"What in the world is this power?!"
Kakuzu was utterly bewildered. For the first time in his exceptionally long life, a flicker of genuine fear ignited within him. The man before him was simply standing there, motionless. There were no hand seals, no discernible action, not even the faint whisper of breath. Yet, Kakuzu had been thrown back as if by an invisible wall. A cold dread crept into his heart; he knew he had just encountered a truly formidable adversary.
"Damn you!" Pain's impassive, god-like calm only fueled Kakuzu's fury. He decided to hold nothing back, preparing to unleash his most powerful technique. "Enough of this! Don't you dare underestimate me! You will pay dearly for your arrogance!"
Pain raised a hand, his expression unchanging as he spoke in a cold, measured tone. "I am not looking down on you. Quite the opposite. It is precisely because I recognize your strength that I have come to personally invite you to join my organization." He paused, his palm open. "Universal Pull!"
"Nghh!"
Just as Kakuzu gathered his chakra, preparing to unleash his attack, an irresistible force seized him. He was pulled through the air, completely helpless, hurtling directly toward Pain. Is this... control over attraction and repulsion? Gravity itself? Kakuzu's combat intelligence was sharp; he instantly grasped the nature of pains power and the terrifying implications of such an ability. In that moment, he truly understood that no matter how strong one becomes, there is always someone stronger. Defeating the man before him with his current power was an impossible task.
Reading the shock and resignation on Kakuzu's face, Pain knew the fight was over. The man's will had been broken. "The battle is finished. You have lost," Pain stated, gently lowering his hand.
Kakuzu collapsed to his knees, the impact jarring him. He looked up, his voice filled with grudging disbelief. "How can you wield such an otherworldly power? Just who... who are you?"
Pain declared, "I am the god who will bring order to this broken world. Join me, you who have cheated death itself, and I shall give you purpose."
In this world, very few dared to proclaim themselves a god. Such a person was either truly divine or dangerously insane. Looking at the overwhelming power before him, Kakuzu was certain this man was not the latter.
"Hmph." Kakuzu pushed himself to his feet, a low hum of calculation in his throat. He closed his eyes, considering the proposition. "An organization led by someone with your power... it will surely attract powerful enemies. There will be no shortage of high-value bounties to collect." He smirked. "From that perspective, this 'Akatsuki' has the potential to be a very profitable enterprise. If there's money to be made, then I'm in."
As soon as he finished speaking, a strange figure emerged from the earth beside him. "Then it's settled. No take-backs," the newcomer said playfully. "The name's Zetsu. I'm also a member. It's a pleasure to work with you."
Kakuzu glanced down at the bizarre, plant-like being, his brow furrowing. It seems the members of this organization are a strange bunch, he thought.
"Good," Pain said, his voice cutting through the moment. "The objective is complete. Let us return."
In the next instant, all three figures vanished into the shadows of the forest.
At the border of the Land of Wind, amidst the ruins of a slaughtered village, a young man with striking red hair surveyed the desolation with disappointment.
"Tch. Another barren wasteland," he muttered, kicking at the sand. "Hardly any useful materials to be found." He sighed. "Hopefully, the next village will prove more fruitful."
"Hmm?" As he spoke, a sudden gust of wind whipped the desert sands into a frenzy. He looked up, his eyes narrowing as he saw a figure floating in the swirling dust. It was a woman with paper wings, like a serene, blue-haired angel descending from the heavens.
"I've heard the rumors," the woman's calm voice cut through the wind. "Small villages across the Land of Wind, wiped out in a single night." Her gaze was fixed on him. "It seems this is your handiwork, Sasori of the Red Sand."
At the mention of his name, Sasori instantly adopted a combat posture. "Who are you? Have you come seeking vengeance?"
"No," the woman shook her head. "My name is Konan. I am a member of an organization called Akatsuki, and I have come to invite you to join us."
Sasori scoffed dismissively. "Akatsuki? Never heard of it."
Konan continued, unperturbed. "We will require your unique skills for our future endeavors. We ask for your assistance."
"Heh..." Sasori lowered his head, a contemptuous smile playing on his lips. "The way you ask... it's as if you're looking down on me."
Konan descended gracefully. As she did, the swirling sand in the air transformed into countless sheets of paper, which swarmed around Sasori, trapping him. "Sasori, I am offering you an opportunity," she said, her voice even. "You will no longer need to wander aimlessly. Consider Akatsuki a sanctuary for those who have cast aside their villages. There, no one will trouble you. They wouldn't dare."
