The Land of Rivers, a cave belonging to the Akatsuki Organization.
"White Zetsu, what new intelligence do you have today?"
Nagato opened his eyes, pulling his thoughts back.
As a figure emerged from the soil, a White Zetsu clone revealed itself.
"The Kirigakure missing-nin Momochi Zabuza and a boy from the Ice Release Clan, along with the Demon Brothers, have already arrived in the Land of Waves."
"The Momochi Zabuza known as the 'demon'?"
In the past, Nagato might have considered recruiting Zabuza.
But...
Now that combat strength had evolved through several iterations, Zabuza's strength could no longer keep up.
As for Ice Release... although it was rare, it was still something they could do without.
"The maritime trade of the Land of Waves has already been seized by Gato..."
White Zetsu continued.
It was worth mentioning that...
"The actual controller behind Gato is Darkness of Shinobi · Shimura Danzo. Two of his subordinates serve as Gato's 'bodyguards'..."
Yes, "bodyguards," in quotation marks.
"Recently, someone called Sharp Eye Piercing Yang · Shou Yunxiao appeared. He is skilled in archery and is known by the locals as a 'hero.' He has openly opposed Gato..."
"Hmph... An ordinary person who opposes a tycoon like that will only end up dead..."
Nagato shook his head.
Having grown up amid darkness and war, he understood this all too well.
But this time, Nagato had guessed wrong.
"Shou Yunxiao not only killed some expendable underlings of Gato's... even the swordsman Zhuo Li and the ronin Fara, both infamous among ordinary people, were taken out..."
"Oh?"
Nagato found it slightly interesting.
But that was all.
"If that's the case, Gato will definitely hire ninjas to eliminate him..."
"That is indeed what happened."
White Zetsu nodded.
But he had not finished speaking.
"Shou Yunxiao hasn't said anything,