Zabuza Momochi's Assassination

The Land of Rain was shrouded in rainfall year-round, and many regions suffered deeply because of it. In some places, people built numerous temples to pray to the heavens for the rain to stop, using them for worship and sacrifices.

In a temple hidden deep within the mountains, Nagato and Konan had arrived early, waiting to receive a new member.

"Uchiha Itachi, the one who wiped out the Uchiha Clan, is really joining us?" Konan asked uneasily. "Could this be a Konoha plot?"

"Sacrificing the Uchiha Clan just to have Uchiha Itachi join us? Heh, the Third Hokage doesn't have that kind of resolve." Nagato spoke calmly. "Besides, Uchiha Itachi was invited by Zetsu. His intelligence won't be wrong. Of course, if Uchiha Itachi harbors ulterior motives, we'll just kill him."

Konan nodded, then said, "Right now, I'm teamed with Pain, while Zetsu is teamed with Sasori. Once Uchiha Itachi joins, do we need to rearrange the teams?"

"Isn't Sasori still modifying himself? In that case, let Uchiha Itachi team up with Zetsu for now," Nagato said. "Konan, when you have time, make another trip to the Land of Water. It's about time we recruited him into Akatsuki as well."

"Who?"

Nagato said, "Kisame Hoshigaki of Kirigakure."

"Another piece of Zetsu's intelligence?" Konan asked.

Nagato nodded. "Recruiting Zetsu into the organization has indeed saved us a great deal of effort."

Just as Konan was about to speak, a paper crane suddenly flapped its wings and flew over.

Konan caught the paper crane in her hand and smiled. "Uchiha Itachi has arrived."

Inside the front hall of the temple, Yahiko of the Deva Path, the leader of the Six Paths of Pain, Zetsu, and Sasori of the Red Sands stood in a row, quietly listening to the approaching footsteps.

"The new