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Rain Shinobi Village
After Nagato and his comrades left the store, they hurried back to the heart of Rain Shinobi Village. The steady drizzle that veiled the village did nothing to dampen their urgency. The cold air mixed with the faint scent of wet earth as they quickened their pace toward their base.
Upon arriving, Nagato's gaze immediately fell on the noticeably empty headquarters. "Where are Kakuzu and Orochimaru?" he asked quietly, his eyes scanning the vacant room.
Several of his companions shook their heads, signaling their ignorance. No one had seen the two members recently.
Before Nagato could press further, a familiar, rough voice rang out from beyond the door. "Hahaha, I didn't expect you to be so fast, Orochimaru. You managed to catch up to that guy even after he ran so far away!"
Everyone's attention snapped toward the entrance as the two figures—Kakuzu and Orochimaru—strode inside, arm in arm, wearing sly smiles. The heavy tension in the room shifted, and all eyes turned toward them.
Orochimaru's gaze fixed on Nagato immediately. Isn't this the child Jiraiya took in on the battlefield? he mused silently. Though recognition stirred, he chose not to mention their shared past, instead licking his lips and muttering with a hint of amusement, "So, this is what the leader looks like."
Kakuzu studied Nagato intently. "I never expected the leader to be such a pretty boy," he said with genuine curiosity.
Nagato remained expressionless, nodding calmly. "Since you're here, I'll explain the Akatsuki's next plan. We must raise twenty billion as soon as possible."
Kakuzu's eyes widened in disbelief. "Twenty billion?!"
His shock was palpable; such a sum was staggering. But the promise of that much money immediately fired his greed and hope. Nagato nodded solemnly.
"Yes, we need sufficient funds to purchase weapons from the boss to bring peace to the ninja world."
He then detailed the terrifying power of the nuclear bomb they planned to acquire, describing how one strike could level an entire shinobi village in an instant.
Listening, Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with a mix of excitement and curiosity. Though his current obsession was immortality and forbidden jutsu, the scientific madman within him could not suppress his intrigue for such destructive technology.
If only I had time to study it... he thought. After all, when he had dismantled and studied the gun he purchased from Peter, he was surprised by how simple the mechanism was. The thought that he could replicate such technology with the right resources sparked his interest.
And a nuclear bomb? Orochimaru mused, licking his lips in anticipation. If he could get his hands on one, he'd dismantle it, study its workings, and potentially develop his own version. Mastering such a weapon would give him tremendous power.
Of course, if Peter knew what Orochimaru was thinking, he would surely explode in fury. Nuclear weapons were not the kind of things to be casually taken apart. If Orochimaru went through with it, the entire Rain Shinobi Village might very well perish in the process.
Nagato's voice brought everyone back to reality. "So, does anyone have ideas on how we can raise money quickly?"
The room fell silent for a moment. Each member mentally raced through potential ways to accumulate wealth. Money was scarce, and time was running out.
Suddenly, Kakuzu's eyes lit up. "I have an idea! What if we transform the Akatsuki into a mercenary organization? We could accept contracts from various factions. That way, we can build our reputation quickly in the bounty hunting world, and soon people will come to us with tasks."
His proposal was met with murmurs of approval. Kakuzu was, after all, the best at generating income within the group. His suggestion struck a chord with everyone.
Biwa Juzo smiled broadly. "Kakuzu, you really have a knack for business!"
Nagato nodded thoughtfully. "Kakuzu's plan is feasible. When the time comes, half of the commission from each mission will be reserved as funds to purchase nuclear weapons for the organization."
Everyone nodded in agreement. They understood that only by pooling their efforts and resources could they hope to achieve their lofty goals.
Nagato continued, "Currently, we're short on manpower. While carrying out missions, keep an eye out for anyone with strength and potential who might be suitable to join our ranks. If you find someone worthy, invite them to join the Akatsuki."
"Understood," came the unanimous response.
