The Land of Rain, Amegakure.
The sky remained a perpetual gray, with a constant drizzle falling as if it would never cease.
Atop a towering structure, the Akatsuki members had gathered once again. However, unlike before, the group had grown by two new members. These two young men gazed at Pain with awe and reverence, wearing headbands that bore the symbol of Amegakure.
Yet, like Pain's own headband, a horizontal slash marred the symbol on theirs, perhaps signifying that their allegiance now transcended the confines of any single nation or village.
"It's been years..."
"At last, we've assembled the manpower we need..."
"Starting with the Land of Earth, we will lead the ninja world onto a true path of peace!"
Pain's deep, enigmatic voice echoed within the tower.
Boom!
A bolt of lightning flashed, illuminating the figures clad in black cloaks adorned with red clouds, exposing them to the darkened night.
The most striking presence was undoubtedly Pain himself, with his cold, purple Rinnegan eyes. These godlike eyes gazed down mercilessly upon the world, as if regarding all life as insignificant.
Next to him stood a man with a yellow mask, only one eye visible through its opening.
This was the Masked Man, who had yet to obtain a Sharingan of his own from Sōmi. Although he had approached Sōmi several times afterward to negotiate further, Sōmi always deflected his requests with various excuses.
On one occasion, when the Masked Man pushed too hard, Sōmi had even crushed two vials containing Sharingan eyes right in front of him, rendering the precious eyes useless.
The Masked Man could only grit his teeth in secret, continually plotting how to eliminate Sōmi, his greatest obstacle.
"Lord Pain, we've converted the remaining funds into explosive tags, ninja tools, and other military supplies," reported a Rain ninja with his face obscured by a black cloth.
Hearing this, Kakuzu, standing off to the side, immediately wore a pained expression. Those funds had been painstakingly earned by hunting bounty targets and even doing odd jobs for Iwagakure...
In recent years, most of the funds had already been invested in the ninja academy. Now, they had been entirely spent on military supplies.
For someone like Kakuzu, who loved earning and hoarding money, this was deeply frustrating. Yet, he couldn't openly oppose Akatsuki's strategic objectives.
Due to interference from Sōmi, Minato Namikaze, and others, Akatsuki had first felt the effects of the villages tightening their grip on their ninja. Under such circumstances, not only were rogue ninjas scarce, but even powerful individuals undertaking missions abroad had become nearly nonexistent.
Left with no other choice, Amegakure had to adopt a self-reliant approach.
Fortunately, thanks to substantial investments in funds and secret techniques, the number of Chūnin and Jōnin in Amegakure had grown rapidly.
However, the Land of Rain's awkward geographical position in the ninja world posed a significant challenge. If the original plan were maintained, and if the combined forces of the Lands of Wind, Fire, and Earth were to invade one day, even Pain, with the power of the Rinnegan, would be unable to hold them off.
Both Zetsu and the Masked Man had witnessed firsthand the terrifying strength of Sōmi and Minato Namikaze.
Since Akatsuki had already been exposed, Pain decided to take a bold step: transform Akatsuki into a new great nation.
The plan was to first eliminate the other four great nations, seize control of all the Tailed Beasts, and thereby achieve true peace.
This was Pain's revised strategy for peace.
"Where's Zetsu? Hasn't he returned yet?" Pain asked the Masked Man after scanning the room.
"With over two thousand White Zetsu to transport, it'll take a bit more time," the Masked Man replied nonchalantly.
"What about Sunagakure's One-Tails Jinchūriki? Have you negotiated with him?"
Pain's gaze shifted to the Masked Man, his demeanor suggesting he still believed the advantage was his, having not witnessed Sōmi's strength firsthand.
"Don't worry!"
"That guy never acts without profit. As long as we crush Iwagakure, he'll definitely come out to 'share' the spoils of victory with us."
The Masked Man's lone Sharingan glowed with a sinister red light.
"Good!"
"After defeating Iwagakure, we'll first secure the Four-Tails and Five-Tails, then immediately capture the One-Tails, bringing the Lands of Wind and Earth under our control!"
