The Darkness of the Akatsuki

Juzo asks Itachi about Duy, and tells him how he single-handedly defeated four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Juzo and Itachi briefly discuss their specialties. The two carry out an assassination. Akatsuki gathers, and Pain fills the others in on Akatsuki's progress and growing reputation. He informs them about the plan to gather the Tailed Beasts. Juzo is given a mission in the Land of Water, to his displeasure. To prevent being taken by hunter-nin, Juzo instructs Itachi to kill him if he is captured. The two complete their mission, but are pursued by Yagura and Kiri Anbu. Juzo and Itachi fight them, taking out the Anbu, but Yagura channels Isobu's power. Yagura paralyses Itachi, but Juzo frees him. Yagura aims a Tailed Beast Ball at them, which Juzo blocks at the cost of his sword, part of which impales him. Itachi awakens Amaterasu, leaving Yagura at the brink of death. Juzo dies from his injury. At the next Akatsuki gathering, Kakuzu's partner is also revealed to have been killed, by Kakuzu himself. Orochimaru tries to attack Itachi to take over his body, but is defeated. Pain assigns Kisame to be Itachi's new partner.