"D-Deputy Leader?!"
When Kakuzu opened the Conference Room doors and saw one big and one small, one blue-haired and one black-haired head bent together over their books, he went completely numb.
So this was what it felt like when your former boss came knocking after you switched jobs and caught you red-handed.
In short, Kakuzu felt rather awkward right now.
Not even in his dreams had he imagined seeing Akatsuki's Deputy Leader studying alongside a high-ranking official of Wave Country.
Kakuzu did not believe that Konan, Akatsuki's Deputy Leader, would appear in Wave Country for no reason, so he instinctively assumed she had come for him.
He was already considering whether he should go easy on her if they started fighting. After all, back when he was in Akatsuki, he had thought highly of her. Otherwise, he would not have handed all the money over to her.
Hearing the commotion, Konan and Uchiha Izumi both raised their heads and looked at Kakuzu.
When Konan saw Kakuzu, although she had already suspected it, she still felt somewhat awkward. She had come here under a hidden identity, yet she had been exposed the moment they met.
She might as well pretend she really had come to sell Exploding Tags. She had indeed brought plenty with her, and with Kakuzu gone, the Land of Rain had begun to run short on funds.
"It really has been a long time, Kakuzu."
Konan controlled her expression and greeted Kakuzu coolly.
Deputy Leader?
Uchiha Izumi first glanced at Kakuzu, then at Konan. She, too, noticed something unusual. She got to her feet and leaped back, putting a safe distance between herself and Konan.
Three tomoe appeared in her eyes. Hugging her book to her chest, she stared warily at Konan, who remained seated.
"Old Kakuzu, care