Sasori observed the paper prison with a detached curiosity. "Hmph. Your ability... it possesses a certain artistry."
Konan ignored the comment, continuing her pitch. "Within Akatsuki, as long as you fulfill your assigned missions, your personal pursuits are your own. No one will interfere."
"I see. That does sound appealing, but..." Sasori's voice trailed off as he swiftly produced a scroll from his back. With a puff of smoke, the formidable puppet of the Third Kazekage materialized before Konan. Sasori's voice was filled with pride. "This is one of my finest masterpieces. I thought today was a loss, but I never expected such a high-quality specimen to simply deliver herself to my doorstep. Even if the village was empty, I've found some excellent new material... hehe."
Konan remained impassive, her expression unreadable. "And what do you intend to do?" she asked coldly.
"You should be honored, woman!" Sasori retorted. "I will make you into a collection worthy of standing beside the Third Kazekage himself!"
With a flick of his fingers, ten chakra threads shot out, connecting to the Kazekage puppet. In the next second, the puppet sprang to life, its iron sand blades extending from its arms as it lunged at Konan with blinding speed.
Slice!
Konan's body was instantly severed into three pieces. Seeing his attack land, Sasori sneered. "Hmph. Is that all you have?"
"Oh?" To his astonishment, Konan's severed parts dissolved not into blood and flesh, but into a flurry of white paper. The sheets swirled in the air before rapidly converging, reforming into Konan's pristine body once more.
"What kind of ninjutsu is that?" Sasori was stunned. He had never witnessed a technique so elegant, so... artistic.
"You are truly troublesome," Konan stated, her eyes hardening with serious intent. "My techniques are impervious to conventional physical attacks, as well as poisons. You could say that I am your natural counter. If you refuse to comply, I will be forced to take you by force."
Her words only piqued Sasori's interest further. "Haha! You are fascinating! Now, hold still and let me get a thorough look at that body of yours!"
"Alas..." Konan sighed softly, deciding words were no longer necessary. A vast storm of paper erupted from her body, splitting into two torrents. One surged toward the Kazekage puppet, while the other rushed directly at Sasori. Reacting quickly, Sasori launched a volley of poisoned senbon, but they passed harmlessly through Konan's paper form, clattering uselessly against the sand behind her.
"As I told you, physical attacks are meaningless," Konan's voice echoed from the paper storm. "Instead of wasting your efforts on me, you should be more concerned with your own predicament."
"Damn it!" Sasori grit his teeth, forced to lower his hands in defeat. The paper had completely enveloped his prized Kazekage puppet, severing his chakra threads and rendering it inert. He found his own body similarly encased, unable to move a muscle.
Sasori hadn't expected to lose, much less to be defeated so completely. This humiliating loss solidified a conviction in his heart: to achieve true, eternal power and art, he would have to discard his own fragile flesh and transform himself into a puppet.
"You have lost," Konan stated calmly as the paper receded. "I will ask you one last time. Lend us your strength."
"Tch!" Sasori recalled his Kazekage puppet into its scroll and let out a dry chuckle. "Since I cannot defeat you, I have little choice. It seems my own artistic mastery is still lacking. Very well, lead the way. I will follow."
Konan withdrew the last of her paper. "I didn't expect you to be so reasonable."
"Hmph," Sasori snorted, gazing up at the sky. "My interest lies purely in your unique ninjutsu. I am also curious to see what kind of individuals make up this Akatsuki. Perhaps among them, I will find a new form of artistry I have yet to experience."
Konan replied, "I cannot guarantee you will find kindred spirits, but by joining us, you open the door to endless possibilities. That should be enough."
After a moment of silence, the two shared a look, and then, without another word, began their journey north, one walking in the other's footsteps.
On a weathered sandstone pillar nearby, Zetsu's form materialized from the rock.
"This side went smoothly as well," the Black Zetsu half noted with satisfaction.
"Indeed," the White Zetsu half chirped. "The immortal ninja Kakuzu and the genius puppet master, Sasori of the Red Sand, have been successfully recruited. Our observation mission is complete. So, what's next?"
Black Zetsu's voice was resolute. "We find Obito, of course. I need to be with Shiro!"
White Zetsu chuckled. "Hehe, my thoughts exactly! Let's see if I can locate them right now... Hmm? Oh."
"What is it?" Black Zetsu asked.
White Zetsu's tone turned into an indignant complaint. "You have got to be kidding me. While we're out here in this godforsaken desert working hard to advance the plan, Obito is casually eating dango in a town's commercial district!"
"Let's go," Black Zetsu commanded. "We're finding him now."
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