A God Among Gods

A large roar of celebration echoed outside the pyramid-like structure of iron. Their joy was untameable, as the villagers from Konohagakure, Kirigakure, Sunagakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure fathered. They had surrounded the designated Summit Building with a parade and party. The third great Shinobi war was finally over, with the survivors finding solace in the cheer that followed the many parties. Eagerly, the villagers milled about the summit building waiting for the official declaration of peace to take place; they all knew that the war was over but the Kages had yet to sign the treaty, for inside the steel structure the Kages were busily scribbling away at a large treaty of peace.

In this room where the most powerful had gathered, the final details were being placed upon the paper that would change the world. A silent discussion accompanied the signing. The Kages were discussing the terms of the treaty, with each Kage taking turns to state their desires. Of course they did not always agree, however this time could not be filled with the chaos of argument. Instead, each of the leaders were patient and tolerant. They were forcing themselves to be, for they did not want to upset the people outside. Sure they were glad the costly war was finally over, but there was till tension among the villages. The scars of war would never fade, but together they would do their best to move on. With ink to paper, the foundation for the next era was being written. Every stroke changing the very fate of the land. They were like Gods.

These Gods however were not all-knowing. They did not foresee the feature, nor were they prepared for what the terror of time would thrust at their doorstep. They would be found to be as vulnerable as sheep in a pasture, unknowing of the wolf in their pack. They were too consumed by the inherent desire to end conflict among one another; they took no notice at the growing presence of darkness engulfing the area and their hearts.

Knock. Knock. Knock

The knocking on the steel door took them aback. Who would dare knock? Each of the Village Heads flung their heads into the direction of the door. Who lay behind the metal portal? Was it a careless shinobi, or possibly a curious, young child who had snuck in? If only it had been, perhaps then what would ensue would've been more pleasing. More enjoyable... Less destructive. The five questioned as to why the guards outside had not kept this little distraction from happening. Curiosity grew within them, and in response, The Kazekage motioned for the one guard inside the room to open the door and examine the situation. He was obedient and did as he was instructed to do. His obedience would the sealing of his eternal fate; his last actions would be opening a door. As he unlocked and swung open the divider of the two rooms, a white blur sliced through the skin of the simply clad shinobi. No one could save him. His death was final. Surprised faces and shocked gasps filled the silent void of the room.

At the other end of the room, the corpse went limp on the sword, and slipped off as the weapon was retracted. The soulless lump of human dropped to the door with a disheartening thump. Victorious stood the crooked figure of a man who wore black robes with a distinguishable pattern of red clouds. Long, straight, white hair flowed under a straw hat, the hid the appearance of the evil. If one were to look behind him, bloodstained walls and the deceased guards would be spotted. Though they couldn't see who the figure was, they could sense the wretched and sinister aura that the man expelled. He seemed unfazed by the massacre he had just created only seconds ago. In silence, he stood. In evil, he lived. In darkness, he waited.The Kage had yet to fully react. He was ready to retaliate to anything the Kage conjured up.

"A true god stands before you, mortals." The man's words filled the room giving off an echo. The Kazekage was the first to step forward. A courageous move for the youngest of the Kage, but he did not understand that this man was a God amongst them. One who had witnessed fate and strangled it. For a moment, there was a great silence and only peering eyes upon the force of evil. Within the Kages, was an undeniable uncertainty. The trepidation-inducing mix of confusion and terror was a powerful asset for Izuma. The Kages bore no idea as to how the man had gotten to them. A single opponent had made his way into the summit, unstopped and unspotted by the masses outside. They had been here for peace, yet the man came with the intent to disrupt the very thing that they had come to settle.

Suddenly, the man raised his hand, giving a quick snap of the fingers. Extending from the darkness emerged two hands that bore a similar fashion to the costumed man. They held up a limp body, and in one demented motion, the hands reeled back and threw the the body across the floor.

With a thud, the body crashed in front of the Kages. Unnerved by the identity of the fallen man, some of the Kage's visages morphed into an upset horror. Others became infuriated even though the man had not. The body was clad in similar robes to that Kage, albeit they were tattered and bloody. The robes also seemed a bit unofficial, or of a lesser nobility than that of the other Kage. This was because the body was the, now late, Kusakage. The Kusakage was to be the peacekeeper in the summit but was running late, at least that's what the Kage figured, so they had gone on without him. Now here he was, all bloody with his eyes cut out. He had not been tardy; he had been killed. His lifeless face was stamped with the disheartening face of sheer terror and unspeakable horror, forever there to follow the dead man into the afterlife. This is what Izuna wanted to show them. He wanted to intimidate them, and exhibit to them the fact that the gods of the ninja villages were not safe like they believed themselves to be. He had waged war with his offense being the death of the innocent Kage.

Proud of his accomplishment, he manifested a corrupt, sadistic grin which could be seen under the straw hat. It was plainly visible that he enjoyed what had happened. Then, he swiveled around and showcased his backside to the Kage. Once he did so, he spoke again with his voice still directed toward them.

"I am a deity and I will reclaim this world. Take the Kusakage as your warning. He is no more, joining the countless souls who are now not on this world, and just as I brought him into eternal rest, I will not spare any of you. Not your villagers, your shinobi, or yourselves. I want to see the lands burn. The fire of war will engulf the world, and burn you all. Remember me. I am Akatsuki. I am not alone in my resolve, though. We are many. We will bring change. Our will is unstoppable. Our minds are one. Our actions are not limited to laws. I implore you to prepare yourselves, for soon you will all reach the afterlife. You will not find rest there, however, we will be there to torment you in eternity. We want our land back. We want control again. Our anger is unmeasurable. Our jealousy has boiled for many years. Our patience is no more. We will regrow this land through ashes."

With these unsettling words spoken, and his little speech completed, the man began to walk out of the room. He was prepared to be attacked, but was okay with leaving without any conflict yet. The Akatsuki had plans to attend to. As he walked out, he could your the clamor of rejoice outside. How naive the people were. The next coming war would strike like a thief in the night. They would find themselves unprepared. Things were looking good.

The other Akatsuki were awaiting the return of their master at the undisclosed headquarters of the Akatsuki. They wanted to hear word of what happened, as well as get their missions assigned.