The Land of Water, nestled in a dense forest.
"Ahem... We've got the Jinchuriki, it's time for us to retreat!"
Nagato sat in the chair, her face pale, and spoke with a hint of weakness in her voice.
"How are you? Are you alright?"
Konan was behind him, asked with concern, "Although the operation went smoothly, it still took a lot of effort from Nagato to fight against a major ninja village."
"It's alright, let's go back first! We've been out for a while now!"
Just as the two were about to head home, a Paper Crane suddenly floated towards Konan; this was her unique way of transmitting information.
The paper crane must have come to her door at this time because something important had happened. Konan reached out and took it. After reading the contents, her face turned ashen.
"What's wrong? Has something happened in Amegakure?"
Konan's changes naturally did not escape Nagato's notice, and his heart, which had been slightly relieved, was once again on edge.
Amegakure was their main base, but neither he nor Obito were in the village at the moment; only Itachi and Hiruko.
Both of them are people who don't pay much attention to things, but if something really happens, they won't ignore it, unless a major ninja village attacks.
Nagato immediately thought of Sunagakure and Iwagakure. The former had lost its Jinchuriki, and the latter was plotting something, making them the most likely ninja villages to notice them.
Just as he was lost in thought, Konan brought him unexpected news.
"It's not about Amegakure! It's Hiruko who left the village without permission, and he's already declared war on Konoha! In order to seize the Kekkei Genkai of Konoha's Copy Ninja Kakashi..."
Hearing that the problem wasn't at headquarters, Pain was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he received news that it was one of his own members who had caused trouble, and that they were the ones who were most surprising when they finally did it!
After listening to Konan's report, his face turned ashen, and he slammed his fist hard on the armrest of his chair.
"Who gave them the audacity! This is utterly lawless!"
When he got excited, the Nagato started coughing uncontrollably, which startled Konan, who quickly stepped forward to comfort him.
He knew that his family members each had their own agendas, and although they sometimes made small moves, they were always very careful.
Who knew that this time, he only went out once, and someone would dare to disobey his orders.
Moreover, it's one thing to declare war on Konoha, but to plan to declare war on the entire Ninja World as well. Pain is still lying low, while his little brother is jumping out to stir up trouble.
It was obvious they didn't take him, their leader, seriously, Nagato, who considered himself a god, couldn't tolerate that!
The last person to do this was Orochimaru, and now it's Hiruko. Is Itachi next? Why is it that none of the people from Konoha are well-behaved?
The thought of this made Nagato restless; he had to hurry back and deal with Hiruko's matter seriously.
At the same time, he also made a plan to give Itachi a good talking-to, regardless of whether Itachi had any ulterior motives.
If the team's morale is low, it will be difficult to lead. If this matter is not handled properly, his authority will be lost, and how will he lead the team in the future?
"Return immediately!"
Without Nagato's permission, Konan had already broken open the tree hole, wrapped Nagato and the chair together with the paper, and sped towards Amegakure.
Despite their haste, they were still a step too late! Just as they returned to Amegakure, before they could even catch their breath, another intelligence report arrived.
"Hiruko is dead!"
As she spoke, Konan handed a small scroll to Nagato. After Nagato finished reading the contents, his face turned ashen.
At this moment, he felt a surge of anger rising in his heart, which he could neither vent nor swallow, making him feel extremely uncomfortable!
If Hiruko were to appear before him now, he would definitely make the other party taste the "Shinra Tensei," and even if he were dead, he would want to give his corpse a good beating.
Nagato Nagato's face turn pale and then purple, Konan gently comforted her.
"His unauthorized actions certainly warranted his death, but his death was not entirely without merit!"
Konan handed him a glass of water, but Nagato didn't take it. Instead, he looked at her, signaling her to continue.
A series of messages had already made Nagato's head spin, and he needed comforting words. Konan didn't keep him in suspense and immediately said:
"The main ninjas Hiruko Konoha time are Kakashi, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and Jiraiya!"
When Jiraiya was mentioned, Konan's tone became complicated, and her words were tinged with seriousness.
What a nostalgic name! It's a pity we're no longer on the same path.
"We need to reassess Konoha's strength. If the current Hokage, Lady Tsunade, and Jiraiya are both in Konoha, our attempt to capture the Nine-Tails will likely face some obstacles!"
This was undoubtedly because they had just experienced the strength of Kirigakure; although the process went smoothly, Nagato did not have an easy time.
If it were Konoha in the Ninja World, it would probably be even more difficult. With two Legendary Three Ninjas, Konoha is practically an impregnable fortress.
It wasn't that she lacked confidence in Nagato's strength, but rather in his physical condition.
"I never imagined that Konoha, after suffering such a severe blow, would not only not decline, but would become even stronger!"
Hearing Konan's analysis, Nagato calmed down a bit.
Since it has already happened, we must face reality and accept the pain that this world brings.
"Now it seems that's indeed the case. Now it seems necessary to leave the Nine-Tails to be dealt with last!"
The two discussed more intelligence gathered by the organization, and Nagato's emotions calmed down.
"Hmph! He got off easy! By the way, where's Itachi? Why isn't he around?"
Just then, a report came from the doorway, and Konan went out to check the situation.
When she returned, her complexion had changed and she looked rather unwell.
Before Nagato could speak, she had already spoken:
"Itachi's residence is now deserted, and he has not been seen in Amegakure either, nor has anyone seen him..."
Nagato, who had just picked up a water glass to moisten his throat, crushed the glass in his hand upon hearing this, ignoring the glass shards that pierced his palm!
His heart, which had just calmed down, became restless again. He had only gone out for a short while, yet his men were either dead or had run away.
Anyone who didn't know better would think his company was going bankrupt!
"Perhaps... he just went out on some business. I've already sent people out to investigate. Once he shows up, he won't be able to escape the organization's pursuit!"
That being said, both of them knew that the estimated outcome was the last thing they wanted to see.
The people in the organization were all desperate criminals who had long since disregarded their lives, so he had no better solution in this situation.
They will follow orders until they find their own goals, and once they do, they will wholeheartedly pursue their own paths.
Sasori was like that, Orochimaru was like that, Hiruko was the same!
Nagato slowly closed his eyes. Not long ago, he had brought pain to others, but he never expected that retribution would come so timely, giving him a double blow in the blink of an eye.
At this moment, all he wanted was to be quiet, to quietly feel this pain, to experience this pain, and to understand this pain.
One day, he will make everyone in the world experience his pain, a pain greater than anyone else's!
Blood dripped out, and Konan sighed inwardly. She found a first-aid kit and began to treat his wound.