Land of Rain, Amegakure.
Inside a high tower.
In the dim light, phantoms formed by the Astral Projection Technique appeared one after another as the members of Akatsuki gathered once more.
The atmosphere was completely different from the previous assembly, carrying an added hint of gravity.
Moreover, there were clearly two fewer phantoms.
Everyone present immediately noticed the absence of Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha.
Pain's Deva Path's phantom stood at the forefront. He swept his gaze over the group, said not a single unnecessary word, and went straight to the point.
"Itachi and Kisame's mission failed. Both of them were defeated in Konoha and taken prisoner."
Sasori, who had originally intended to report on his situation, stiffened slightly upon hearing this news and stood there in a daze.
Every member of Akatsuki was an S-rank rogue ninja.
The organization's members were all solitary and arrogant.
Yet that arrogance was built precisely upon their recognition of one another's strength.
They had absolute faith in Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha's abilities in particular.
And such men had actually been captured alive?
"What?!"
"That Itachi Uchiha actually..."
"Hahaha, so even Itachi Uchiha has a day like this! Hmm!" Deidara burst into laughter, his face full of gloating delight.
He thought it was an absolutely hilarious joke.
That Uchiha clansman who had once thoroughly humiliated him with the Sharingan had actually fallen in the very village he came from.
But the smile on Deidara's face quickly froze. He then curled his lips in disdain. "Still, Konoha is really sticking its nose where it doesn't belong. I was supposed to be the one to defeat Itachi, hmm!"
Kakuzu snorted coldly, his deep voice carrying dissatisfaction. "It would be one thing if two core members had died, but they were captured alive..."
"That means the