Inside a dark, damp cave, the Outer Path's Demonic Statue stood silently in place.
Suddenly, accompanied by a surge of chakra, several colorful figures appeared atop the fingers of the statue.
The Deva Path's eyes constantly emitted a faint purple glow.
After scanning the surroundings, he spoke coldly, "Haven't Kakuzu and Hidan still shown up for the meeting?"
Sasori, known as the Red Sand, let out a disdainful snort. "Those two must be dead already."
"Eternal life? Pfft… How ridiculous."
"If they had accepted my offer back then and allowed me to turn them into human puppets, they definitely wouldn't have vanished from this world without a trace."
"Puppets are the only true eternal art!"
Hearing Sasori's words, Kisame Hoshigaki couldn't help but sneer. "This world is full of lies and deceit anyway. They might've just betrayed the organization."
"A bounty of one hundred million ryo is temptation enough for most people, especially someone as greedy as Kakuzu."
After listening to their conversation, Pain's Deva Path furrowed his brow and glanced at Zetsu beside him.
"Zetsu, do you have no information on them either?"
Zetsu shook his head. "None. It's as if they've completely vanished into thin air."
"But given what happened in the Land of Iron, I'd bet they were killed by Mirai Uchiha." Zetsu replied dismissively.
Ever since Mirai Uchiha discovered Zetsu during their last encounter at Kirigakure, Zetsu had actively avoided any contact with Mirai.
Black Zetsu didn't mind much, but Bai—White Zetsu—refused to appear anywhere near Mirai ever again.
Even using clones was off-limits…
As for Obito Uchiha?
Better not mention that kid.
A coward who only wanted to escape—that's probably why he awakened a Dojutsu like Kamui in the first place.
Neither Zetsu nor Obito Uchiha had made any effort, so Akatsuki hadn't gathered any intelligence on Mirai Uchiha for quite some time.
Pain's Deva Path remained silent for a moment.
In ninja battles, the importance of intelligence was self-evident.
He had sent Kakuzu and Hidan to the Land of Iron partly because of their immortality, hoping they could collect intel on Mirai Uchiha.
But now, with Kakuzu and Hidan likely eliminated and having brought back no useful information whatsoever, Pain found himself growing somewhat displeased.
After a short pause, he turned to Sasori and Kisame. "Tama and Nanato, have either of you gathered any intel on the Tailed Beasts yet?"
Tama and Nanato were the codenames used by Sasori and Kisame within the Akatsuki organization.
The two sharply sensed Pain's Deva Path's displeasure and immediately refrained from provoking this leader with absolute power.
Sasori of the Red Sand spoke solemnly, "According to intelligence we've gathered, the Two-Tails, Three-Tails, Five-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails have all been sealed within Mirai Uchiha's body."
"The Four-Tails was obtained by you personally, Lord Pain."
"The remaining tailed beasts outside are only the One-Tail and the Six-Tails, along with the Seven-Tails."
"The One-Tail is sealed within Gaara, the son of the previous Kazekage Rasa."
"Although I have an accomplice in Sunagakure, capturing Gaara from there will be extremely difficult."
"The Six-Tails jinchuriki has always been very mysterious; few people know his whereabouts after he defected from Kirigakure."
"After considering everything, the Seven-Tails in Takigakure appears to be the most suitable target for us."
"Although Takigakure's location is very secretive, according to information left behind by Kakuzu, we should soon find its exact position."
After hearing Sasori's analysis, Pain's Deva Path nodded slightly: "Then I'll trouble you to pay a visit to Takigakure."
He then turned toward Zetsu: "You're responsible for following Yugao and Nanato to gather intelligence."
"Don't disappoint me this time."
Being stared at by Pain's Deva Path, Zetsu could only nod in agreement: "I understand."
"Dismissed!"
———
Land of Takigakure.
Sasori of the Red Sand slowly opened his eyes and glanced at Kisame Hoshigaki beside him: "Kisame, this time we might encounter Mirai Uchiha. If you don't want to end up like Kakuzu and Hidan, I can turn your body into a human puppet."
You're actually quite nice...
Kisame silently made a sarcastic comment in his heart before lifting his massive sword Samehada onto his shoulder: "Challenging powerful opponents has always been what I desire. Samehada will also be thrilled if we face Mirai Uchiha."
Seeing Kisame refuse, Sasori sighed slightly with mild disappointment: "Then I guess I'll just have to make a human puppet out of your body after you die."
Upon hearing this, Kisame grinned widely: "Pressure Mas Ne~"
———
In Konoha,
Inside the Hokage Tower,
Anko Mitarashi gently massaged her aching butt.
She had indeed gotten what she wanted—living together with Yugao Uzuki and obtaining the coveted bone blade.
However, her butt had suffered greatly as a consequence.
Just thinking about that day's punishment caused Anko to blush involuntarily.
"Hmph!"
"That sempai is definitely a playboy as always, taking advantage of girls whenever possible."
"It's already been three days and it still hasn't gone down. That infuriates me!"
"But I'm not someone who surrenders so easily either."
Muttered Mitarashi Anko to herself.
He wanted her to obey quietly? That would only happen if that lowly senior beat her once a day.
"Heheheh..."
As Anko Mitarashi let out an eerie chuckle, a sudden commotion erupted in front of the Hokage Building.
"Let me in! I must see Mirai-sama!"
"I'm a ninja from Takigakure! Someone is trying to steal our village's Tailed Beast!"
Then he shouted directly from downstairs: "Mirai-sama, our Takigakure submits to you! Please save the people of our village!"
Before the man could finish speaking, an Anbu knocked him unconscious.
Anko Mitarashi frowned slightly and used the Shifting Body Technique to appear downstairs at Hokage Tower.
"Anko-sama!"
Seeing Anko Mitarashi appear, several Anbu quickly bowed.
Anko Mitarashi waved her hand lightly and said softly, "Don't deal with this person yet. I'll go inside and inform Emperor-sama."
"Yes."
The Anbu ninja had no objection to Anko's decision.
As members of the Emperor Guards, Anko Mitarashi and her companions often represented Mirai Uchiha.
In Konoha, nobody dared challenge the Emperor's authority.
After reminding the Anbu to guard the unconscious man, Anko Mitarashi vanished in a blur and reappeared inside the Hokage's Office.
Before she could speak, Mirai Uchiha said without looking up, "Anko, bring that person here."
"Yes."
After Anko Mitarashi left, the corner of Mirai Uchiha's mouth curled upward slightly.
Takigakure taking the initiative to seek aid saved him no small amount of effort.
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