"Shizune." Just as Shizune was thinking, Tsunade's voice rang in her ears.
"Yes?" Shizune snapped to attention.
Tsunade smiled, "Next, move Kurenai's belongings to our house later."
"Why move it to our house? Doesn't Kurenai have a place to live?" Shizune looked a little flustered. She knew that Lady Tsunade was planning something bad and was waiting for Fujiwara Kirito to walk right into it.
Tsunade said, "Since that guy got her pregnant, he should take responsibility. As the head of the family, is there a problem with me bringing that bastard home?"
"But… will Kurenai agree?" Shizune asked tentatively.
"Of course. If she doesn't agree, we can't force her, right?" Tsunade's smile turned dangerous. "Besides, Kurenai is pregnant and needs someone to take care of her. It just so happens that all of us in the family know medical ninjutsu."
"When that bastard comes back and sees how well we're taking care of Kurenai, I believe he'll be surprised."
As she said that, she placed her right hand on Shizune's shoulder and asked softly, "Tell me, am I right, Shizune?"
"Yes." Shizune knew that if she answered otherwise, her shoulder might be dislocated, so she quickly gave the answer Tsunade wanted.
At the same time, she secretly complained in her heart, I'm afraid this isn't a surprise—it's a shock! Lord Kirito, I hope you're ready.
Three days later.
In the Akatsuki base cave, a sudden sneeze echoed.
"Hahaha!"
"What's wrong, Brother Kirito?" Hidan looked over.
"Nothing, probably some beautiful lady is thinking about me again."
Fujiwara Kirito rubbed his slightly sore nose, thinking of Tsunade and Yuhi Kurenai. Kurenai was gentle and obedient, especially now that she was pregnant and emotionally vulnerable—he'd managed that carefully. But Tsunade wasn't so easy. With her tiger-like temper, she was probably furious by now.
That was also why Kirito hadn't gone to see Tsunade after leaving Kurenai. If he bumped into her angry, things would get troublesome.
"What a narcissist. Do you really think all women in the world are that stupid?" Konan said with disdain.
"That's hard to say." Kirito replied with a teasing smile.
Recalling the time she was forced into a kiss, Konan's cheeks flushed. She turned her head to avoid Kirito's gaze and stopped talking.
This made the other Akatsuki members freeze.
Even Hidan, who was usually brainless, caught on and laughed, "Hehehe, there's something fishy going on here… Konan-chan, you're not having an affair with Kirito, are you?"
"As expected of Brother Kirito!" Deidara, his diehard fan, echoed.
"Looks like Mr. Kirito really won over the leader's partner." Kakuzu watched with amusement.
"Of course. Don't you see who I am? From now on, call me brother-in-law." Kirito said playfully.
Everyone looked at each other and muttered, causing Konan's cheeks to redden further. "Kirito, you bastard, say another word and I'll kill you!"
While they were talking, the sealing of the Two-Tails was finally complete.
The Two-Tails Jinchūriki, Yugito Nii, died. Her blood-soaked clothes and disheveled hair collapsed to the ground, stirring up dust.
"Quiet," Pain finally spoke, dropping his hand seal. His Rinnegan scanned the group, finally settling on Kirito. His tone clearly protective of Konan. "Members of the organization are not to interfere in each other's personal matters. You understand that, right?"
"Of course." Kirito shrugged casually.
Pain clicked his tongue. He noticed that Kirito had grown less respectful.
"The sealing is complete. Only five tailed beasts remain. Deidara, Tobi," Pain said, turning to Deidara and Obito.
"Yeah." Deidara responded.
Obito, currently acting like a fool, raised his hand dramatically and responded in an exaggerated voice, "Hey, I'm here, I'm here!"
Everyone had a vein pop on their foreheads, glaring at Obito.
Pain's face remained blank. "The Three-Tails is about to be revived. You two will begin the capture operation. Head out early to prepare."
Deidara grinned, "Finally, I've been looking forward to some excitement again."
"I'm really excited. It's my first time capturing a tailed beast!" Obito chimed in dramatically.
Pain turned to Itachi and Kisame. "You two will also begin capturing the Four-Tails. If possible, seal it together with the Three-Tails."
"Understood." Itachi answered flatly.
Kisame added cheerfully, "Looks like it's our turn at last. I've been waiting to fight a Jinchūriki again."
"The Six-Tails' Jinchūriki has been located. I'll capture him myself. Kirito, don't forget your mission. I want the Eight-Tails' location before we seal the Six-Tails."
Kirito nodded slowly.
"Disband." Pain commanded.
"It's finally over." Hidan rubbed his sore neck.
"It's time for Konoha, Hidan," Kakuzu reminded.
"You said Konoha?" Deidara perked up, concerned for his fellow members. "If you're going there, I have some advice. There's a Jinchūriki named Uzumaki Naruto there. Be careful."
"Got it." Kakuzu nodded.
Hidan, dissatisfied, pointed at Deidara, "Don't compare us to you, Deidara-chan. You're the guy who needed Kakuzu to sew your arm back on."
Kakuzu glanced at him disdainfully. "Better than having your head cut off."
Amid the bickering, the last ten-member meeting of Akatsuki came to an end. While they continued the hunt for tailed beasts, the organization was already on its path to decline.
With a bang, the Outer Path Gedo Statue vanished. Kirito, Konan, and Pain leapt to the ground.
Pain walked to the cave entrance, formed hand seals, and a massive boulder slowly rose. The dazzling sunlight poured in as Pain stood in the light, his back to Kirito. He said, "Kirito, the corpse is yours. I think you'll be interested in the Jinchūriki's body."
With that, he stepped out.
(End of this chapter)