Chapter 16: Akatsuki Meeting
Revenge requires rhythm.
Konan knew Hanzō of the Salamander had always been cunning and malicious; he would very likely set traps at other ninja outposts.
Although any trap was merely like earthen chickens and pottery dogs [useless things] to the current Konan, their goal was to make Hanzō gather all his trusted subordinates back to Amegakure (Village Hidden in the Rain) to protect him, while also preventing him from secretly fleeing out of fear of the enemy's strength.
For the time being, Konan decided to temporarily return to the Akatsuki base to handle some miscellaneous affairs, and then resume selectively attacking Ame (Rain) outposts later.
Mere Amegakure could be dealt with if they put their minds to it.
The Akatsuki organization, however, was different; it concerned their future and dreams.
Random problems often arose within the organization. The issue they faced this time was particularly troublesome. During the period Konan was away from the base, problems occurred in three of Akatsuki's teams, resulting in the loss of three members.
First, another one of Kakuzu's partners died in battle.
During a mission, that poor teammate was blown up along with the enemy by Kakuzu using Fire Release. His corpse was also taken to the Bounty Station and exchanged for a box of money.
This matter wasn't too surprising. Akatsuki members were already used to Kakuzu's operations. For the sake of money, no one said much.
But the organization's newcomer, Uchiha Itachi, saw his partner Jūzō Biwa die in battle, and in their homeland of Kirigakure (Village Hidden by Mist) no less!
According to Uchiha Itachi's report, while their team was on a mission in Kirigakure, they encountered the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, and his Hunter-nin corps.
As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen who had defected from Kirigakure, Jūzō Biwa knew very well the consequences of falling into the hands of the Mizukage and the Hunter-nin. Even after fighting desperately to escape, they were ultimately surrounded by Yagura and his men.
Yagura was both the Fourth Mizukage and the Three-Tails Jinchūriki.
During the battle, Yagura entered a partial Tailed Beast transformation state. Jūzō Biwa used the Executioner's Blade to forcibly block a Tailed Beast Ball, saving Uchiha Itachi... But Jūzō himself wasn't so lucky; he was pierced in the chest and abdomen by his own broken Executioner's Blade.
These were just minor matters. For Pain, a member dying during a mission only proved their strength was insufficient.
The last matter, however, absolutely could not be tolerated.
Orochimaru attacked the returning Uchiha Itachi, was defeated by Itachi's genjutsu in a single glance, and perhaps fearing reprisal, that snake directly defected.
When Konan returned to the base with Uehara Naraka, the remaining Akatsuki members were discussing hunting down Orochimaru and replenishing their manpower.
"Konan, you're back."
Pain glanced at Konan and the boy beside her, saying softly, "We were discussing the issue of replenishing manpower within the organization. Zetsu has already found two suitable candidates to partner Kakuzu and Uchiha Itachi, respectively. We just need people to go recruit them."
"Understood."
Konan nodded, frowning slightly.
"The first is a Jashinist from Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water) named Hidan. He supposedly possesses an immortal body. He can be paired with Kakuzu."
After finishing the intel on the first person, Pain turned to Konan, "Konan, you take Uchiha Itachi and Kakuzu to recruit Hidan..."
"Yes."
"Zetsu, tell us about the next person!"
"The second person's name is Kisame Hoshigaki."
Zetsu turned to the mysterious masked man and continued in a hoarse voice, "He is a member of the Hoshigaki clan from the Land of Water, known as the Monster of the Hidden Mist. And like Jūzō Biwa, he is also one of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen..."
"Hey, hey, hey, I was the one who found Kisame!"
The mysterious masked man suddenly interrupted Zetsu, waving his hands and volunteering eagerly, "Let me recruit him into the organization! He can be Itachi's partner!"
"..."
Pain pondered for a moment, then looked up at the masked man doubtfully, "I remember hearing that name. Kisame Hoshigaki isn't a rogue ninja yet, is he?"
"We can lure him into defecting anytime!"
The mysterious masked man waved his hands dismissively with a giggle, "Kisame Hoshigaki's missions in Kirigakure have always involved slaughtering his own comrades. He must have wanted to defect long ago!"
Pain nodded, not questioning his methods, just assigning the task as requested, "Then you go recruit Kisame Hoshigaki."
"Hee hee hee... Okay!"
After accepting with a laugh, the mysterious masked man wrung his fingers, looking somewhat embarrassed, "Um, this mission might be a bit troublesome. Can the organization's other intern go with me?"
"..."
Troublesome my ass!
Isn't Kisame Hoshigaki your subordinate?
Alarm bells rang in the mind of Akatsuki's other intern, Uehara Naraka. Why did this insidious and despicable guy want to drag him along?
Before Uehara Naraka could respond, Konan spoke up first, rejecting him, "No."
"Huh?"
The masked man waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "But if I go on the mission, I'll be short-handed! Kirigakure is a very dangerous place..."
"He is my disciple."
Konan frowned tightly, looking at the masked man coveting her disciple, her eyes somewhat cold, "I don't think it's necessary for him to go on a mission with you... If you think Kirigakure is dangerous, I can go recruit Kisame Hoshigaki in your place!"
The masked man hesitated, then said, "Konan-senpai, he's also a member of the organization, we're both interns... Why can't he go on the mission with me?"
"..."
Konan's face instantly showed impatience.
Because she knew the mysterious masked man was that extremely evil Uchiha Madara, she absolutely didn't want her disciple to have any interaction with the masked man.
Not just the mysterious masked man; besides herself and Pain, Konan didn't want Uehara to interact with anyone else in Akatsuki.
But just at this moment, everyone's gazes turned over, looking at Konan with surprise, their expressions somewhat odd.
Although a group of S-rank rogue ninjas weren't afraid of danger, Konan was being so obviously biased. Not letting her own disciple go on dangerous missions, but making other members do them?
It felt rather unfair.
Pain scanned everyone present and made the final decision, "Konan, you, Kakuzu, and Uchiha Itachi go recruit Hidan... As for Uehara, let him go with Tobi (阿飞) to contact Kisame Hoshigaki!"
Konan looked unwillingly at Pain. Seeing him shake his head slightly, she could only lower her head and agree, "...Yes."
"Actually, it doesn't have to be that troublesome."
Uehara Naraka looked up at everyone present and said softly, "Since Senpai [Tobi] is worried about danger, how about I go to Kirigakure myself? Just recruiting one person into the organization isn't a particularly dangerous mission."
"Eh? Okay!"
The mysterious masked man suddenly clapped his hands and said loudly, "In that case, I can free up time to help Zetsu find a partner candidate for Sasori-senpai..."
"Alright."
Pain agreed.
Sasori of the Red Sand, however, had a different opinion. A hoarse voice came from within the puppet, "You guys go. I don't like searching for people aimlessly..."
After speaking, Sasori turned his head towards Pain, "Now that Orochimaru has defected, can I go kill him now?"
When Orochimaru was still in Akatsuki, the two of them always argued over philosophical differences and funding issues. Now that Orochimaru had defected, Sasori naturally wanted revenge and to kill him!
"Of course, you can."
Pain asked softly, "Do you have any leads?"
Sasori nodded, his voice grim, "I've already planted a spy near him. I'll be able to get information on him soon."
"Then, the matter of pursuing Orochimaru is entrusted to you."
(End of Chapter)