"Damn it! Those Konoha guys are absolute bastards!"
"My bounties! I'm going insane!"
"When is the black market reopening?!"
Inside Rain Village, Kakuzu was pacing like a madman, cursing nonstop.
He was unemployed.
Across the ninja world, most black markets had shut down. The majority of the wanted criminals—eighty to ninety percent of them—had been swept up by Konoha shinobi.
The few remaining targets had gone into hiding, terrified to show their faces.
No criminals.
No bounties.
No income.
Kakuzu, the legendary bounty hunter, had lost his livelihood.
"Stop pacing. You're making me dizzy," Deidara said lazily.
"You wanna die, brat?" Kakuzu snapped.
"Heh. Want to experience my art?"
The two glared at each other, killing intent rising.
"Enough."
The cold voice of the Deva Path of Pain cut through the tension.
His Rinnegan eyes were calm—but beneath the surface, there was unease.
He surveyed the room.
Kakuzu.
Deidara.
Sasori of the Red Sand.
Hidan.
Black Zetsu.
The masked man known as Uchiha Madara.
Several newly recruited rogue ninjas.
And Konan, standing quietly beside him.
This lineup could crush any of the Four Great Ninja Villages—except Konoha.
But there was one problem.
Uzumaki Naruto.
The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
The man who had displayed overwhelming power to the entire world.
Without capturing the Nine-Tails, the Akatsuki's plan would never be complete.
And without dealing with Naruto, capturing the other eight Tailed Beasts would be meaningless.
Could they defeat him?
Even Nagato wasn't confident.
He was too strong.
"So, boss," Sasori asked calmly, "are we moving forward or not?"
Everyone turned to Pain.
They hadn't joined Akatsuki just to play mercenaries forever.
Over the years, they'd taken jobs for other organizations—but the true grand plan had never begun.
These were violent men. Impatient men.
Pain was silent for a moment.
"…Let me think."
In his tower room sat a massive television.
For months, Nagato had watched every Red Sun broadcast.
He had witnessed Konoha's transformation.
He had seen Naruto reshape the system.
And it unsettled him.
His convictions were no longer as steady as before.
Uchiha Obito and Black Zetsu exchanged a quiet look.
They saw the hesitation.
The ninja world was changing.
And not in ways they had anticipated.
---
Suddenly—
Pain's eyes sharpened.
"There's an intruder."
The Rain Tiger at Will Technique had been triggered.
A chakra signature had entered the village.
"An enemy?" Deidara grinned. "Let me handle it! I'll show him real art!"
Kakuzu, Sasori, and Hidan all lit up.
They'd been itching for a fight.
From outside the tower, a cheerful voice echoed:
"So lively in there. I can see why they call you troublemakers."
In the blink of an eye, the chakra signature that had been at the gate appeared at the center of the village.
Inside their base.
Everyone's expressions changed.
Obito reacted instantly.
Without a word, he warped away using Kamui and vanished.
Black Zetsu sank into the ground and disappeared as well.
"Those two little mice ran pretty fast," the voice teased. "But I'm not here for them today."
The new Akatsuki members sneered.
"Who is this guy? Why did Afei and Zetsu run?"
"He must be strong."
"Strong or not, he's dead."
A lazy knock sounded on the door.
"Hello? Anyone home? Don't you open the door for guests?"
"This isn't much hospitality."
The mocking tone made everyone's faces darken.
Deidara discreetly released microscopic clay bombs across the floor near the entrance.
A perfect trap.
Pain gestured.
The door creaked open.
A figure stood outside.
Dressed in dark armor.
Calm.
Smiling.
"Come in," one of the new members jeered. "Let's see what you've got."
He stepped forward.
One step.
Two.
Three—
BOOM!!!
A massive explosion tore through the entrance.
Smoke filled the hall.
"Hah! Serves him right!"
"Deidara's art never disappoints!"
Deidara smirked proudly.
Sasori narrowed his eyes and stepped back.
Hidan leaned forward eagerly.
Kakuzu quietly retreated into a corner, face pale.
He recognized that chakra.
Konan glanced at him, puzzled.
Pain stared into the smoke, expression grim.
That explosion wouldn't be enough.
Not for him.
"Everyone, stand down," Pain ordered calmly.
Then he spoke toward the smoke.
"Honored guest. What brings you to the Akatsuki?"
Laughter echoed.
Bright.
Relaxed.
"Oh? Such enthusiasm. I'm flattered."
The smoke slowly parted.
The armored figure walked forward—
Not a speck of dust on him.
As if the explosion had never happened.
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