Chapter 7: Unanimous Approval!
The meeting was nearing its end.
"Those who agree to update and replace the plan with Shiromo's plan, stay where you are. Those who disagree, take half a step back."
Pain's gaze swept across the room.
After he finished speaking, no one moved.
It could be said that Shiromo's words had almost convinced everyone.
Among them, the one with the least favorable impression of Shiromo was Sasori. This was because Sasori had transformed himself into a human puppet and, by nature, lacked strong desires or ambitions. Faced with the plan's change, he didn't see much point in arguing, whether to agree or disagree.
The most crucial person to persuade, however, was Black Zetsu.
Black Zetsu might be evil, but it wasn't stupid.
Shiromo had laid out the pros and cons clearly. The choice was obvious.
As for whether or not Black Zetsu believed Shiromo... It found the argument highly credible.
First, if the other party wanted to deceive them, what would their purpose be?
Second, according to Shiromo, finding Otsutsuki Isshiki meant the task would inevitably fall to Black Zetsu and White Zetsu. They would be the first to know the truth.
"Hey, what should we do now?" Deidara asked.
"Kakuzu is in charge of preparing Amegakure's economic development plan. Black and White Zetsu will collect 'materials.' The rest of you have no specific tasks. You can assist Kakuzu, or continue with whatever you're doing, training, developing ninjutsu, whatever suits you."
Shiromo knew that, before Shippuden began, the Akatsuki organization hadn't made any major moves. So, there was no need for any deliberate assignments.
However, based on Shiromo's deductions, the others most likely wouldn't assist Kakuzu. These people genuinely disliked teamwork.
Most likely, they'll go off to study ninjutsu and train. After all, there's the pressure from the Otsutsuki clan.
"Alright..." Deidara seemed thoughtful.
Shiromo's description of the "Otsutsuki" had made Deidara feel the crisis once again.
He had already worked hard to overcome Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan, but now he felt it wasn't enough.
Wait... Itachi?
"Um, regarding today's events, Itachi and Kisame aren't here. Who's going to tell them?" Deidara asked again.
"I'll go myself. The next mission requires their team, so I'll tell them on the way," Shiromo said.
"You mean the mission in the Land of Waves?" Kakuzu, who had been silently observing, spoke up.
While Shiromo was saying the others had no missions, Kakuzu was still puzzled. Why wasn't the Land of Waves mission, Shiromo had mentioned earlier, given to him?
Unlike before, when Kakuzu might have suspected Shiromo of contradicting himself or deceiving him, now Kakuzu was simply wondering if Shiromo had talked too much and inadvertently overlooked something.
He hadn't expected to find out here.
"The Land of Waves is the intermediate point between the Land of Water and the Land of Fire. If it's just about getting Gato's money, then you can go, Kakuzu. But if we want sustainable development, it's best to send people from both Konoha and Kirigakure."
Shiromo explained briefly.
"Konoha and Kirigakure? What a coincidence, those two in that team... Never mind, contact me when you need my help..." Kakuzu paused, then looked at Pain. "Boss, does he have a ring? Otherwise, how can we contact him?"
"Shu and Nan, who will be traveling with him, can assist with the contact," Pain replied calmly.
"Alright."
The gathering concluded completely. After everyone dispersed, Konan stopped Shiromo.
"Since you already know Itachi is a spy, are you still planning to act alone with them?"
Konan was very concerned about Shiromo's safety. His life now held the future of Amegakure and Akatsuki.
"This was all part of the plan. With spies, you either eliminate them or utilize them; you can't keep them hidden forever. If something is discovered, you'll be at a disadvantage."
"So, you didn't deal with or expel him for this reason?" Konan frowned slightly.
"As long as their interests align and they share a common enemy, they can all become 'teammates.' So don't worry about my safety. Even if I were an ordinary person without chakra or ninjutsu, I could still handle him."
Shiromo smiled confidently.
What he said wasn't just a principle, it was a reality that had occurred countless times in the future ninja world. It was the fundamental logic of relationships between people and forces.
The higher the intelligence and the more calm and rational someone was, the easier it was to get along with them, and the less dangerous they were.
Currently, the only one Shiromo had encountered who had truly attacked him was Hidan.
If he was truly an ordinary person, he could overcome Pain's challenge and tackle every other challenge from the other Akatsuki members. Only Hidan, with his erratic mind, might be the dangerous to him.
Even the somewhat deranged Kakuzu could still think clearly, and knew that Shiromo's "brain" was more useful than his "heart."
Moreover, he wasn't an "ordinary person."
"Alright then, be careful. Nagato will issue missions to the two of them."
After Konan finished speaking, she left.
A few moments later, as Konan flew a distance away, she raised her hand. A bunch of yellowed paper flowers emerged from her sleeve.
These were something Shiromo had taken out of his belongings a couple of days ago when he was packing up his things, and "given" to her.
The faint chakra left on the flowers clearly indicated that they were hers.
---
Three Days Later, at the Border of the Land of Fire.
Two figures, wearing straw hats, sat in a Dango shop, eating Dango.
"What's so special about these Dango? Why does everyone like them so much?"
Shiromo, carrying a cup of oden, walked over from next door and sat down opposite the two.
"You're the new strategist the leader mentioned?" Hoshigaki Kisame stared at Shiromo with deadpan eyes.
"That's right. I believe you've already received the mission Rei gave you…"
"To assist you and fulfill all your requests," Uchiha Itachi suddenly spoke, interrupting Shiromo.
Before Shiromo appeared, Itachi had been considering whether to use genjutsu to investigate this "strategist." After careful thought, he abandoned the idea.
Based on what Pain had told them through the ring, the other Akatsuki members had unanimously approved of this strategist. If Itachi had attacked, he might have exposed his identity as a spy.
For ninjas gathering intelligence, genjutsu was the simplest and most direct method, but not the only one. Since they would be spending some time together, Itachi felt he had ample opportunity to slowly uncover the truth.
Therefore, he spoke up, showing goodwill.
Hoshigaki Kisame, who respected Uchiha Itachi, said nothing but also indicated that he would obey Shiromo's orders.
"Okay."
"Last time, you two were on a mission and missed the gathering. Once we set off, I'll tell you everything again."
Shiromo's "tell you everything again" naturally involved selectively choosing and quoting information.
Hearing this, the two became curious.
After quickly finishing their Dango, the three set off.
(End of this chapter)