Senju Hashirama left. Senju Hashirama, who had personally pierced Madara's heart for Konoha, left without a trace of reluctance.
This was why Yuuki had always admired Senju Hashirama: he knew what he wanted, he knew what he should do, a realistic idealist.
Watching his elder brother gradually disappear, Senju Tobirama sighed in his heart.
Brother, I will never be able to let go like you!
"Is that person with the Rinnegan your target?"
After witnessing Pain's recent battle, Senju Tobirama's previous doubts were answered, and now he was seeking further confirmation.
"Teacher, to be precise, it's the organization he founded!"
From Orochimaru's address to Pain, Hiruzen Sarutobi learned the fact that he was the leader of the Akatsuki Organization. Since Senju Tobirama had already guessed it, he no longer concealed it.
"Nonsense!"
Senju Tobirama reprimanded Hiruzen Sarutobi with a serious expression.
Regarding Yuuki, who had the audacity to make Hiruzen Sarutobi a rogue ninja, Senju Tobirama, though he didn't know his name, had some admiration for him.
After witnessing Pain's strength, Senju Tobirama's good impression of Yuuki greatly diminished.
A guy who hadn't even figured out the strength of the opposing organization's leader directly sent two of the Village's top combatants to their deaths.
Yuuki was mentally labeled as reckless by Senju Tobirama.
The need to send spies clearly indicated awareness of the threat but a lack of intelligence. Under normal circumstances, this move would be fine.
Now, the situation clearly exceeded normal circumstances and would directly lead to complete defeat, pointlessly wasting the Village's combat power.
Hiruzen Sarutobi responded with a bitter smile.
"Teacher, please leave quickly. This is my own choice!"
With a slightly bitter and regretful expression, and those firm eyes, Senju Tobirama, who clearly knew his disciple's personality, had a bad guess.
Was he coerced?
It seems the Uchiha Clan's Hokage of Konoha and Hiruzen's relationship might be quite bad.
He glanced at Itachi again, recalling their interactions during his battle with Hiruzen Sarutobi, ruling out the possibility of him monitoring Hiruzen.
A discarded chess piece?
He wanted to forcibly take Hiruzen Sarutobi and Itachi away, but seeing their firm eyes, Senju Tobirama gave up.
After a brief Perception, Senju Tobirama's figure disappeared from its original spot.
He did not leave but hid nearby.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, I am the leader of the Akatsuki Organization. You may call me Pain. Now you can choose to join the Akatsuki Organization or die!"
Soon after Senju Tobirama hid, Deva Path Pain flew above Hiruzen Sarutobi and Itachi, looking down at Hiruzen Sarutobi as he spoke.
A super-scale Shinra Tensei had taken a long time for Deva Path to recover its Chakra.
For the sake of prestige and to ensure 100% control over Hiruzen Sarutobi's strength, Deva Path Pain did not immediately recruit him after the battle ended.
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi's strength?
From the rising of the sealing barrier until Pain intervened in the battle, since Hiruzen Sarutobi was able to hold on during that time, Nagato felt his strength was acceptable.
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into thought upon hearing this, while Pain gradually unleashed his powerful Chakra fluctuations, which increased little by little with time.
While pressuring Hiruzen Sarutobi, Pain looked at Itachi beside him.
A Sharingan similar to Madara's?
Without hesitation, Pain spoke to Itachi.
"And you too!"
Considering it was just an act, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Itachi felt the increasingly strong pressure and the growing sense of crisis.
Finally, they spoke.
"This old man (I) agrees to join!"
"Very good. From now on, your past identities are meaningless. You are members of the Akatsuki Organization!"
After Pain finished speaking, he slowly flew away.
Until Pain's figure disappeared into the sky, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Itachi exchanged glances, full of doubt.
That's it?
No interrogation?
No joining procedure?
No organizational philosophy or positions?
...?
Countless questions arose in their minds. Even if they didn't ask about anything else, wasn't the presence of the First Hokage adult of no interest at all?
This Akatsuki Organization seems very formal, but its leader's mind is a bit... Deva Path Pain actually had many doubts as well, most notably the existence of someone similar to Senju Hashirama in the records.
However, all of this could be inquired about from Kakuzu, and afterwards, the two could be questioned through Zetsu or Konan.
As a god, Pain had to maintain the prestige and mystique of a god.
Little did he know that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Uchiha Itachi, people who had worked within systems, came to the most profound realization about Pain: he seemed not very smart.
However, immediately connecting this to Pain's strength, it seemed that not needing a brain wasn't a big problem.
At the same time, their confidence in completing their spy mission greatly increased.
Senju Tobirama, who was ready to step in and save the two, watched the recruitment process that seemed like child's play.
He also had a look of suspicion. Does being strong enough mean you have to trade your brain for it?
Recalling the performances of Hashirama, Madara, and Pain, Senju Tobirama thought it was very possible!
Senju Tobirama did not go out to greet the two. He looked up at the sky to ascertain his direction and then quickly left.
He was going to Konoha to take a look!
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