Konan successfully recruited Sasori as well.
She also obtained some intelligence from him.
At this moment, she had already returned to Amegakure.
"Pain, Konoha has started making moves. They've sent people to hunt down Sasori."
"Mm."
Pain replied expressionlessly.
"Kakuzu has already been killed by Senju Hideki from Konoha. I arrived too late."
Black Zetsu emerged from underground and reported.
At this moment, Nagato, who was receiving all the information through the Deva Path, frowned deeply.
What was going on?
Why were both people he intended to recruit being targeted by Konoha?
Could it be—
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
He had only learned about those two through Black Zetsu's intelligence and decided on a whim to recruit them. Besides, why would Konoha specifically target the Akatsuki?
They hadn't even done anything yet.
A coincidence. It had to be nothing more than a coincidence.
The Deva Path spoke again.
"It doesn't matter. Continue searching. The shinobi world never lacks powerful ninja."
"Yes."
Black Zetsu acknowledged the order before sinking back underground and disappearing.
...
Land of Wind.
Sunagakure.
Because of the arrival of the Konoha United Commerce Association, the Sand Village was experiencing for the first time what it felt like to not lack water.
"Pakura-sama, wait for me!"
The young Gaara hurried after his teacher.
At this point, Gaara was completely just an adorable child.
As for the One-Tail—
Sorry, it was still in the middle of its resurrection countdown.
Karura had also survived by sheer luck. Perhaps because the Sand Village lost the Second and Third Shinobi Wars too quickly, she hadn't exhausted too much of her vitality.
As a result, she safely gave birth to Gaara.
But because of that, Gaara's greatest cheat ability—his mother's protective Susanoo-like defense—would never appear in this life.
Still, Gaara had a fairly happy childhood.
At the very least, he had a mother who loved him.
Rasa, meanwhile, still wore an annoyed expression whenever he looked at Gaara.
The biggest issue was probably Gaara's red hair.
If Sasori hadn't disappeared, one hundred percent of the Sand Village would have believed Gaara was Sasori's son.
With his mother backing him in this life, Gaara naturally had no interest in seeing that cheap excuse for a father who constantly looked at him with disgust.
So instead, he apprenticed himself to another Kage-level powerhouse of the Sand Village—Pakura.
Pakura was completely helpless against the clingy little brat.
He was the son of her best friend. What else could she do except spoil him?
She bent down and picked Gaara up in her arms.
"Little Gaara, your teacher is very busy, okay? You can't keep distracting me."
"Sensei, I'm really strong! I can help you!"
After speaking, Gaara ran toward an open area.
"Sand Burial!"
Boom!
Sand exploded everywhere.
One look was enough to tell the technique packed serious power.
After watching the display, Pakura became even more speechless.
With abilities like that, who in the shinobi world would believe this kid was her disciple?
Pakura, master of Scorch Release, teaching a Sand Release prodigy?
What kind of absurd joke was this?
"Pakura-sama, the Kazekage has summoned you."
An ANBU suddenly appeared.
"Understood. I'll head over immediately."
After replying, Pakura instantly put on an innocent expression and looked at Gaara.
"See? It's not that I don't want to play with you. Your father is just way too annoying, got it?"
Gaara gritted his teeth lightly.
That bastard of a man was absolutely awful.
At home, he fought him over his gentle mother.
Outside, he competed with him for Pakura-sensei's attention too.
Pakura set Gaara down and reminded him to hurry home before heading toward the Kazekage Building.
"Kazekage-sama, you were looking for me?"
"Pakura, you're here. Finish handling your current work. As my bodyguard, you'll depart for the Land of Iron tomorrow."
"The Land of Iron?"
...
Land of Lightning.
Kumogakure.
The Fourth Raikage A—who had already built himself a body full of explosive muscles—looked at the invitation in his hand.
"The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, sincerely invites the Raikage, Mizukage, and Kazekage to gather in the Land of Iron ten days from now."
"Dodai-sama, what kind of scheme is that Ōnoki plotting this time?"
A looked utterly irritated.
He hated this kind of roundabout nonsense the most.
If there was something to say, why not just say it directly?
"Fourth Raikage-sama, there's no need to panic. Iwagakure's strength is nowhere near what it once was. Besides, Konoha stands between us. Ōnoki wouldn't dare make a move against us."
Dodai saw the situation clearly.
At a time like this, Ōnoki was probably planning another attack against Konoha.
That was why he invited all four Kage except the Hokage to meet in the Land of Iron.
Honestly, even Dodai had to admire Ōnoki a little.
What kind of motivation was keeping that old man going?
Konoha had beaten Iwagakure into that state, yet Ōnoki still stubbornly refused to give up on fighting them.
Ōnoki: This time it really wasn't my idea! Konoha's about to make a huge move! Takigakure is already gone, you know? And the traces left behind look more and more like the work of the Inuzuka Clan!
"Attack Konoha? Dodai-sama, analyze it for me—what are our odds this time?"
The moment he heard they might fight Konoha, A's eyes lit up instantly.
Internally, he was already complaining.
Seriously, Ōnoki. If you wanted to attack Konoha, you should've just said so. Kumogakure would definitely help stir things up.
Besides, he still had plenty of debts to settle with Konoha.
"Raikage-sama, don't get your hopes up too much."
Dodai immediately dumped a bucket of cold water on him.
Fight Konoha?
How many times had he heard that phrase already?
How many plans had they drawn up?
Did any of them work?
Not at all.
In fact, the one who hit Konoha the hardest usually ended up suffering the worst losses.
Like Iwagakure.
Twenty thousand casualties.
The Four-Tails, Five-Tails, and Seven-Tails jinchūriki all dead.
To this day, Kumogakure still couldn't imagine how terrifying a force consisting of twenty thousand ninja and three jinchūriki truly was.
And yet even such an overwhelming army had nearly been annihilated by Konoha.
And then—
Dodai once again recalled that blood-colored figure who seemed less like a human and more like a monster.
Konoha's strongest combat power was still there.
And who could guarantee Konoha wouldn't produce another monster like that?
Anyone who had witnessed the Eight Gates would spend the rest of their lives living under its shadow.
So, considering all of that—
Fight Konoha?
Fight my ass.
Wasn't that just asking for trouble because life had become too comfortable?
"Raikage-sama, you may attend this meeting, but remember—listen more, watch more, speak less. Don't agree to anything. Kumogakure cannot become the next Iwagakure."
"I understand."
A clearly still carried lingering fear from Iwagakure's fate during the Third Shinobi War.
If Konoha ever pulled the same stunt on Kumogakure, they might not be able to maintain their status as one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
"Bring Cee and Darui with you. The younger generation should broaden their horizons."
"Mm."
"And secretly, have Killer B follow along as well. One must always guard against others."
"I understand the reasoning, but Dodai-sama… do we really need Killer B secretly following us?"
"Uh… I never said anything just now. And you didn't hear anything either."