---
Konan did not interrupt the conversation. She didn't want Nagato to be manipulated, nor did she wish for the intruder's life to end unnecessarily.
"No, I have no intention of becoming a cannibal. I am well aware of my physical condition, and i need to accelerate the collection of the tailed beasts," Muzan declared calmly.
The Deva Path of Pain was surprised the other party knew of their plans but decided there was no point in hiding the truth now that it had been exposed.
"Our goals align—for the peace of the ninja world. Sometimes, I look at what you've built in the Land of Waves and find myself envious," Pain said, his voice devoid of emotion.
"As partners, I can assist in eliminating weaker opponents. One Jinchūriki has already been taken out in Kumogakure. The next target for the Akatsuki is also Kumogakure," Nagato replied, his voice cold and calculating.
Nagato, speaking through Pain, showed no hesitation; his words as the leader of the Akatsuki carried undeniable weight.
"Then I look forward to seeing Kumogakure fall," Muzan said. A bloodthirsty glint shone in his eyes. The meddling of Kumogakure in the Land of Waves had not gone unnoticed, and as its self-proclaimed master, Muzan sought retribution—an eye for an eye.
---
Elsewhere, in Konoha
The severely injured Jiraiya had finally made it back to the village, dragging his battered body through the gates. The stench of rot clung to him, and his condition worsened with every step.
"What happened during your encounter with the Akatsuki?" Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, asked, appearing instantly beside Jiraiya after using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Transporting Jiraiya to Konoha Hospital, Minato listened as Fukasaku, the wise elder toad, explained:
"It was Muzan. He was in the Akatsuki's hideout as well. We were discovered the moment we entered," Fukasaku said gravely.
Using Senjutsu to slow the spread of the poison, Fukasaku recognized it as originating from Ryūchi Cave. His expression darkened.
"This venom is unlike anything I've seen before. The enemy has not only mastered the Sage Arts of Mount Myōboku but also drawn power from Ryūchi Cave. The snakes' techniques are truly formidable."
The medics treating Jiraiya exchanged worried glances before one stepped forward.
"Hokage-sama, this poison is the same as what's affecting Killer Bee. We cannot treat it. Lady Tsunade may be his only hope," the medic reported.
Minato frowned. "Tsunade…" He sighed, recalling her hemophobia. Her refusal to treat Killer Bee had already strained relations with Kumogakure. The Raikage had been ready for war.
"I'll find her myself. Stabilize Jiraiya-sensei as best as you can in the meantime," Minato ordered before vanishing.
---
In a small town far from Konoha
Tsunade, seated in a bar, had been unusually cautious lately. Her streak of luck in gambling unsettled her.
"Tsunade-sama, the Fourth Hokage is here," Shizune informed her, stepping into the room.
"What could he want? Tell him to leave. I don't want to see him," Tsunade grumbled.
Before Shizune could respond, Minato entered. His expression silenced any protest Tsunade might have voiced.
"Jiraiya-sensei has been poisoned by Muzan. He needs urgent medical attention," Minato said urgently.
"What?!" Tsunade's face twisted with worry as she stood abruptly.
---
Back at the Akatsuki Base
Muzan had been spending considerable time with the organization, working toward a solution for his mortality. One day, Nagato summoned Hidan, whose irritation was apparent.
"You called me all the way from Sunagakure for this guy?" Hidan grumbled, glaring at Muzan.
"How dare you speak to Lord Muzan that way, you insolent fool!" Pakura, the Scorch Release user, growled, stepping forward.
"Enough," Muzan said, raising a hand to stop her. "I'm very interested in the immortality technique of your Jashin cult, Hidan. I'd like to learn more."
Hidan sneered, slinging his scythe over his shoulder. "Trying to steal our secrets? You think you can just waltz into Jashinism?"
"You misunderstand," Muzan replied smoothly. "I merely want to observe the ritual and obtain some of your blood for research."
Reluctantly, Hidan agreed. Drawing his blood, he activated his Cursed Technique: Death Controlling Possessed Blood. A strange ritual circle appeared, and Muzan observed the process closely, his heightened senses picking up the faint presence of otherworldly power.
"This is the sacrificial ritual of the Jashin cult?" Muzan asked, intrigued.
As Hidan began his self-mutilation, Pakura mirrored his injuries due to the curse. Muzan, however, noted the limitations of Hidan's immortality compared to his own.
"How fascinating," Muzan mused, studying the blood sample. "Your so-called immortality is a curse from a god, not an innate ability. A pity—it's not what I hoped for."
"How dare you insult Lord Jashin!" Hidan roared, drawing his scythe.
Before he could attack, Konan stepped in. "Enough!" she commanded. "We cannot afford infighting. Focus on the mission."
---
A gloomy cloud hung over Konoha as Tsunade returned to the village.
