I Was Here First

Then most of the ordinary Akatsuki members went back to rest contentedly, leaving only a few key core members behind to discuss their next moves.

Nagato spoke first, asking, "Are we really going to carry out this mission Hanzo gave us?"

Shiba Seika thought it over, then nodded. "Judging from the map, the Sunagakure squad's wandering position is very close to our base. Even if we weren't doing this for Hanzo, just for the safety of our own stronghold, we have to deal with these Suna ninja." He took the opportunity to further criticize the Akatsuki's current organizational structure. "Also, this incident exposes that our intelligence work is absolutely terrible! Suna ninja appearing in an area so close to our base—even Hanzo got word of it, yet we were completely in the dark! That's a serious failure!"

When he said "failure," his gaze unflinchingly stabbed toward Yahiko.

He was always like this—his rebelliousness never hidden.

And as the leader, Yahiko could only take the criticism without retort.

Because at this stage, the Akatsuki organization really did fall short in many areas. Shiba Seika's assessment of them as a "ragtag troupe" wasn't unfounded.

Then Shiba Seika smoothly proposed, "For this mission, Konan and I will lead the team. Nagato, use this time to pick some sensory-type ninja from the organization and take charge of intelligence gathering. We can't keep being blind to everything around us!"

This was absolutely necessary!

He was already planning to assassinate Danzo's agents sent into the Land of Rain ahead of schedule—how could he counter Danzo while stumbling around in the dark like this?

But Nagato, being called out, flinched and instinctively let out a socially anxious sound. "Huh? This... this is being entrusted to me?" He looked at his friend Yahiko, then at Shiba Seika, his face full of reluctance.

He was a bit quiet, but not stupid—this was clearly a move to divide Yahiko's authority.

Seeing this, Shiba Seika smiled gently. The smile was warm, yet it made Nagato feel utterly defenseless. "Nagato, you should know the current situation of your Uzumaki Clan in the ninja world, right? You saw what happened to Aunt Kayo. Across the entire ninja world, Kusagakure isn't the only village that wants to capture and imprison Uzumaki survivors. If we don't master intelligence, what if ninja from other villages covet the Uzumaki bloodline and legacy next time? Do you want to watch your aunt fall into the abyss again? Nagato, without power, you can't protect anything. Your Aunt Kayo has already suffered so much—you don't want anything to happen to her again, do you?"

At that moment, Nagato was completely shaken.

Originally, Yahiko's place in Nagato's heart was unmatched—Shiba Seika alone couldn't budge it.

But that trip to Kusagakure had forced a new weakness into Nagato's heart!

The bond of blood, long-lost family affection, gentle maternal warmth, and a pitiable background and experiences—all of this let Uzumaki Kayo easily walk into Nagato's closed-off heart!

At that moment, even a childhood friend who grew up with him could only lose completely.

Looking at it from another angle, wasn't this another kind of "the childhood friend never wins against the newcomer"? Shiba Seika thought idly.

Though it wasn't about romance, Yahiko this time was still "all out of luck, no chance, no way out"...

After a few seconds of struggle, Nagato finally nodded and agreed. "Alright, I'll handle the intelligence work. Yahiko, I won't take too many people."

Given Yahiko's personality, even if it hurt, he couldn't refuse.

He forced a smile and instead encouraged him. "Don't worry about it, Nagato. Take as many people as you need. I'll handle the rest of the organization's affairs."

He couldn't blame Nagato for something like this, but he couldn't help sighing inwardly.

Why did it turn out like this? It was me first...

Konan, Nagato—it was me who met you first...

With that settled, the night's gathering came to an end.

Shiba Seika trusted that Nagato could handle the intelligence work, because in the original story, after he turned dark, he single-handedly managed the entire Akatsuki's intelligence lockdown.

Though that relied on the bug-level ability of the "Rain Tiger at Will Technique," it at least showed that Nagato had the capacity to sift through and filter vast amounts of complex information.

Shiba Seika was quite optimistic about that.

The next morning, he and Konan selected three teammates to accompany them, preparing to head to the location Hanzo the Salamander had provided to deal with the Suna ninja who had infiltrated the area.

Meanwhile, a hundred kilometers away, the Suna squad marked by Hanzo had just finished a night's rest and were packing up their camp.

The leading jonin spread out a map, carefully confirmed a spot, then waved everyone over. "After these few days of reconnaissance, we've basically confirmed that the target those bandits called a 'fat sheep' is an organization named 'Akatsuki' in the southern Land of Rain."

The Suna squad leader pointed to a location on the map. "They have a good reputation locally, often helping the poor. But recently, they came into a very generous supply of resources from somewhere, which is why the surrounding bandits targeted them. According to reliable intel, their base should be around this area."

One of the Suna ninja in the squad laughed. "So that means we helped this Akatsuki out by taking down those bandits a few days ago? Then it's only fair we ask them for some compensation, right?"

Another Suna Puppet Master beside him said cruelly, "Just some compensation and you're satisfied? Canaan, you're still too soft. How many small-time organizations like this get wiped out every day in the ninja world? Why not just kill them all?"

The Suna squad leader nodded, not bothered by his teammate's cold-bloodedness, and instead affirmed, "The village is at a stalemate with Konoha in the war. Our foundation is still far behind Konoha's. Even with the advantage of a surprise attack, it's hard to close that gap. Every bit of extra supplies at this point can help the village recover some ground on the front lines. So this time, we must take all of this Akatsuki's resources and bring them back to the village! If they resist, let these small-country Rain ninja feel the gap between them and a major ninja village!"

At that, every Suna ninja around him was fired up, blood boiling!

Except for one female ninja who had never gathered with the team from the start, standing a little way off, leaning against a tree and resting quietly.

The squad leader frowned, raised his head, and questioned.

"Did you hear what I just said, Pakura?"

Pakura cast an impatient glance at the man, let out a cold and distant "mm," and treated that as her reply.

The Sunagakure squad leader was furious, yet he had no way to deal with her.

Because when it came to actual strength, Pakura was far above him!

The other party had only been dispatched to a small country like the Land of Rain because the newly appointed Fourth Kazekage didn't favor her.

The squad leader could only fall back on the one thing that could suppress Pakura: his status!

"Pakura, I'm the squad leader now!"

Pakura lazily "oh"-ed again, then added, "Fine, you're in charge. Hope you don't regret it."

This scene was off not just in tone, but even the person being angered was reversed.

With that, Pakura walked off as if nothing had happened.

As for the Sunagakure squad leader, he was so furious he wanted to slam the door.