"Looks like everyone's here. Then let's begin the meeting."
In the Land of Rain, inside the tall tower, Pain spoke calmly as multiple phantom projections appeared before him.
"Tch… another meeting already?"
Jinpachi Munashi muttered in annoyance, and Sasori couldn't help nodding along.
Lately, it felt like these meetings were happening far more often than before.
Strictly speaking, the last one had been months ago, involving Orochimaru and Iwagakure—but to them, it felt like it had happened just yesterday.
They were all veteran shinobi. How many enemies they'd killed, how many victories they'd claimed, even they couldn't remember anymore. In this field, they had already won too much.
But losing even once—especially losing badly—was something you remembered for life.
Jinpachi still had nightmares.
Nightmares of a green silhouette.
Nightmares of being utterly dominated by that so-called Konoha genin—to the point where his fighting spirit shattered completely.
None of them could forget what happened in Iwagakure.
They had been brutally taught a lesson by a brat who could use Wood Release.
Especially Sasori.
From Sunagakure, to the Land of Grass, and then the Land of Earth—he had clashed with Ren and Shisui again and again.
And not once had he won.
That made it feel as if the last meeting had been "yesterday," and "last night" he had been beaten senseless all over again.
"This time, there are several matters to discuss," Pain continued calmly.
"Some concern recruitment. Others concern the Land of Rain."
Pain vaguely remembered that the last meeting had been a while ago, but he didn't dwell on it.
"Hanzo is dead. Someone needs to take over the Land of Rain. If not directly, then at least recommend a suitable candidate. After all, this is our base."
Hanzo was gone, but the country couldn't be left unmanaged.
The daimyo existed, of course—but Hanzo would never have allowed a daimyo to hold real power.
Aside from acting as a money source, the daimyo had been utterly irrelevant.
That was exactly why Pain had been under so much pressure lately. He desperately needed manpower.
Originally, he had wanted to consult Sasori or Orochimaru.
Sasori had once been a near-Kazekage candidate.
Orochimaru had nearly become the Fourth Hokage.
Two "almost Kage" figures were right here—asking for help seemed reasonable.
But Sasori had his own pursuits, and Orochimaru had built his own village.
So Pain had settled for finding capable administrators instead.
"Recommend someone?" Orochimaru tilted his head slightly. "I can think of a few. I do have quite a number of followers."
"I can recommend someone too," Sasori added flatly. "I have no interest in managing a village, but recommending people is fine."
Then he looked at Pain.
"But I'm curious. Who are you targeting this time? What kind of person are you planning to recruit?"
Sasori had already lost too much.
From his perspective, unless Pain personally took action, very few people in Akatsuki could handle Ren.
Wood Release alone was already terrifying—but Ren's actual combat ability was even more absurd.
They needed someone stronger.
"Indeed," Black Zetsu chimed in lazily. "I'm curious as well. We just recruited Orochimaru, and there's already another target?"
"The target is confidential for now," Pain replied.
"And success isn't guaranteed."
He wasn't ready to openly announce that they intended to recruit Ren.
"This operation will be troublesome," Pain continued. "Orochimaru, I want you prepared."
"I know," Orochimaru nodded, though he frowned slightly.
"But my preparations aren't complete yet. Isn't this a bit rushed?"
"Opportunities like this don't come often," Pain said calmly.
"The next chance to encounter him may take a long time."
"This will be a probe. If nothing else, we'll plant a seed."
Orochimaru tilted his head, then nodded.
He wasn't fully ready—especially since Danzo hadn't exposed himself yet.
But he had heard that Ren was extremely intelligent.
And intelligent people were often arrogant.
Sometimes they trusted their own judgment too much.
Other times, they doubted things that were perfectly reasonable.
If you planted even a single seed of doubt in someone like that…
Everything would become much easier.
"Jinpachi," Pain said, turning to him. "This time, you'll act."
"We're going to Kirigakure. I'll need your help."
"Kirigakure?"
Jinpachi's eyes lit up instantly.
That was his old territory. Going back there would definitely wake him up.
"Still so mysterious," Sasori said, shaking his head.
"After all that talk, you still haven't said who it is."
"And it's Kirigakure?" he added. "I'll pass this time."
"Good choice," Kakuzu laughed quietly.
"That place is boring."
Then he lowered his voice.
"And according to reliable intelligence, Ren has also gone to Kirigakure."
Silence.
"…Ren."
Sasori's expression darkened.
Jinpachi froze.
What kind of lunatic was that guy? Why did he show up everywhere?
"…Kirigakure? Ren?"
Black Zetsu felt numb.
That bastard again?
Why was he everywhere?
At the same time, in Kirigakure's office—
"What?! Ren is here?!"
Obito stared at Black Zetsu in disbelief.
"Yes," Black Zetsu nodded.
"And if I hadn't attended the Akatsuki meeting, I wouldn't have known either."