Muzan had explicitly asked her not to save Killer B, but he had said nothing about Jiraiya. As a longtime comrade, Tsunade rushed to Jiraiya's side upon hearing he had been poisoned by snake venom. However, the sight of his blood triggered her deep-seated hemophobia.
Since the end of the war, Tsunade had struggled with her fear of blood. Shizune had to support her to prevent her from collapsing. This condition severely impacted Tsunade's ability to work under pressure.
"The venom mix isn't the problem. I need to get over this hemophobia first," Tsunade muttered, steadying herself.
She managed to remove part of the venom without looking directly at Jiraiya's gruesome wounds. Once her composure returned, she analyzed the toxin and determined it wasn't immediately fatal.
"Tsunade, I heard you refused to treat Killer B. We are currently allies with Kumogakure. Doing this could destabilize relations between our villages," said the Third Hokage, approaching her after learning she could save Killer B. Seeing her hesitation, Hiruzen realized she was concealing something.
Jiraiya's injury was no secret. To emphasize the Akatsuki's growing threat, word of his condition had spread across the ninja world. Anyone with connections knew that Jiraiya had been severely wounded and poisoned by Muzan.
Kumogakure, naturally concerned, sent the Fourth Raikage to Konoha as quickly as possible. Upon arrival, the Raikage confronted the village leadership without preamble:
"Konoha must explain why Tsunade refused to treat Killer B! Our alliance for the Twelve Kizuki Plan was founded on mutual support!"
The Raikage's fury was palpable, and the Konoha shinobi turned to Tsunade for an explanation. She remained calm, sipping her tea. Her unique status meant even the Third Hokage could not compel her to act.
Still, understanding the Raikage's temper, Hiruzen sought to de-escalate the situation. The Fourth Hokage stepped in to manage the Raikage while Hiruzen called Tsunade aside for a private discussion.
"What happened, Tsunade? According to the medical report, Killer B was only poisoned—there was no bleeding. You could have easily treated the toxin."
Hiruzen's gaze was sharp. As his former student, Tsunade had grown up under his watchful eye, and he knew her too well. There had to be a significant reason for her refusal.
"Before the Raikage arrived, Muzan came to see me," Tsunade admitted, her voice wavering. The memory of her brother, Nawaki, and her lover, Dan, weighed heavily on her heart.
Hiruzen's expression darkened as she revealed this.
"I know the jutsu Muzan mentioned. It's on the Forbidden Jutsu Scroll—the Reanimation Jutsu (Edo Tensei)," Hiruzen said gravely.
As a master of ninjutsu, Hiruzen had studied many forbidden techniques, and the ones created by the Second Hokage were particularly infamous. Seeing the glimmer of hope in Tsunade's eyes, Hiruzen delivered a sobering truth:
"This jutsu does summon the dead, but it is not true resurrection—it is a desecration. Would you have Nawaki and Dan possess the bodies of the living to bring the dead back?"
The discussion escalated into a heated argument. The Third Hokage suggested that agreeing to treat Killer B could result in Kumogakure learning the Reanimation Jutsu, a dangerous possibility.
Meanwhile, the Akatsuki were preparing to attack Kumogakure. Knowing Killer B was severely weakened, they aimed to eliminate him and temporarily seal the Eight-Tails.
---
Elsewhere, in the Land of Waves
Muzan sat before a map marked with a red defensive line around the Muchuan Territory. The conflict with Konoha had forced the daimyo of the Land of Fire to fund counterattacks, and several territories recently captured by the Land of Waves were now lost.
"Master Muzan, the situation is dire," said Pakura, her voice weary. She had killed many enemies recently, but they kept coming. With Konoha's support, hatred for the Twelve Kizuki Plan had united the opposition.
"They've allied with Konoha and killed many of our shinobi on the battlefield," she continued, detailing the enemy's movements. "At the forefront are the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, Asuma, and several younger shinobi, along with monks from the Fire Temple."
Muzan remained composed as he listened. Unlike the weaker forces in the Land of Waves, Pakura and Zabuza were top-tier shinobi. Even so, Kumogakure and Konoha had coordinated their attacks to devastating effect.
"It seems they are quite confident," Muzan remarked, his voice calm but laced with malice.
Pakura hesitated before asking, "Master Muzan, should we launch a counterattack?"
"No. Let them come," Muzan replied coldly.
Pakura felt uneasy. Muzan's restraint was unusual, but his next words struck her deeply:
"Remember this: if you save the land and lose the people, you lose both. But if you save the people and lose the land, you save them both."
Muzan understood the reality of their situation. The Land of Waves could not sustain a full-scale war with the Land of Fire. Most villagers had fled, leaving vast areas deserted.
As commander, Pakura was tasked with organizing a strategic retreat to the Muchuan Territory.
"Konan has made a significant number of explosive tags. Hide them in every place we vacate during our retreat," Pakura ordered her subordinates.
---