Pain used the Magic Lantern Body Technique to summon the organization's members, as apart from Nagato and Konan, the others were rarely in Amegakure.
Kakuzu was the first to speak: "Leader, I'm almost at the underground bounty station. Whatever you have to say, make it quick."
"Kakuzu-san, always working, aren't you? How exhausting," Kisame Hoshigaki sneered before Raiga Kurosuki, Kakuzu's teammate, cut in with a complaint:
"I've had enough of this guy. Who wants to switch partners with me? He's either hunting bounties or on his way to collect rewards. If it weren't for the rule about working in pairs, I'd rather go solo."
Kakuzu shrugged. "Money is the only thing that won't betray you. Seems you still haven't grasped that truth."
"Pairs are an unchangeable rule of Akatsuki. No further discussion on this," Pain interjected. Once everyone had gathered, he explained the purpose of the summons:
"Aside from gathering intel on the tailed beasts, there's a mission for you. Who's closest to the Land of Wind?"
"We're in the Land of Hot Springs, tracking the new member you mentioned," one replied.
"I'm still in the Land of Iron," another added.
Raiga Kurosuki spoke up: "Kakuzu and I are near the underground bounty station in the Land of Rivers. Leader, what's the mission?"
Pain turned to their projections. "Assassinate the Daimyo of the Land of Wind and several nobles. White Zetsu will deliver the details. They're just ordinary people—follow the additional instructions."
Kakuzu asked, "We have to go all the way to the Land of Wind? That's a long trip. Leader, what's the reward?"
"There is none."
"No reward? Then send someone else. The time wasted going back and forth would cost me at least two bounties."
Ignoring Kakuzu's complaints, Pain said firmly, "No one else is as close as you two. This mission is important for Akatsuki."
Hearing Pain's tone, Kakuzu grunted in reluctant agreement. "Fine. But don't bother me with pointless missions like this again."
"Pain, my clone found some interesting intel! Everyone, wanna guess what it is?" White Zetsu suddenly chimed in, drawing the group's attention.
"This is rare stuff! If you guess right, there's a—"
"Just spit it out, Zetsu," Pain cut him off.
"Ugh, you're all so boring. Without me, you wouldn't even know Rain Country is about to be attacked. Right now, Konoha and Iwagakure are mobilizing forces—likely targeting Rain."
White Zetsu's words hung heavy. No matter how stealthy their movements, two villages sending shinobi to the border couldn't escape his clones' detection. Moreover, with Obito already heading to Konoha after hearing rumors of unrest within the Uchiha clan, he'd noticed Konoha's unusual activity.
Obito was displeased with Konan's actions. He believed Akatsuki should focus on recruiting enough members to advance their plans, not draw attention by provoking other villages into attacking Rain.
Yet, he considered that such a war could weaken Konoha and Iwa, making it easier for Akatsuki to capture the tailed beasts later. So he chose to watch from the sidelines—even better if he could stoke conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha to wipe out the clan.
War was the best catalyst for Uchiha awakening their Sharingan. If this war escalated, Konoha's shortage of fighters might force the Uchiha onto the battlefield, where the brutality of war could push many to evolve their eyes.
Obito's own Sharingan had awakened in war. He knew the Uchiha's potential all too well.
With each awakening, the interplay of love and hatred could birth the Mangekyō Sharingan—each with unique abilities, some possibly even countering Kamui.
Though an Uchiha himself, Obito feared his clan's potential more than anyone. Among them, one young prodigy stood out. If things went smoothly, Akatsuki's ranks would soon be complete.
Every additional pair of Mangekyō was a threat to the Moon's Eye Plan. Obito needed to eliminate the Uchiha—especially since tensions between them and Konoha were already simmering. A little push would suffice.
After Konoha's clan meeting, the other leaders left with calm expressions. Though they'd contribute forces to the war, this joint operation against Rain with Iwa seemed like an assured victory.
Except for Uchiha Fugaku.
The Uchiha were excluded—not only barred from the war but even stripped of some patrol duties by the ANBU.
Isolation and suspicion were practically stamped on Fugaku's face. Danzo hadn't spared the Uchiha any courtesy during the meeting.
Though the other clan heads maintained neutral expressions, Fugaku could almost feel their silent mockery.
Rebellion?
The thought flickered briefly before fading. Fugaku knew the Uchiha lacked the strength to revolt successfully.
Between the ANBU, Root, and the low-profile Sarutobi clan, the Uchiha would struggle. Add the other clans, who might initially stay neutral but join the fray once the Uchiha showed weakness, and their chances dwindled further.
Back at the police station, Fugaku was swarmed by clansmen asking, "What happened at the meeting?"
Suppressing his frustration, Fugaku replied, "Not here. Gather the clan tonight for a meeting."
The others, sensing his mood, nodded and dispersed to spread the word.
Returning home, Fugaku found his wife Mikoto managing household chores while his sons, Itachi and Sasuke, trained in the backyard.
Seeing Sasaku, Fugaku remembered it was the academy's day off.
"Father, you're back," Itachi greeted as both boys paused their training.
"Itachi, come with me," Fugaku said, ignoring Sasuke's hopeful look. As clan head, family time was a luxury.
Once inside, Fugaku cut straight to the chase. "Itachi, any new intel from the ANBU?"
Itachi's dark eyes deepened. "Father, ANBU intel can't be shared."
"Itachi, you're an Uchiha. Don't forget your place!" Fugaku's voice hardened. "We sent you to the ANBU to gather intel for the clan. Don't lose sight of that."
Silence.
Itachi felt irritation rise. He hated when his father spoke like this—always about the clan, never about Konoha. Only Shisui's vision was worthy of respect. The rest were narrow-minded.
"I haven't forgotten my place," Itachi replied, though his true thought—I am Konoha's shinobi—remained unspoken.
After a pause, he added flatly, "The ANBU hasn't changed recently."
(End of chapter)
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