"It seems Konoha already pinpointed your location. Everything they did before was just misdirection."
Only now did Black Zetsu fully understand those bounties.
Normally, Konoha shouldn't have issued wanted notices based on a single report.
But Obito was Obito—and Ren's judgment hadn't been wrong.
At the time, they hadn't thought much of it.
Now they realized they'd been played.
"So it was intentional?" Obito growled.
"They used the Flying Thunder God mark on me to locate me, then deliberately misled us so they could quietly infiltrate Kirigakure?"
Black Zetsu nodded.
Obito slammed his fist down.
"That bastard dares come to my territory?!"
Konoha was Ren's domain. Obito couldn't do anything there.
But Kirigakure?
The Mizukage was his puppet.
Ren coming here meant—
No excuses.
No mercy.
Then Obito clenched his teeth.
"…Flying Thunder God."
That technique was like cheating.
Even if you cornered Ren, he could vanish instantly.
Killing him was absurdly difficult.
"I have an idea," Black Zetsu said calmly.
"Sunagakure is sending people, remember?"
Obito frowned. "And?"
"Why not make Ren and Konoha take the blame?"
Black Zetsu smiled.
"There's still Gengetsu's faction—Elder Yagura's opponents. Their conflict runs deep."
"We didn't notify them about Sunagakure's arrival."
"If we let Sunagakure and Konoha meet… and leak the information—what do you think will happen?"
They'd attack.
Sunagakure and Konoha were allies—but those people wouldn't care.
Ren could escape.
Sunagakure's people?
Not necessarily.
Once someone died, Obito could pressure them—or announce to the world that Ren did it.
The excuse was simple.
Sunagakure betrayed the alliance. Ren acted.
Those people would never admit the truth.
"And even if they all die," Black Zetsu shrugged,
"we eliminate internal opposition through Ren's hands. A win-win."
"Send White Zetsu," Obito said instantly.
"Find Ren's exact position."
"And mobilize them. Immediately."
Black Zetsu smiled.
Obito stared out the window, exhilarated.
If he couldn't escape blame—
Then neither would Ren.
"Sunagakure?"
Yūgao froze for a moment.
"…Still acquaintances?"
"Yes," Ren nodded. "It's Pakura. I recognize her chakra."
Jiraiya and Kakashi exchanged looks.
They still remembered how Ren had exposed Suna and Kiri's secret dealings years ago—and shattered everything.
So why was Sunagakure here again?
And why Pakura?
"What do we do?" Tenzo asked directly, ignoring Jiraiya.
"Meet them—or silence them?"
He sliced a finger across his throat.
Kakashi glared at him.
"Enough."
"I think we should pretend we didn't see them," Jiraiya said, rubbing his temples.
"That may be difficult," Ren said lightly.
"They've already noticed us."
Figures blurred.
Sunagakure shinobi took positions.
Pakura approached—and slowed to a halt.
"…You."
Her gaze locked onto Ren's uncovered face.
Old memories surged.
She didn't truly hate Ren.
He had used her—but he'd also revealed Sunagakure's truth.
And saved her life.
Meeting him again like this filled her with awkwardness.
"Pakura-sama," Ren smiled. "Long time no see."
Maki stepped forward.
"Konoha? You've got guts. What are you doing here?"
"You brought an idiot like this?" Ren replied calmly.
Maki choked.
Ren didn't stop.
"Sneaking in like this—are you infiltrating? Or avoiding Konoha so you can talk privately with Kirigakure?"
"As allies, we're disappointed."
Silence fell.
"Enough," Pakura snapped.
"Ren, don't go too far."
Then she looked at Jiraiya.
"Sunagakure is an ally—not a subordinate. You have no right to question our decisions."
Ren nodded.
"As allies, then fulfill your duty."
Jiraiya and Kakashi stiffened.
Then Ren sighed softly.
"We're going to fight together."
Shadows surged from the fog.
Water techniques exploded.
The sea answered Kirigakure's call.
But the ground trembled.
A massive earthen wall rose, blocking everything.
Ren smiled.
"Ever considered that if everyone here died… no one would know we came?"
Pakura's pupils shrank.
"Enough!" Jiraiya shouted. "Break out. Don't get bogged down!"
They ran.
Kiri chased relentlessly.
Then—
The ground shattered.
A colossal earth dragon erupted, fifty meters long, roaring through the mist.
Kiri froze.
"What kind of monster…?"
Even Pakura was stunned.
Then Ren sensed something else.
"…Orochimaru. Sasori. Kakuzu. Konan."
Akatsuki.
"They're ahead," Ren said quietly.
Everyone's face darkened.
Ren clasped his hands.
Vines burst forth.
A massive Wood Dragon rose, carrying him skyward.
Pakura stared, shaken.
"What kind of monster are you…?"
Above them, a lone figure appeared against the sun.
Jiraiya's breath caught.
"…Nagato?"
No.
That silhouette—
Looked like Yahiko.
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