Chapter 65 I was only gone a few days—what on earth happened to Akatsuki?!
The 'Culture Indoctrination Room' was a sealed box.
Every wall was plastered with sheets covered in tiny writing; there were no windows, only a single sickly light overhead, casting a dim, oppressive glow.
Jūzō lounged in the only chair, kubikiribōchō propped beside him, boots on the desk. 'Hey, pretty lady, just the two of us? Forget the orientation—let's talk about life.'
Konan stood opposite him, her face as cold and unmoving as ancient ice.
'Biwa Jūzō, S-rank missing-nin, fled the Hidden Mist to escape the Mizukage's tyranny. Brutal, bloodthirsty, lecherous, and insubordinate.' Konan flipped open the file, voice frosty. 'An impressive résumé, but your unpredictability is too high for an employee.'
'Hah? Lecturing me?' Jūzō shot to his feet, Killing Intent rolling off him in waves, hand on his hilt. 'Think I won't cut you because you're a woman? My blade doesn't discriminate!'
'I dislike your eyes.' Konan closed the folder.
'Then shut yours!' Jūzō bared his teeth, drawing the blade in a flash of cold light.
In that instant.
Behind Konan, a translucent top-hatted figure in white tails materialized out of thin air.
Stand—Heavens Door.
Jūzō's instincts screamed that something had appeared; he tried to slash.
But he couldn't move.
Heavens Door raised a finger and lightly tapped Jūzō's face.
Rustle—!
A ghastly scene unfolded.
Jūzō's snarling face split down the middle, skin peeling open like pages of a book.
'What?! My face—what's happening to my face?!'
He shrieked silently—his vocal cords had become a line of text on those pages.
Peeking from the doorway, Tobi felt ice crawl up his spine.
What just happened? Why was Jūzō's face being read like a book?
Was I caught in a genjutsu too?
Konan stepped forward and, as if in a library, calmly read the words across Jūzō's skin.
'First kill at seven…'
'Hates sweets…'
'Had a crush on the fishmonger auntie in Hidden Mist…'
'Tch.' Konan wrinkled her nose in distaste. 'Messy private life.'
With a flick of her wrist she produced a brush, its tip hovering above the pages.
'As a member of Akatsuki, you need minor adjustments.'
The bristles touched; ink bloomed across the paper.
[Rule 1: I am Akatsuki's most loyal employee; Yahiko's word is absolute truth.]
[Rule 2: I will be a civil, polite gentleman—profanity forbidden.]
[Rule 3: To atone for past sins, I volunteer for half pay and all janitorial duties.]
[Rule 4: Should anyone disrespect Konan, I will give my life to cut them down with my kubikiribōchō.]
Satisfied, Konan snapped the book shut.
Slap.
The pages folded back into Jūzō's face.
Seconds later, the once-ferocious Seven Ninja Swordsman of the Mist straightened his back.
He neatened his collar, slung kubikiribōchō properly across his shoulder, and bowed ninety degrees.
'My deepest apologies, Lady Konan! My earlier words were inexcusable!'
His voice rang clear and earnest, the zeal of a reformed saint blazing in his eyes. 'From this day forward I shall spill every drop of blood for Akatsuki's cause! Please assign me to clean the toilets to cleanse my sins!'
Tobi nearly dropped his mask.
This wasn't orientation.
It was brainwashing!
What the hell happened while I was away?
The mighty Biwa Jūzō turned into a passionate corporate drone—willingly, no signs of coercion.
Cold dread shot from Tobi's soles to his scalp.
If it were genjutsu—even Kotoamatsukami—there'd be Chakra resistance, but this power had appeared in the once-unremarkable Konan.
'This woman… is dangerous.' Tobi clenched his fists inside his sleeves.
His greatest weapon was secrecy.
If she rifled through his memories…
The consequences would be unthinkable.
While Tobi's mind raced, Konan emerged with the reborn Jūzō.
'Leader, onboarding complete.' Her tone was calm, as if she'd filed a minor report.
Yahiko studied the transformed man and nodded approvingly. 'Good—take him for his robe and ring. Codename: South.'
'Yes! Thank you, Leader, for the chance to serve!' Jūzō bellowed, face flushed with fervor.
Yahiko waved him off, then turned.
Amber eyes cut through the half-light and pinned Tobi, who tried to melt into the wall.
'Oh, Tobi.'
Yahiko smiled warmly. 'Even interns must complete the process—for the organization's sake.'
Tobi froze.
Konan turned; her icy gaze locked on him.
She Advanced, Heavens Door's silhouette flickering behind her. 'Don't worry, it's quick—just like turning a page.'
Turn your sister's page!
Tobi screamed inwardly.
If you flip me, my decade-long setup is ruined!
No—can't let her touch me!
'My, my, Seniors are too kind!'
Tobi clutched his stomach, twisting like a pretzel. 'Oh no—sudden stomachache! Must've been those expired dumplings. I'm just an intern; I don't deserve such Advanced treatment!'
While spouting nonsense, he spun and lunged for the exit, Body Flicker Technique surging.
Once outside he could hide a few days with Kamui—yet.
The instant he turned.
The once-empty doorway now held a figure.
black robe with red clouds, orange hair, lazy eyes.
Yahiko leaned against the frame, flicking a metal lighter, as if he'd always been there.
But Tobi clearly remembered: one second earlier Yahiko had been on the couch!
Tobi's pupils shrank to pinpricks.
'Running away?'
Yahiko's hand clamped his shoulder like iron.
The grip was crushing, the pressure inescapable.
Yahiko leaned to Tobi's masked ear, voice a low devil's whisper:
'Tobi, we're family now—honesty is required.'
'Or… is there something in your head you don't want us to see?'
Behind him, Konan arrived; Heavoiens Door's hand rose.
Wolf ahead, tiger behind.
Cold sweat trickled beneath Tobi's mask.
This time… he'd overplayed his hand.
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