"I'm sorry!"
Upon hearing this, Konan felt a pang in her heart and almost cried. She shook her head, saying, "Nagato, this isn't your fault. He was just too powerful."
Konan knew that Nagato had already done his best. If they hadn't retreated, they would have been killed by that man.
Nagato remained silent for a moment before taking the letter from Konan's hand.
After reading that the Flying Thunder God user simply wanted him to keep the Akatsuki in check and had already started persuading the Five Great Shinobi Villages to cancel their joint investigation into the Akatsuki, Nagato casually destroyed the letter.
With this person's existence, capturing the Tailed Beasts would be extremely difficult for the Akatsuki. Given the circumstances, Nagato decided to follow the agreement and allow the Akatsuki to develop in peace.
"Nagato, is your body alright?" Konan asked, looking at Nagato with concern.
"I absorbed the chakra of the Four-Tails and Five-Tails, so I'm fine for now," Nagato replied, shaking his head to indicate that she shouldn't worry.
"I think you should get Madara to hand over the method he used to heal Kisame's limbs," Konan suggested, glancing at Nagato's prosthetic limbs, which had been modified using the Asura Path's abilities. "After he was healed, Kisame not only gained Wood Release but also a significant boost in chakra."
Konan had been closely monitoring Obito's recovery and had interrogated Kisame after he was severely injured, which led her to this conclusion.
"He might not agree," Nagato said, shaking his head while rapidly considering alternative solutions.
Despite his words, Nagato didn't dismiss Konan's suggestion and decided to find a way himself.
"I agree!" Uchiha Obito suddenly appeared in mid-air, looking down at Nagato and Konan.
The Flying Thunder God user's power had surpassed Obito's expectations, so he had to enhance Nagato's strength to ensure the success of their plans to capture the Tailed Beasts. Although he disliked the idea of further empowering Nagato, he was even more reluctant to face the Flying Thunder God user directly.
"That's for the best," Nagato said, turning to look at Obito.
At 7 PM.
Inside a new cave.
The ethereal figures of the Akatsuki members gradually appeared on the outstretched fingers of the Gedo Statue.
As they materialized, everyone immediately looked at the leader standing on the right thumb. This time, it was the actual leader, not the Deva Path Pain they usually saw.
Under the scrutiny of the Akatsuki members, Nagato coldly surveyed them. One by one, they lowered their heads, signaling their submission.
Despite the leader's defeat in the duel with the Flying Thunder God user, his overwhelming power had far exceeded their expectations, making any resistance futile. Their loyalty was now genuine.
Even though the leader had lost, it was because the opponent was simply too strong.
Obito felt a wave of dissatisfaction seeing the Akatsuki members' submission to Nagato's might.
After scanning the group, Nagato spoke coldly, "According to the agreement with the Flying Thunder God user, we need to lie low for the next two years and not appear publicly. However, during this period, the Five Great Shinobi Villages will cancel their joint investigation into us.
"You have all seen the Flying Thunder God user's formidable power. So, in these two years, I hope you will find ways to enhance your own strength."
The Akatsuki members responded in unison, "Understood."
The next day.
Land of Fire, Konoha.
Hokage's Office.
Tsunade opened the door to the Hokage's office and walked in.
"Tsunade-sama!"
Several Anbu members, who were reporting a mission to the Third Hokage, immediately bowed upon seeing Tsunade enter.
"You all may leave for now," Tsunade instructed after glancing at the Anbu.
"Yes." Without waiting for the Third Hokage's order, the Anbu members responded in unison and left the office.
It was well-known in Konoha that Tsunade was likely to be the next Hokage, so the Anbu members knew whose orders to prioritize.
"Old man, I hope you will withdraw from the joint investigation into the Akatsuki," Tsunade said, pulling a chair and sitting in front of the Third Hokage with her legs crossed.
"Withdraw from the joint investigation into the Akatsuki?"
"Tsunade, why do you want to do that?"
The Third Hokage was stunned by Tsunade's request.
The Akatsuki had repeatedly threatened Konoha, mastered the First Hokage's Wood Release, and exhibited power that could challenge the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
If they weren't thoroughly investigated and eliminated, the consequences for Konoha could be severe.
Hearing the old man's response, Tsunade frowned.
Since Shishou didn't want his battle with the Akatsuki leader to be exposed to the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Tsunade couldn't tell the Third Hokage the real reason.
She could guess Shishou's reasons. The Five Great Shinobi Villages had ruled the ninja world for a long time and wouldn't tolerate any organization that could threaten them.
If they realized that Shishou and the Akatsuki leader had the power to destroy any village, the leaders of the Five Great Shinobi Villages wouldn't cower but would instead unite to investigate and hunt down Shishou and the Akatsuki.
If it came to that, even the Fifth Mizukage wouldn't be able to stop it.
However, without a good reason, Tsunade couldn't convince the Third Hokage to halt the investigation into the Akatsuki. The issue of Wood Release was too significant for the Third Hokage and the others to easily let go.
Though she had boasted to Shishou about being able to take the Third Hokage's position whenever she wanted, that was a last resort. She really didn't want to become Hokage unless absolutely necessary.
Seeing Tsunade fall silent, the Third Hokage didn't press her but watched her calmly. He believed Tsunade had her reasons for this request and wanted to understand them.
"This is the request of the Flying Thunder God user," Tsunade finally said, having found no better reason.
"The Flying Thunder God user?"
"You know him?" The Third Hokage was taken aback, unable to believe it.
He only knew that the Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure had a close relationship with this person, never imagining that Tsunade was also connected to him.
"He once saved my and Shizune's lives. I returned to the village this time because of him," Tsunade said, revealing a bit of ambiguous information.
"He saved you and Shizune?" The Third Hokage was shocked.
He knew very well how powerful Tsunade was now. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that even he would lose badly in a fight against her.
A battle that could put Tsunade in danger was no trivial matter.
Of course, the Third Hokage had no idea that this battle was the one outside Kirigakure, where the Birth of the Trees had been unleashed.
He couldn't imagine that his disciple and the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, had teamed up to deceive him.
Seeing Tsunade nod, the Third Hokage asked again, "Who exactly is he?"