It has been a few days now since that art incident and Itachi and I have been ordered to Grass Country.

We completed one assassination mission, when Pain contacted us via our Akatsuki Rings.

I have no idea what exactly he is doing, but he somehow uses the rings like a phone to contact us.

The Rinnegan is very likely the only way to achieve that, but Kaguya also has no idea how these rings work.

Actually the whole thing is a lot more like a skype conference as every Akatsuki member is connected on the call.

"Un! What is with this damn snake?! How can he bring the dead back to fight us?!"

Yes. While Itachi and I are walking around Gass Country, 'Team Art' is allowed to hunt snakes. I really would have liked to fight against Orochimaru again.

"Itachi. Do you have any idea what Deidara is talking about?"

"Orochimaru is probably using the Second Hokage's 'Impure World Reincarnation'. The only way to fight against these reincarnations is by sealing them. Even if you killed the caster, the reincarnation will still be able to fight on. Of course you could try to trick Orochimaru in releasing the jutsu, but that is unlikely."

"What's is that supposed to mean?"

Oh Deidara.

"Be wary of Orochimaru from now on. He is bound to make another move if he is alive."

"Leader, there is normally no way to survive that explosion, un."

"Orochimaru is not normal."

At least with that the whole Orochimaru thing will be over for now.

"We also have request from Hotspring Country. A homical maniac appeared who is apparently immortal. Seeing as they can't kill him, they are requesting for our help."

"Is that another of those reincarnated ones, un?"

"Whoever or whatever he is, I will be sending a different team this time. Konan, Itachi and Kakuzu will be confronting our immortal and if possible have him join our ranks. Mai return to Rain Country. There is someone who wants to meet you. Kisame also wanted to meet you. Dismissed."

"Itachi, do you think the one who wants to talk with me will be that Madara guy?"

"Possibly. Be careful."

"You don't have to tell me that dango boy."

Ever since that dango incident, you can see Itachi shivering whenever you mention dangos.

"I will be preparing some for your return. They will also be poison-free~"

"Hn."

We split up and I make my way to Rain Country.

I really hope that 'Madara Uchiha' won't be too annoying. Black Zetsu did mention that the 'Uchiha boy', which is the same person as the same 'Madara Uchiha'-fake I have been talking about, won't be ruining our plans.

But what really interests me is why Kisame wanted to meet me.

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I try to deflect the greatsword coming at me and just about manage to do so. The size, speed and power behind that swing would have instantly killed me, if I did not manage to deflect it.

"Oho~ The horned princess does know how to use a sword."

Damn Kisame. I just entered the base when he suddenly jumps out of a shadow and starts attacking me. Luckily my 'Danger Sense' kicked in and I managed to deflect his blow.

"What is this about, Kisame."

"You know. We haven't been talking with each other at all ever since your arrival here. But I also wanted to make a great impression on others, which is why I was waiting here for you."

Ridiculous.

"So? Do you count attacking me as a great impression? I am not impressed. At. All."

"*sigh* What a shame. I just wanted to look cool in front of the one they call 'Shinigami' in Kiri."

Me? It is true that I killed some Kiri-nin, months before joining Akatsuki.

"I have heard from old buddies of mine, that the bloodline wars in Kiri had a small shinigami walking from one battle to another and would kill anyone crossing her path. It didn't matter whether they were rebels or purist. Everyone died. You should have seen his face, when he told me about how the Horned Shinigami herself spread her enemies intestines all over the battlefield using her dual-wield katana style and 3 flying katana."

"I can't remember having killed that many Kiri-nin."

"I am sure the tales are greatly exaggerated, but that is all thanks to your work. What kind of image did you expect to have, when everytime you enter the battle everyone around explodes. You never just sliced off their heads, no. Everytime you used your katana bones and intestines would fly. Comrades would be hit with their allies missing body pieces and many of them still have nightmares about it."

At least my Explosion Fist' intimidation factor is working properly.

"Is this it? You just wanted to tell me about my apparent fame in Kiri?"

"I also wanted to have a little spar with you and ALL your swords. My sword, Samehada, has wanting to taste your chakra ever since your arrival here in Akatsuki."

Can that sword even take on my Qi? As far as I remember Samehada had problems with natural chakra and seeing as my Qi is at least 50% made up of it I can only see red for the sentient sword.

