10th October — Morning.
The day passed uneventfully.
Haruto had spent the evening sparring with Naruto, showing him a few advanced footwork patterns he'd personally crafted over the years. They laughed, played, and trained until night fell. Nothing particularly world-shaking happened.
But tomorrow?
Tomorrow is a different story.
Chapter: Akatsuki!
(Felt like putting it in)
October 11th
Haruto crouched beside a still lake under the moonlight, staring at his reflection. A faint breeze brushed across the surface, distorting his image into ripples.
His crimson hair, and the subtle whisker marks on his face — all changing in a single jutsu
He formed a seal. A silent puff of smoke later, his face began to shift — his jawline sharpened, his hair faded into a cool ocean blue, and his eyes turned pale white with a faint shimmer like moonlight dancing on snow. The whiskers vanished.
His features now looked regal, refined — dangerously handsome.
"A ladykiller," Haruto muttered, smirking at his reflection. "Not bad."
Disguised from head to toe.
He adjusted his cloak and turned his gaze toward the looming rock structure ahead — the rumored entrance to an Akatsuki outpost.
He approached the cave as two figures came outside.
One was a tall, muscular man with stitched skin and green eyes with slit pupils. He wore a black cloak with red clouds — the Akatsuki cloak — and a stitched-up mask covering the lower half of his face.
The other one was… Hidan — silver hair slicked back, violet eyes, also wearing the Akatsuki cloak. Hidan carried a triple-bladed scythe and had a smirking, cocky look.
"Look who we have here, Kakuzu!"
Kakuzu glared at Haruto as a massive wave of killing intent passed straight at him.
But Haruto didn't move an inch.
He didn't know why — but he could handle it like it was nothing.
Kakuzu stared and nodded.
"You're quite good… What's your name, kid?"
"…What's that gonna do with you?" Haruto replied, brainstorming a name quickly.
"You're pretty good if you can handle my killing intent. If you wish, you can join our Akatsuki," Kakuzu said.
Hidan instantly added,"But how come he knows the address to this place?"
"He came here to join… that's why he knows the location," Kakuzu said.
Hidan nodded.
"Now! Tell us your name!"
"My name is… Kazuto."
"Kazuto..? What were your past affiliations?" Kakuzu asked.
Kazuto nodded. "A former mercenary."
"Nickname?"
"Crimson Halo."
"I heard that Crimson Halo had red hair," Hidan commented.
The air became tense.
Kazuto replied,"My sword leaves crimson chakra… that's why my nickname is Crimson Halo."
Kakuzu nodded and motioned inside the cave.
"Let's go… I'll take you to our leader. But… beware — he's incredibly dangerous."
He walked in, followed by Hidan.
Kazuto walked behind them, when he heard a calm voice. "Who was it? Enemy?"
Kazuto heard a girly voice as Hidan responded, "No, Konan. It was a guy — and apparently, he's the Crimson Halo."
"Crimson Halo?" Konan raised a brow. "Why did he come here?"
"Ask him yourself," Hidan motioned behind him.
She turned her icy gaze toward Kazuto.
"What business do you have with the Akatsuki?"
"Wishing to join," Kazuto calmly replied.
Konan studied him closely.
Blue hair. White eyes.
She then spoke, "Follow me toward our leader."
Kazuto bowed a little and followed her.
'If I mess this up... I'm never living life on the edge again. Because a certain black-and-white motherf*er will be on each of my ass.'
Thinking of Black Zetsu, he wanted to slap him into oblivion — but given the circumstances, he didn't want to act rashly.
Following Konan, he arrived in a dimly lit room. Someone sat on a throne — his orange hair swaying slightly. The figure spoke in a hoarse tone:
"What's your business here?" Pain spoke, as a wave of air slapped toward Kazuto.
But due to his own Rinnegan, it was instantly absorbed.
His Rinnegan had been there since birth — natural.
Unlike Pain's Rinnegan, which had been implanted by Madara.
"My name is Kazuto… and I'm a former mercenary wishing to join the Akatsuki," Kazuto said, his head slightly lowered.
Pain glanced at him. "What powers do you have that qualify you to become a member of the Akatsuki?"
"My powers?…" Haruto thought about revealing his Rinnegan but stayed quiet. For now.
"I'm Crimson Halo — a Kenjutsu master."
His tone carried a hint of proudness.
Pain looked at him and replied,
"You're not qualified."
"What?" haruto blinked twice hearing pain spoke
"I won't repeat it twice. You can excuse yourself."
"Why am I not qualified?"
"You don't seem like a ninja," Pain said. "Just a samurai with no knowledge of the world."
"Oh, please. I have much knowledge thanks to my mercenary experience," Kazuto replied, raising a single hand to shush Pain.
Pain took it as a sign of disrespect.
Another wave of force swept toward Kazuto — yet he remained unharmed.
He stayed calm.
"What are you doing?" Kazuto asked, his gaze turning ice cold.Pain looked surprised.
"How did you deflect my... jutsu?"
"Maybe… because I have experience with it."
"No… it can't be!"
"I'm a god… No one has my eyes!" Pain shouted, gripping the armrest tighter.
"Oh… too bad then," Haruto said as a small pressure of air hit Pain. He remained calm."You… you're also—?"
"I'm a Rinnegan user." Kazuto now looked directly at Pain, revealing his purple concentric-patterned eyes.
"What… How can you… hide your eyes?" Pain asked, staring "Simple. Feel it closing down — and it will," Kazuto replied.
"It doesn't work."
"I don't know anything else," Kazuto said with a shrug.
Pain stared at him then spoke"You're qualified, Kazuto-san."
"Thanks," Kazuto replied as Konan led the way outside.
After she returned, she saw Pain panting. "What's wrong, Nagato?"
"My chakra reserves… are being drained quickly," Nagato spoke telepathically.
Konan stayed silent. "Should I come there?" she asked.
Pain shook his head and gestured for her to go,she looked at the body of yahiko and remembered all the sweet times she spent with him.
Heaving a heavy sigh she left...
...
Do you want itachi to be cured of his illness and the Akatsuki helping haruto in the fourth ninja war
Except tobi of course, and Please reply