Akatsuki: Assemble!

Meanwhile, in the Land of Rain (Amegakure)

The sky over Amegakure remains that persistent leaden gray.

Fine raindrops silently slid down from the eaves of the tower, weaving a thin curtain of water through the oppressive city.

Inside the tower of this steel city, perpetually shrouded in the sound of rain, Koko sat cross-legged on a wooden crate that had been dragged from somewhere, looking at the blond boy who had recently been brutally ravaged by Itachi's Sharingan with an expression that could be described as kind.

"Haha, you're really funny, buddy! I admire you!"

Deidara looked at the roguish young man who had taken the initiative to talk to him with admiration, and sincerely remarked:

"I originally thought that everyone in Akatsuki was like those two bastards who didn't understand art at all, but I didn't expect there to be someone with your discerning eye, bro."

Yes, indeed, on the path of art, you'll always encounter like-minded companions!

"Oh dear, what are you saying? I'm getting a little embarrassed."

Koko scratched his head, feigning shyness, and lowered his voice, asking Deidara with "concern":

"By the way, you seem quite dissatisfied with the two colleagues who were in charge of recruiting you."

Did they do something really bad to you?

"Oh! That was really going too far!!!"

Deidara's previously excited face instantly darkened. He then abruptly turned his head, glaring intently at Itachi, who was standing alone in a corner not far away, and gritted his teeth, saying:

"That bastard, how dare he insult my great art with his damned eyes!! It's unforgivable!"

One day, I will use my most perfect art to completely wash away the shame that bastard inflicted on me!

"Wow--that Treasure Pika is so mean!"

Koko exaggeratedly covered his mouth, as if genuinely indignant on Deidara's behalf, and continued in a teasy tone:

"Well, that guy has always been an annoying person, so it's normal for you to have a bad impression of him."

After all, even in our Akatsuki family, which is based on unity, friendship, and mutual help, that guy is known for being a loner.

Sending someone like that to greet someone of your caliber... Sigh, the leader is really going too far."

That's exactly what I meant!

Deidara nodded repeatedly, then, as if suddenly understanding something, his eyes widened even more:

"Ah! So that guy was one of the particularly unpopular types in Akatsuki?"

"Yeah, it seems my intuition was right after all; that guy really is quite annoying."

He paused, scratched his blond hair, and frowned in confusion:

"But speaking of which, Treasure Pika? What a strange name."

What were his parents thinking, giving him such a name? Do even his family dislike him?

He glanced at Uchiha Itachi, who was standing not far away with a cold face, pretending not to hear anything, and echoed him sarcastically:

"Heh, you never know..."

Not far away, Itachi's expression remained unchanged throughout.

He simply sighed silently in his heart, then subtly increased the distance between himself and the two people.

"... cut."

Watching Itachi's retreating figure grow ever more distant, Deidara clicked his tongue in annoyance and said resentfully:

"Damn Sharingan! One day, my art will surpass those eyes!"

Explosions are the most beautiful art! Art that is more beautiful than that simply cannot exist.

"What are you talking about, new senior?"

"Ughhhhh!!!"

A comical voice came out of nowhere from behind Deidara, startling Deidara so much that he jumped up, even causing a few strands of his striking golden hair to stand on end.

Obito tilted his head, which was covered by an orange Spiral Mask, and, while admiring Deidara's still-shaken appearance, said comically:

"Wow, what an amazing senior! They can even dance! So talented!"

"You're the one who scared them, Tobi."

Kouchi looked at Obito, who was pretending to be stupid, with disdain and retorted without any politeness:

"What are you standing there for? Apologize to them right now! Look how scared you've made the child."

"Hey!"

Obito straightened his body, gave a clumsy, awkward salute to Deidara, then turned around and waved vigorously at him:

"Hello! Deidara -senpai, I'm Tobi, a trainee who has been practicing in the Akatsuki for two and a half years!"

I enjoy singing, dancing, rapping, and even playing rap! Please give me your feedback!

"... Uh, please take care of me."

Deidara looked at the masked man with his flamboyant mannerisms and his lips twitched involuntarily.

Just as he was silently labeling this guy Tobi as "another weirdo" in his mind and was preparing to give him a casual reply, he suddenly seemed to be struck in the heart by something and froze on the spot.

Deidara grabbed Obito's hand, which was still waving wildly at him, and his eyes instantly blazed with an almost fanatical light:

Wait, you just said you like bombs?!

Oh no, are you also an artist who endorses explosion art?!

"Ah, ah le le?"

Obito looked at Deidara, whose attitude had completely changed, and tilted his head in confusion.

Deidara, completely oblivious to Obito's inner turmoil, forcefully wiped away the tears that were about to spill from his eyes, and choked out, "..."

"Wow, there are actually artists who understand the beauty of explosions just like me... I'm so moved!"

Akatsuki, what a great place!

He patted Obito's back forcefully, and the little face that had just been full of anger and resentment now radiated an unprecedented glow:

"Don't worry, junior! From today onwards, this artist will definitely guide you to appreciate the true wonders of art!"

Ah, I'm really looking forward to my days in Akatsuki...

"Haha, whatever makes you happy, senior."

Obito echoed in that comical tone, silently giving Kōji, who was watching him with schadenfreude, a speechless look:

"Does this kid have some serious illness?"

Just as Obito was about to make up some excuse to escape from Deidara, a cold and oppressive voice slowly drifted from the shadows not far away:

"Now that everyone is here, it's time to begin the first all-member meeting of the Akatsuki."

Itachi, Koro, Obito, and Deidara instantly turned their heads and turned their gazes toward the cold, handsome figure that slowly walked out of the shadows.

Pain walked step by step to the center of the crowd.

Behind him, Konan spread her white wings made of countless pieces of paper and slowly descended from mid-air. Her cool face, half-hidden by her light blue hair, showed no extra emotion.

Scorpion silently Earth Flow from the shadow of the stone pillar on the other side, coldly sweeping his eyes, hidden deep within Scarlet Amber's body, over everyone present.

Kakuzu, dragging Hidan who was bound hand and foot and still muttering incoherent Hidan, slowly walked towards the base gate.

Raiga Kurosuki, carrying Thunder Sword, strode quickly out of the shadows behind Obito.

He first glanced warily at Obito, then slowly shifted his gaze to Koko beside Obito, a subtle struggle flashing in his eyes.

Pain slowly scanned every face present with his purple Rinnegan, then spoke in a deep voice to the three new members who had just been recruited into the Akatsuki:

"Now, let's start by introducing ourselves to the three new members of Akatsuki."

He slightly raised his chin, and the ever-present rain clouds above Amegakure shone through the window behind him, making his purple Rinnegan appear exceptionally deep.

"I am Pain, the leader of Akatsuki, and the one and only God in this world who will lead the Ninja World to true peace!!"