Konan's figure also appeared beside the orange-haired man, watching Jiraiya and Akihara Kagura who had infiltrated the base, she spoke uneasily: "They indeed found this place..."
With the appearance of Pain and Konan, one after another, people in cloud black robes came out.
"Something interesting is about to happen!"
Orochimaru grinned sinisterly, clearly enjoying the show.
This was because Orochimaru had given the order for Akihara Kagura and Jiraiya to trace the Akatsuki Organization's whereabouts, and he had long anticipated chaos within the organization.
"These two guys are quite troublesome enemies."
Hiruko of Red Sand Sasori was ready to enter combat mode at any time.
The last person to walk out was the traitorous ninja from the Hidden Waterfall Village who demanded highly valuable teammates from Konan, none other than the S-Class Traitorous Ninja, Kakuzu.
"We've been surrounded..."
Jiraiya instantly realized they were caught in a trap.
"Have enemies infiltrated here?"
Kakuzu sized up Jiraiya, speaking slowly, "One of the Sannin of Konoha, Jiraiya. His corpse would fetch a good price at the Gold Exchange..."
This guy never seemed to care who his enemies were, only how much they were worth.
When Kakuzu's gaze fell upon Akihara Kagura, his expression suddenly became serious: "Wood Release brat Akihara Kagura! This brat isn't cheap; his entire corpse must be kept intact!"
"How much?"
Akihara Kagura curiously asked, like a child.
Kakuzu pulled out his little notebook, glanced at the records, and continued solemnly, "Thirty-five million ryo, that's last month's price, and the month before that was twenty million ryo...The price may have been updated this month, perhaps even higher!"
"Kagura!"
Jiraiya stopped Akihara Kagura, looking towards Pain, recognizing the face of a former disciple and hearing Konan's call.
Is this Pain?
Isn't this Yahiko's appearance?
Didn't Salamander Hanzo say Yahiko was dead?
Then where is Nagato, who is still alive?
Jiraiya didn't fully understand the specific abilities of the Rinnegan and could only speculate and think about where his other disciple, Nagato, might be hiding.
"First, kill this brat!"
Kakuzu lunged at Akihara Kagura!
Because, in his eyes, Akihara Kagura was worth a lot!
"Retreat first!"
Jiraiya quickly led Akihara Kagura, trying to escape the cave!
However, he didn't want his disciple to just use the Flying Thunder God Jutsu to take him away; he wanted to use this opportunity to uncover the truth and probe where Nagato was hiding!
"Fire Release: Great Flame Bomb!"
Jiraiya swiftly spat out a blaze!
"Water Release: Water Array Wall!"
A masked creature emerged from Kakuzu's shoulder, swiftly releasing a Water Release Ninjutsu.
As water and fire collided, smoke quickly spread throughout the cave!
Jiraiya and Akihara Kagura used the smoke to cover their retreat, escaping out of the cave. However, the Akatsuki members seemed to understand their intention as well — apart from Konan who stayed inside, the others directly pursued them outside the cave!
"One, two, three, four."
Akihara Kagura slowly counted the enemy heads.
The situation was a bit subtle.
On their side: Jiraiya, Akihara Kagura (multiple undercover identities).
Akatsuki Organization: Pain, Orochimaru, Red Sand Sasori, Kakuzu.
In reality, Jiraiya was the one most likely to encounter danger, but most Akatsuki members were unaware of Akihara Kagura's identity.
However, before Akihara Kagura and Jiraiya could discuss strategies for distributing the enemies, Akatsuki's leader, Pain, made a direct allocation.
"You guys kill that brat."
Pain glanced at Akihara Kagura, then focused on Jiraiya, wanting to have a conversation with his teacher, and also wishing to personally end his teacher's life.
"Leave this person to me."
"Hehehehe... Fine."
Orochimaru chuckled lightly, standing still: "Just a mere small fry, do we really need three people to take action together?"
"Leave it to me!"
Kakuzu took the initiative to take on the task of dealing with Akihara Kagura.
"Orochimaru."
Hiruko of Red Sand Sasori turned his head to glance at Orochimaru, mocked in a muffled voice: "You're really insidious, aren't you? Kakuzu might not be a match for that little guy..."
"Hehehehe..."
Orochimaru continued to grin lightly, shaking his head: "Kakuzu wouldn't be careless; he can find out how much Akihara Kagura's corpse is worth, so naturally he would also know Akihara Kagura's information."
The breeze gently blew.
The branches outside the cave swayed.
Pain and Jiraiya stood off against each other on one side.
Kakuzu and Akihara Kagura stared at each other, Kakuzu speaking hoarsely of his past.
"Brat, when I see you, I think of the first Konoha ninja I ever fought against. Coincidentally, that guy was also a Wood Release Ninja, the First Hokage Senju Hashirama..."
Generally speaking.
Most Konoha Ninjas would have been scared by Kakuzu's words.
Akihara Kagura glanced at Kakuzu, proactively asking, "Oh? You even fought against the First Hokage? So, who won between you two?"
"..."
Kakuzu was silent for a moment, feeling the kid was quite impolite.
That was the Ninja God, Senju Hashirama, who once ended the chaos of the Warring States Era. Even if his strength was formidable, how could he possibly defeat Senju Hashirama?