Kou: He Was Offering Way Too Much...

Obito stared coldly at Pain. After a long while, he spoke slowly in a low voice:

"That immature brat from back then has grown up, too."

His voice was flat, impossible to read, but every word sounded like he was confirming something.

Pain didn't respond to Obito's faintly mocking words.

He simply kept looking at him, those purple Rinnegan eyes showing no ripples, like two bottomless wells.

Obito shrugged, his tone turning flippant, as if he were placating a child:

"Sure, sure... As you wish, 'Leader.'"

He put particular emphasis on the word "Leader," as if reminding Pain of something, or perhaps mocking him.

Obito glanced one last time at Kou, who was quietly watching the show beside him.

Then he raised his hands and formed the seals to dispel the Illusionary Body Technique.

His phantom dissolved soundlessly into the void, like smoke blown away by the wind.

Only empty darkness remained on that finger.

Kou immediately understood what Obito had meant with that look.

He rolled his eyes inwardly, though the lazy expression on his face didn't change in the slightest.

After Obito's phantom had completely vanished, Kou turned his gaze to the phantoms of Pain and Konan.

He folded his arms across his chest, his posture lax, and asked nonchalantly:

"So you went out of your way to keep me here. Was there something you wanted to tell me, Leader?"

To his surprise, Pain merely shook his head slowly in response.

"There's nothing I need to tell you."

Pain's purple Rinnegan eyes remained as still as ever:

"It's just that the organization recently took on a mission, and I want you to handle it."

"Hm? That's all?"

A trace of surprise flashed in Kou's eyes.

"Was there any need to make such a big mystery out of this? Why not say so when everyone was here? Why wait until they'd all left?

It's like everyone else got to clock out, but I'm stuck working overtime. That's really annoying..."

He grumbled inwardly, though his expression didn't change at all:

"Sure enough, no matter what world you're in, bosses are all the same."

"We don't know the details of this mission yet. You'll have to meet with the client before you can learn more."

Pain continued:

"The client's only requirement for whoever takes the mission is that they have exceptional powers of observation and analysis. Ideally, they should also possess a dōjutsu Kekkei Genkai."

"A dōjutsu Kekkei Genkai?"

Kou felt a little puzzled.

"Isn't that basically calling me out by name?"

After all, Itachi had only just joined the Akatsuki, and Kou was the only member publicly known to possess a dōjutsu Kekkei Genkai.

Although he'd taken on very few missions for the Akatsuki, after all these years, he'd still managed to make a bit of a name for himself in the business.

"They're obviously looking for me for this mission."

Kou thought about how he still had training to do and the Uzumaki Clan ruins to investigate. He was planning to turn it down and let Pain find someone else.

But Pain's next words made him swallow the refusal that had just reached his lips.

"The client provided very little information about this mission. By the Akatsuki's rules, a mission like this wouldn't normally be accepted."

"But... the client has offered eight million ryō."

"H-how much?!"

Kou couldn't help exclaiming.

Eight million ryō?!

The minimum pay for an S-rank mission was one million ryō.

This mission started at eight million—equivalent to the price of eight S-rank missions, or roughly a quarter of Asuma in the original story!

Even after the organization took its cut, he'd still receive seventy percent. For him, that was no small sum.

"I understand that you have reservations. This mission does look suspicious."

Pain's voice remained steady:

"If you think it's unsuitable, I can give the mission to Itachi. He's just joined the organization, and he could use the—"

"No!"

Kou's voice shot up, firm and decisive, like a warrior facing the battlefield:

"I have absolutely no problem with it! Leave this mission to me. I guarantee I'll get it done!"

He spoke so quickly it was as if he feared Pain might change his mind. The lazy look vanished from his face, replaced by an almost reverent seriousness.

Pain was so taken aback by Kou's complete change in attitude that he swallowed the rest of what he'd been about to say. Then, almost instinctively, he exchanged a glance with Konan beside him.

"Long live the Akatsuki! Loyalty!"

Kou cheered inwardly, looking warmly at Pain.

Though he was only a phantom, Kou couldn't help finding him more and more likable.

Thinking about it, he and Obito were like father and son, which made him, by extension, a contemporary of Namikaze Minato.

And Nagato was Minato's senior, which, by extension, made them all family!

They were... brothers!!

He worked out this "debt of gratitude" in his head, and the more he calculated, the more fond he felt of Pain:

"He even thinks of me when there's money to be made. That's what you call a dependable brother!"

At last, Kou understood why Pain had kept him behind to tell him about the mission in private—it was best not to let the money talk.

If Kakuzu, that money-grubber, found out about a mission this lucrative, he'd probably come straight for Kou, gouge out his eyes to install in himself, then scamper off to do the mission.

"My brother Nagato really does think things through. When I'm at your funeral banquet someday, I'll be sure to stuff a few extra spirit coins into the red envelope!"

Kou silently expressed his "deep gratitude," his smile growing brighter and brighter.

Pain watched Kou's sudden change in attitude. A subtle, hard-to-detect look passed through his purple Rinnegan eyes.

After a moment, he answered stiffly:

"...Good. I'm glad you're willing to accept."

There was a hint of helplessness in his voice, one he hadn't even noticed himself.

He quickly recovered and continued:

"The client has chosen Mist Harbor on the border of the Land of Water as the meeting point. You're to meet them at eleven a.m. three days from now."

"The Land of Water? Mist Harbor..."

As Kou listened to Pain, the name sounded vaguely familiar, as if he'd heard it somewhere before.

His brow furrowed slightly as he quickly searched his memories.

"Mist Harbor... That place..."

Kou murmured under his breath. Just as he was racking his brain for any relevant information, Pain spoke again:

"As for the payment, the client has already paid a deposit. The rest will be paid in full after the mission is complete.

"Come to the base to collect your share once the mission is done."

Kou nodded, planning to think it over more carefully once he got back.

He looked up at Pain:

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going."

"Wait."

Pain's voice sounded again. It wasn't loud, but it stirred a faint sense of resignation in Kou.

"Just as I thought..."

He sighed inwardly.

He'd known it wouldn't be that simple.

After all, what Pain had just told him wasn't enough to warrant keeping it from Obito.

He maintained his usual cheeky smile and asked lightly:

"Is there something else, Leader?"

Pain watched him with those Rinnegan eyes, silent for a moment.

After a while, Pain spoke.

His voice was low and deep, as if he were telling Kou something he'd thought about for a long time and had finally decided to say:

"Kou, you..."

"Would you like to join us and become a member of the Akatsuki?"

Silence fell over the void.

Kou's smile froze on his face.