At Orochimaru's base, inside the same concealed chamber as before—
Nagi arrived using the Flying Thunder God Technique, bringing Hidan and KaShiranui Kūzu with him.
KaShiranui Kūzu observed the suddenly changed surroundings.
"Flying Thunder God, huh… Why bring us here?"
"Simple. I'm recruiting you."
"Straight to the point. Let me say this first — I'm not interested in—"
Nagi casually produced several hundred million ryō in cash.
"…I find your proposal rather appealing. However…"
Nagi placed a box of refined gold dust on the table.
"…You're being far too generous."
Seeing Nagi reach for something else, KaShiranui Kūzu's eyes narrowed into slits.
At that moment, Orochimaru entered with Deidara and Sasori.
Deidara smirked.
"Mm. Just as he said. You two got dragged here pretty fast."
Hidan had just regained consciousness. Seeing Deidara, he blinked.
"Huh? Deidara? And who's the redhead next to you?"
"I am Sasori."
"That's right — Sasori of the Red Sand."
"What?!"
Hidan jumped to his feet.
"Sasori, where'd you get that makeover? You look like a completely different person!"
"Enough, Hidan," KaShiranui Kūzu cut in. "He's always looked like that. Seems you already knew we'd be brought here."
"Yeah," Deidara replied. "He said he'd recruit the Akatsuki. Even plans to recruit our leader."
"..."
KaShiranui Kūzu and Hidan fell silent.
After a pause, KaShiranui Kūzu looked at Nagi.
"Very well. If you can recruit our leader as well, then this is merely a change of workplace for us."
He crossed his arms.
"But what exactly do you want us to do?"
Nagi answered calmly.
"KaShiranui Kūzu, your financial expertise will be invaluable in the future. For now, I'd like your help laundering certain assets."
He gestured toward the gold KaShiranui Kūzu had seen earlier.
KaShiranui Kūzu understood instantly.
"Oh… You're trying to conceal the origin of this gold."
"Precisely. Come in."
Another figure entered the room.
Brown short hair. Cracked skin. An earthy aura clung to him.
KaShiranui Kūzu narrowed his eyes.
"That's… Rasa?"
As someone who frequently reviewed bounty lists, KaShiranui Kūzu recognized prominent shinobi on sight.
Sasori studied him carefully.
"…This is Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation."
Orochimaru smiled and nodded.
"Correct. I revived him with Impure World Reincarnation (Edo Tensei) and inserted a command tag into his brain. He now functions as a tireless gold-extraction tool."
[Rasa: Orochimaru, you—]
[Orochimaru: Heh heh heh. Rasa, it would be a waste not to use your ability. Funding research requires resources. Besides, you no longer possess consciousness.]
[Rasa: I—!]
[Gaara: That's enough, Father. Even in death, contributing to Nagi's cause should satisfy you.]
[Rasa: ...]
Such a filial son. Truly "fatherly love and filial devotion."
KaShiranui Kūzu had already pieced it together.
"I see. You're using Rasa's Gold Dust to generate capital. The Shinobi World knows the Fourth Kazekage died years ago. If large quantities of gold dust suddenly circulate, it will attract either opportunists — or SunagaShiranui Kūre itself."
Nagi nodded.
"Correct. We've refined the gold dust into pure gold. But its source must still be obscured."
He looked at KaShiranui Kūzu.
"So I'd like you to handle the laundering process."
KaShiranui Kūzu responded evenly.
"That's feasible. However, flooding the market with large volumes of gold will cause economic instability."
Nagi interrupted smoothly.
"I'm sure you've already considered countermeasures."
KaShiranui Kūzu allowed a faint smile.
"Indeed. I'm quite experienced with such matters. But only if you truly recruit our leader."
"Rest assured. I'm confident I can persuade him. And even if I fail…" Nagi's eyes glinted, "…you seem rather willing to take this position regardless."
"…Fair enough."
Nagi then turned to Hidan.
"Hidan, I'll need you to cooperate with Orochimaru's experiments for a while."
Hidan blinked.
"Experiments? What experiments?"
"Studies regarding the 'Lord Jashin' you worship. Don't worry — you won't die."
He paused.
"Though you can't die anyway."
"Eh?!"
YaShiranui Kūshi Kabuto stepped forward and signaled Jirōbō and Kidōmaru to escort Hidan away.
Sasori followed, clearly interested. As a master of human anatomy, he had long wished to examine Hidan's secret.
Deidara enthusiastically dragged a group of Sound shinobi and Root operatives off to conduct further explosive research.
Nagi activated the Flying Thunder God Technique once more and vanished.
Livestream Reactions
[Kisame Hoshigaki: Heh. Two more gone. Leader… will you also be taken?]
[Nagato: I don't know. But judging from Nagi's confidence, there's a high chance he'll persuade me.]
[Konan: It may not be a bad thing. If the Ōtsutsuki descend, we likely cannot withstand them alone.]
[Yahiko: Trusting Nagi seems wiser than trusting—]
[Kisame Hoshigaki: Would you recruit Itachi and me, Nagi?]
[Shiranui Nagi: Kisame, I admire you. But I doubt I could recruit you. I understand your nature.]
[Kisame Hoshigaki: I'm honored. Your method would likely involve offering a world of true ideals. Still, it's a pity I won't witness your future achievements.]
[Shiranui Nagi: Then in this life, be freed from falsehood. In the next, walk beside me.]
[Kisame Hoshigaki: I would gladly serve. And Itachi?]
[Shiranui Nagi: That depends on Sasuke — and the remaining Uchiha.]
[Itachi Uchiha: Thank you.]
[Sasuke Uchiha: Whatever your reasons, Itachi… I will kill you.]
[Itachi Uchiha: My foolish little brother… then come.]
Hokage Tower — Debriefing
Asuma's squad reported back at the Hokage Tower.
"Immortality… and a shared-damage ability. That was a dangerous mission."
Tsunade sighed while reviewing the report.
Thankfully, Karin had accompanied them. No matter how severe the injuries, she could restore them. Without her, the outcome might have been disastrous.
"By the way," Tsunade added, "you said they vanished at the end?"
"Yes. Karin sensed their chakra disappear suddenly. We suspect some form of Space–Time Ninjutsu."
Tsunade frowned.
"So they possess such troublesome abilities… how annoying."
She closed the report.
"Fine. They're gone for now. At least we understand their abilities. Next time, we'll counter them accordingly."
"Yes, ma'am."
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