Chapter 365: Illusions
In a dimly lit cavern, a giant with nine eyes stood bound, a silent, imposing figure emanating an eerie solemnity.
Suddenly, flashes of light began to appear on the ten fingers binding the giant's hands. This was a unique power of the Rinnegan, allowing Pain to amplify the "waves of thoughts" sent by Akatsuki members and project them as illusions in specific locations.
The current Akatsuki wasn't the infamous organization known in later years. Its members were not yet the S rank rogue shinobi who would later bring chaos to the ninja world. However, even these members, appearing now as shadowy illusions, were already at least A rank missing nin, marking them as elites among ordinary ninja.
The most notorious member present was Orochimaru, the rogue shinobi of S rank, famed for his infamy in two Great Shinobi Wars. Even Orochimaru, powerful as he was, adhered to Akatsuki's dress code, donning the black cloak with red clouds and painted nails.
Orochimaru licked his face with his unnaturally long tongue, sneering with dark amusement. "Such a grand event, and the leader finally deigns to call a meeting, hmm?"
"Of course. Even though we don't know what turned the moon into that mess, it's best we discuss what to do next. No one wants to get caught off guard during a mission," chimed in Juzo Biwa, a rogue shinobi from Kirigakure and the original partner of Uchiha Itachi. Juzo was also the wielder of the Kubikiribōchō, the Executioner's Blade.
Orochimaru merely cast a glance at Juzo, chuckling coldly. He said nothing but somehow managed to convey volumes, leaving Juzo seething.
Just as Juzo was about to snap, Konan's voice cut in. "Enough! No fighting within the organization."
At that moment, the true leader appeared.
The image of Pain, the Deva Path, materialized and glanced over the assembled group. Akatsuki was still in its formative years, yet to gather its core five teams. Beyond Pain and Konan, its core members included Orochimaru, Sasori, Kakuzu, and Zetsu. Juzo Biwa, though a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, was a temporary addition he was neither strong enough nor highly regarded within Akatsuki.
Pain's gaze shifted toward Zetsu, an odd figure within the group, a strange fusion of White Zetsu and Black Zetsu. Officially, Zetsu was a rogue ninja from Kusagakure, but his origins were shrouded in mystery. Pain and Konan, wary of his connection to a certain man named Uchiha Madara, couldn't deny Zetsu's exceptional skill in gathering intelligence.
"Zetsu, what do you know about the blood moon?" Pain asked.
Zetsu, ever the loyal tool, shook his head. "Nothing. It's a mystery to everyone across the ninja world. So far, the blood moon doesn't seem to affect anything here."
Pain fell silent, pondering his next move. Zetsu spoke up again, sensing Pain's frustration. "Leader, there's some intel you may find interesting."
Pain's cold demeanor remained unshaken as he prompted, "Go on."
"Konoha has been stockpiling supplies like crazy. It looks like they're preparing for war."
"What?" Pain's voice hinted at doubt, wondering if he'd misheard.
Throughout the history of the Shinobi World Wars, it was always the other nations that instigated conflict against the Land of Fire. Pain could not recall a time Konoha had ever initiated a war. However, trusting Zetsu's intelligence capabilities, he pressed further.
"Are you certain?"
Zetsu chuckled. "Though I'm no fighter, I excel at gathering information. Konoha is undoubtedly preparing for war. I used some special channels to uncover Konoha's covert actions. I don't know what's driving them to this, but based on what I've observed, Konoha is getting ready to start a conflict."
"War…" Pain whispered, his eyes flickering with hatred and a murderous glint. He had once dreamed of peace, but years of fighting had left him with only bitterness.
Zetsu continued, "According to my predictions, the Land of Wind will likely be Konoha's first target. Should we intervene?"
Akatsuki had long since ceased to be an organization promoting peace and had become a mercenary group that thrived on conflict.
Pain's thoughts turned to the Land of Wind and its hidden village, Sunagakure. The tailed beast known as Shukaku was there capturing it would be the first step in their grand plan to resurrect the Ten Tails, which required sealing each tailed beast one by one.
Although Pain couldn't fathom why Konoha would suddenly declare war, he could still anticipate the challenges ahead. Shukaku absolutely couldn't fall into Konoha's hands; it was crucial to Akatsuki's plan. Even though the organization was already formidable, directly confronting Konoha was a daunting prospect.
Pain made his decision. "Sasori, Orochimaru, you'll handle the capture of Shukaku. Do you have any issues with that?"
Despite some unease, Sasori, who had once been a respected high ranking shinobi of Sunagakure, accepted the mission without complaint. Sasori recognized Pain's request as a test of his loyalty to Akatsuki, yet he wasn't bothered by it. He cared only about proving the immortality of his art and showing his former village that he had been right all along.
"Understood," he replied.
"Interesting," Orochimaru murmured.
"Good. Don't let me down," Pain said, before ending the meeting.
(End of Chapter)
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