In the dark underground of the Akatsuki headquarters, standing before the Gedo Mazo.
"Leader, you have to do something for me! Senior Simu is truly too much, actually using my identity to do those kinds of things!"
Tobi, wearing his mask, was rolling around on one of the Gedo Mazo's fingers like a spoiled child, complaining about the "atrocities" Simu had committed against him.
"You have no idea. Now, whenever I go to the Land of Wind or the Land of Fire, those ninjas try to catch me the moment they see me. Several times I was almost captured!"
By the end of his rant, Tobi's voice actually carried a hint of sobbing.
However, everyone present ignored him. Anyone who had spent more than a few days with Tobi knew the guy was nothing but an actor from beginning to end.
Simu had witnessed Tobi's miraculous intangibility first-hand. With a power like that, ninjas from the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire were hunting him? It would be a miracle if they weren't the ones being hunted by him instead!
Simu was about to offer a few dismissive words when Hidan, standing beside him, spoke up first.
"I say, Tobi, didn't Simu just use your name and mask? Why are you being so stingy? If you're being hunted, just change to a different mask, right?"
Hearing Hidan's words, the usually quick-witted Tobi suddenly froze.
Actually... that makes sense?
Whether it was the name "Tobi" or the mask on his face, they were both fakes. As long as he changed his mask, wouldn't the problem be completely solved?
"But..."
Tobi seemed to want to say more, but he was interrupted by Pain, who stood in the center.
"Enough. Stop arguing over such trivial matters."
Pain was the nominal leader of the group, and when he spoke, the others had to show at least some level of respect. The scene fell silent immediately; even the habitually whining Tobi kept his mouth shut.
Pain nodded slightly and spoke. "I will outline the specific plan for Akatsuki moving forward. The timing is now ripe. I intend to attack the Hidden Rain Village and make it the base of operations for Akatsuki."
Of course, the most important reason was... revenge. Pain simply did not intend for the others to know that part.
Even though Tobi and White Zetsu knew the truth, Simu and Hidan were kept in the dark.
"The Hidden Rain Village, huh..."
Simu instinctively adjusted his glasses. Although it wasn't a village of the Great Nations, the strength of the Hidden Rain Village was incomparable to the Hidden Steam Village he had destroyed.
Before the Second Shinobi World War, the Land of Rain was hailed as the country most likely to become the sixth Great Nation. This was because they possessed a terrifying leader at the time—the head of the Hidden Rain Village known to the world as the "Demigod," Hanzo of the Salamander!
His Water Style, Body Flicker Jutsu, and poison made the entire Shinobi World tremble with fear. Thus, he earned the prestigious title of Demigod.
As for the "God," that title naturally belonged to the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, who pushed the world from the chaotic Warring States Period into the era of Hidden Villages. While Hanzo of the Salamander could not compare to Hashirama Senju, being hailed as half a god meant he was a powerhouse that dominated an entire region.
Interestingly, Orochimaru and Jiraiya—both of whom Simu had clashed with—received their title of the "Legendary Sannin" from this very Demigod.
Unfortunately, even a Demigod could not withstand the simultaneous incursions from three Great Nations. No Great Nation wanted to see a new power rise up beside them. Consequently, in his final battle, Hanzo of the Salamander could only bestow titles upon Jiraiya and the others before making a relatively dignified surrender to the Hidden Leaf.
As a defeated nation, the fate of the Land of Rain was predictable. The people fell into endless suffering once again. Ninjas from the three surrounding Great Nations moved freely through its borders, while the Hidden Rain Village—the military force of the country—entered a state of semi-seclusion under Hanzo's leadership.
Thinking of this, Simu gently turned the identity ring engraved with "North" on his finger and said with significant intent, "Even if a lion king grows old, his fangs are likely still sharp enough to tear an enemy apart."
Faced with Simu's warning, Pain continued expressionlessly. "I will handle Hanzo of the Salamander myself. What I need you to do is clear away the pests around the Hidden Rain Village."
"Furthermore, do not let the insects from other countries interfere with my actions."
Pain's gaze shifted from calm to fierce, and he said coldly, "I want them to know that the Land of Rain is no longer the Land of Rain of the past."
The first to respond to Pain's call was, of course, the most active intern, Tobi.
"Leader is wise! I've been annoyed with that old man Hanzo for a long time. He completely lacks Leader's wisdom and handsomeness!"
Pain had no reaction to Tobi's flattery, as if he had expected him to say exactly that. He focused his gaze primarily on Simu and Hidan.
"Can I kill people again? I'm really looking forward to it!"
Hidan stuck out his bright red tongue and licked his lips, revealing an incredibly cruel smile.
Simu smiled. "I have one small request."
Pain was not surprised. "Speak."
"I want Hanzo's summoning beast. The corpse is fine too. If possible, I also want Hanzo's remains."
According to the data Simu had gathered, Hanzo earned his title not just through his personal strength and Ninjutsu mastery, but also because of his summoning beast, the Salamander. Its potent poison was something only a few people in the entire Shinobi World could counter. To Simu, it was an excellent experimental subject.
Pain glanced at Simu and said flatly, "Hanzo's summoning beast, the Salamander, can be given to you. But Hanzo's remains are off-limits."
Simu let out a slightly disappointed sigh. "Though it's a pity, I can accept that."
As for Konan, she and Pain were one. No matter what order Pain issued, she would not oppose it.
Having secured everyone's support, Pain finally began to detail the mission assignments for this operation.
"Tobi is responsible for guarding against enemies from the direction of the Land of Fire. If you encounter Hidden Leaf ninjas, you may kill them directly. Do not leak information about the organization."
"Understood!"
Tobi agreed without hesitation, declaring his determination to devote himself to the Akatsuki until death, before adding a smart-aleck comment: "Even if Leader asks me to capture the Hokage, I will execute it without hesitation!"
Pain ignored him and continued his instructions. "Simu and Hidan will be one team. You are responsible for guarding against enemies from the Land of Wind. The combat objectives are the same as Tobi's team."
"Understood."
Simu's response was brief. Hidan still wore a perverted expression.
"Black Zetsu and White Zetsu, the enemies from the direction of the Land of Earth are your responsibility."
"No problem, Leader."
Pain nodded. "If everything is clear, then disperse."
With that, Pain and Konan instantly vanished. The mysterious organization Akatsuki had begun its first major operation.
[Control the Hidden Rain, Kill Hanzo]