Pain spoke with a tone of ease, as if Sōmi would fall as effortlessly as Iwagakure.
"Pain!"
"I must remind you, the One-Tails Jinchūriki's strength far exceeds your imagination. When dealing with him, you must remain vigilant at all times."
"His troublesome sealing techniques and Sage Mode... if he senses certain things about you..."
The Masked Man narrowed his eye, as if recalling some unpleasant memories.
"Don't worry!"
"In the face of a god's power, all else is but an illusion!"
With a dramatic flourish of his sleeve, Pain turned away, leaving behind a commanding silhouette.
The two newly recruited Rain ninja looked at him with fanatical admiration. To them, Pain was indeed a divine figure who had lifted Amegakure from the depths of decay.
Their leader's vision and ambition were so grand, and their mission so noble...
Meanwhile, Kakuzu, who had remained silent, was mentally calculating how much wealth he could obtain after conquering Iwagakure.
He had heard that Sunagakure was rich in mineral resources, which promised a satisfying haul.
At the border between Asuka District and the Land of Rain, near Amegakure, lay a massive subterranean space.
Though underground, the area was brightly lit, with an almost dazzling brilliance.
The rectangular chamber was surrounded by yellow walls inscribed with peculiar circular patterns.
But the most astonishing sight was the central "object."
It was a massive humanoid figure with nine closed eyes. Its color and texture resembled withered wood, and ten pillar-like structures jutted from its back. Its hands were curled in front of its neck, bound by large black chains.
The figure sat atop a giant pink lotus, exuding an aura that was both divine and demonic.
"No matter how many times I see it, it's still awe-inspiring..."
"So this is the work of the Sage of Six Paths?!"
Orochimaru stood on a platform, gazing up at the towering, eerie statue with a fervent gleam in his eyes.
"Can't the number of White Zetsu be increased any further?" asked Zetsu, whose upper body emerged from an open pitcher plant.
"Heh heh!"
"This statue requires Tailed Beasts as its power source to produce White Zetsu..."
"With only a fragment of the Eight-Tails—a single horn—I've already pushed it to its limit to create over two thousand White Zetsu."
"I need to reserve part of the fragment as a cultivation source for future use."
Orochimaru didn't even turn his head, his gaze fixed on the base of the statue.
Faint humanoid shapes could be seen emerging from its foundation. If Konoha ninjas were present, they would recognize the resemblance to the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
Beneath the foundation lay a tranquil body of water.
Suddenly, bubbles and ripples broke the surface.
One by one, White Zetsu figures emerged upright from the water. With their eerie expressions, the scene was thoroughly unsettling.
Zetsu watched his "subordinates" rise, feeling a subtle unease. To strengthen these limited numbers, he had even sacrificed himself to Orochimaru's experiments for a time.
"Orochimaru, are you truly unwilling to join Akatsuki and work with us to achieve our ultimate goal for the ninja world?"
Zetsu turned toward Orochimaru and asked.
"No!"
"Your goal, Sōmi's goal, Konoha's goal..."
"None of it concerns me."
"As long as I can watch the gears of the ninja world spin faster and faster, that alone is enough to excite me!"
Orochimaru licked his lips, unable to hide his enthusiasm.
"If Sōmi discovers your collaboration with us, what do you think he'll do?"
Black Zetsu's sinister voice carried a warning.
"Heh!"
"Sōmi-kun..."
"You underestimate his tolerance. As long as I remain useful to him, no matter who I collaborate with, it won't damage our relationship!"
When Sōmi was mentioned, Orochimaru's expression shifted subtly, but at least in front of Black Zetsu, he showed no signs of doubt or fear.
"Then..."
"What about the other part of our deal?"
Black Zetsu pressed on with his ominous tone.
"Of course, it's ready!"
"To think you'd actually possess such a legendary..."
"I wonder where this storm will take the ninja world when it finally arrives..."
Orochimaru turned and walked toward another, highly secretive laboratory. His voice grew fainter, gradually swallowed by the shadows.
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