Calm Before The Storm

Konan received the news from her intelligence network about the 'rumors' on war possibly due to Konoha's recent event where Uchiha clan were massacred, and 9 tails jinchuriki losing control.

"Konan, what do you think of the overall situation?", Pain, the body controlled by Nagato asked her in a cold voice. 

He's already thinking whether this might affect the Land of Rain if war does break out. He does not want to expose the Akatsuki and the fact that Hanzo the Salamander is no longer alive and killed by them. If Suna and Iwa join the fray, the land of Rain will become their battlefield, and Nagato already planned to enforce a completely neutral region in the village he's at and would execute any shinobi that's not from Amegakure.

The problem comes when any of them decides to pass through the village, to hide, and to escape enemies inevitably during war time. 

'It seems unlikely. There's no major movements yet. It seems they are all waiting for a chance and it's nothing but rumors. Konoha is still a strong village, despite their loses'.

Pain nods. But amidst the risk, there's also opportunity. His plan is to collect the bijuus ultimately, and information is scarce still. War means weakening respective villages, and lets information leak easier as the Bijuu will surely be sent to the battlefield and used.

But Akatsuki does not have the means to push for a war. So Nagato is just about to dismiss the idea and do things slowly…

But just then Orochimaru appeared from behind the darkness...

Pain and Konan look coldly at the snake. His eyes contain unhidden greed as he looks towards Pain's eyes - the Rinnegan. But Orochimaru is not stupid enough to test Pain's strength. For his first priority is immortality, and as a cautious snake and scientist, he does not do something that has unreasonable risk and can only look at the second best; Itachi's mangekyo.

"Orochimaru, you brought an outsider to our base. What's the meaning of this". Pain looked to the side of Orochimaru, a middle aged man with golden eyes and thick eyebrows, wearing a black bandana. His long expansive white hair stretched beyond his shoulders.

Orochimaru licked his lips before introducing him.

'This is an old friend of mine. Since you are looking for new members, he might prove useful to you'.

Orochimaru almost had just planned to steal Itachi's body when he received a letter from Shinno from one of his spies. He canceled the plan to see what this old acquaintance of his up to. Since Itachi will always be in the organisation anyways he doesn't mind. 

But who knows, Shinno had a lot of surprises with him, making him to invite him to Akatsuki as he knows of Shinno's true origin and his goals. 

Shinno stepped forward nervously. Seeing the legendary Rinnegan of Sage of Six Path, it would be a lie to say he's not scared and shocked. Orochimaru is already scary enough. Add Pain and Konan who feels just as scary. 

He knew the three of them are all Kage tier shinobi - he is a mere Jonin relatively and only had superb medical ninjutsu. Though, with Dark Chakra Shinno is sure he can fight toe to toe with them but Zero Tails currently resides in Amaru, and he needs to be close to her to channel its power.

Shinno takes a deep breath and introduces himself.

'I am Shinno, the current leader of the remnants of the Land of the Sky. I heard from Orochimaru about your organisation. And I believe we both can help each other in our purpose'.

Pain and Konan observed Shinno. He does not seem impressive and can be killed easily like ants right at this instant. He is still curious on why Orochimaru even recommends him - and the mention of Land of the Sky. He heard about its involvement during the second Shinobi War, but he's not born yet so it's never his concern and that land is no more.

'Shinno. What can you offer to the Akatsuki? And why do you want to join a mere mercenary organisation'. Pain asked blandly.

Shinno introduces his own medical expertise, and that he's known as the wandering medical nin and has quite a reputation in Land of Fire. 

'I see. So you are Doctor Shinno. I did hear of you once'. Konan chimed in recognition.

Hearing Konan even heard of him, it does mean he had the ability of a medical nin. But still, Pain feels he's just so-so. Having an expert medical nin serving Amegakure does not sound bad at all but it's not what Akatsuki needs. He won't let him join Akatsuki as a true member just yet. Because he needs to know his true intention - not that it matters much since he can be easily killed.

'What is your true purpose? I can kill you right here and right now if your answer did not satisfy me, Shinno'. Pain's expressionless face adds even more authority to his voice.

