The Untrusted Zetsu

After Deva Path Pain announced that wherever he was would be the Akatsuki headquarters, the vast Underground Space fell silent again. Everyone turned over their own schemes in their minds until Orochimaru's Mental Image Body appeared.

"Hey, as expected of Orochimaru—you took care of Jiraiya that quickly?" Takigawa Hyuga broke the silence with a smile.

Orochimaru shot Takigawa Hyuga a cold sidelong glance. He didn't explain that Jiraiya had been a Shadow Clone, and instead confronted Deva Path Pain directly. "Pain, I need an explanation."

He was sure Takigawa Hyuga had already told Deva Path Pain about their encounter with Jiraiya at the headquarters.

"I won't give the same explanation twice," Deva Path Pain said expressionlessly.

Orochimaru frowned and turned to look at Takigawa Hyuga.

Takigawa Hyuga shrugged. You didn't respond to me, so why should I explain it to you?

Fortunately, Konan stepped in and recounted the gist of their earlier conversation.

Just because a clone was killed, you expect me to risk going back to Amegakure?

Orochimaru gave Zetsu a cold look, then turned to Pain. "If we abandon Amegakure, won't we become a tree without roots?"

As an Akatsuki member with divided loyalties, having a fixed headquarters was nothing but beneficial to him!

"Don't worry, everyone. My clones will always be the bond that connects us," White Zetsu suddenly said with a grin.

I'd forgotten about that... Deva Path Pain glanced at Zetsu and said coldly, "Zetsu, recall all your clones."

"Huh?" White Zetsu froze, looking a little panicked.

Black Zetsu furrowed his brow, baffled. "What do you mean, Pain?"

"From now on, I'll personally relay each team's missions through the rings. We won't need your clones," Deva Path Pain explained without a trace of emotion.

As if worried Zetsu might take offense, Konan added after Deva