A few days later.
Land of Rain, Akatsuki headquarters.
Zetsu, Uchiha Shin, and Hiruko arrived one after another.
Zetsu had already learned through his clone that Kisame Hoshigaki had successfully captured the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki and was heading for the secret hideout in the Land of Grass.
However, Uchiha Itachi seemed to have vanished.
And...
Konan had not appeared. Even Orochimaru was nowhere to be seen!
Uchiha Shin assumed the worst of Orochimaru, believing it was highly possible that Orochimaru had ambushed Konan along the way in order to obtain the Rinnegan!
When he told Zetsu and Hiruko of this possibility, neither of them spoke up in Orochimaru's defense. Clearly, Orochimaru's character was truly terrible.
"If your guess is correct, then how can we continue without the Rinnegan? Itachi and Kisame captured the Seven-Tails, but we have no way to summon the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path for the sealing! So... Akatsuki no longer has any reason to exist!" Hiruko poured cold water on the matter and calmly suggested, "Why don't we disband right here?"
As for what they would do after disbanding, did that even need saying? Naturally, they would go after Orochimaru and seize the Rinnegan from him no matter what!
"I also think disbanding would be best." Uchiha Shin smiled at Hiruko, but his eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
Clearly, the two clever troublemakers had thought of the same thing.
Hiruko gave Uchiha Shin's Sharingan a long look, then smiled coldly and turned to leave.
"Zetsu, find Orochimaru and Konan immediately!"
The moment Hiruko left, Uchiha Shin began issuing orders.
"Finding them won't be difficult, but before that, I need to confirm something."
Zetsu looked at Uchiha Shin and took a deep breath. "If you obtain the Rinnegan, will you still continue collecting the Tailed Beasts?"
"Why