Shinno felt a chill as sweat broke out from his back. He felt timid and small facing someone he can never contempt with. He felt heavy pressure of chakra pressing down onto him, causing him to kneel forcefully. 

Shinno forced himself to look up to Pain. He's scared for his life but still manages to speak.

'I… I heard of your true goal from Orochimaru - to become the true ruler of the world, to replace the Great 5 Nations. Our goals align, as I wanted revenge on Konoha for destroying my clan and my land. Please accept my obeisance! Pain-sama!'. Shinno said with all his heart.

Shinno is screaming inside, mostly cursing Orochimaru. He never signed up for this. He never told him the leader is so unreasonable! He could be dead the next second and he has no one to cry to. 

... 

Pain went quiet for a second. Before asking another question.

"Since I will be dealing with Konoha eventually, your 'revenge' will be achieved at some point. So why are you here?".

Shinno gulped. Did he think he's useless and it doesn't matter? But he already planned to reveal his plan anyway. He had always wanted to prove to everyone and the Great 5 Nations the true power of Land of the Sky, that his clan could have ruled them all. In a sense, having Akatsuki supporting him, using the power of Ancor Vantian to rule the Shinobi World is something he can take pride of.

Perhaps even someone God-like like Pain with eyes of the Sage would feel amazed at the true power of Ancor Vatian! There's a sense of anticipation blooming in his heart. The name Land of the Sky will soon travel throughout all of Shinobi World with Akatsuki behind him.

Shinno, feeling the pressure lifted, stood up but still bowed respectfully.

'Pain-sama. I want to show the world, the true power of Land of the Sky! If I can activate the weapon of my clan - the flying fortress Ancor Vantian, we can rule the Shinobi World!'.

The real Nagato almost frowned, though the stoic Pain face doesn't show any hint of emotions.

"Tell me, is this Ancor Vantian of yours truly capable?", he asked skeptically.

Shinno almost had a look of fanaticism in his eyes as Pain asked. 

'The main weapon of the fortress can destroy a shinobi village easily! I am sure, with it your quest to rule the world will be achieved!'.

While Shinno still planned to be the Emperor after the world is taken over and become the leader eventually - but it's an afterthought. For now they need to overcome the 5 Great Nations first. But he will have to think whether Pain is someone he can or cannot fight first. He still would be satisfied enough to be the right-handman if he cannot defeat Pain after they succeeded in conquering Shinobi World though; he mused. 

Pain simply thought the stupid lunatic was overestimating himself. Because if the weapon is truly that capable, how could Land of the Sky be destroyed? That proves enough that it's unreasonable. Pain still believes collecting all the Bijuus is still better. Regardless, it sounds powerful enough and can be of help he suppose.

"Very well. Tell me, what do you need to activate this flying fortress".

Shinno hesitated a little, but still explained the source of its power. That he is using Zero Tail, an artificial tailed beast as a power source. And that currently, at current pace he needs 7 years or so before he has enough dark chakra for the still in development Zero Tails.

"Artificial tailed beast… interesting", Pain said honestly. Konan however felt bad about it. As if they are dealing with something really dangerous.

"But 7 years is too long from now… since you are telling us, what is your plan?".

Shinno said with excitement, to instigate war and gain dark chakra through them. He added the bonus of weakening the villages. He is certain, if war happens he can collect enough and activate Ancor Vantian quickly and they can rule the shinobi world with it right after.

"...". Nagato is deep in thought.

'We do not have the means to instigate a war'. Konan finally said the main problem, and she would rather not do so. She understood the pain of war, and while she supports Nagato's conquest, it still pains her conscience.

Orochimaru licked his lips, his eyes filled with scheming as he stepped forward.

"Leader… I have a suggestion".

Pain and Konan both look at the snake. Not really trusting him but still listening.

"Konoha… we will launch an attack on them. I had a blood debt to pay. This is the opening that those shinobi villages will take".

Naturally, Orochimaru is referring to Hiruzen, his ex-sensei. He hated the fact that Hiruzen chose Minato over himself as a Hokage - or rather, he was rather disappointed with the way Hiruzen was unable to trust his own disciple. 

Nagato furrowed his eyebrows.

"We cannot expose our organisation…".

Orochimaru licked his lips, smiling understandingly.