"I am not sure about your sentient sword trying to eat my chakra. My chakra is different to others and I can already see Samehada having problems with ingesting it. I will not be held responsible should your sword have perfomance issues."

I should have phrased that differently and yes. Kisame has that stupid grin on his face.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Don't worry. My greatsword has never been disappointing me before nor the ladies."

"Uugh. Let's just get this over with."

I use three Qi Threads and connect them to katanas while both my hands grab the other two katanas. The three flying katana orient themselves above my head and face Kisame.

I orignally created this style of fighting to increase my fighting range to around 6m in every direction around myself. The flying katanas would swoop down and attack my enemies, similar to how I always imagined a hydra fighting against hundreds of enemies. While I jump from enemy to enemy, my flying swords will snap at enemies further away. Blood would fly everywhere each time one of the katana would descend and explode parts of someones body.

This style of fighting is obviously only possible thanks to 'Parallel Processing' and 'Increased Processing Speed'. Currently I have three parts to allocate tasks to.

The first one would always control my main body. The second one controls my flying swords and analyzes the battlefield and the last one is concentrating on genjutsu.

"Do you want to only fight with swords?"

"Don't you dare give me any of that genjutsu crap. I just want to have a good fashioned sword fight."

"Then I congratulate you on being the first person to witness my complete swordstyle. Normally I don't get to use it as I combine my sword-fighting with genjutsu, but now that I don't have to worry about that can I finally release the complete form."

I release six other katana from one of my hidden sealing scrolls and have them fly with my Qi Threads. 2 Katana on my body and 9 Katana flying around my head ready to descend on my foe: Hydra Style.

The style itself is meant for single battles against genjutsu-immune foes or for army fights. To be honest everything about it has only been theory till now especially the part about using nine flying swords. The original only uses three, because I combine the attacks with my Explosion Fist, but seeing as this will be a spar I should be able to keep up with all nine.

"Come on, Kisame. Let's test my 'Hydra Style' on you."

I close the distance to 3m between us and have the the first sword descend.

Kisame blocks the katana with his sword and then swings at empty space behind the Katana. He probably checked if I am using chakra strings to control them. What he doesn't know is that the Qi Threads are literally formed like necks sprouting from my shoulders. They are currently invisible which reduces the threads power and stability, but I don't want people to figure out how the technique really works and made it impossible for Kisame to see it dodge his strike. What I am doing is really close to the Uchiha's Susanoo technique. Both create chakra constructs to resemble bodies and weapons. In my case I have sprouted nine long necks out my shoulder with the katana being their mouths.

Kisame stops bothering with checking for chakra strings and closes the gap between us.

I am a little faster than him, which is my luck, because every swing of his is brutal. He should be way more stronger than me.

I dodge another strike of his and have three heads feint an attack. He falls for them holds up his greatsword, while the two swords on my body aim for his legs.

Kisame notices the danger and jumps out of my range only to confront another three katana in midair. All three collide with his sword and manage to push Kisame back to my side.

I dodge every strike Kisame is aiming at me, while I constantly feint with my flying swords and have another set of swords attack his blind spots.

Whenever he tries to leave my attack zone, he would encounter swords waiting for him only to be pushed back again.

The moment he closed the gap between us, he is forced to beat me to leave my side.

We keep fighting for a few minutes, when I notice my mental fatigue. I managed to keep up with nine swords for about 15 minutes. The moment 'Parallel Processing' increases again I can complete the style and have it run indefinetely.

"How does it feel being trapped here with me Kisame?"

"This is some impressive sword skill you have there lady. No matter where I go swords will be waiting for me. Should I try to attack you, then you would either counter attack or dodge and make an easy target for your flying swords. Should I try to escape, then flying swords will be waiting for me, while you are ready to follow up on any mistakes on my part."

"Unfortunately I am not yet good enough to control it perfectly. Had you managed to ever knock down all three swords that kept intercepting you, then you would have made it out of my trap."

"Don't worry about it. You are what? Half my age? 14 or 15 maybe?"

"The same as Itachi apparently."

"Oho~ Anyway with your skills you would have easily been accepted as one of the Seven Swordsman of Kiri."

