Among them was the Uchiha owner of a restaurant, one of many who had found solutions to their problems thanks to Vice-Chief Kawasaki. The happiness of the Uchiha clansmen had increased tenfold.
From the Hyuga clan, Hiashi and Hizashi had also come. To them, the Uchiha had not only voluntarily handed over control of the Police Force, but Kawasaki had also saved their clan from the brink of annihilation. As the cooperation between the Hyuga and the Uchiha grew more seamless, their bond became as strong as that of brothers.
Meanwhile, atop the walls of Konoha, the Third Hokage watched Kawasaki's figure recede into the distance, a sigh of relief escaping his lips.
...
In a hidden cave, several phantom-like figures stood atop stone pillars.
"Boss, this technique of yours is incredible! We can communicate no matter how far apart we are. It's practically an art form!" one of them exclaimed in an exaggerated tone.
The others remained silent.
The leader, his eyes bearing the pattern of the Rinnegan, was Pain. He spoke coolly, "We need more manpower if we are to achieve our dream."
His words set the tone for the meeting.
Konan spoke next. "The plan will require a significant amount of resources."
"Kakuzu, you're in charge of finances. What are your thoughts?"
Kakuzu's figure was shrouded in shadow. "With our strength, sweeping the black market is easy enough. But I've recently discovered another source of funds, one that may prove far more lucrative."
"The Sound Village in the Land of Rice Paddies. The land is filled with a popular delicacy... 'Chinese Cuisine.' The profits are astronomical, and the source is the Sound Village."
Hearing this, Sasori scoffed. "Are you not aware that's Orochimaru's territory?"
"Orochimaru? What's he? Just a disgraced loser," Kakuzu said, showing no fear of the so-called Legendary Sannin. To them, Orochimaru, whose presence had dwindled in recent years, did not pose a significant threat.
Two aloe-like halves of a Venus flytrap opened as Zetsu spoke. "Orochimaru is no cause for concern, but Uchiha Itachi is there—a wielder of the Mangekyo Sharingan. He's accompanied by over a hundred elite Uchiha. The Sound Village is not a place one can easily enter anymore."
Kakuzu snorted derisively. Having lived since the Warring States Period, he was well aware of the Mangekyo Sharingan's power.
Seeing Kakuzu fall silent, Zetsu continued, "While we can't directly infiltrate the Sound Village, we can approach another individual: Uchiha Kawasaki."
"Who is he?" Kakuzu was unfamiliar with this Uchiha who had risen to prominence like a comet.
"Uchiha Kawasaki is the current vice-chief of the Uchiha clan. He possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan and once defeated the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer Bee, bringing great shame upon the Hidden Cloud. The 'Chinese Cuisine' in the Sound Village is very likely his creation. In Konoha, the entire Uchiha clan is involved in this business, and they are now filthy rich."
Konan's expression remained unchanged, but her mind was racing. Until now, she had only known Kawasaki as a powerful Mangekyo Sharingan user. She never imagined that the 'Chinese Cuisine' sweeping the shinobi world was his handiwork. What a powerful asset he would be if they could recruit him into the Akatsuki.
Just how much information was the cunning Zetsu holding back?
"Perhaps we can bring him into our fold," Konan suggested.
Zetsu chuckled. "As it happens, Uchiha Kawasaki has just left Konoha and is traveling. He should be easy to find."
"The rest of you, continue searching for candidates. Konan, you will make contact with Uchiha Kawasaki," Nagato ordered directly.
With that, the phantom projections dissipated.
...
"Hehehe..." Kakuzu watched the exchange between Konan and Zetsu with a cold eye. As the intelligence officer, Zetsu had clearly withheld a great deal of information. He didn't mind being overlooked; the subtle friction between members was rather amusing to him.
The leader, though a man of few words, radiated an ever-growing sense of authority. Even as a mere projection of light, his stillness was unnerving. He was stronger now than when he had first recruited Kakuzu.
One by one, the projections vanished. Obito had not participated in this meeting; he was still operating from the shadows. He would only make his public debut as Tobi after Sasori's death. For now, Obito was focused on infiltrating the Land of Water, eliminating powerful Kekkei Genkai families and siphoning profits from the nation's economy.
To Zetsu, the rise of the Uchiha clan was the greatest variable in his future plans and had to be dealt with. The biggest variable among them was Uchiha Kawasaki. Recruiting him into the organization would undoubtedly smooth the path forward. It was for this reason that he had revealed his newly acquired intelligence.
...
"Should we invite Kawasaki to join us?" Pain asked Konan in private.
"It's worth a try. The decision is yours," he replied noncommittally. "The power of the Rinnegan has grown stronger. I need more time to master it. I'll have to trouble you with the organization's affairs."
He paused before continuing slowly, "But these are minor details. Once I have fully mastered the Rinnegan, everything else will become insignificant in the face of absolute power. I will make the world know pain, and through that, bring about true peace."