"You can leave it to me and Shinno… The matter with Konoha is personal for me. However, leader, we may need your help in a certain matter".

***

Fast forward, Pain stood inside the center of the ruined Ancor Vantian. His Rinnegan watches the eerie dark chakra of Zero tails inside the cocoon that's constantly supplying the fetus with dark chakra from the people of the village nearby where Shinno lived.

Shinno came forward to explain the Zero Tail here and there. And mentioning the main problem with it for now. That Zero Tails is binded to the control tablet, a sealing control technique basically, and that he cannot use it outside of the fortress.

Once the control is taken off, Zero Tail will go berzerk and uncontrollable.

Orochimaru licked his lips, finally adding the important part.

"Sage of Six Paths are able to control all of the tailed beasts… Perhaps you have a way to tame it?".

Shinno looks at Pain expectantly. While he never planned to become Zero Tail jinchuriki due to its inherent weakness of needing the sealing tablet to control it, having the leader with eyes of the sage give him hope for it.

Pain observed through his rinnegan. He had an inherent understanding of the Bijuus from his interaction and connection to the Gedo Statue. And he can see the flaw of the incomplete Zero Tail compared to a real Bijuu. But in fact, he is quite shocked inside his heart. It's almost complete. The research done by shinobi of Land of the Sky is truly terrifying to almost create something almost like a Bijuu. But it lacks one last ingredient. It needs true 'flesh'. And he had a perfect solution for it. The Gedo Statue itself.

"I have a way…". Pain already decided to give full membership status to Shinno at this moment. The Gedo Statue is not a secret among the Akatsuki members since everyone is standing on top of them. That it will be used to capture the Bijuus and become the vessel of ultimate weapon so he doesn't mind.

Orochimaru smiled with curiosity and anticipation - to achieve a complete creation of life is something he will never want to miss. He never looks at the Zero Tail project much due to its incompleteness - but if Pain, the one with power of the sage is involved it's something he looks forward to. They say the sage can create life out of chakra, and if this succeed, perhaps it will mean history is true. Once again he would have to delay his plan to steal Itachi's body.

Shinno also felt the anticipation growing. After returning to their base, Pain handed over a lump of flesh - a part of Gedo Statue itself. Orochimaru at first is surprised at this unexpected solution. That the statue that he thought was a mere statue they standing on to look cool is actually something that can be used for a part of a tailed beast.

***

Orochimaru Secret Laboratory

With Orochimaru's genius working with Shinno who's also a genius of the same caliber, they figure out Pain's conjecture is correct. The result are better than expected. The statue's dormant flesh come to life as it absorbs Zero Tail dark chakra. Orochimaru view from the microscope, the texture of flesh turned from lumps into proper actually living cells.

Orochimaru licked his lips again and again, too excited at this discovery. Both of them had a look of uncontained excitement growing in their eyes as they looked at the petri dishes and the result of the data.

'Once the Zero Tail is complete… Its collection of negative chakra will be even faster. And I can become its jinchuriki'.

Shinno is already screaming inside with excitement. The idea of controlling such power is supplying him with endless motivation as he works hard with Orochimaru in their research.

Unlike Shinno who didn't seems to wonder further, Orochimaru is curious about the Gedo Statue's true secret and origin. But that's for later as he focused his research to complete the Zero Tail. He already planned to take some of this cells and inject it onto some unlucky test subjects for a separate research project.

This is just the beginning of their entire plan to instigate the war between nations.

***

Mount Myoboku

In the cave where a giant toad rested, he suddenly received a vision of destruction and war...

GASP!!!

The Great Toad Sage, Gamamaru woke up in a stupor. His entire body is soaked with sweat.

"A great war…", he muttered in solemnity.

"Child of prophecy… will be key…".

Gamakichi at the side who's always ready to receive any prophecy from the Great Toad Sage is stunned hearing them suddenly.

"A great war!? Ojiji-sama! Tell me the details! Quick!", Gamakichi hopped trying to get him to talk.

Zzz… 

Unfortunately Gamamaru seems to forget what he even prophesied about just now and fell to sleep, not hearing Gamakichi screaming that fell onto his old deaf ears.

***