In the heart of Konoha Village, bustling with preparations for the Chunin Exams, a seemingly harmless elderly couple wandered unnoticed through the crowds. The truth, however, was anything but mundane — Feiduan and Kakuzu, the immortal duo of the Akatsuki, had infiltrated the village under the guise of frailty and age.
Feiduan adjusted his hunch and whispered irritably through clenched teeth, "What's up with the leader lately? Why sneak around when we could've just brought the whole Akatsuki crashing into Konoha?"
Kakuzu, playing the part of a wrinkled old woman, shot him a sideways glare.
"If you've got complaints, file them with the leader. I'll stitch up what's left of you afterward," Kakuzu replied coolly, his tone as biting as ever.
Feiduan scoffed but didn't press further. He and Kakuzu had worked together for years — not out of friendship, but because neither could die easily. Their partnership was one of convenience, efficiency… and tolerance.
They meandered down the main street, surrounded by Genin from multiple villages and a heavier-than-usual Konoha shinobi presence. Feiduan's eyes narrowed. "There's more outsiders than expected."
Kakuzu nodded. "Chunin Exams. Konoha rushed this session and invited a larger pool. A lot of these kids graduated early."
Feiduan stroked the sagging prosthetic skin on his face, peering toward a ragged girl who hadn't taken her eyes off him since they arrived. "With this many people, it's chaos. Law enforcement's spread thin. That works in our favor."
Kakuzu, ever watchful, added, "Some of those ninjas aren't affiliated with any village. Bounty hunters, maybe. Naruto Uzumaki is a hot target. We'd better move fast. The leader and the new blood are en route. If we don't secure Naruto and that Hyuga girl before they arrive…"
Feiduan interrupted with a smirk. "Leave it to me."
He limped toward the girl across the street, who stood with curiosity gleaming in her dirt-smudged eyes.
"Hello there, little one," Feiduan said, bending down with a practiced old-man smile. But before he could ask anything, the girl stepped closer and whispered:
"Believe in the Evil God, and gain eternal life."
Feiduan recoiled slightly, his eyes wide with disbelief. For the first time in years, he heard the creed of Jashin — not from his own lips.
The girl tugged at his sleeve, pulling him urgently through alleys and backstreets. Kakuzu silently followed from the rooftops.
They stopped at a crumbling house tucked into a forgotten corner of the village. The girl, panting from the run, offered Feiduan a glass of water, her face radiant.
"You're really Lord Feiduan of the Heretic God, aren't you?" she asked, eyes glimmering with admiration.
Feiduan choked. Despite his concealed appearance, this child had seen through his disguise. He coughed awkwardly, scanning the ruined house. "Where are your parents?"
"Burned by the villagers," she replied flatly. "I escaped here during the chaos. Konoha doesn't let outsiders in easily, but I hid in a merchant caravan."
Feiduan frowned, her calm retelling unsettling. "And how do you know who I am?"
"I saw you on a live broadcast a few days ago," she answered without hesitation. "You were talking about the Evil God."
She beamed. "I thought I was the last. My parents believed too. But you — you're proof I'm not alone!"
Feiduan felt something unfamiliar tug at him — a flicker of kinship. He hadn't met another true follower in years.
"Lord Feiduan, let me help you spread the teachings!"
Before he could answer, Kakuzu entered the room like a shadow.
"No. He has work to do."
Feiduan hesitated, torn between duty and curiosity.
The girl didn't waver. "I can help you. If I prove useful, will you take me with you after your mission?"
Feiduan blinked. "Useful how?"
"Do you want Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga?" she asked innocently.
Feiduan perked up.
"I know where they are. Naruto's been visiting the Hyuga clan a lot lately. Everyone's talking about how he's trying to marry into the family. He's popular now — shops let him eat for free. But he only wants ramen."
She stood and pulled at Feiduan's sleeve. "Come on! I'll show you!"
Without waiting, she dashed out of the house, Feiduan right behind her. Kakuzu lingered briefly, scanning the eaves of the building. A kunai pinned down a stack of detonation tags with a single note beside it.
One sentence. One timestamp.
> "Naruto Uzumaki will be present at the Chunin Exam today. Create chaos. Create opportunity."
Kakuzu narrowed his eyes.
"So that's why there are so many bounty hunters crawling around…"
He leapt off the rooftop, vanishing into the streets to follow Feiduan and the girl.
---
Meanwhile, in Amegakure...
Konan stood before a group of twenty-four Genin, her cloak billowing in the humid wind of the Hidden Rain.
She waved them forward. "Go. Head to Konoha. Blend in. Follow the plan."
Originally, Amegakure intended to send only seven teams — twenty-one shinobi — to the Chunin Exams.
But Nagato had changed everything. Now, every ninja who met the basic requirements was being sent. Even Zabuza Momochi had returned with his apprentice, Haku.
Konan's thoughts lingered on Haku — beautiful, composed, and surprisingly male, despite appearances. But it wasn't his looks that fascinated her.
It was the Ice Release, the rare Kekkei Genkai he possessed. That, and something else she noticed recently — something very curious…