"Yomi is dead..."
The first thing Pain's projection said was this.
Those present were...
Kakuzu, Madara [Obito], and Black Zetsu and White Zetsu in the flesh.
Orochimaru, Pain, and Konan were the ones using the Limbo: Heavenly Illusion Technique to project themselves.
The Akatsuki Organization kept gaining members, but it also lost members because of missions and various other reasons.
And this time...
"Yomi died at the hands of Konoha's White Devil, Hyuga Sho... Hyuga Sho also subdued Mōryō's vessel and took the shrine maiden of the Land of Demons away..."
Pain spoke of these events in his cold tone, as though such a major development still failed to attract his attention.
"Heh heh heh, was even Kakuzu no match for Hyuga Sho?"
Orochimaru spread his hands and asked.
"Hmph..." Kakuzu snorted coldly, disdainfully refusing to explain himself.
"Kakuzu was outside searching for bounty targets at the time..."
Black Zetsu explained.
"I see..."
Orochimaru had already guessed the answer.
"In other words... Madara, Konan, Black Zetsu and White Zetsu, and Yomi together were no match for that child, Hyuga Sho..."
Orochimaru's distinctive hoarse voice sounded as though he were summarizing the facts.
Or perhaps mocking them.
"That child... has already grown into an existence capable of overturning our organization."
"Orochimaru, you don't need to provoke me."
Kakuzu spoke up.
"I'll deal with him personally."
"Otoha..."
Orochimaru shook his head.
"I'm not trying to provoke you. I'm saying... wouldn't it be better for the leader to make a personal move?"
"!"
The moment Orochimaru said this...
The entire gathering fell silent.
Seeing everyone's reactions, Orochimaru was very satisfied.
He smiled and continued:
"Although, for various reasons, none of you were Hyuga Sho's match... it's also a fact that you failed to kill him. Since that's the case, I don't think sending