"Yeah. I am not too sure about that. The Twinsword, Hiramekarei, is the only one of the seven swords that has me interested. There is also the whole thing about sharpened teeth that every member has to have."

"Twinsword, huh. With your fighting style, the Twinsword is very likely the only one that would fit you. You could try Kiba, but your style is using a lot of feints for which Twinsword is better seeing as both blades can shapeshift into other weapons."

"Anyway I better meet our leader. I was actually supposed to meet someone special."

"Hm. Go ahead. Also don't forget that you own me another spar."

"What?"

"Should you ever get your hands on one of those two swords, then I will help you out. Anyway see you around, kid."

I resealed all my extra weapons and arrive at Pain's location. I can't sense anyone else inside of the room.

"You are finally here."

"Kisame had to have a spar with me."

"Hm. The one who wanted to meet you has yet to arrive."

"Who wants to see me?"

"He is one of our strongest supporters."

"I see."

With nothing to do I just sit down and meditate.

Minutes later the mystery guy finally makes his appearance.

I stand up and look into his direction. He is currently waiting in the shadow in front of me and is surprised that I sensed his arrival.

"So you found me."

A man wearing a orange mask with a spiral symbol on it. There is only one hole in the mask for one of his eyes. People familiar with the original story will know that the eye behind that mask is his Mangekyo Sharingan.

I also notice that Pain has already left the room, which leaves me alone with 'Uchiha boy'.

"Zetsu has been talking about you."

That got his attention. Didn't he know about my connection Zetsu?

"Then that makes you the person of interest Zetsu has been talking about. Did 'Pain' already mention Akatsuki's main goal to you?"

"No, but Zetsu did. The Eye of the Moon Plan. 'Pain' is trying to subdue the bijus, which you will use for your special plan."

"If Zetsu told you about everything then you must be a trustworthy ally."

"I have my own reason for activating that genjutsu."

"That doesn't matter. I will have Zetsu contact you should I ever require your assistance for the plan."

"Got it." That retard really thinks that he is the boss here. If he only knew that Zetsu is controlling him and that I am actually Zetsu's boss, then I am sure he would start flipping out.

Without even saying goodbye, he disappears in a swirl.

Man~ I really want to do the same dimension hopping thing he is doing.

'You won't be able to do so until you unlock your Rinne Sharingan.'

'Are you serious?'

'Of course, Hinata. Still, there is something about this jutsu that caught my attention.'

'Hm?'

'I think he is missing one of his original eyes. Something about the way he entered his personal dimension seemed off to me.'

So she deduced that Obito is missing the Sharingan, which he gave Kakashi.

Anyway I get to my own room and think back to my fight with Kisame.

I have to come up with an easier way to control every sword. People like Sasori are able to control hundreds of puppets, while I struggle with 9 Katana. Unlike puppets they don't even have any hidden weapons or special abilities to keep track of.

The reason why I spent so much of my attention on these swords is actually easy to spot. I constantly control my Qi and make sure that I am not leaking anything. This way I have no Qi usage, but instead could possibly fight forever.

In fact many of my techniques only require so much attention to their execution, because I don't want to waste any of my Qi. I have more Qi than Itachi for example, but I still try to be careful how I use it.

Persevere on and control the Qi or not.

I will just have to keep training my Qi control until there is no leakage. Once I manage that I am able to control thousand flying swords or even more!

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I have been sitting in my room for a few days now.

Every day I would start my energy control exercise, which span from playing different music instruments at the same time to create multiple chakra constructs after animals and have them fight against each other. The rabbits would always win for some reason.

"Everyone is to assemble in our conference room. Itachi, Kakuza and Konan will arrive shortly."

Guess that's enough training for now.

Hopefully Hidan is not trying to convert me to his mad religion. His religion that swears on endless destruction and death. They sound like completely funny guys to me, don't they?

I seal the dango I made into a sealing scroll and go to the conference room.

I wonder how Hidan's immortality actually works. Is it a technique that I could replicate? It could actually be a technique from a real god, then that would at least answer the question why not every Jashin-follower is immortal, if this 'Jashin' specifically chose Hidan.

Hidan is actually one of the few characters I don't have a lot of information on. His immortality was the only thing I really found interesting about him, but seeing him repeatedly stabbing himself got boring real fast.

Hm? When did I arrive in the conference room and why is everybody giving me weird looks?