At the Akatsuki's secret base, a dark hall lit by an eerie glow slowly came to life as the ethereal figures of its members materialized on the fingertips of the colossal Gedo Statue.
Hidan was the first to break the silence. "Why are we having so many meetings lately? It's driving me nuts! I have no freedom left! I even had to postpone my rituals! If this keeps up, I'm quitting."
Kakuzu scoffed, not bothering to mask his irritation. "Hah! As if your ridiculous rituals are anything more than a waste of time and effort. You'd be doing the world a favor if you did quit."
Deidara groaned dramatically. "Why was this meeting called in such a rush, Leader? I was in the middle of an art project, hmm!"
Scorpion gave Deidara a sharp look. "Shut up for once, Deidara, and listen."
The tension in the room thickened as the members turned their attention to Pain. They had all been summoned abruptly from their individual missions and knew better than to question the leader's decision—at least not openly.
Pain's figure stood illuminated by the dim light, his piercing Rinnegan eyes scanning the group with a cold, calculated gaze.
"I've called you all here for a matter of importance," Pain began, his voice low and commanding. "It's about Konan…"
The room fell silent.
"…She's pregnant."
A moment of stunned silence followed before the members erupted into chaos.
Deidara clapped his hands together, his face lighting up with a mischievous grin. "Congratulations, Leader! A baby, huh? This calls for a celebration! Maybe I can create some artistic fireworks, hmm?"
Hidan leaned back with a sly smirk. "Heh, I knew it. You two are always together, sneaking off for private conversations. I mean, we all saw this coming. But really, Leader, you didn't think to tell us earlier?"
Scorpion chimed in with a rare note of warmth. "When are you planning to get married? A child deserves a stable family. You better make sure they don't feel neglected."
Kakuzu crossed his arms and snorted disdainfully. "Tch. Young people these days can't control their impulses. This will probably end up costing us money. A child? What a nuisance."
Itachi remained expressionless but spoke with quiet conviction. "I suggest having a sibling for the child. It's important for a child to grow up with family."
Kisame chuckled darkly. "What's this, Itachi? Are you speaking from experience? Or do you plan to use the first child as a backup set of eyes?" His grin widened, showing his shark-like teeth. "What happens if this kid ends up with the Rinnegan? You planning to swap?"
Itachi closed his eyes, his face unreadable. "You wouldn't understand."
Meanwhile, Jue's shocked voice echoed throughout the chamber. "When did this happen? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Pain's voice cut through the rising noise. "Enough! Listen carefully." He took a deep breath before continuing. "The child… isn't mine."
The room froze.
"…What?" Deidara blinked, genuinely confused. "What do you mean it's not yours? If not you, then who?"
"I don't know," Pain said evenly, though his tone carried an edge of frustration. "And Konan doesn't know either."
This revelation sent the group into chaos again.
Deidara raised his hands in defense. "Don't look at me! I'm way too young for that kind of thing, hmm!"
Itachi raised a hand as well. "+1. Not me."
Kisame chuckled nervously. "Oh, come on. You all know sharks don't reproduce like that. If it were me, Konan would be expecting ten."
Hidan was quick to defend himself. "Hey, don't look at me either! I'm more into sacrifices than… well, you know."
Scorpion sighed. "Exclude me as well. I don't even have a… well, a body equipped for such things."
Jue chimed in. "+1 for me too."
Kakuzu grumbled. "Why are you even questioning me? I've lived long enough to know that having kids is a pointless expense. Besides, I'm immortal—I don't need heirs."
Hidan frowned. "So who could it be? We're the only ones around her most of the time. Wait… could it be that guy Tobi?"
Jue shook his head vehemently. "Absolutely not. Tobi has trouble even going to the bathroom. Trust me, he's out."
The group fell silent, each member casting suspicious glances at the others.
The explanations given by everyone seemed reasonable, but the fact remained: Konan was pregnant. The mystery hung over the room like a dark cloud, leaving Pain visibly agitated.
"Enough!" Pain commanded, silencing the murmurs. "Pointless accusations will only fracture our unity. For now, we'll set this matter aside."
Kisame raised a hand. "And what do you propose we do? Just wait nine months?"
Pain nodded. "Exactly. When the child is born, we'll see who they resemble. The truth will reveal itself then."
Deidara chuckled. "That's fair. I mean, each of us has distinct hair colors. If nothing else, the baby's hair will give it away, hmm!"
Jue interjected cautiously. "Leader, have you considered asking Konan again? It's her child. Surely she must have some idea."
"I did," Pain said firmly. "And she insists she doesn't know. Her innocence was evident."
Kakuzu shook his head skeptically. "Not knowing how it happened? That's highly improbable."
Scorpion tilted his head thoughtfully. "It's unlikely for a normal human body, but Konan's abilities are unique. Perhaps there's an explanation we're overlooking."
Hidan's face lit up with a wicked grin. "Oh, I've got it! Remember how her body scatters into paper? What if she accidentally absorbed something she wasn't supposed to while recycling chakra? Maybe some poor guy's…"
"Shut up, Hidan!" Kakuzu snapped. "Do you think she's as careless as you?"
Deidara burst into laughter. "Hidan, your imagination is so grotesque it's almost artistic, hmm!"
"Enough!" Pain's voice rang out, silencing the bickering. "Konan is one of us, and I won't tolerate any disrespect toward her."
The members fell silent under Pain's glare.
"Konan believes that the child is a blessing, something rare in these troubled times. I respect her decision to keep it, regardless of the circumstances. She will be exempt from all missions for the duration of her pregnancy and focus solely on preparing for the child's arrival. That is my decision, and it is final."
With that, Pain turned to leave. "This meeting is adjourned. Return to your tasks."
The members exchanged uncertain glances as their holographic forms flickered and disappeared.
---
Back in her quarters, Konan sat in quiet contemplation, her hands resting gently on her abdomen. Though she didn't know how or why this had happened, she felt a deep sense of purpose. For the first time in years, she saw a glimmer of hope—an unexpected light in the perpetual darkness of their world.
And though the Akatsuki's members remained embroiled in suspicion and doubt, one thing was certain: this child, whoever they were, would change everything.
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