The Akatsuki base.
"...We've pinpointed where the Three-Tails will revive. Kakuzu, Hidan, Itachi, Kisame, go there and capture it."
The Ninja World was in turmoil, and Pain didn't want anything else to change in the meantime. He sent four Akatsuki members at once, hoping to make a strong start on the Tailed Beast capture plan.
Itachi Uchiha and Kisame nodded and accepted the mission. Pain looked toward Kakuzu, only to see him raise a hand.
"Pain, send someone else this time. I have another commission."
At that, every Akatsuki member turned to look at him, their expressions varied.
Another commission?
Just a few days ago, Pain had made himself perfectly clear: everyone was to put all their current work aside.
Akatsuki would no longer accept contracts related to war, and its members weren't to take private jobs either. The Conglomerates of the Five Great Nations would provide the money, and the entire organization would focus on the "Tailed Beast Capture Plan."
"Don't look at me like that."
Sensing their gazes, Kakuzu said calmly, "The Conglomerates contacted me privately. They gave me the commission."
Kakuzu acted like a soulless zombie, conducting business with everyone in the same dispassionate manner. But in truth, he was the oldest person present, and understood human relationships and social customs better than anyone.
The Conglomerates had given Akatsuki a huge sum to fund the Tailed Beast capture plan.
Now the client had run into a small problem and was asking them for help privately. Kakuzu couldn't exactly say, "Sorry, that's not in the contract, so we won't help," could he?
Pain gave Kakuzu a long, searching look.
"I understand. Deidara, Sasori, take Kakuzu and Hidan's places in this Three-Tails capture operation."
With the arrangements settled, the Akatsuki members' projections disappeared.
Konan came up behind Pain. "I