Masterpiece

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A few days later, the Shinobi Alliance congregated once again in the heart of Konoha. Their meeting room was alive with tension, a hum of anticipation audible over the mutters of conversation. Seated in the centre of the room was Tsunade, her visage marked by a weary strength that bore the weight of the world. The rest of the Kages, Raasa, Mei Terumi, Oonoki, and A were also present, their loyal guards standing like statues behind them.

Koushin stood behind Tsunade, his lithe form brimming with an unsettling confidence. His smile, laced with a playful mockery, was a thorn in the side of those who shared the room with him. His quick wit and cunning intelligence, which had already cemented Tsunade as the Supreme Commander of the Alliance, made it challenging to rebuke him.

"Thank you for coming this early," Tsunade began, her voice carrying the unmistakable ring of authority. Raasa nodded in agreement, his eyes as severe as the desert sun, "The situation indeed calls for it."

Mifune, with his calm demeanor, took this moment to interject. "The first order of business is to discuss the Jinchuriki of the Two, Eight, and Nine Tails, and gather intelligence on our enemy and their bases."

All eyes in the room turned to Koushin. He had proclaimed that Konoha had superior intelligence, a claim that had been met with vehement refusal in their previous meeting. However, the swift and deft manner in which Koushin had silenced them left a bitter taste in their mouths.

"As requested, here is the information about the enemy," Koushin announced, the corners of his mouth quirking up in that familiar, infuriating smile. With a swift wave of his hand, twelve identical documents materialized out of thin air, startling everyone in the room. With a magician's flair, he handed a copy to each individual.

The room fell silent as the Kages delved into the pages, their expressions hardening with each word they read. Tsunade was the first to break the silence, "This report...it's comprehensive, to say the least."

Mei Terumi raised an eyebrow at Koushin, her voice cool as she acknowledged, "Konoha's intelligence is not to be underestimated, it seems."

Koushin merely nodded, his face a picture of controlled mirth. "We do our best, Lady Mizukage."

A clenched his fist as he looked at the list of Akatsuki members. "Itachi, leading the pack…" he muttered, the name tasting like bile in his mouth. His eyes swept down the list, catching the names of other formidable opponents. "Obito, Gaara, Roshi, Han, Utakata, Fu…" His voice trailed off. The last four, all Jinchuriki once like his brother, were now freed from their tailed beasts and, apparently, had pledged their allegiance to Akatsuki.

"And let's not forget Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Zetsu…" A's fist tightened further, crumpling the corner of the document. "Plus, we're looking at a battalion of 100,000 White Zetsu soldiers. While they may be foot soldiers, their sheer numbers alone are enough to tip the balance of power."

The air in the room seemed to grow heavier, with each name adding another layer of dread. Tsunade sighed, rubbing her temples. "This is... a formidable force. With this in play, we must prepare for an all-out war."

"Itachi is a cunning strategist," Mei Terumi observed, tracing her finger along the names on the list. "His leadership of this group is worrisome."

"It's not just Itachi," Raasa interjected. "Obito, with his Kamui, is not to be underestimated. He can strike and disappear at will."

"You think those are anything?" Koushin asked, his eyes gleaming mischievously as he nodded towards the documents in their hands. "Turn the page."

Silence engulfed the room once again as everyone, barring Tsunade, turned over the page. The sounds of rustling papers were interrupted by gasps of shock and disbelief. Eyes widened and jaws dropped as the reality of the situation dawned upon them.

"These are..." Oonoki started, his voice barely above a whisper. He was unable to finish his sentence, too overwhelmed by the names that danced before his eyes. Mei's hand flew to her mouth in horror, Raasa's eyes narrowed in anger, and A's grip tightened on the paper, almost tearing it in half.

"Yes," Koushin interjected with a nod. His voice remained steady, despite the overwhelming dread that hung heavy in the room. "Orochimaru and Kabuto will reanimate the dead from various villages, your ancestors, your descendants, old friends, old comrades. They will fight against us."

"What the hell you were thinking in the first place?" Koushin's voice sliced through the thick silence like a hot knife. All eyes swiveled towards him, his words serving as a harsh wake-up call from the shock that held them captive. "You are the five Kage. Five of the strongest people in the world. Do you think the Akatsuki could achieve this if it wasn't for those names?"

He pointed at the list of names and every eye followed his finger. The gravity of the situation hit them like a tidal wave as they took in the names. First Hokage Hashirama Senju, Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato, Second Tsuchikage Mu, Third Raikage A, Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hozuki, and Third Kazekage.

The list read like a roll call of some of the most powerful shinobi ever to walk the earth. Each name brought a flood of memories, respect, and fear. Each name was a stark reminder of the colossal threat they were now facing.

"The Akatsuki's plan is clearly insidious," Koushin continued, his tone laced with irony, "After all, why wage war with the living when you can just reanimate the dead?"

Tsunade looked at the faces around her, reading the confusion, the fear, and the anger that danced in their eyes. "We are standing on the precipice of a war unlike any we've faced before. We need to be prepared," she said, her voice steady despite the storm brewing within her.

"Koushin," A growled, his eyes hard as he locked them on the jester standing behind Tsunade, "Your point is made. But do you have any solution, or is your talent limited to pointing out our oversight?"

"No, that is just a hobby of mine." Koushin retorted, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes as he placed ten small papers on the table. Each sheet was marked with a distinct X.

Curiosity pricked Oonoki, and he asked, "What are these?"

"These," Koushin began, his voice taking on a proud inflection as he gestured towards the marked sheets, "are my masterpiece."

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