Before Pain (Nagato) could figure out how to comfort Kakuzu, who looked like a sulking concubine, Shinji's casual voice, accompanied by approaching footsteps, rang out.
"Yo, is your important face-to-face conversation over now?"
The moment Kakuzu heard Shinji's voice, he took an inconspicuous half-step backward to hide behind the Deva Path.
"Yes, it's over now," Deva Path nodded, helping to cover for Kakuzu.
After all, from Nagato's perspective, Kakuzu had been quite dedicated to the Akatsuki over the years, especially in the money-making department, where he put in tremendous effort.
No one else was as suited for the role of the Akatsuki's treasurer. Without Kakuzu, there was simply no one who could replace his money-making abilities.
"Kakuzu, get to know your new teammate."
Upon hearing these words, Kakuzu's heart sank.
It's over. Has the leader decided to abandon me? Is he really going to team me up with this world's evil? "Hidan, from today on, you are a member of the Akatsuki. Kakuzu, give Hidan the ring that used to belong to Yihao."
Only then did Kakuzu notice the unfamiliar man with the pompadour standing by Shinji and Konan. For a moment, the old man's eyes moistened.
No matter what, the leader still cared about his dedication to the organization. He wasn't planning to kill him! "Phew, I thought I was going to be Kakuzu's so-called teammate," Shinji sighed, "What a waste of my trip."
"You'll be operating alone for now."
Hearing this, Kakuzu turned his back to the crowd, discreetly wiping away the moisture at the corner of his eyes.
...
After getting to know his new teammate, especially after learning about his supposed immortality, Kakuzu nearly wanted to hug Deva Path and kiss him.
He was safe—his life was safe!
As long as his teammate didn't die, he wouldn't have to worry about being teamed up with that damn Angolamanue and getting killed by him.
...
After a brief introduction, Shinji saw there was nothing else interesting and immediately left with Minato.
Meanwhile, Kakuzu and Hidan received their first mission from Pain and departed. As for Konan, she naturally stayed behind, remaining by Pain's side.
"It seems you're quite interested in that man."
Hearing this, Konan felt panic surge in her heart. She quickly withdrew her gaze, feigning calmness. "No, I'm just curious about this so-called 'world's evil.'"
"I understand. So am I."
Pain nodded indifferently and then continued, "He is different from Madara. Even after meeting him for a second time, I still can't read what he's thinking or what he wants. I can't even sense any of the usual desires that humans have."
His desires... only reveal themselves in special moments—and they are pure, consuming everything in their path.
Konan silently added in her heart, remembering the dream she had before dawn, feeling a pang in her chest.
Has he... always lived in that kind of hell?
Half a minute later, realizing she had accidentally let her thoughts wander, Konan quickly pushed the image of that man out of her mind.
That wasn't her concern—her concern should be Madara.
Although she hadn't gotten the truth about Madara's intentions from Shinji this time, she could tell from his words that Madara might indeed have ulterior motives.
Otherwise, why would he be so interested in Madara?
"Nagato, do you think Madara..."
"For now, he's still useful."
Pain's simple statement left Konan stunned.
What did he mean by that? What does he mean by 'still useful'? Could it be...
Was Pain also using Madara? "Konan, regardless of Madara's motives, at this stage, he is still useful to us. Even the name Uchiha Madara carries immense weight."
"Nagato, you've known this all along..." Konan stared blankly at Pain.
"I've known from the start. Also, don't misunderstand our relationship with Madara—we've never had a superior-subordinate relationship. It's always been about mutual use.
"It doesn't matter what he wants; we only need to achieve our goal. As long as the Ten-Tails exists, that's all that matters."
As Shinji had once speculated, Nagato didn't entirely trust Tobi and Zetsu—he had his own plans. As long as they helped with collecting the Tailed Beasts, he would let them do whatever else they wanted.
As long as the Ten-Tails existed, what Uchiha tablet? What Senju and Uchiha combined to create the Almighty Push? What Eye of the Moon Plan? None of that mattered to him.
Just because he agreed with their so-called Eye of the Moon Plan didn't mean he intended to follow through, Uchiha Madara...
Hearing Pain's dismissive tone about Uchiha Madara, Konan inexplicably felt a sense of relief. But that didn't mean she would let down her guard regarding Madara.
During the Tailed Beast collection, Madara might be useful, but afterward?
Shouldn't they consider disposing of him once he was no longer needed?
Konan buried this thought in her heart.
...
Within the borders of the Land of Rain.
The drizzle was constant, and so were Kakuzu's steps.
Turning his head to glance at Shinji and Minato, who had followed him out of the base and were sticking close behind, Kakuzu looked visibly uneasy.
What's going on? Why are they following me?
"Hey, kid, it feels like you're trying to avoid me."
The sudden voice from his right ear startled Kakuzu, his eyes widening.
"Relax. As long as you meet my conditions, I won't come after you. But if not..."
Seeing Shinji smirk, leaving his words unfinished, Kakuzu cursed the demon in his heart. Even now, he wasn't going to let him go! "Listen carefully—bring me the money I asked for, every cent, and..."
...
Looking at the Walkman and the headphones in his hands, Kakuzu could only describe his current feelings as 'utterly screwed.' What kind of ridiculous demands were these?!
He wanted him to learn to sing a song and then hold a concert for no fewer than five thousand people.
The number wasn't even the worst part—none of them could be forced. They had to willingly buy tickets, and if they had fewer than five thousand people, even one less, Shinji would kill him. And each ticket couldn't be priced below three hundred ryo...
What kind of conditions were these?!
He had never seen anything like it!
Does this mean I'm doomed?
Compared to Kakuzu, whose expression kept shifting, Hidan didn't care at all, as it had nothing to do with him.
He patted Kakuzu on the shoulder, giving him a thumbs-up.
"Kakuzu-san, I believe in you! I think starting with singing practice is best. Didn't the blue-haired guy give you five years? I believe you can do it if you practice diligently!"
"Shut up!"
Kakuzu snapped, though he did want to crush the Walkman that the man had left behind before running to the leader to complain. But Kakuzu also knew that if the man had said this much, he wouldn't give the leader any more face.
If he didn't fulfill the conditions, Shinji would really kill him! So, the best thing to do was to at least listen to the song to see how difficult it was.
Putting on the headphones, Kakuzu pressed play.
"Along the gentle curves of the rivers and mountains..."
After one round, Kakuzu couldn't say why, but even though the song used a language he didn't understand, the last two lines struck a strange chord in him.
And it was the kind of resonance that made him want to cry! In short, even if he didn't understand it, he didn't dislike the song. Alright, let's listen to it a billion times!
...
While Kakuzu was gradually falling in love with the song "Borrow Another 500 Years from Heaven," Shinji and Minato returned to the inn. However...
Upon entering the front hall, Shinji saw Kurenai Yuhi chatting happily with Karin. To be honest, he was a bit stunned.
What's going on? Is she here to reminisce, like Konan? Damn it! Why didn't she come a day earlier?
If she'd come a day earlier, I could have three... cough, cough!