Kou: He Gave Too Much...

Obito looked at Pain coldly, and after a long silence, he spoke slowly in a low voice:

"That immature brat from back then has truly grown up."

The voice was flat, devoid of emotion, yet every word sounded like a confirmation of something.

Pain did not respond to Obito's slightly mocking remark.

He simply continued to stare at him, those purple Rinnegan eyes showing no ripples, like two bottomless wells.

Obito shrugged, his tone turning flippant, as if coaxing a child:

"Hi, hi... as you command, 'Leader'."

He emphasized the word "Leader" heavily, as if reminding him of something, or perhaps mocking something.

Obito took one last look at Kou, who was silently watching the spectacle from the side.

Then, he raised his hands to form seals, dispelling the Astral Projection Technique.

The phantom vanished into the void without a sound, like smoke scattered by the wind.

On that finger, only empty darkness remained.

Kou understood the meaning behind Obito's glance in an instant.

He rolled his eyes in his heart, though the lazy expression on his face did not change in the slightest.

After Obito's phantom completely disappeared, Kou turned his gaze toward the phantoms of Pain and Konan.

With his arms crossed over his chest, he adopted a languid posture and said nonchalantly:

"So, you kept me behind specifically—what did you want to say to me, Leader?"

To his surprise, faced with his inquiry, Pain merely shook his head slowly.

"I have nothing to say to you."

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

"It is just that the organization has recently accepted a mission, and it is to be handed to you for completion."

"Hm? That's it?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Kou's eyes.

"Is this little matter worth being so mysterious about? Couldn't you have said it when everyone was here? Why wait until everyone else left?

It feels like everyone else clocked out and I'm the only one left working overtime. It's really annoying..."

He grumbled in his heart, yet his face remained perfectly composed:

"Indeed, no matter which world it is, lousy bosses are all the same."

"The specific details of this mission are unclear; they can only be learned after meeting with the employer."

Pain continued:

"The employer's only requirement for the person taking this mission is that they possess exceptional observational and analytical skills, preferably a Kekkei Genkai related to ocular jutsu."

"A Kekkei Genkai related to ocular jutsu?"

Kou felt a hint of confusion in his heart.

Isn't that basically calling me out by name?

After all, Itachi had only just joined the Akatsuki, and he was the only one in the organization who openly possessed an ocular-based Kekkei Genkai.

Although the missions he had taken in the Akatsuki were limited, he had still managed to build up a bit of a reputation in the circle over these many years.

This mission is clearly targeting me.

Kou thought about his recent training and his plans to investigate the ruins of the Uzumaki Clan, intending to refuse and suggest Pain find someone else.

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

"For this mission, the information provided by the employer is extremely scarce. According to Akatsuki's rules, such a mission would not normally be accepted."

"But... eight million ryo. That is the price the employer has offered."

"How... how much?!"

Kou couldn't help but exclaim.

Eight million ryo?!!

One had to know that the minimum standard for an S-rank mission was one million ryo.

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

Even after the organization took its cut and he only received seventy percent, it was still a significant sum for him at this moment.

"I understand you have your reservations, as this mission does indeed seem suspicious."

Pain's voice remained steady:

"If you feel it is inappropriate, this mission can be given to Itachi to try. He has just joined the organization and happens to need..."

"No!"

Kou's voice spiked instantly, his tone resolute, like a warrior facing the battlefield:

"I have absolutely no issues! Leave this mission to me; I guarantee its completion!!"

He spoke so quickly it was as if he feared Pain might change his mind, the slackness on his face swept away, replaced by a near-devout seriousness.

Pain was momentarily stunned by Kou's 180-degree turn in attitude, forcibly swallowing the words already on his lips and instinctively exchanging a glance with Konan beside him.

Long live the Akatsuki!! Loyalty!!

Kou shouted in his heart, looking at Pain before him with affection.

It was clearly just a projection, yet in his eyes, he looked more pleasing by the second.

Now that he thought about it, he and Obito had a foster father-son relationship, which, rounding up, made him the same generation as Namikaze Minato.

Since Nagato was Minato's senior disciple, rounding up, they were all family!

They... were brothers!!

He calculated this "debt of gratitude" in his heart, and the more he calculated, the more affectionate he felt toward Pain:

Thinking of his own brother when there's money to be made—that's what I call reliable!!

He finally understood why Pain had kept him behind to discuss this mission alone—wealth shouldn't be flaunted!

If a mission with such a large sum were known to that money-grubber Kakuzu, he would probably come straight for him, gouge out his eyeballs to install them in his own head, and then trot off to execute the mission himself.

My brother Nagato is so thoughtful. When the day comes for your funeral, I'll be sure to stuff extra spirit money into the red envelope!!

Kou "expressed his gratitude" silently in his heart, his smile growing even more radiant.

Pain watched the sudden change in Kou's attitude, a trace of subtle, imperceptible emotion flickering through those purple Rinnegan eyes.

A moment later, he replied in a stiff tone:

"...As long as you can accept it."

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

He recovered instantly and continued:

"The meeting point designated by the employer is Mist Harbor on the border of the Land of Water. The assembly time is eleven o'clock in the morning, three days from now."

"Land of Water? Mist Harbor..."

Listening to Pain's words, Kou felt a sense of familiarity, as if he had heard the name somewhere before.

His brows furrowed slightly as he rapidly searched his mind for relevant memories.

Mist Harbor, that place...

Kou muttered under his breath, and just as he was searching his mind for information, Pain's voice rang out again:

"As for the reward, the employer has already paid the deposit; the full amount will be delivered upon mission completion.

Regarding your share, remember to come to the base to collect it once the mission is finished."

Kou nodded, intending to recall the details properly once he returned.

He looked up at Pain:

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

"Wait."

Pain's voice sounded again, not loud, yet it stirred a sense of helplessness in Kou's heart.

As expected...

He sighed in his heart.

He knew things wouldn't be that simple.

After all, just discussing these matters didn't warrant avoiding Obito.

On the surface, he maintained his usual grinning expression, asking in a relaxed tone:

"Is there something else? Leader?"

Pain looked at him with those Rinnegan eyes, remaining silent for a moment.

A moment later, Pain spoke.

His voice was low and heavy, as if he were speaking of something he had pondered for a long time and finally decided to voice:

"Kou, do you..."

"Want to join us and become a member of the Akatsuki?"

As the words fell, the void fell into absolute silence.

Kou's smile froze on his face.