Amegakure Village.
Pain stood atop a tall building, gazing down at the village's bustling life.
The rain in Amegakure was no longer natural—it was now Pain's secret tool for controlling the village.
[Grudge Rain]
Developed recently by Nagato, this Ninjutsu utilized Chakra to create artificial rainfall. Each drop connected back to him, allowing anyone with the village's chakra to remain hidden while exposing the location of intruders.
Currently, except on Sundays, the entire village was covered under this technique every week.
This was one of Pain's measures for maintaining control over the village and preventing outsiders from stealing sensitive information.
Over these past few years, Akatsuki had grown remarkably despite operating in secrecy.
Whether it was Zetsu handling intelligence or others managing different tasks, everything had been executed flawlessly.
A year ago, Akatsuki welcomed a new member—Hidan, a zealous follower from the Land of Hot Springs.
Hidan was about the same age as Saitama, but his personality was incredibly arrogant, constantly preaching about his religion.
Back then, Saitama spent considerable time guiding Hidan into the Organization as his mentor.
"They've all arrived!" Konan appeared on this floor at some point, her tone very flat.
After so many years of growth, she seemed to have become more aloof, less expressive.
"Hmm."
Pain nodded, turning around to face Konan.
"Let's go. This is the gateway to the new world!"
"Hmm."
Pain and Konan left the place side by side. Today marked Akatsuki's biannual regular meeting, and Pain had decided to issue several missions during this session.
...
Inside the Akatsuki meeting room, a long stone table surrounded several figures dressed in black cloaks with red clouds.
"Don't interrupt my prayer to Lord Jashin, or I'll sacrifice you!"
Hidan styled his hair like an adult man, hands clasped together holding his Jashin pendant.
Sitting beside him, Kakuzu absentmindedly tapped his fingers on the table, already planning where to make some extra cash after the meeting.
At Hidan's words, Kakuzu stopped tapping his fingers and slowly lifted his gaze toward him.
"You were talking to me, brat?"
Even though it had nearly been a year since Hidan joined, if it weren't for his immortality, he would've died countless times already.
"That's right!" Hidan turned sideways, placing one foot on the chair, resting one hand on his knee while staring provocatively at Kakuzu.
"If you weren't immortal, I'd rip your head off myself!"
Kakuzu fixed his emerald-green eyes coldly on Hidan.
"Tch!" As if recalling something, Hidan turned his head away, still didn't back down verbally.
"Hidan sure is interesting," White Zetsu spoke up playfully just then.
He had seen what happened when Hidan first challenged Kakuzu—his body pierced by countless Black Threads like a rag doll being pulled around.
"Hmph, want to experience Lord Jashin's power too?" Hidan retorted toward Zetsu, refusing to back down even verbally.
"I've always been quite interested in your Evil God, you know. Who knows, maybe I'll want to meet him one day!"
White Zetsu looked at Hidan with genuine curiosity. Despite being a product of the Ten-Tails and having lost most basic emotions, fear was something that particularly intrigued him.
"I hate waiting the most!" Sasori sat at the far end of the long table, his tone gloomy.
Saitama folded his arms and leaned back against the chair, saying nothing.
His face carried a slightly mature air, yet remained calm and composed, as if nothing in the world could shake him.
Time had only made Saitama more mature and grounded.
Thump! Thump!
Footsteps echoed from outside the room. Even Hidan, who worshipped the god of evil, fell silent.
Pain and Konan entered one after another, taking their seats.
Everyone instinctively straightened their backs upon Pain's entrance, trying not to appear too relaxed.
"Hello everyone. Seems like it's been a while since we last met!"
Pain scanned around the room and nodded.
"I won't waste words. After such a long period of hiding, it's time for the Organization to put our plan into motion!"
There was no fluctuation in Pain's voice, but the Rinnegan began emitting a faint glow.
Kakuzu took a breath, his eyes showing some seriousness. He felt starting the operation now was still too hasty.
Although all great ninja villages had just gone through war and were currently recuperating.
Zetsu's eyes remained calm and emotionless, yet White Zetsu slowly broke into a smile.
Hidan completely lacked common sense. All he knew was when the organization officially launched its plan, he would be able to offer massive sacrifices to Lord Jashin.
Hidden inside his puppet body, Sasori gave away no indication of emotional change.
Yet even if one could see his facial expression, it would still be fake, because Sasori had already completed the transformation into a Human Puppet. His entire body was mechanical, and whatever he revealed was precisely what he wanted others to see.
Only then did Saitama straighten himself from leaning on the chair and fixed a serious look on his face.
Even though Pain's plan was starting much earlier than canon dictated, he wasn't surprised.
Because of Saitama's existence, many events had already taken a different course.
"As mentioned when you all joined, our Organization has a plan. Now, I believe the time has come!"
Pain noticed Hidan's eagerness.
"Leader, when shall we start? I'll go first!"
Hidan gritted his teeth, his eyes glowing with obsession for bloodshed.
"Not so fast! I'll assign tasks one by one!"
Pain nodded toward Hidan without minding his impetuous attitude.
"The only Tailed Beast currently in wild status is the Four-Tails. Its Jinchuriki is Roshi, an elder rogue ninja clad in purple robes from Iwagakure!"
