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Nagato and Konan looked at Hashirama, their expressions unusually complex.
They were desperate to block Hashirama!
Is this something a person would say?
Ah!
No!
He's not a person anymore!
"Phew!"
Nagato took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, his eyes fixed seriously on Hashirama as he pondered for a moment.
"Are you saying you want to be the one behind the Akatsuki organization?"
Nagato's mood remained heavy. He knew very well that any decision he made now would affect the future of the Akatsuki organization.
He had no idea what would happen if he collaborated with the First Hokage.
However...
Looking at the current situation, he didn't seem to have much choice.
"That's right!"
Hashirama nodded, finding the situation amusing. He wanted to play the role of the ultimate boss in the ninja world.
"Alright..."
Nagato, with no other option, agreed. Just as he was about to speak, Hashirama interrupted him.
"Wait!"
Hashirama raised his hand, gesturing for silence. This sudden action left Nagato baffled.
"I understand what you mean."
"Right now, I don't need your agreement."
"I don't plan to join your Akatsuki organization just yet."
"In a few days."
Hashirama waved his hand, wanting to wait until his current mission was completed.
He wanted to see what kind of mission it would be to become the secret boss of the Akatsuki organization.
Hashirama's desire to become the hidden leader of Akatsuki was purely out of curiosity.
That's why he used the term "join."
He had no intention of participating in any of Akatsuki's activities or caring about the organization's ultimate fate.
It was just that being invincible was too lonely!
"???"
Nagato and Konan were full of questions. They exchanged glances, unable to understand what was happening.
Why did he suddenly call it off?
He just said he wanted to be the secret boss of Akatsuki!
And now he doesn't?
What is he trying to do?
Nagato and Konan couldn't comprehend his thought process, increasingly feeling that this ancient person was terrifyingly unique!
His way of thinking was so different!
Thump, thump, thump...
However.
At this moment.
Soft footsteps were heard coming from the tower's stairs, not trying to be concealed.
Clearly, someone from the Akatsuki organization was coming.
These footsteps.
Echoed clearly in the ears of Hashirama, Nagato, and Konan.
Everyone heard them.
"It seems some prey has arrived!"
Hashirama stood up from his chair, walked to the corridor, and looked towards the staircase.
Voices of two people conversing drifted up from below the stairs.
"What's up with the boss? Calling us back all of a sudden without even showing up. We just turned in the mission funds!" A somewhat flippant voice sounded, its owner clearly displeased with the recall.
"Do you expect the boss to come out and greet you?" Another voice, much deeper and more impatient, responded.
"Hey! Kakuzu! Do you think something might have happened to the boss?" The flippant voice spoke again, tinged with curiosity.
Hearing their conversation, Hashirama suddenly understood. It was Kakuzu, his old rival, returning. The other must be Hidan. Interesting!
The Immortal Duo was the first to return!
Hashirama never expected to meet the legendary Kakuzu so soon. After all, Kakuzu claimed to have fought the First Hokage!
He should show some respect to this living legend.
Hashirama turned back into the room.
"Nagato, do they know your true form? Are you able to manage this now?" Hashirama asked curiously.
He really didn't know if the Akatsuki members kept such secrets from each other.
"We never pry into each other's affairs," Nagato shook his head. All these years, he had been working on constructing 5G signal towers, with all public appearances handled through Yahiko's body.
"Then you should hide," Hashirama suggested. With a thought, he controlled his chakra to flow into the ground. Wooden pillars sprang up, forming a screen that concealed Nagato's true form.
Konan emerged from behind the screen.
Now, only Hashirama and Konan were visible in the room, with even Yahiko's body hidden.
The two men, engaged in casual banter, reached the top of the stairs.
As soon as they arrived, they fell silent, adopting a very serious demeanor, like students caught by their teacher.
Turning the corner at the room's entrance, two men in cloaks adorned with red clouds came into Hashirama's view.
One had his head completely wrapped, face masked, with a forehead protector bearing a symmetrical symbol slashed through.
Only his emerald green eyes were visible.
This was Kakuzu.
The other man had slicked-back, neatly groomed silver-gray hair.
The crimson eyes looked like those of a vampire from Western tales, exuding elegance tinged with a hint of roguishness.
It was indeed Hidan.
Kakuzu and Hidan, the Immortal Duo, appeared in Hashirama's line of sight.
Both immediately noticed Konan.
Shortly after, before they could exchange greetings, their gazes fell upon Hashirama.
Instantly, Kakuzu took a step back, eyes wide in shock and unease, his emerald orbs filled with disbelief and apprehension.
No way!
Absolutely impossible!
How could this person be here!
Kakuzu felt like all five of his hearts were about to stop at once.
"Konan, who is he?" Hidan's tone held a hint of dissatisfaction, his eyes glaring at Hashirama with hostility.
"Where's the boss?" Hidan looked at Konan and Hashirama standing together, a strange feeling creeping over him.
As if he had stumbled upon something.
Konan had actually been fooling around with another man while the boss was away!
How could he tolerate such a thing!
"Hidan!" Kakuzu's voice was extremely cautious, pulling at Hidan's clothes secretly, indicating him not to speak lightly.
"Kakuzu, you can't just turn a blind eye to this. Who is this guy? Do you know him? Why is he with Konan?" Hidan's tone was filled with strong dissatisfaction. To him, Konan was Pain's CP. Now she was standing with another man. Even if Pain could tolerate it, he couldn't.
"I... actually do know him," Kakuzu's voice became very low, his entire demeanor uneasy.
His emerald eyes remained fixed on Hashirama.
He dared not look away.
Kakuzu didn't have the mind to think about how this person appeared here. He just wanted to know how to get through this safely.
That man.
Simply standing there.
Without emitting any aura.
Already made Kakuzu feel almost suffocated.
(End of this chapter)