The cold words of Konan and Hanzo finally pierced the last layer of disguise.
There was no surprise in Konan's gaze toward 'Kage' (Shadow), only a chilling sense of "I knew it" and a fierce questioning that erupted after long suppression.
In truth, from the moment this mysterious existence, 'Kage,' first approached the Akatsuki organization, Konan had never truly trusted him deep down.
Even when Nagato, due to certain considerations or needs, showed an attitude of acceptance or even cooperation with 'Kage,' Konan always maintained the highest level of vigilance.
The only person she trusted without reservation was Nagato alone.
Beyond him, anyone attempting to get close to Nagato was suspicious in her eyes, especially a figure like 'Kage,' who lingered on the fringes of the organization and refused to truly integrate.
Even when 'Kage' adopted a guise of seeking nothing, allowing them to do whatever they wished with a promise not to interfere, Konan still felt he must have an agenda.
For a long time, however, neither she nor Nagato could see through 'Kage's' true intentions.
It wasn't until the emergence of the "Hollows" and the "Espada," and the repeated, seemingly coincidental conversion of battlefield casualties into his forces, that Konan gradually realized a terrifying possibility.
Perhaps the peace that Akatsuki sought, the methods used in its pursuit, and the inevitable war and death that accompanied it, were precisely the nutrients that 'Kage' required!
War and death were the breeding ground for Hollows, the foundation for the expansion of the "Hollow Realm."
Whether it was the initial conflict against Sunagakure and Konoha, or the current wars triggered to capture the Tailed Beasts...
The more active Akatsuki became, and the more turbulent the Shinobi World grew, the stronger the Hollow Realm became.
The recent devastating assault on the Great Hidden Villages, which cost Akatsuki dearly but yielded 'Kage' three new subordinates of Espada-level strength, completely confirmed Konan's suspicions.
This seemingly disinterested "ally" was actually using Akatsuki as a pawn to stir up the Shinobi World.
He was a parasite, greedily sucking up souls of death and despair from the wounds of Akatsuki, Amegakure (Village Hidden in the Rain), and the entire Shinobi World!
The cunning concealed by this individual was many times greater than that of Obito Uchiha in the past!
Facing Konan's almost explicit accusation, and the instantly wary gazes of the other members, 'Kage' let out a sigh that sounded both real and fake.
"Ah, was I discovered after all?" His tone lacked any panic at being exposed; instead, it carried a hint of playful amusement.
"I thought that this mutually acknowledged, transactional relationship between us, where each took what they needed, could be maintained for at least a while longer. What a pity."
Having said that, he turned his gaze to Hanzo, who had just spoken in agreement, and chuckled, "But what surprises me is that even Hanzo is standing over there to accuse me."
"It seems you've found a new reliance that gives you the confidence to escape the control of 'My Lord'?" 'Kage's' tone was meaningful.
This fellow is truly pitifully naive, not understanding what the 'Wedge' signifies.
After a moment of silence, Hanzo slowly said, "I am grateful to you, and to the 'Lord' behind you, for granting my broken body new life and power, allowing me to linger on."
"But, forgive me, I am, after all, a ninja of Amegakure."
"I cannot stand by and watch you and your 'Hollow Realm' attach yourselves like parasites to the body of Akatsuki, Amegakure, and the entire Shinobi World, constantly draining blood to grow stronger."
"Existence like the 'Hollows' brings only death and chaos. I have no doubt that, if you could, you would kill all humans and transform them into 'Hollows.'"
His statement clearly and completely aligned himself with Akatsuki's camp, drawing a hard line against 'Kage' and the Hollow Realm.
"Is that so? That is truly regrettable."
'Kage' let out a very soft laugh, yet it held a chilling indifference: "I had originally intended to convert you into a 'Hollow' after your death, you know..."
"After all, it would count as utilizing waste, wouldn't it?" His tone was as casual as if discussing a discarded object.
"You!"
Even though Hanzo felt a degree of shame toward 'Kage' deep down, hearing such blunt and contemptuous words, especially being regarded as "waste" that could be recycled.
His face instantly turned ashen, his chest heaving violently with rising anger.
The atmosphere had now dropped to a freezing point.
The fragile partnership was completely severed.
The members of Akatsuki instinctively tensed their bodies, subtly forming a stance of confrontation with 'Kage.'
They hadn't truly seen 'Kage' in action, but as the leader of the 'Hollow Realm,' the power he possessed was certainly not to be underestimated.
Yet, 'Kage' seemed completely unperturbed by their hostility.
Nagato did not immediately order an attack, but instead watched the vague shadow with a calm gaze and said, "You may choose to leave."
At this, Konan immediately frowned and instinctively looked at Nagato, her eyes filled with confusion. "Nagato..."
But Nagato shook his head, interrupting her. He said calmly, "Even if he did use us, it's undeniable that he provided us with considerable help at the beginning."
"Without some of the intelligence he provided, the progress of our plan might have been much more difficult."
Konan's expression remained grave. She lowered her voice. "But, Nagato, he knows a lot of Akatsuki's information. If you let him leave just like that, what if..."
"Even without him," Nagato's voice held a trace of weariness and resolve, "how long do you think we can remain hidden in the shadows?"
"Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure... having lost their Tailed Beasts, they will certainly not let this go."
"Kumogakure and Konoha have also established a death feud with us. A united pursuit and retaliation by the Five Great Hidden Villages is inevitable."
"And we still need to capture the remaining Two, Three, Five, Eight, and Nine-Tails. It is no longer possible to operate completely in the dark as we did in the past."
From the moment they decided to aggressively capture the Tailed Beasts, Akatsuki was destined to stand against the entire Shinobi World.
'Kage's' existence merely accelerated or delayed the exposure of this process.
Of course, in truth, Nagato was also reluctant to engage in a direct conflict with the unfathomable 'Kage' at this moment.
At least for the time being, the existence of the "Hollow Realm" might absorb some of the hostility and pressure directed at Akatsuki by the Five Great Nations.
However, just as his words fell, the shadow, which should have departed after being exposed, let out a low, playful chuckle.
"Leave?" 'Kage' laughed. "Of course, I will leave. This was never my rightful place."
"However, before I leave, I must take one small 'souvenir.'"
"Wha..."
The moment the word "souvenir" left his mouth, an internal alarm blared in Nagato's mind.
A chilling sensation, seemingly originating from the depths of his soul, instantly swept through his entire body, making every hair stand on end!
It was the most instinctive reaction to a threat of death.
Nagato only managed to shift his body slightly to the side and back, purely by instinct.
Pfff!
A muffled, hair-raising thud of flesh being forcibly pierced violently erupted.
An arm, seemingly condensed from the purest darkness, darted out from the shadow behind Nagato, piercing right through Nagato's right chest!
The location narrowly missed his heart, but the cold, dead power instantly began to corrode his body!
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
I only share the most exquisite and beautiful novels. Don't forget to check out my other novels!
p@treon DaoistWujinzi