Chapter 171 – Underneath the Storm

In a vast cavern hidden beneath a small island, nestled within a cluster of tightly packed islets, a massive sealed gate blocked the entrance to a forbidden space. Dozens of barriers surrounded the cave, woven together for secrecy and defense.

Inside, beneath the cold shadows of the rock, the ten official members of Akatsuki stood.

Only two of them were present in the flesh. The other eight—phantoms formed from chakra projections—hovered in meditation, each perched upon one of the ten enormous fingers of the Gedo Mazo statue. Their combined chakra pulsed through the air, forming an oppressive, ominous rhythm. The extraction was nearing its end.

At the foot of the statue, the body of Utakata lay motionless, breath shallow, sweat beading on his brow. The Six-Tails stirred faintly inside him, but it was too late. The process would be completed within minutes.

But then…

Even with all the protections layered over the cavern, even with the illusionary silence meant to mask their presence from the world, something began to disturb the ground beneath them.

Small tremors.

At first, barely perceptible—like the heartbeat of the island itself.

Then stronger.

And stronger still.

Until a jolt rippled through the cavern like a rising wave, shaking not only the floor but the entire island. Stones trembled. Dust fell. The barriers flickered.

The seals held.

But they weren't built to withstand repeated assaults of this scale.

Sasori was the first to speak.

"Something is happening outside."

"Do you think it's because of us?" Deidara asked, narrowing his eyes.

"It's far too close for it to be anything else," Sasori replied flatly.

"Someone go out and check what's going on," Kakuzu demanded.

"We just fought a Jinchūriki and immediately began this ritual. We can't spare a clone without disrupting the chakra stream," Deidara pointed out, annoyed.

Pain's voice cut through the chamber with finality.

"Kisame. Send one of your water clones. Observe. Report. Do not interfere unless absolutely necessary."

The command allowed no room for discussion. The ritual would not be stopped—not now, not so close to completion.

And outside, the waves grew louder.

<<<< o >>>>

The process of locating the exact site of the ritual had taken longer than Hinata would have liked. Connecting herself to two distinct sources of natural energy had nearly broken her, but her will endured. As the central pillar of Yumegakure, she had become the focal point, the living bridge between two realms. Had she not been within the Silver Stage, the weight of that connection might have crushed her.

With a single breath, her form shifted. To any observer from a distance, she now appeared as the Silver Lady—serene, commanding, and radiant. At her side, Kuro transformed as well: shadows draped her like armor, twin red lights glowing on her face, and small arcs of electricity pulsing across her shadow body.

The Silver Lady mounted the infamous beast of the Moon Cult, and together—powered by Kuro's Thunder Shadow Breath—they surged toward the island cluster where she now knew the ritual was taking place.

As they approached, Hinata began to feel... nothing. The island was a void to her senses. And yet, surrounding it, she could see the black threads of death—spiritual lines reaching toward the afterlife. The person inside, whoever they were, was tethered to death itself. The pull was so strong that even the surrounding ocean shimmered with the signs of impending demise.

Before they could reach the water-wrapped island, a serpent rose from the sea—a sleek, translucent-blue creature eight meters long. Atop its coils sat a figure in monk-like robes, a humanoid toad with vibrant green skin, wide yellow eyes, and a staff clutched in one hand. Their presence was undeniable: bodies and souls honed to the peak of the Grey Stage. Their white threads revealed the truth—they were sages, deep in the flow of Sage Mode.

The toad, Kaorumi, spoke first:

"So you're the anomaly. A human... You'll have to come with us. There's much you must answer for."

The serpent, Nurehime, added without hesitation:

"You will return to Ryūchi Cave—alive or dead. One way or another, your answers will be extracted."

The Silver Lady dismounted the beast of shadow and lightning. Her voice rang with calm authority.

"I have something that requires my immediate attention. But I'll go with you once this is resolved. A life is at stake."

Nurehime responded coldly:

"Mortal affairs do not concern us. Resist, and you will die."

Kuro's voice darkened, rumbling from within her growing form. With visible satisfaction, she growled:

"This isn't a fight you want. Leave now... or wait your turn."

Kaorumi glanced at the Silver Lady, tone thoughtful yet firm.

"What do you think, Nurehime? Seems even the pups today dare bark at their elders."

The serpent coiled with excitement, her eyes gleaming.

"Indeed, Kaorumi. Perhaps it's time we let the new blood prove its bite."

Behind both sages, two more shapes began to materialize—summoned by their ancestors: a massive toad and an equally formidable serpent, both easily matching Kuro in size.

The air grew heavy.

<<<< o >>>>

Kisame manifested his water clone just outside the sealed cave entrance—only to be met by darkness. Not the absence of light, but something else... a massive creature of shadow crashing down upon him.

Inside the chamber, the clone vanished in an instant.

Kisame scowled, voice edged with irritation and bloodlust. "I'll need to send another. The first one was destroyed before I could see anything."

The rest of the chamber remained silent. No words—just a collective understanding of the tension.

Pain raised a hand, fingers forming a single precise seal.

"I've cleared a channel. Send another clone outside the barrier."

The second clone of Kisame manifested with sharp reflexes—and was immediately forced to dodge claws, fangs, and tails slashing through the air above the island. Three monstrous creatures battled above the cavern like titans, shaking the sea and sky.

In the distance, a second battle raged—no less intense, though more precise. Water, poison, and fire twisted the world around it.

There, the Silver Lady fought two human-sized opponents: a toad sage and a serpent sage. Their energy distorted the very fabric of the land.

Realizing there was little more to observe without risk of interference, Kisame dispelled the clone voluntarily.

"The situation is deteriorating. We must reinforce the seals or the cave will collapse," he said hurriedly. "There's a war of titans above us. The Silver Lady is fighting individuals from Ryūchi Cave and Mount Myōboku, right on top of the ritual site."

Pain didn't hesitate.

"We double our efforts. Half of our chakra goes to the seal reinforcements. The rest continues the extraction. Once it's done, Deidara and Sasori are tasked with escaping by air."

The plan was given.

And Akatsuki had no choice but to obey their terrible leader.