuki members frowned deeply; this kind of ninjutsu, which was practically a bug in the system, was truly terrifying.

"That was truly a terrifying ninjutsu. Hmm." Deidara exclaimed first, then looked at Chiya and couldn't help but praise, "As expected of Brother Chiya, he managed to dodge even such a dangerous ninjutsu. Hmm."

Qianye smiled and continued without further explanation, "The Third Hokage used this technique to seal the souls of the First and Second Hokage. As for Orochimaru, perhaps it was because the Third Hokage was old and physically exhausted, or perhaps he couldn't bear to take away his most beloved disciple, so he only sealed his hands, depriving him of all the ninjutsu that required hand seals."

Pain said in a deep voice, "In other words, the souls of the First to the Third Hokage, as well as Orochimaru's hands, have all been swallowed by the Shinigami and cannot be resurrected through the Impure World Reincarnation. Orochimaru has also lost the ability to use the Impure World Reincarnation. Right?"

"That's exactly the point." Qianye nodded.

Pain then asked, "So, how's the intelligence gathering on the Jinchuriki going?"

Chiya smiled gently, "The name of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha is Naruto Uzumaki, and the name of the Jinchuriki of Sunagakure is Gaara Sandstorm, who is the youngest son of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa."

"It's quite a coincidence that Sunagakure went all out to deal with Konoha this time. Although the Fourth Kazekage died before he could achieve his goal, he sent out the One-Tailed Jinchuriki. As a result, the two Jinchuriki clashed and a great battle broke out outside Konoha. The scene was truly spectacular."

"Compared to that ninjutsu that resulted in mutual destruction, the battle between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru was like a child's game."

"I originally wanted to capture them directly, but unfortunately Jiraiya and Tsunade, who were also among the Legendary Sannin alongside Orochimaru, returned. These two are very strong, and unlike Orochimaru, their souls have weakened due to frequent reincarnations, making them vulnerable to genjutsu. Pakura and I couldn't capture two Jinchuriki in front of them, surrounded by numerous Sunagakure and Konoha ninja, so we retreated for the time being."

"It's alright, as long as we find out information about the Jinchuriki. Besides, it's not time to capture them yet." Pain remained expressionless, but Nagato Uzumaki, the true form hidden in the clock tower at the highest point of Amegakure, showed a slight change in expression. He exchanged a glance with Konan beside him, and in the end, the two did not say anything more.

Kakuzu, standing to the side, asked, "So when will we begin our operation?"

Hidan chimed in, "That's right, I've been waiting impatiently for this for ages! Sacrificing your Jinchuriki to the great Jashin-sama is the best!"

"It won't be long. Three years. After three years, the organization will enter the final stage and capture all the tailed beasts."

This was the result of Nagato and Obito's discussion. Considering that the information on Jinchuriki was not yet complete, they feared that rashly capturing one might arouse the vigilance of other countries.

Furthermore, there are also significant problems within the Akatsuki organization itself.

Not stable enough.

Almost everyone has their own ambitions, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they all have their own ulterior motives. This is something that needs time to work out.

Finally, there's the issue of Obito himself.

Firstly, he had an agreement with Itachi that he would not harm Konoha during Itachi's lifetime.

Secondly, although capturing the tailed beast as quickly as possible is desirable, he actually does not want to become Madara's puppet.

He wanted to break free from Ban's control.

Therefore, he deliberately extended the time of the Eye of the Moon Project, thinking of using Nagato to build his own power and act according to his own will.

Due to a number of factors, the Akatsuki's plans had to be postponed.

"Three years." A brief silence fell within the pitch-black space of the magic lantern. Everyone had their own thoughts, and no one knew what the others were thinking.

After a long pause, Pain spoke first, breaking the silence: "For the next three years, everyone should remain in hiding and avoid making too much noise, especially Chiya. You seemed to have gone a bit too far this time; those high-ranking officials in Konoha were really put in a difficult position because of you. From now on, you'll return and focus on intelligence gathering."

"Brother Chiyo, what else did you do in Konoha?" Deidara was taken aback and looked at Chiyo with some surprise.

"It's nothing much. I just injured a few Konoha Jonin before Orochimaru's Konoha Collapse Plan started, and incidentally drugged a few of the Konoha's higher-ups." Chiya shrugged slightly.

"Medicine? What medicine?" Deidara became increasingly curious.

The vast majority of the other Akatsuki members also cast curious glances their way.

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(End of this chapter)