At this time, in a secret location in the Land of Rain, all members of the Akatsuki organization were gathered. Unlike last time, all members were present in their true forms. Unfortunately, compared to the last gathering, two members were missing.
"Leader, why have you urgently called us back? Is there something important?"
Hidan, with his scythe over his shoulder, looked at Pain, speaking in a casual tone.
Other members might have more or less fear of Pain, but Hidan was not afraid, because he was immortal.
Even if he was no match for the opponent, he would not die.
"We just received news that Sasori and Deidara have been killed in battle."
Pain spoke in a calm tone.
Hearing this, all members of the Akatsuki showed surprised expressions. It wasn't that there had never been deaths in the Akatsuki before, but those who had died previously were not very strong, at most at the Jonin level.
But Deidara and Sasori were different; they both had solid Kage-level abilities, and even among those with Kage-level strength, they were not low-ranking. Yet today, someone suddenly told them that these two had been killed in battle. Their first reaction was disbelief, and the second was to find out who had killed them.
After all, this news came from their leader's mouth, so it should be true.
"The one who killed Sasori was one of the Sannin of Konohagakure Village, Tsunade's disciple, as well as Sunagakure Village's Chiyo and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
And the one who killed Deidara was Uchiha Sasuke and Hatake Kakashi."
When he heard the name Sasuke, Uchiha Itachi's expression showed a slight change.
"To be able to kill Deidara? You've grown quite a bit, Sasuke. I look forward to our next meeting."
Uchiha Itachi thought to himself.
"If I'm not mistaken, that Uchiha Sasuke is your younger brother, isn't he, Itachi?"
Kakuzu glanced at Itachi and then spoke. Everyone's gaze turned to Itachi, but even with so many eyes on him, Itachi's expression remained very calm.
"So what if he is?"
Not only was his expression calm, but even the tone of his voice was very calm, as if the person called Uchiha Sasuke had nothing to do with him.
"Anyone who has killed members of the organization has not lived to tell the tale. It might be better for Sasuke to handle you personally, but of course, if you can't bring yourself to do it, I can take care of it for you."
This statement immediately enraged Itachi. Without saying much, he activated his Mangekyou Sharingan and glared at Kakuzu, the ominous aura from his eyes causing Kakuzu to shiver.
Such eyes reminded him of Uchiha Madara. Although he knew that Uchiha Itachi did not possess the same terrifying power as Uchiha Madara, Kakuzu still did not dare to underestimate him. He was aware of the Ninjutsu of Itachi's Mangekyou Sharingan, which made him feel even more troubled, as no Mangekyou Sharingan could be easily dealt with.
"Then let me take care of that Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. I'm quite interested in the Nine-Tails."
Hidan, standing beside Kakuzu, seemed completely oblivious to the current atmosphere and spoke out of turn.
"If the leader gives the order, I will personally bring Uchiha Sasuke's body before everyone."
Uchiha Itachi then turned his head towards Pain, and although the latter possessed the Rinnegan, Itachi did not avert his gaze. He felt that Pain's Rinnegan might not be as formidable as his Mangekyou Sharingan.
"Now is not the time to deal with these matters. Moreover, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is complicated. The Nine-Tails has been split into three and sealed within three individuals, one of whom is the Fourth Hokage."
Upon hearing the name of the Fourth Hokage, everyone from the Akatsuki fell silent. Although each of them was very powerful, none considered themselves a match for the Fourth Hokage.
Moreover, the Fourth Hokage with the Nine-Tails inside him would only be stronger.
"So what do we do now?"
Hidan also gave up on the idea of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Although he had never faced the Fourth Hokage, the latter's reputation was not unfounded.
According to records, no ninja who had faced the Fourth Hokage had survived, except for the current Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Now that we have successfully captured the One-Tail, our organization has been completely exposed to the ninja world. Therefore, our next goal is to accelerate our plan. Before the other ninja villages ascertain our specific intentions, we will capture the Two-Tails to the Eight-Tails. As for the Nine-Tails, when the time comes, all of us from the Akatsuki will strike and attack Konohagakure."
"The Two-Tails to the Eight-Tails should be no problem, but are you serious about attacking Konohagakure, leader?"
Hidan asked, still haunted by the memory of the 'White Demon'. Attacking Konohagakure would inevitably lead to an encounter with that individual.
At this moment, Kakuzu also did not want to set foot in Konohagakure, or rather, did not want to encounter that individual.
"Is there a problem?"
Pain asked with a stern expression and a cold tone, which immediately made everyone feel a sense of oppression.
"Leader, you have never fought that Hatake Satoru. If you encounter him, you will realize that we stand no chance against him. Even if we all attack together, we would definitely not be a match for that individual."
Hidan spoke up.
"I can capture the Two-Tails to the Eight-Tails, but I absolutely refuse to attack Konohagakure."
Hidan laid his cards on the table, willing to do anything but set foot in Konohagakure.
"I agree."
Kakuzu also expressed agreement with Hidan's sentiment.
"Do you two intend to defy my will?"
Tendo Path furrowed his brows.
Kakuzu and Hidan instantly became alert, ready to prevent any sudden attack from Pain.
"Hidan is not wrong; even if all of us attack together, we would not be a match for Hatake Satoru's single move. To attack Konohagakure, the prerequisite is to restrain Hatake Satoru."
At this moment, Uchiha Itachi also spoke up.
Hearing Itachi speak in such a manner, Hidan, standing beside him, looked at Itachi with a surprised expression. He remembered that Itachi was supposed to be a spy for Konohagakure, so why was he now thinking of ways to deal with Konohagakure?
Even Uchiha Itachi saying so made Pain, or rather Nagato behind Pain, seriously consider the matter.
"Let's put the Nine-Tails matter aside for now. Everyone should focus on capturing the Tailed Beasts from Two-Tails to Eight-Tails with utmost speed."
"Understood."
(End of this chapter)