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Midorima sat in the conference room, slightly worried that Jiraiya might be discovered.
Just facing the Akatsuki members in the room would probably make Jiraiya feel "under immense pressure." Add the Six Paths of Pain to the equation, and it would be a death sentence—even if he grew wings, there'd be no escape.
After all, Konan had wings too.
Truthfully, Jiraiya focusing all his attention on Akatsuki was a mistake. The real mastermind was Obito. The key was figuring out how to drag him into the open.
But for now, Midorima had no solution—he didn't even know where Obito was.
That said, Midorima didn't believe Jiraiya's infiltration of Amegakure was necessarily a death trap. The current Akatsuki was a mess, with each member pursuing their own agenda. Moreover, the three Konoha shinobi within Akatsuki played significant roles.
It all depended on whether those three Konoha ninja would stir up trouble.
Danzo stepped into the conference room with a dark expression.
This was his third time returning after his initial meeting with Pain.
Midorima glanced at him and asked, "Old man, suffering from kidney deficiency?"
Kidney deficiency? What was that?
Danzo paused, staring at Midorima, unsure of the term's meaning.
"You know… going to the bathroom three times in such a short span. Feeling a bit weak?" Midorima teased.
Sasori, hidden inside Hiruko, couldn't hold back a laugh.
Itachi smirked coldly, as if such a condition wouldn't be surprising for Danzo.
Danzo's face darkened—he felt insulted.
Orochimaru quickly coughed, stopping Danzo from lashing out, and pulled him aside.
"Don't lose your temper here… Did you find anything?"
Danzo shook his head.
Before coming, Orochimaru had mentioned that Pain had given the "Byakugan" to a certain shinobi. Danzo's three trips out were to locate that individual, but he'd found nothing.
Though anxious, even if he failed to find the Byakugan, this trip wasn't without gains—he had met Pain and seen the legendary "Rinnegan" with his own eyes.
It was said that the Sage of Six Paths possessed the Rinnegan, but Danzo had always dismissed it as myth.
When Pain appeared, it took Danzo a moment to recognize those ripple-patterned eyes as the real thing.
Obtaining the Byakugan would significantly boost his strength, but what if he acquired the Rinnegan?
With that power, he'd have an absolute advantage in securing the position of Hokage.
During his third trip out, he had indeed visited the restroom, but most of that time was spent crouching in a stall, contemplating whether there was a way to seize the Rinnegan.
However, though ambitious, Danzo wasn't a fool.
Every member of Akatsuki was formidable—even that masked fool, let alone their leader. If he wanted the Rinnegan, he'd need a meticulous plan…
Danzo glanced at Orochimaru beside him, who seemed as composed as ever.
Right now, it felt like a hundred tiny hands were clawing at Danzo's heart, urging him to share his thoughts with Orochimaru—he refused to believe Orochimaru didn't have similar ambitions—but the timing wasn't right.
The sun set, and darkness soon enveloped the outside world.
Midorima pursed his lips, stomach growling, and considered stepping out to find food when Pain re-entered the conference room, followed by a visibly irritated Konan.
"Well? Did you find the intruder?" Kisame asked.
Midorima also looked at Pain, wondering if he'd already dealt with Jiraiya. After all, it had taken so long…
"Unfortunately, no trace was found," Pain replied.
Midorima froze.
No trace?! Where had Jiraiya gone? Escaped?
The manga hadn't mentioned this.
"Could it be a mistake?" Orochimaru chuckled.
"Impossible. Pain never makes mistakes," Konan interjected.
"Then why wasn't he found?" Midorima pressed.
He remembered from the manga that Konan had used a rather rudimentary method to track Jiraiya—transforming her body into countless sheets of paper, folded into butterflies, and scouring all of Amegakure.
To Midorima, it felt like drone surveillance.
Of course, since the paper was part of her body, intel gathering and feedback were far more efficient. Moreover, she had located Jiraiya hiding in the shadows—something far beyond what drones could achieve.
"There are two possibilities. First, the intruder has already fled Amegakure. Second, he's hiding in certain locations within the village," Pain explained.
"So what now?" Midorima spread his hands. "If we don't know where he is, how can we eliminate him?"
"There are a few rat holes where he might be hiding. Previously, we ignored them since they caused no trouble. But now, since we're cleaning house, we might as well clear out the rats too."
Pain glanced at Konan, who promptly handed out eight sheets of paper—one to each member.
"This is a map of Amegakure. The marked red dots indicate possible 'rat holes.' You'll each operate solo and eliminate everyone inside until the intruder is found," Konan ordered.
Midorima took the map. Twelve red dots were marked, meaning four "rat holes" remained unassigned.
Calling them "rat holes" was just a euphemism—they were rebels against Pain's rule.
Yet, it was strange. The entire village worshipped Pain as a god. How could there still be resistance?
"I have a question. There are twelve targets but only eight of us. That means we can't strike simultaneously. If word gets out, won't the intruder escape? And what if he's tough? If some of our older, more fragile members get killed, what then?" Midorima asked.
The first part was a valid concern, but the latter remark drew everyone's gaze toward Danzo.
He was the only "older, more fragile" one here.
Danzo nearly lost it. He couldn't recall ever wronging Midorima, so why was he always the target?
No—he had to reclaim his dignity!
"You little brat, I've tolerated your provocations long enough… Now, I've had enough. I challenge you!" Danzo roared, pointing at Midorima.
"Wait, why challenge me?" Midorima spread his hands, feigning shock. "I never mentioned you. If you suspect yourself of being old and frail, how is that my fault?"
By the end, his tone was almost pleading.
The others stared at Midorima, mentally labeling him a "scoundrel."
"Who else here fits that description?!" Danzo was on the verge of exploding.
"If I knew, I'd have named them directly," Midorima shrugged.
Danzo trembled with rage, teetering on the edge of violence.
"Save your disputes for later. Konan will give each of you a 'paper butterfly.' If you encounter the target, it will relay the information to me. If backup is needed, I'll mobilize everyone immediately," Pain declared.
Midorima frowned. While framed as a communication tool, the butterflies were clearly also surveillance.
If he did find Jiraiya, he'd have to find a way to dispose of the butterfly tailing him.