"Then," Nagato declared with a fiery tone, "let the name Akatsuki become synonymous with the strongest mercenary group in the ninja world!"
Scorpion of the Red Sand raised the corner of his mouth, a rare smile gracing his lips. "It feels... quite passionate."
Biwa Juzo was trembling with excitement, greed shining in his eyes. Finally, he had a clear path to make money—and with that money, he could acquire the legendary Blood Demon Blade.
Kakuzu pulled out a set of maps and distributed them among the group. "All the gold exchange offices in the ninja world are marked here. With your abilities, I'm confident you can complete these missions with 100% success and make Akatsuki famous."
Kakuzu's enthusiasm was contagious. He had long dreamed of joining a mercenary group, but fate and circumstances had shattered those dreams.
Now, hope was rekindled. With their combined strength, Akatsuki could soon become the most feared mercenary organization in the shinobi world.
Nagato took a moment to study the maps carefully before nodding in satisfaction. "We will assign tasks based on the map. Each person will be responsible for one country."
"I'm heading to the Fire Nation," Orochimaru said without hesitation.
"I'll go to the Kingdom of Wind. I haven't been back there for a long time..." Scorpion of the Red Sand muttered, his voice tinged with melancholy.
"I'll take the Land of Water," Biwa Juzo declared. It had been ages since he returned to his homeland, and he wondered how many old comrades were still alive.
"Konan, you take the Land of Earth. I'll cover the Land of Lightning," Nagato assigned duties briskly.
Konan nodded silently, her form suddenly disintegrating into countless paper fragments that scattered on the wind as she departed.
"Let's go!" Nagato called out as he dashed out after her.
One by one, the team left the base, their missions clear.
Only Kakuzu remained behind, standing alone in the cold wind. His usually neat appearance was disheveled, and he looked somewhat lost.
He gazed at the empty room and muttered to himself, "But... where should I go?"
Uncertain of his path, Kakuzu hurried to catch up with the others, hoping to find someone to follow.
Biwa Juzo noticed him tailing and asked with curiosity, "Kakuzu, why are you following me?"
Kakuzu's face remained calm as he replied, "I heard you're a traitor from the Land of Water. I was worried if you went back alone, your identity might be revealed, and you'd be killed."
Biwa Juzo smiled gratefully. Kakuzu's concern was justified. Given his past as a traitor ninja and the deadly beheading sword he wielded, discovery by the wrong people would mean certain death. His pursuers would stop at nothing to claim that sword.
Kakuzu breathed a sigh of relief, pleased that he'd successfully convinced Biwa Juzo.
---
Further reflections on their plan
As the days passed, the newly minted mercenary organization started to take shape. The Akatsuki's name quickly spread through the various bounty agencies scattered across the ninja world. Their ruthless efficiency and impressive abilities earned them a fearsome reputation.
Nagato watched the progress from their base, the weight of leadership heavy on his shoulders. Raising twenty billion was no small task, but with each completed mission, the organization grew stronger and richer.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru's obsession with the nuclear bomb gnawed at him. His secret studies, carried out in shadowed corners, aimed to unlock the secrets of the weapon's devastating power. He dreamed of mastering this technology, of becoming unstoppable.
Kakuzu's business acumen paid dividends, securing lucrative contracts that kept the funds flowing. His dream of building a mercenary empire seemed more achievable by the day.
Even Biwa Juzo found new resolve. The blood-stained blade at his side was a constant reminder of his past mistakes, but now, with a chance to earn wealth and status, he hoped to redeem himself.
Konan's paper form flitted across the Land of Earth, silently scouting potential recruits. She sent reports back regularly, naming promising candidates to strengthen the organization.
As they all pursued their individual missions, the vision Nagato painted—the peaceful ninja world, secured by overwhelming power—felt a little closer.
But shadows lurked everywhere. The nuclear bomb was a dangerous gamble, and Orochimaru's secret ambitions might yet unravel their fragile alliance.
Still, for now, the mercenary organization Akatsuki was on the rise.