"Due to personality conflicts with the Tsuchikage, Roshi left the village alone and has been missing ever since!"
"If we're going to begin, capturing Roshi will definitely be our best current target!"
"After all, every other Tailed Beast has an entire village behind it, but Roshi gives us a chance to test our strength!"
Pain spoke slowly, as if the Four-Tails were an afterthought — already his to claim.
"For information about Roshi, Zetsu, you're in charge! Does anyone want to take the first move?"
"Let me handle it!" Saitama said with a squint, looking at Pain.
Konan tilted her head slightly and stared at Saitama in silence, her eyes betraying wariness. Over the past few years, she had developed stronger suspicions toward this Saitama who had approached them voluntarily back then. It wasn't just because of Saitama's increasing strength, but also because no one could figure out his true objective.
All eyes seemed fixed on Saitama, but Pain stayed quiet for a long moment.
"Fine. Zetsu will provide intelligence support! Starting from when Roshi is located, you have half a month to complete the capture."
Pain finally responded while glancing at Zetsu sitting diagonally opposite Saitama.
"No problem!" Saitama nodded.
"I'll collect information about Roshi's movements and whereabouts first! Give me one day!"
Zetsu had always been monitoring all Tailed Beasts, but since Roshi was a wandering loner who left his village, his location was difficult to track accurately.
"What about Orochimaru? Has he made a decision yet?"
Suddenly remembering something, Pain turned his gaze toward Saitama again.
Saitama shrugged slightly with an expression of helplessness.
"He refused to join our Organization. You know how slippery a character he is — there's not much I can do with him!"
"Fine." Pain gave a slight nod, though his eyes never left Saitama.
Because of the nature of the Rinnegan, Saitama couldn't read Pain's mind either.
"If we successfully capture Four-Tails, we'll continue implementing our plan — targeting One-Tail from Sunagakure next, followed by Seven-Tails from Takigakure!"
"These two are the easiest remaining targets!"
Pain continued speaking, and everyone but Hidan gave a confirming nod.
"Two-Tails and Eight-Tails have long been stationed in Kumogakure. Their capture would be extremely difficult. However, if they ever leave the village, we can take action immediately."
"If they remain inside the village, we can target them last."
"Three-Tails Jinchuriki currently holds the title of Mizukage within Kirigakure. Capturing him will also be extremely difficult. Zetsu, keep closely monitoring his movements. We'll begin the operation once he leaves the village."
"Five-Tails is the Jinchuriki from Iwagakure. He used to be comrades with Four-Tails, but he hasn't betrayed his village. His capture will be postponed. However, if he does leave the village, we can start preparations accordingly!"
"Six-Tails Jinchuriki 'Ephemeral', originally from Kirigakure, is suspected of deserting his village. However, reports regarding his defection are still uncertain. Zetsu needs to investigate further!"
"Nine-Tails will be our final objective. The Jinchuriki is currently the wife of the incumbent Hokage. She's extremely formidable and rarely undertakes missions outside her village, making her our most challenging target!"
"I'll personally handle Nine-Tails! Everything else is tentative for now!"
Pain finished summarizing all currently available intelligence concerning the Tailed Beasts' movements in one breath.
"I'll take Seven-Tails! I'm very familiar with it!"
Akatsuki spoke up, displaying the forehead protector of a rogue ninja from Takigakure. As someone originating from Takigakure, he was indeed the most suitable candidate.
"Leave One-Tail to me!"
Sasori, who had been silent until now, uttered in a low tone. No one could detect any emotion or intention from his voice.
"Sure!"
Pain nodded and looked at Hidan.
"I'm fine with whatever the Leader assigns."
Hidan seemed unable to recall his opponent's name. He looked at Pain, waiting for instructions.
"Let's see how Saitama performs first. The rest can be temporarily arranged this way."
"Fine!"
"That's all for today. Zetsu and Saitama, you two may begin your mission now."
Saitama nodded slightly and exchanged glances with Ku.
Pain stood up and left. Konan cast a deep glance at Saitama before following him out. Now only five people remained.
"You should have no problem, right?" Kakuzu said. Though he had confidence in Saitama's strength, their enemy was Four-Tails—a Jinchuriki known for its destructive power and brute force.
"No problem. You guys prepare for the next step. I'll probably finish soon."
Saitama stood from his seat, swung the hem of his trench coat, then walked outside.
"Pfft!" Hidan muttered with a scowl. That bastard Zetsu dragged him into this mess, and now Saitama made him look like trash. He'd pay them back someday...
"Sasori, did you prepare the stuff you told me about last time?"
Kakuzu turned toward Sasori.
"Come get it at my place later. It's specially made—meeting all your requirements!"
Sasori's voice came from within Hiruko as he simultaneously departed from the meeting room.
Kakuzu nodded and followed behind.
"Praise Lord Jashin! The moment I get the chance, I'll spill every one of their bloods for You! Let these godless bastards suffer and burn in Your name!"
Hidan grabbed tightly onto the Jashin Pendant, sitting upright on his chair, face filled with devotion, eyes sparkling with madness.
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