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Pain stood atop the high tower, looking down at the darkness surrounding him.
Beside him, Konan scattered sheets of paper in all directions.
"Do you really think that person is still in Amegakure?" Konan asked.
"Whether I think so or not doesn't matter. What matters is that we need to deal with those who lurk in the shadows and scheme," Pain replied.
"But if we act now, those hiding in the dark will only burrow deeper."
"If they hide deeper, it means they've learned their lesson. Whether they're pretending or not, given enough time, they'll lose their nerve. But right now, if that person joins forces with the remnants, they could pose a threat to us."
"Are you afraid?"
"I'm not afraid. I just dislike things slipping out of control. No matter who that infiltrator is, they won't stop our plans. By the way, how did you fail to detect them?"
This had never happened before.
"I don't know. It's like they vanished. That's why I suspect they either left Amegakure or joined up with the remnants."
"Who could it be?" Pain wondered.
"I have a guess… We just gathered the Akatsuki, and now someone infiltrates Amegakure. Don't you think that's too much of a coincidence?" Konan asked.
"Are you suggesting… someone in the Akatsuki is colluding with outsiders?" Pain turned to Konan. "Are the new recruits unreliable?"
"I'm not sure. But I think even the older members might be problematic—like Orochimaru." Konan's body partially transformed into paper butterflies, scattering across the village. "What I mean is… wait…"
"Hm?" Pain looked at her in surprise.
"Someone destroyed the paper butterflies."
"Who?"
"Orochimaru… and Danzō." Konan frowned, her expression grave.
"Them?" Pain took a deep breath, recalling Konan's earlier words. An inexplicable weight settled in his chest. "But the Byakugan isn't in Amegakure right now. Investigating them won't be easy."
"Right." Konan nodded. "Should we pretend we don't know for now?"
"It's best if they don't act. Otherwise, I'll have to worry about damaging this body." Pain stared at his own hand.
Konan fell silent.
This was Yahiko's body—a special existence to them. Whenever danger arose, Pain would switch bodies to protect it.
It seemed Nagato was already preparing for the worst.
---
The "paper butterflies" were supposedly used to relay messages to Pain and Konan, but Danzō was no fool. In truth, every member of the Akatsuki knew their real purpose: surveillance.
For Danzō, this was unbearable.
He had founded Root, an organization built on secrecy and subterfuge. He was the one who monitored others—when had he ever been subjected to such treatment?
Of course, as unpleasant as it was, he could endure it.
But he still needed to discuss the Rinnegan with Orochimaru, and those damned paper butterflies were in the way.
If he destroyed them himself, he'd be exposed. So, during a skirmish with the remnants, he deliberately left an opening, allowing them to destroy the butterflies with a jutsu.
After all, during the fight, how could he have "noticed" where the butterflies were? If anyone was to blame…
Even if the remnants were 99% at fault, didn't Konan share at least 1% of the responsibility?
As for him?
The remnants' jutsu had failed to miss the butterflies—what did that have to do with him?
Once the butterflies were gone, Danzō glanced at the remnants—all dead in their hideout.
He had considered burning the place down, but Amegakure's buildings were made of steel. Fire wouldn't work.
Giving up, he slipped into the shadows, contemplating how to contact Orochimaru.
Suddenly, something coiled around his leg. He looked down—a serpent.
Was this…?
Before he could finish the thought, the snake slithered into the darkness.
Without hesitation, Danzō followed it, vanishing into the night.
---
Midorima didn't destroy the paper butterflies. He saw no point.
Besides, he didn't believe Konan was honest enough to deploy just one.
"The more beautiful a woman is, the better she lies." Midorima knew that saying well.
Knock, knock, knock…
Following the address, Midorima rapped on a door.
The location wasn't ideal—it sat at a major crossroads, with multiple escape routes. If there were too many targets, things could get messy.
He hoped only one person was inside. Otherwise, he'd have to put in extra work.
"Who is it?"
"Need to borrow a hammer."
"What? At this hour?" The door cracked open slightly, secured by a thin chain.
A middle-aged man peered out, blocking the light from inside.
When he saw Midorima's attire, his expression twisted in alarm. He tried to slam the door shut—but no matter how hard he pushed, it wouldn't budge.
"RUN—"
BANG!
Midorima kicked the door open, sending the man tumbling to the ground.
Inside, three more people stared in shock—two of them tangled in a shared blanket.
"Wh-who are you?" the one on top demanded.
"Akatsuki."
"What do you want?"
"Pain thinks you've worked hard enough. He's sending you on your final journey." Midorima formed hand signs, and the room filled with razor-sharp wind blades.
The four didn't even have time to scream before their bodies were shredded.
Just then, noise erupted from the neighboring room.
"Did I get the wrong place?"
Midorima checked the map. It only marked the location, not the exact unit.
"Whatever. Maybe both rooms are targets." He leaped out the window, chasing down a fleeing figure.
"P-please don't kill me!" The man collapsed, trembling.
"Remnant?" Midorima asked.
"Wh-what remnant?!"
"Hanzō."
The man's face paled. Suddenly, he hurled kunai at Midorima—only for them to clatter against a steel pipe.
"Substitution Jutsu?!"
Before he could turn, a hand clamped around his neck from behind.
"Goodbye." A quick twist, and the man went limp.
Midorima checked the map again.
Twelve locations in total. He'd handled one. Mission accomplished, right?
Pain had only ordered them to clear the "rat holes." He never said they couldn't slack off.
"Guess I'll grab a bite first."
Midorima stretched and headed off to find a good meal.