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"Tch, I knew that guy couldn't be trusted—putting his personal affairs before the organization."
Sasori, the one in Akatsuki who despised Orochimaru the most, naturally spoke up first.
"Though I don't want to let Orochimaru get away either, we're short on members right now."
Pain spoke with a hint of helplessness.
"M-Me! Can I join?"
Tobi jumped out excitedly, looking thrilled.
"Get lost!" Sasori scolded him without mercy.
Tobi froze for a moment, then lowered his head and spoke disappointedly.
"Okay..."
Sasori continued. "Leave Orochimaru to me. That Kabuto under him is pretty much like one of my puppets. I'll find his hiding spot in no time."
Pain raised his hand slightly and spoke.
"No rush. I already have someone in mind for your partner. We'll talk after he joins."
Kakuzu asked from the side.
"What about me? Will I team up with Kagaya?"
"You'll operate solo for now."
Pain clearly didn't want to pair Kagaya and Kakuzu together.
"I've prepared a different partner for Kagaya."
Kagaya was slightly taken aback and quickly spoke up.
"Leader, I brought back an orphan with a bloodline limit from Kirigakure. I hope he can become my partner."
With that, Kagaya pointed to Haku beside him.
Kakuzu let out a disdainful laugh.
"Oh? So the little brat can only team up with another little brat, huh."
Pain spoke flatly.
"How's his strength?"
Kagaya paused. Haku's strength really wasn't enough to be a full Akatsuki member.
Seeing Kagaya stay silent, Pain naturally understood that the kid's power was insufficient.
"He'll be an intern for now. Let him follow you. I'll still assign you a partner, but never mind—your partner will go to Itachi first. You operate with the intern for the time being."
Kagaya nodded. Though it was odd why Pain suddenly changed his mind, this was good for him.
"Alright."
Itachi asked curiously.
"Do I need a partner too?"
Pain looked at Izumi.
"Her strength isn't enough after all. You can handle the current missions alone, but that might not be the case later."
Itachi nodded.
"Fine."
By a riverside, Itachi and Izumi were sitting there. Not long after, someone wearing an Akatsuki cloak approached from behind them.
"Starting today, I'm your partner. But isn't Akatsuki supposed to work in pairs?"
The face above the cloak was blue and resembled a shark.
Itachi spoke calmly.
"She's an intern in the organization, currently operating with me. Under normal circumstances, she doesn't count as combat strength."
"Is that so? Meaning she's dead weight? Let me introduce myself—I'm Hoshigaki Kisame, formerly one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Pleased to work with you."
"Uchiha Itachi."
Itachi reported his name concisely.
"Land of Earth?"
Kagaya looked at the Pain in front of him, somewhat surprised. Could it be him?
Pain nodded.
"Yes. In the Land of Earth, there's someone who often takes on terrorist attack missions. I've got my eye on him. I want him to be Sasori's partner. So I hope you and Haku will go with Sasori to recruit him into Akatsuki."
Sasori spoke up unhappily from the side.
"Even if you're getting me a partner, sending two kids along is a bit much."
Pain looked at Sasori and spoke indifferently.
"Kagaya's strength is very high. Not long ago, he attacked the Fourth Mizukage alongside Zabuza from Kirigakure and severed one of the Mizukage's arms."
Sasori froze, looking at Kagaya in surprise.
"Oh? So he does have some skill. Alright then, let's head out."
Kagaya ignored Sasori and extended his right hand, speaking.
"Leader, can I swap this ring?"
Pain: "What do you mean?"
Kagaya smiled faintly.
"I'm interested in the ring Orochimaru had. Didn't he run off with it? If I retrieve it, can we swap?"
"The ring itself doesn't make a difference, right?"
"'Void' sounds better than 'Azure.'"
"Do as you like. In that case, if you successfully recruit that person, give this ring to him."
"Hmm."
Sasori looked at Kagaya and couldn't help speaking.
"Weird kid. Does it matter what the ring is?"
Sasori didn't know that Kagaya's request to swap rings was just an excuse—a pretext to get close to Orochimaru. Orochimaru's defection reminded Kagaya of a certain ninjutsu, one that Orochimaru was currently researching!
Kagaya had to obtain it!
One month later.
Land of Earth.
In a bamboo forest, there was a staircase leading to a wooden hut at the end.
"Is this the place?"
Sasori asked.
Kagaya nodded.
"It should be. We'll know once we check."
The three slowly walked toward the hut. Once inside:
"Isn't there anyone here?"
Sasori was the first to complain.
On both sides of the room were six statues, three on each side, somewhat resembling a temple.
At a glance, there wasn't a single person.
However, Kagaya's eyes shifted slightly backward.
"No, it seems the owner here arrived a bit later than us."
A moment later, a blond youth walked in. His hair covered his left eye, and he wore cyan clothes.
"Who are you?"
"Akatsuki." Kagaya answered.
"You came looking for me?"
"Akatsuki is an organization. We're here hoping you'll join it."
The youth spoke impatiently.
"Akatsuki? I don't care who you are—don't interfere with my art appreciation."
Sasori couldn't hold back. "Do I really have to take this brat as my partner? He's got spirit, but his type doesn't live long."
"It's the leader's order. His ability is very useful."
The youth looked at Kagaya in surprise.
"You know my ability? Who exactly are you?"
Kagaya closed his eyes.
"Didn't I say? Akatsuki. The one assisting reactionary elements in various countries, causing terrorist incidents with explosions—it's you, right? What's a rogue ninja like you doing this for?"
"Purpose? I don't have anything like that. I was just entrusted to cause explosions—with my artwork, yeah!"
By the end, the youth even let out a satisfied "yeah," clearly proud of his works.
"Annoying!"
Sasori spoke impatiently. He had no interest in what Deidara called "art"—he just wanted a partner.
"You still haven't answered my question. Are you willing to join Akatsuki?" Kagaya asked one last time.
"Sorry, not interested at all!"
Sasori turned to Kagaya.
"I don't think talking more will help."
Kagaya nodded.
"You're right. Then I'll handle it."
His black pupils slowly turned blood-red.
"So in the end, we have to convince him with force?"
The youth snorted disdainfully.
"You lot, come at me if you dare!"