Chapter 146: Konan's Worries
Did he not know of his own existence?
Yakushi Kabuto shook his head. The legendary First Mizukage, Yuto, was someone he had personally met back when he was in Konoha.
Recalling the tone he had used when speaking back then, Yakushi Kabuto's back was once again soaked with cold sweat. Fortunately, his luck at the time had not been too bad; otherwise, there would be no today.
But if it truly was the second possibility, then Yakushi Kabuto could not quite understand it.
"This piece of intelligence might be a decent bargaining chip."
Yakushi Kabuto pushed up his glasses, thinking quietly to himself.
As a spy with multiple identities, maximizing benefits was always the optimal choice.
After all, reviving Lord Orochimaru required a great deal of preparation.
Inside a dark cave.
All members of the Akatsuki were, on rare occasion, gathered together.
"The ninja world has been rather lively lately."
Deidara spoke with a smile, glancing at the others around him.
"It really is lively, but it's a pity about all that bounty on the ground."
A slightly hoarse voice sounded, filled with regret.
"Where are Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame? They didn't show up last time, and they still haven't come this time."
Sasori swept his gaze across the group and spoke with confusion.
As Sasori spoke, the other Akatsuki members also revealed puzzled expressions. Missing two consecutive meetings was something that had never happened before.
Standing at the very edge, Zetsu's White Zetsu half wore an excited expression, as if barely holding back some important news he wanted to share.
Meanwhile, the Black Zetsu half showed no expression at all, though an unusual glint flickered in his eyes.
"There's no need to wait anymore. Those two will not be coming."
A cold voice suddenly entered everyone's ears.
The group followed the sound and looked ahead, only to see Pain and Konan slowly walking out from one side and entering their field of vision.
"What do you mean?"
Hidan asked curiously, his face full of confusion.
"I am announcing three matters this time."
"First, Uchiha Itachi is already dead. The specific cause of death should be related either to Konoha or to the Hidden Mist."
"Second, Hoshigaki Kisame has betrayed the organization. At the same time, information regarding the Akatsuki has already been leaked by him to the Hidden Mist Village."
After saying this, Pain paused slightly, clearly waiting for everyone to digest the two pieces of news.
The cave suddenly fell silent as everyone present struggled to process what they had just heard.
"What? Uchiha Itachi is dead? I haven't even gotten my revenge yet!"
Deidara stared wide-eyed at Pain, his face filled with disbelief.
"Hoshigaki Kisame, that shark-head, betrayed the Akatsuki? I thought Uchiha Itachi would be the first to betray the organization."
Kakuzu sneered softly as he spoke.
To him, it did not matter who betrayed the organization, and deep down, he even welcomed it.
After all, it meant one more person whose bounty could be claimed.
Standing beside Pain, Konan glanced at the expressions on the faces below, and a faint, indescribable sorrow flashed through her eyes.
The Akatsuki before her was no longer the Akatsuki of the past. Faced with the death of a comrade, aside from shock or surprise, there was not a trace of genuine grief on anyone's face.
A sense of sadness quietly welled up deep within Konan's heart.
Seeming to feel that the others had more or less digested the news, Pain's indifferent voice rang out once again.
"Third, I will personally go to the Hidden Mist Village to execute Hoshigaki Kisame and retrieve the two Akatsuki rings."
"Therefore, once this great battle erupts, the Akatsuki will be completely exposed to all ninja villages. You would all do well to prepare in advance."
As Pain's words fell, every Akatsuki member present straightened, their expressions turning solemn.
"Do you need me to infiltrate the Hidden Mist Village ahead of time to gather intelligence?"
Zetsu looked at Pain with a cheerful grin as he spoke.
"No need."
Pain replied flatly, rejecting the suggestion outright.
With that, Pain and Konan turned and left.
White Zetsu spread his hands helplessly, while Black Zetsu's eyes gleamed sharply.
So he truly no longer trusts us?
Moreover, earlier, Black Zetsu had sensed an extremely special chakra within Pain.
Although Pain was merely a corpse and not the true body, Black Zetsu could still vaguely feel that unique chakra transmitted through the black receivers.
That technique has already been activated.
Black Zetsu had previously only suspected it, but now he was completely certain that the First Mizukage, Yuto, had been revived.
The condition for activating that technique was for the Rinnegan to see Yuto's face. It was a technique Uchiha Madara had placed within the Rinnegan long ago as a precaution.
Compared to Obito's petty schemes, Yuto was the one who truly put Black Zetsu on guard.
Such a person was undoubtedly the greatest obstacle to reviving Mother.
Thinking this, Black Zetsu immediately took control of White Zetsu's body and swiftly sank into the ground.
Inside a dimly lit room, a special device resembling a sleeping pod, connected to various tubes, was placed at the very center.
Within the device lay a gaunt, red-haired man, half-reclined, his back pierced by numerous black receivers.
This person was Nagato, the true leader of the Akatsuki.
As for the Pain who had attended the meeting, he was now standing off to one side of the room. Beside him stood five other corpses, all bearing the Rinnegan as well.
"Nagato, are you really going to do this? That is one of the Five Great Ninja Villages."
Konan spoke with worry in her voice.
Looking at Nagato's emaciated body, an expression of pain and reluctance flashed across Konan's face.
Yahiko had sacrificed himself for peace, and Nagato before her had likewise become what he was now for the sake of peace.
At times, Konan could not help but wonder whether what they were doing was truly right or wrong.
"Anyone who betrays the Akatsuki must pay the price. That is the resolve required of a leader."
"We have already endured infinite pain, have we not? And it is precisely this pain that allowed us to grow, to transform from mortals into gods."
Sensing Konan's confusion, Nagato slowly forced a faint smile onto his stiff face.
"It is not only for Yahiko, but also for ourselves. I will carve a ceasefire into this war-torn era. This is the mission of a god, and the mission bestowed upon me by these eyes."
Nagato's firm voice echoed in Konan's ears.
Seeing the expression on Nagato's face, Konan took a deep breath and broke into a bright smile.
"I will help you."
Nagato fell silent for a moment, then slowly spoke.
"Thank you."
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