No Room for Another Heart (Kakuzu fanfiction)

Rescue Mission

Ikari's p.o.v.

Kisame nodded to me as I sat down while Deidara made sure there was room for me to be comfortable. Pein awaited Tobi to return as well before his monotone cut through the room. "Zetsu has located Kakuzu. He is currently being held in the Hidden Waterfall village. Zetsu, tell them the details you told me." Pein turned his head up to the ceiling where the plant man was emerging from the stone. "Kakuzu is being held in a garrison on the Western side of the village. He's bound in chains that seem to suppress his chakra and shut him off from his Earth Grudge Fear. Additionally, we spotted lightning trap seals on his chains as well meaning if he tries to resist he is being electrocuted. Since he was born with Earth Release it saps his already weakening strength." Zetsu began to go back into the ceiling having completed his mission. My gut dropped and my heart sank. Kakuzu had been captured this whole time and in the Hidden Waterfall no less. Who knows what they've done to him.

Pein's voice cut through once more, yanking me from my mind. "Zetsu will be going to retrieve Kakuzu's ring and a replacement will be found to fill his role in the Akatsuki. That is all, you are dismissed," Without even thinking I shot up from my seat. "Wait! We can't just let him stay captured!" Pein cut his eyes towards me as a shiver went up my spine. "Tread lightly with your words Ikari. You are strong and a useful asset but I will not tolerate disobedience. I am the leader of the Akatsuki and my word is law," I bit my bottom lip for a second before responding with a calmer tone. "Leader, I apologize but hear me out. Kakuzu is an even stronger asset than I am to the Akatsuki. He has hundreds of informants and he is the one who brings in the money we need to operate. On top of that he has to be one of our strongest members. There are more reasons to go rescue him than there are to leave him," Pein seemed to pause at my plea for a moment before shaking his head. "He has been captured by a village. We cannot risk the safety of the Akatsuki by assaulting a village. Every other shinobi village would bear down on us. Already we risk being deemed enemies of the shinobi world with out mission. I will not risk the Akatsuki further." Pein began to turn as Konan this time spoke up. "Pein, I understand your concern but she does bring up valid points."

I smiled internally, I never expected Konan to interact with me let alone take my side against Pein. "Please, Leader, let me and one other member go and rescue him. We won't wear the cloaks or our headbands even. We can even use the Transformation Technique to look completely different. If we don't have Kakuzu rescued in five days or we fail then we leave him and find a replacement. I'll even accept whatever punishment you give me. But please, give me...us a chance to rescue him." I watched as Pein sighed in annoyance before turning his head to look back at me. "Five days, travel time included. If you haven't sent word of your success by then, Kakuzu will be left to rot." With that, Pein went back down the hall to his office with Konan in tow. I sighed in relief with a nod. Now the question was who to take. Deidara was good for smash and grab but we needed to be sneaky. Sasori wasn't exactly a master of stealth either with his puppets. Kisame and Hidan both were ruled out as well. Tobi was...well he was a good boy. That left...him.

About an hour had passed before I gathered the courage to knock on his door. The entrance to his room opened as his red eyes stared out at me. "Hey...Itachi. Uh...I was wondering if you'd be willing to help me go get Kakuzu. Out of all the other members of the Akatsuki I think you're the best at stealth." I gripped my hand behind my back in anticipation as Itachi continued to stare at me with those menacing eyes of his. After a moment though, he nodded his head. "You made a good point, Kakuzu is a vital asset to the Akatsuki. I used to be an Anbu so I can help sneak us in." Itachi turned and removed his cloak and headband, throwing them onto his bed as he stepped back out of his room to follow me. I hadn't expected him to be so willing, I fumbled around for a minute before rushing to my room and ditched my cloak and headband as well. I came back out to Itachi waiting right outside my door. I nodded and the two of us left the hideout.