"Shinnō?"
Kakuzu looked at the newcomer with some surprise. Shinnō was known for his exceptional medical skills and had a good reputation in both the underworld and legitimate circles. It was unexpected to see him being recruited into the Akatsuki.
"I am Shinnō, the newest member," Shinnō introduced himself to the Akatsuki members. As the leader of the Sky Country, he had been brought in by Kisame.
The other members glanced at him but remained silent. Then, Kakuzu turned to Tobi, sneering, "Tobi, I heard you used the Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees again."
With the Mist Village spreading the news throughout the ninja world, the Akatsuki members had all heard about the battle outside the Sand Village through their information channels. According to the Mist Village, the one who used Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees against the Akatsuki leader was the masked man of the Akatsuki.
While the Akatsuki members knew the true nature of the battle was their leader recruiting the Flying Thunder God user, it didn't stop Kakuzu from mocking Tobi.
Did I hear that right? This man can use Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees? What kind of organization have I joined?
The other members knew Kakuzu was being sarcastic, but the newly joined Shinnō looked at Tobi in shock.
Hearing Kakuzu's taunt, veins bulged on Tobi's forehead as he glared at Kakuzu, seething with anger but staying silent. He hadn't expected that Flying Thunder God user to impersonate him and attack the Sand Village, once again placing the blame for using Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees on him.
Kakuzu scanned the room and noticed the absence of Black Zetsu. "Where's Black Zetsu?" he asked, puzzled.
Tobi took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and coldly replied, "Dead."
Dead?
The Akatsuki members looked at Tobi in shock. This was the first time they had experienced the death of an Akatsuki member, and it was someone with as strong an escape ability as Black Zetsu.
Itachi Uchiha narrowed his eyes, suspecting that Shishou was responsible.
"He was killed by the Flying Thunder God user," Tobi said coldly, "before the leader's fight with him."
Black Zetsu was dead, and White Zetsu was still recovering, having been planted on the Gedo Statue by Tobi.
The other Akatsuki members, except for Shinnō, understood. If it was that person, it made sense. They knew how powerful the Flying Thunder God user was.
After killing Black Zetsu, the fact that he could still fight the leader to a standstill was truly remarkable.
Itachi, while puzzled about Shishou's motives, was not surprised by the news.
Then, Pain, who had remained silent until now, addressed the group, "Due to the Mist Village's propaganda, the ninja world believes my battle with the Flying Thunder God user was an internal conflict between me and Tobi. As a result, the Five Great Shinobi Countries are preparing a joint investigation into the Akatsuki. For now, everyone must lay low and avoid conflicts. It's not yet time to declare war on the Five Great Shinobi Countries. We will resume our operations later."
Since the Five Great Shinobi Countries were unaware that Hanzō of the Salamander had been replaced by Pain, they had also sent an invitation to the Rain Village. Thus, Pain had learned about the joint investigation plan.
Pain continued, "My attempt to capture the Flying Thunder God user was interrupted by the Sand Village. Given how easily he can escape, we need a method to force him into a direct confrontation."
Tobi, with past experience, suggested, "We just need to find someone he cares about or a place he's hiding."
Pain looked at Tobi and said, "Then this task is yours."
Despite Black Zetsu's death, Pain knew Tobi had the ability to create more White Zetsu.
Tobi nodded in agreement. He was indeed the most suitable person for this task.
"Heh heh, if you need help, I'm available," Kisame offered ominously. Having been defeated by the Flying Thunder God user before, he was eager for revenge.
Moreover, with the implantation of the so-called Hashirama cells by Tobi, Kisame's strength had increased further, giving him confidence to confront the Flying Thunder God user again.
"I can help too, provided the body is mine after he's dead," Sasori added.
He was very interested in the Flying Thunder God user.
Itachi remained silent, his expression indifferent. Jūzō Biwa, not wanting to cause trouble, also kept quiet.
"Fine," Pain agreed to Sasori's condition.
In Shishou's secret lab...
"Tsk tsk, these black rods are indeed more effective than regular kunai," Shishou remarked, examining a black rod he had created using Yin-Yang Release. "They can disrupt the chakra of anyone they're inserted into and can also conduct chakra invisibly, making them untraceable even by the Sharingan. Truly impressive."
Shishou then approached a dead White Zetsu body and inserted black rods at various points on the body. He began experimenting with controlling the White Zetsu like Pain controlled the Six Paths.
Watching the White Zetsu twitch uncontrollably under his control, Shishou sighed in exasperation. It took him two hours to gain some proficiency, but achieving the seamless control Pain had over the Six Paths would require much more time.
This led Shishou to temporarily abandon the idea of creating his own Six Paths of Pain.
"I need to find Uchiha Madara's body sometime," he mused. "Hopefully, there are methods to quickly awaken the Rinnegan and scrolls on using Yin-Yang Release in his tomb. Of course, if devouring Madara's body grants me the Six Paths power directly, that would be even better."
With that, Shishou left his lab.
In Konoha...
Shishou appeared at Tsunade's house, finding Shizune diligently studying medical ninjutsu. He smiled and cleared his throat.
"Shizune, where's Tsunade?"
Startled, Shizune turned and glared at Shishou. "Tsunade-sama went to Shikkotsu Forest."
Shikkotsu Forest? Is she planning to learn Sage Mode?
Shishou pondered this information. Then, his face transformed into Tsunade's likeness. Smiling mischievously at Shizune, he said, "Shizune, let's start learning Sage Mode now."
Shizune's face turned bright red, remembering her previous experience with him.