Konan gazed at the overwhelming power in Nagato's Rinnegan. He always sought to solve everything with its strength, while she tried to support him from multiple angles. They would need more people for the upcoming Tailed Beast captures, especially since Nagato's mobility was now limited.
No matter what, she had to fulfill Yahiko's dream.
Steeling herself, Konan said, "Then I'm off."
She spread her white wings and soared into the sky. Below, villagers saw her silhouette and gasped in awe.
"Look, it's Lady Angel..."
"It truly is Lady Angel! What an auspicious day..."
...
In the middle of a desert, a lone figure walked. The endless yellow sand whipped around him with the howling wind. Without protection, it was common to be cut by the flying grains.
Kawasaki tightened his cloak, adjusted his wide-brimmed hat, and pressed on. No wonder the Sand Shinobi wrapped themselves in bandages and smeared their bodies with mud. This sand-laden wind was like a thousand tiny blades. Sunburn was the least of one's worries; being flayed by the sand was the real agony.
Kawasaki's destination was the Village Hidden in the Sand. He planned to visit that boy who played with sand and, while he was at it, teach his father a lesson. He remembered his fury when watching that part of the story. How could a father be so foolish? Gaara was an innocent victim—his mother dead, his father a complete imbecile. Worried about Shukaku losing control, Rasa never thought to strengthen the seal, instead testing his son day after day until he failed. After deeming Gaara a failure, he sent assassins to constantly harass and provoke him.
Orochimaru killing him was a stroke of luck. If Rasa had lived, Gaara would have eventually been consumed by Shukaku and destroyed the village.
Mulling over how to discipline the hopelessly stupid Rasa, Kawasaki continued toward the Sand Village.
Suddenly, a large shadow fell over him, offering a brief moment of coolness. Kawasaki looked up to see two massive white wings descending slowly with the wind. The pair of paper wings gradually dissipated as Konan landed lightly on the ground.
She was truly a stunning sight. It was no wonder they called her the Angel of the Village Hidden in the Rain.
Konan? What does she want with me?
Kawasaki wasn't nervous. Though she was the right hand of a terrorist leader, she wasn't one for idle gossip. Besides, she also served as a recruiter. Could it be?
He watched her land without saying a word, his face showing neither fear nor surprise, only a hint of confusion.
Seeing his silence, Konan introduced herself. "I am Konan of the Akatsuki. I've come to invite you, Mr. Kawasaki, to join our organization."
What in the world? You must have the wrong person. Why would I want to join the Akatsuki?
Kawasaki gestured helplessly at himself. "Me? What does the Akatsuki do? And why would you invite me?"
Konan replied gently, "We are an organization that strives to create peace. As for why we're inviting you, it is because you have proven your worth. You've brought many opportunities to the Uchiha clan, and that 'Chinese Cuisine' is your creation, is it not?"
Kawasaki waved a dismissive hand. "Even if it is, I'm a ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village. Why would I join an organization that looks so shady?"
Konan smiled. "You jest, Mr. Kawasaki. Your relationship with the Uchiha clan and Konoha isn't exactly harmonious, is it?"
Kawasaki held up a single finger. "Let me ask you one question. If you can answer it, I'll consider your proposal."
Konan's expression sharpened. "Please, ask."
Kawasaki gestured around them. "In a place this hot, why do you all insist on wearing black cloaks? Don't you know that black absorbs heat?"
Konan was speechless. The desert was indeed sweltering, but she had endured far worse hardships in her childhood. A little heat was nothing to her.
"You're joking, Mr. Kawasaki," she said, a bit awkwardly. "This is the standard uniform of the Akatsuki."
Kawasaki stroked his chin, voicing a long-held curiosity. "If it's a uniform, I assume the nail polish on your hands isn't standard issue, is it? Or does everyone who joins your organization, man or woman, have to paint their nails?"
Konan flinched. That was an organizational secret. How did this man know?
Seeing her reaction, Kawasaki waved his hand nonchalantly and took out a sealing scroll. With a puff of smoke, he produced a sun umbrella, a large water jug, two cups, two chairs, and a table from the scroll. He then set everything up with a practiced ease.
"Relax," he said, plopping down into a chair. "Come, have some iced tea." He poured the tea into both cups and pushed one toward her.
Konan was baffled by his behavior. This leisurely lifestyle was nothing like that of a shinobi. Storage scrolls were expensive and typically used for important items. A few shuriken or kunai weren't worth even a hundredth of a scroll's value. The one Kawasaki had just used was likely worth hundreds of thousands of ryo. It seemed he was truly wealthy.
...
Konan sat down hesitantly but didn't touch the tea in front of her. Though it looked like a refreshing, cooling drink, she didn't know if this man was friend or foe and dared not consume anything he offered.
Kawasaki took a sip of the iced tea he'd brought from Konoha and sighed in satisfaction. He recalled that Nagato and Konan had always been wary of Obito. That was why Konan had spent all the money Kakuzu earned on sealing tags. Unfortunately, she didn't know about Izanagi, which ultimately led to the failure of her plan.
