The Akatsuki's recent activities had been more than merely frequent.
Including Fugaku's assault on Konoha, they had attacked five hidden villages and captured seven Tailed Beasts in less than two years.
With operations on such an unprecedented scale, it would have been stranger if the Five Great Nations had done nothing in response.
Even so, no one expected the Fourth Raikage to convene a Five Kage Summit so quickly.
His decisiveness caught everyone off guard.
"They may not necessarily suspect us," Konan said, breaking her silence.
"When the Deva Path attacked Kumogakure, the Mizukage and her escort were present. The Fourth Raikage is more likely to believe Kirigakure has some hidden agenda than to connect everything to a single organization."
Her assessment was remarkably accurate.
Even without hearing the latest rumors circulating throughout the ninja world, Konan had correctly anticipated how the other villages would interpret recent events.
The Fourth Raikage did, in fact, suspect Kirigakure of acting behind the scenes.
"But don't forget one thing," Sasori said. "Our original target was Kumogakure, but we happened to encounter the Third Tsuchikage's commission."
"He probably still believes we attacked because we accepted his request. If he mentions that during the Five Kage Summit..."
Fugaku calmly shook his head.
"Ōnoki won't say a word."
"If he exposes our involvement, he'll also expose his own role in provoking the attack on Kumogakure. He'd be taking the blame himself."
His reasoning was sound.
Not only would Ōnoki remain silent, he would likely do everything possible to keep that information buried.
For once, Sasori did not argue.
He merely let out a quiet snort.
Faced with such an important matter, everyone temporarily set aside their usual quarrels.
"Even so, we still need to be cautious," Pakura said.
"Don't underestimate Konoha's intelligence network."
"Danzō may have defected, but that doesn't mean he won't pass information to the Third Hokage."
"And once the Third Hokage learns something, the Fourth Hokage won't be far behind."
Kakuzu nodded in agreement.
"Pakura has a point."
"Even if Danzō hasn't revealed anything..."
"We've attacked repeatedly while wearing the same black cloaks decorated with red clouds."
"It won't take long for the Five Great Nations to realize all of these incidents are connected to the same organization."
White Zetsu exaggeratedly gasped.
"Those are the Five Great Nations! If they discover we're collecting the Tailed Beasts, they definitely won't ignore us."
"Maybe... we should relocate?"
The ever-cautious Kakuzu immediately gave White Zetsu a thumbs-up.
In truth, several Akatsuki members were genuinely worried.
According to the organization's original plan, they would gradually gather the Tailed Beasts while remaining hidden. Only near the end would they become enemies of the entire ninja world.
At that point, they expected to face a united alliance of every major village.
Ironically, becoming the enemy of the world carried a certain appeal for people who had already embraced the role of villains.
The more they were feared and hated, the more it proved the impact of their actions.
There was a strange sense of accomplishment in that.
But now that the moment was truly approaching, four of the eight people present felt genuine hesitation.
Those were the Five Great Nations.
Regardless of how much they mocked or provoked them, each village remained an enormous military power.
Even Konoha alone was more than capable of giving the Akatsuki an extremely difficult fight.
Could their small group truly stand against such overwhelming forces?
The other four, however, had no such concerns.
One was merely Yahiko's corpse.
One was Konoha's spy.
One was a clone born from Hashirama Senju's cells.
Those unusual individuals had little reason to fear what lay ahead.
If anything, they felt a faint sense of anticipation.
Especially Nagato, who controlled the Deva Path.
Standing against the entire ninja world was something he had prepared himself for long ago.
After allowing the discussion to settle, the Deva Path finally spoke.
Instead of announcing his decision immediately, he first turned toward White Zetsu.
"Zetsu."
"Have you located the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer B?"
Seven Tailed Beasts had already been sealed inside the Gedo Statue.
Only the Eight-Tails and the Nine-Tails remained.
Yet White Zetsu still had not discovered Killer B's whereabouts.
"If we can't find him," the Deva Path said calmly, "then we will stop searching."
"I have decided to attack the Five Kage during the Five Kage Summit."
The cave instantly fell silent.
No one had expected such a drastic decision.
Everyone acknowledged the terrifying power of the Rinnegan.
But attacking the Five Kage Summit directly?
Even for their leader, that sounded unbelievably arrogant.
The Deva Path noticed their expressions and offered a rare explanation.
"The Eight-Tails cannot be found."
"The Nine-Tails has also proven difficult to capture. Our previous assault on Konoha demonstrated that."
"Conventional methods are no longer sufficient."
"We must take more decisive action."
"Since the Five Great Nations will eventually discover us regardless, we may as well seize the initiative."
"More importantly, all Five Kage will be gathered in the Land of Iron instead of their own villages."
"Their defenses will be weakened."
"That makes this the ideal opportunity to eliminate them all."
"Eliminate them all..."
Kakuzu silently clicked his tongue.
What confidence.
I thought the same thing when I challenged the First Hokage.
Nagato, naturally, had no idea what Kakuzu was thinking.
His attention remained fixed on the upcoming battle.
He had defeated Hanzō, once hailed as the strongest shinobi of his era.
To him, the Five Kage were no different.
Perhaps the Fourth Hokage would require more effort.
Even so, it changed nothing.
He possessed the Rinnegan.
He was the Child of Prophecy.
He feared no one.
"Not everyone will participate in the attack," Nagato continued.
"While I occupy the Fourth Hokage in the Land of Iron, Konoha's defenses will inevitably weaken."
"Sasori, Kakuzu, and Pakura."
"The three of you will capture the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
"The rest will accompany me to the Five Kage Summit."
Nagato had no way of knowing that the team he had chosen with such confidence was about to encounter the most terrifying opponent they had ever faced.
"That concludes the meeting."
With the Deva Path's announcement, the gathering dispersed.
Each member left carrying their own thoughts.
As Konan walked beside the Deva Path, worry filled her expression.
"Are we really going to attack the Five Kage Summit?"
"It's far too dangerous."
The Deva Path answered calmly.
"Are you afraid?"
Konan remained silent.
She did not fear death.
Having grown up in Amegakure, death had always been a familiar companion.
What she truly feared was meeting someone she no longer had the courage to face.
Perhaps that person would not blame her.
But after seeing what she had become...
They would surely be disappointed.
Sensing her thoughts, the Deva Path remained quiet for a moment before speaking again.
"This operation will be extremely dangerous."
"You should remain in Amegakure."
"It will be safer, and someone must guard the Gedo Statue."
Konan firmly shook her head.
"I want to stay with your real body."
"Nagato."
"The three of us grew up together."
"Yahiko is already gone."
"I can't lose you too."
Deep within a hidden chamber in Amegakure, Nagato slowly opened his eyes.
His hands trembled ever so slightly before becoming still once more.
His face remained expressionless.
Only two silent tears slid down his cheeks.
"Yahiko..."
"Konan..."
"I've failed both of you."
=≠=
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