Pain took over the conversation, his Rinnegan turning toward Biwa Juzo. "Next, I'll assign the missions. Juzo, Itachi, you'll continue handling missions in the Land of Water. While you're there—"
Before he could finish, Biwa Juzo grumbled, "Is there nowhere else we can go?"
"Don't worry. It's not time to capture it yet. You only need to investigate the Three-Tails. Besides, you're familiar with the area, right?"
Pain didn't give Biwa Juzo a chance to refuse. Once he'd finished speaking, he ended the meeting.
"Looks like we're about to lose another member."
Those were the first words Chiya spoke after opening his eyes.
"What do you mean?" Black Zetsu asked, looking at Chiya in confusion. Could he have discovered something?
"It's simple. As far as I know, the Three-Tails Jinchuriki is the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure. He's a Perfect Jinchuriki and can freely enter Tailed Beast Transformation. With Biwa Juzo's abilities, this mission is practically a death sentence. I'd guess this was Tobi's idea—to spur Itachi into awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan technique in his left eye, while also weeding out the weaker members of the Akatsuki."
Chiya spoke with a meaningful look.
"Truly, there's nothing I can hide from you." Black Zetsu looked at Chiya in surprise, then asked, "So what do you plan to do?"
Chiya thought for a moment. "I've got a good impression of Biwa Juzo, so I want to save his life. Of course, afterward I'll have him voluntarily give up his position as a full member of the Akatsuki and serve as an ordinary elite jōnin in Amegakure instead. It won't interfere with your plans."
He had his own reasons for doing this.
First, Biwa Juzo had been willing to take a blade to a Tailed Beast Bomb for the sake of a comrade. He