But that wasn't enough. There was more information that Konan and Nagato didn't know. He decided to stir up their internal conflicts early and create more trouble for Obito.
"Do you remember Kyusuke?"
The moment he spoke, Konan shot to her feet, nearly knocking over the table. Kawasaki caught it with a swift hand.
"Who are you?" she demanded, entering a combat stance as sheets of paper fluttered around her.
Kawasaki, however, remained seated, showing no hostility. "I'm Uchiha Kawasaki. You already know that, don't you?" he said, taking another sip of tea.
Konan retracted the swirling papers, her face now an icy mask. "How do you know about Kyusuke?"
Seeing that she wasn't going to drink her tea, Kawasaki poured it back into his own cup. Can't waste anything in the Land of Wind, and it was clear she wouldn't touch it anyway.
He ignored her question. "I have a real question for you. If you can answer it, I will not only join the Akatsuki, but I will also give you the secrets to 'Chinese Cuisine.' And regardless of your answer, I will tell you how I know of Idaten Kyusuke."
Konan's focus was no longer on recruiting him. She stared at him intently. "Fine! Ask your question!"
The deaths of Kyusuke and the others had always weighed heavily on her mind. It wasn't just because Kyusuke had confessed his feelings for her, but because he had died while she was kidnapped. She had always felt responsible.
Kawasaki spoke each word with chilling clarity. "Why are you and Nagato working with Zetsu and the masked man, the very people who murdered Kyusuke, Daibutsu, and your comrades? Why haven't you avenged them and killed their murderers?"
Konan looked as if she'd been struck by lightning. "What?! They killed Kyusuke and Daibutsu?! Where did you hear this?"
Kawasaki scoffed. "Fool. You've been harboring your friends' killers this whole time, plotting grand schemes with them, and you never even knew."
"Back then, when you were kidnapped, Nagato and Yahiko went to save you. Kyusuke got word and determined that Yahiko was in danger, so he gathered your comrades to rescue him. But on the way, they were intercepted by Zetsu and the masked man."
"In the end, Kyusuke and Daibutsu used a secret technique, intending to trade their lives to eliminate the masked man and protect you. A pity. Kyusuke turned to stone, his eyes wide open. He died with a grievance."
As Kawasaki spoke, Konan's chakra began to fluctuate wildly. She knew about Kyusuke's secret technique, the one where he spat out stone. It was his secret.
"What a shame," Kawasaki continued, his tone dripping with mockery and pity for Kyusuke. "The person he died to protect ended up cooperating with his killers. Hahaha, hahahaha."
Konan swayed, barely able to stand, and shook her head forcefully. "No! Why would he do that?"
"Have you forgotten the first time he met you?" Kawasaki taunted. "How did he invite you to join him then? Would Nagato have worked with them if Yahiko were still alive? Nagato was already being manipulated back then."
"It was because of Yahiko that they had to stop Kyusuke and Daibutsu from reaching you. They needed Nagato to fall into darkness. They needed Yahiko to die!"
Konan's mind flashed back to her first encounter with the masked man. His words to Nagato back then now seemed to align perfectly with what Kawasaki was saying.
"The Nagato of today... isn't he exactly what the masked man wanted?"
But how could Kawasaki know all of this in such detail?
He tossed a scroll to Konan, who caught it out of reflex.
"This is the Reanimation Jutsu, a forbidden technique developed by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. It can summon the souls of the deceased and reincarnate them in a physical form." The scroll Kawasaki held contained Tobirama's initial prototype. The summoned bodies weren't strong in combat, but the jutsu was easy to learn. All it required was the ability to speak.
"You can find Kyusuke's or Daibutsu's remains, can't you? Find a living sacrifice, and you can ask them yourself if what I've told you is true. Of course, if you miss Yahiko, you can bring him back too."
"Bring back the dead?!" Konan's heart pounded. The Hidden Leaf possessed such a terrifying jutsu? But she had no time to dwell on that now. She needed to verify Kawasaki's words. And more importantly, could she really bring Kyusuke and Yahiko back?
"Why are you doing this?" By now, she was eighty percent convinced.
Kawasaki poured himself another cup of tea. "Because the man impersonating Uchiha Madara is the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails attack on Konoha. He's the reason my clan was misunderstood and discriminated against, the reason we were nearly wiped out. He thinks he can pull the strings from the shadows? In his dreams. I will make him pay!"
He slammed his hand on the table, making both cups jump.
The Nine-Tails attack had happened in Konoha, and information about it was tightly controlled. The outside world knew little. Konan only knew that the disaster had cost Konoha many lives, including that of the Fourth Hokage.
"Do you know his true identity?" Konan picked up the teapot, poured herself a cup of the iced tea, and drank it in one gulp. A refreshing coolness spread through her body.
Seeing her take the initiative to pour her own drink, Kawasaki raised an eyebrow. It was a clear sign that she was beginning to trust him.