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Sasori coughed up water for a long time before finally recovering, rolling his eyes as he said, "I told you not to let them escape, not to attack me."
"Did they run?" Midorima asked.
Sasori glanced around—none of the ninja squad had survived. They had all lost consciousness.
Some had already been killed by Sasori, while others had drowned or passed out. None had actually managed to flee.
"You could've used a better method. Like precision strikes—that shouldn't be hard for you, right?" Sasori said through gritted teeth.
"It's not hard, but we are next to a river. With such good conditions, why not use them?" Midorima shrugged.
Sasori stared at the shallow stream flowing beside them, about ten meters wide but only knee-deep. After Midorima's water-style jutsu, the water level had noticeably risen.
"You're ruthless," Sasori muttered, clenching his jaw. He jabbed a finger at Midorima's nose a few times before angrily turning away, flicking his sleeve dismissively.
"Hold on, I've got a question too." Midorima reached out and pressed a hand against Sasori's head, stopping him in his tracks. Sasori lifted a foot but couldn't take another step.
"What is it?!" Sasori snapped.
"I don't get it—with such thick fog, the enemy can't even see people. Was it really necessary to dress your puppets in such fancy clothes?" Midorima asked.
"..." Sasori blinked rapidly. "That's… none of your business, is it?"
"Pay back the money you owe me first. Then you can dress your dolls however you want," Midorima said coldly.
"Talking about money is vulgar."
"I am vulgar."
"..." Sasori patted his pockets—emptier than his face—and made up his mind. "After we finish this job, let's go shake down a few rich merchants for some cash."
Midorima stared at Sasori, who showed no remorse, and finally couldn't resist giving him a sharp knock on the head.
Just then, Zetsu approached from a distance. Seeing the two arguing, he remarked in surprise, "You two really get along well."
"You call this 'getting along'?" Sasori complained.
Midorima didn't respond, his gaze fixed on Zetsu.
Usually, when Zetsu appeared, it meant something else was coming—either a new mission or news from Pain.
"If you can't stand each other, don't worry. You'll be reassigned soon anyway," Zetsu explained.
"That's not what I meant. If he'd just shut his mouth, he'd actually be a decent—wait, what do you mean by 'reassigned'?" Sasori narrowed his eyes at Zetsu.
"I mean, Pain is calling everyone back. It's been a while since we've all gathered, and with so many new members joining 'Akatsuki,' it's time for everyone to meet and get acquainted," Zetsu said.
"So, does that mean I passed?" Midorima asked.
"Well… whether a member passes evaluation is up to the leader. I'm just a regular member, same as you," Zetsu shook his head. "But Pain is aware of all the new members' performances since joining. If you've stood out, there shouldn't be any issues."
"Do full members get higher pay?" Midorima added.
Zetsu offered an awkward yet polite smile.
Pay… well… probably, maybe, hopefully not too outrageous? After all, the money we earn has more important uses…
---
Itachi had personally killed a member of the Uchiha clan, which surprised Kisame.
Of course, how many ninja in "Akatsuki" hadn't killed their own clansmen?
But the decisiveness Itachi showed when executing his comrade was something Kisame admired. It reminded him of when he had slain Fuguki Suikazan.
Still, he could tell Itachi wasn't in the best mood. After all, these were people he had once lived alongside—theoretically, they should have been closer to him than Kisame had been to Fuguki.
"Don't dwell on it. He was the one who followed us, and we caught him. A cocky ninja like that would've been killed by someone else even if you hadn't done it," Kisame said, patting Itachi's shoulder.
"I'm not dwelling. How did you feel when you killed your clansmen?"
"Excited, I guess?" Kisame grinned, revealing his sharp, jagged teeth.
"Seems I still need to adjust," Itachi murmured, staring at his palm.
He had never imagined killing his own clansmen. But Kisame had discovered the man and wounded him.
If Itachi had let him go, suspicion would have fallen on him immediately.
In that situation, Itachi had no choice but to strike the killing blow himself.
"The first time's always like this. You'll get used to it," Kisame said with a laugh.
Just then, Itachi's gaze flicked toward a thick tree nearby. "Who's there?! Show yourself!"
Kisame's brow twitched. His focus had been entirely on Itachi, but now that Itachi pointed it out, he could sense movement in the tree.
"Ah—don't look at me like that! I'm just here to deliver a message!" Zetsu's upper body emerged from the bark.
"Zetsu, what's going on?" Kisame asked immediately.
"Pain has summoned all active 'Akatsuki' members. Everyone must return to Amegakure by this Friday," Zetsu announced.
Amegakure?!
Itachi's eyebrow lifted slightly. Finally… Orochimaru.
---
Danzo stroked his bandaged arm, his exposed eye gleaming. "Orochimaru, you're certain the Byakugan isn't hidden in a secure location?"
"Absolutely. I've been to Amegakure twice before for the Byakugan. The first time, I couldn't find it. The second time—about seven months ago—Pain gave it to one of Amegakure's ninja. So this time, all we need to do is track down that shinobi, and the Byakugan will be ours."
"What a waste! Such a treasure, handed to some random ninja… but that works in our favor. It gives us an opening." Danzo rubbed his hands together, his eye narrowing.
Orochimaru watched him, smiling silently.
The Byakugan was valuable, yes—but if he had a chance to obtain the Rinnegan, he wouldn't let that slip by either.
---
Konan carried a lamp into the dimly lit underground chamber.
"Have they been notified?" A voice echoed from the depths of the room.
Konan set the lamp on the table before moving behind the wheelchair. Softly, she replied, "Yes. They'll be arriving soon, including the new members."
"What about Uchiha Madara?"
"He has his own affairs. He won't always be with us." Konan frowned slightly at the mention of Madara.
This so-called ancestor of the Uchiha clan had appeared out of nowhere, and something about him felt… off to her.
After all, the legendary battle between Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju was well-documented.
By all logic, Madara should have died long ago.
"Mm. Until our ultimate goal is realized, we must cooperate with anyone who shows goodwill—whether they're good or evil. For this meeting, I still won't reveal myself. I leave maintaining order to you."
"What about security?"
"Security? With all of 'Akatsuki' gathered in Amegakure, I doubt anyone would dare infiltrate or act against us at a time like this."
"Then…"
"Maintain the usual level of security."
"Understood." Konan nodded.