As Uzumaki Ku's words fell, a white figure slowly emerged from the trunk of a nearby tree.
Uzumaki Ku looked at White Zetsu.
"Is Obito around?"
White Zetsu tilted his head in confusion at Ku. "Why is it that ever since I first discovered you, every time you go take a dump, you set up a barrier? I can't even observe how you poop."
The nonsensical answer made the corner of Uzumaki Ku's eye twitch. He knew this guy was an idiot, but he still felt the urge to argue with him.
"Hah…"
Exhaling softly, Uzumaki Ku said, "Take me to Obito."
White Zetsu tilted his head again.
"Why? You still can't even explain what 'relieving yourself' means."
Bang!
A slap landed, pressing White Zetsu against the tree trunk.
Staring into his eyes, Uzumaki Ku said, "A being like you… long ago lost the feelings of being human. You're obsessed with knowing, but you'll never be able to return to what you once were."
White Zetsu's head struggled for a while, but he couldn't move. His eyes instead turned toward the shadows nearby.
At that moment, Obito, wearing his mask, slowly stepped out.
"Uzumaki Ku, what business brings you once again to the Land of Rain?"
Uzumaki Ku released his grip, and the struggling White Zetsu dropped down.
"The feeling of being oppressed… so that's what it's like? But I still want to know what relieving oneself truly is."
Ignoring White Zetsu, Uzumaki Ku looked at Obito. "Akatsuki should still be short on members, right? I'm not exactly weak. How about adding me?"
Obito froze for a moment.
With this man's intelligence and information-gathering abilities, it wasn't surprising that he knew of Akatsuki's existence. But why would he want to join?
As for "not exactly weak", someone who had beaten Pain without giving them a chance to fight back, how could that be called weak?!
Wood Release, Flying Thunder God, and even the Mangekyō Sharingan he had obtained…
This combination of powers was terrifying.
"For someone like you, without a good reason, I wouldn't dare let you into Akatsuki."
Uzumaki Ku shook his head slightly and pointed at Obito's chest.
"That person who orchestrated Rin Nohara's death, and who placed that cursed seal inside your body, have you figured out how to deal with him?"
"Or rather… have you decided who will undo the cursed seal inside you? Because if you haven't, then with your current power, you can't handle him."
Obito's gaze hardened.
"You… want to help me?!"
Ku spread his hands.
"You and I each have our own goals. But that man, the one who's supposed to be dead, is someone we both need to deal with."
Obito shook his head. "True, I haven't yet figured out who to ask to undo the cursed seal. But whether that person is revived or not… that has always been under my control."
"Heh."
Uzumaki Ku's laugh rang out. "You're far too naive. With the cunning of someone who dominated even the Warring States era… do you really think his revival is something entirely under your control?"
Obito fell silent, eyes locked firmly on Ku.
For a while, neither spoke.
But Obito knew this man wouldn't speak idly. With his intelligence network, every word he spoke had to be taken seriously.
"You'll tell me?"
Ku smiled faintly and shook his head.
"No. But if you're willing to offer a bargaining chip, maybe I could give you an answer."
Obito looked around. This place clearly wasn't one of Ku's illusory trading halls.
"You can… trade outside, too?"
Ku only shook his head without answering, instead turning his gaze toward the distant forest.
At that moment, a chakra presence was approaching quickly, the power of one of Pain's Six Paths, the Deva Path.
"So, the leader of Akatsuki in name has arrived. Tell me, if he agrees, what could you do about it?"
Obito gave no reply. If Nagato, who controlled the Deva Path, really agreed, then for the sake of Akatsuki's stability, Obito could do nothing to oppose it.
Swish!
The Deva Path appeared in an instant, staring at Uzumaki Ku with a frown.
"You again? Do you mean to keep challenging the dignity of a god?"
Uzumaki Ku shook his head lightly.
"I came to join Akatsuki. With my power, that should be enough, right?"
The Deva Path frowned but stayed silent. Hidden in the shadows, Nagato pondered whether Uzumaki Ku's joining would be good or bad for Akatsuki.
His power was unquestionable.
But with Wood Release and space-time ninjutsu, if he joined Akatsuki, then aside from Nagato's own body, perhaps no one could suppress him.
"What's wrong? You, calling yourself a god… are you afraid of me joining? Akatsuki should need strength very badly right now, shouldn't it?"
At that, the Deva Path lifted his head sharply, staring at Ku.
Then Pain spoke slowly.
"Akatsuki… welcomes you."
Obito turned toward him. "With space-time jutsu like his, if he decides to act, there's no way anyone can stop him."
The Deva Path shook his head. "No need to stop him. Anyone who dares to disrespect a god will ultimately be reduced to ashes. If he has the courage, I will show him the true fear of death!"
With that, Pain turned and began to lead the way.
Obito glanced back at Ku.
"I don't know what your purpose is, but within the organization, I'm just a trainee, called Tobi."
With that, masked Obito followed Pain away.
From the soil, a cauliflower-shaped White Zetsu rose slowly and grinned at Ku.
"Then starting today, I'm your senior. And as your senior, asking to watch a junior use the toilet isn't too much, right?"
Ku glared at him. "If you ever make such an absurd request again, I'll burn every last one of you Zetsu in the underground!"
With that, Ku vanished in an instant.
White Zetsu, left behind, tilted his head in puzzlement.
"Underground? How does he know about that? And that first thing he said…"
"Hmm… Still, I don't understand why taking a poop are so important."
…
The group boarded a boat at the riverbank, crossed the river, and stopped at a place resembling the gaping maw of a monster.
As soon as they entered, Ku felt eyes fall upon him.
"Why, if it isn't Uzumaki Ku? It's been a long time. Who would've thought I'd run into you here?"
The voice was Orochimaru's, his tongue flicking like a serpent's.
Ku smiled at him.
"Orochimaru, it really has been a long time."
At his side, a hunched figure that resembled some reptilian creature also emerged.
"A new recruit again? How long has that Grass ninja lasted?"
At that moment, the Deva Path spoke coldly.
"Kakuzu's partner is still alive. Uzumaki Ku is not meant to replace him."
"Is that so?"
Sasori nodded slightly, then looked at Ku. "Newcomer, introduce yourself."
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu