Black Zetsu: It's All For Mother!

Itachi Uchiha, sitting quietly to the side, felt a subtle ripple of emotion stir within him upon hearing the news that another member of the Uchiha Clan still existed.

He took a deep breath, striving to keep his composure, yet the glimmer in his eyes flickered with an intensity he could not conceal.

Ever since joining the Akatsuki, Itachi Uchiha had carried the burden of heavy secrets and a grim mission; he knew all too well the tragic fate of the Uchiha Clan, and the death of every clansman tugged at his seemingly heartless soul.

Yet now, learning that a survivor remained, his feelings were complex and beyond words. He felt a sense of relief that the bloodline of the Uchiha Clan had endured, but also a deep worry that this clansman might face the same dangers and plight.

"A girl from the remnants of the Uchiha Clan?" Itachi Uchiha murmured to himself, his gaze revealing a tangle of complex emotions.

Having left the Akatsuki for some time, Itachi had been searching for a path of his own.

He was acutely aware of his past identity and the sins he bore, yet he yearned to find a way to atone for his past mistakes and to protect those truly worth protecting.

And now, the appearance of this girl from the remnants of the Uchiha Clan undoubtedly plunged him into deep contemplation.

He recalled that night filled with blood and slaughter, when the Uchiha Clan crumbled under the blades of their enemies, clansmen falling one by one as blood stained the earth red.

He remembered his choice at the time: to protect Konoha and his younger brother Sasuke, he had chosen to betray his family and become a member of the Anbu.

He had ended the lives of countless clansmen with his own hands, bearing the weight of heavy sin and agony.

However, he had never forgotten his roots, nor had he ever forgotten that he was once a member of the Uchiha Clan.

Deep within his heart, he always held onto the longing and guilt for his family, and he was always searching for a way to make amends for the past.

At this moment, inside the Akatsuki meeting room, the discussions of the members rose and fell like turbulent waves, constantly battering the silent air.

Everyone had developed a keen interest in Uchiha Hanabi and her Mangekyo Sharingan, their curiosity burning like a raging fire that could not be suppressed.

After all, the Mangekyo Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan had always been a rarity, and the power and abilities of the Mangekyo were enough to make anyone wary.

The Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan was hailed as one of the strongest ocular techniques in the Ninja World, possessing the miraculous power to see through all illusions, copy the ninjutsu of enemies, and even manipulate the minds of opponents.

The glorious history of this clan was inseparable from their immense power, which was also why they had made countless enemies throughout the Ninja World.

And now, the fact that there was a survivor from this once-exterminated clan naturally drew everyone's attention.

They all wondered, who exactly was this Uchiha Hanabi? How could such a person exist in a quiet little village?

In particular, Itachi Uchiha, the man who had wiped out his clan, also took a great interest in this person.

"Then, we must pursue Orochimaru for his defection. Sasori of the Red Sands and Zetsu, the two of you go."

Pain's gaze was like a blade, fixed firmly on the two as he spoke. His voice was cold and resolute, revealing an unquestionable decisiveness.

Zetsu was slightly taken aback, his expression instantly turning grave. He knew that Orochimaru's defection was a massive blow to the Akatsuki, and Pain's decision meant they had to take action immediately.

"Understood, Leader." Zetsu's raspy voice held a hint of firmness. "I will go with Sasori of the Red Sands to hunt down Orochimaru and bring him back to the organization to face judgment."

Sasori of the Red Sands did not speak, merely nodding in silence. A cold light flickered in his eyes, as if he were a sharp blade ready to be drawn at any moment.

Pain watched the two, a flash of satisfaction crossing his eyes. He knew that Sasori of the Red Sands and Zetsu were among the most outstanding members of the Akatsuki, and their strength was sufficient to handle any challenge.

"Remember, Orochimaru is an extremely dangerous individual." Pain's voice rang out once more. "He has betrayed the organization, and he has betrayed us all. His ambition and greed have led him down a path of no return. You must act with caution and ensure he does not escape."

Sasori of the Red Sands and Zetsu nodded in unison, understanding Pain's intent. Orochimaru's betrayal filled them with anger and disappointment, but they also knew that the priority was to bring him to justice and maintain the stability of the organization.

"Additionally, regarding the matter of Itachi Uchiha." Pain's tone softened slightly as he turned his gaze toward the Mysterious Masked Man standing to the side. "Uchiha Hanabi will be joining us later, so Itachi will have a fellow clansman, and you, too, will have a new intern to accompany you."

The Mysterious Masked Man was slightly stunned; he clearly had not expected Pain to bring up this topic so suddenly.

He furrowed his brows slightly, seemingly pondering the deeper meaning behind Pain's words.

"Eh? Has Senior Orochimaru defected from the Akatsuki?" the Mysterious Masked Man suddenly asked, his voice tinged with surprise and regret. "That is truly a pity; I still had experiments I wanted to study with Senior Orochimaru!"

Pain knew that although the Mysterious Masked Man usually didn't speak much, his interjections were always quite interesting.

"Yes, Orochimaru has defected from the organization," Pain said indifferently. "His ambition is too great; he is no longer content to remain in the Akatsuki. We can only express regret for his betrayal."

The Mysterious Masked Man fell silent for a moment, seemingly digesting the news. Then, he looked up, his gaze meeting Pain's. "Then, how does the organization intend to handle this? After all, Senior Orochimaru's strength is not to be underestimated."

A hint of chill flashed in Pain's eyes. "We will naturally send people to hunt him down."

The Mysterious Masked Man nodded and did not continue to press about Orochimaru's defection, instead turning his gaze toward Konan standing nearby.

He said with a playful grin, "Then, shall I go to Yugakure with Senior Konan, Senior Kakuzu, and Itachi to bring that little Uchiha girl into the fold?!"

Upon hearing the Mysterious Masked Man's words, Konan frowned slightly. She did not like this playful attitude, especially when discussing such an important matter.

But she tried to remain calm, not directly expressing her dissatisfaction.

Pain nodded, saying to the Mysterious Masked Man, "Yes, you and Konan go."

His voice was calm and firm, without excessive emotional fluctuation.

The Mysterious Masked Man seemed somewhat surprised by Pain's decision, but he did not show it.

He simply smiled and looked at Konan, seemingly waiting for her response.

Konan was silent for a moment, then said, "Very well, I will go to Yugakure with you. However, we must act with caution and not be careless."

Her tone was serious and earnest; she clearly placed great importance on this mission.

The Mysterious Masked Man nodded, indicating his understanding.

When Orochimaru was still in the Akatsuki, the relationship between Sasori of the Red Sands and him could be described as tense. The two not only clashed repeatedly over ideological differences, but the allocation of funds also became a focal point of their conflict.

Sasori of the Red Sands, an artist obsessed with puppet mastery, lived in a world composed of steel and threads; he had always maintained a skeptical and wary attitude toward the bizarre and dangerous ninjutsu of Orochimaru.

As for Orochimaru, a scientist in pursuit of immortality and power, his eyes held nothing but a craving for knowledge and strength.

He held the same disdain and criticism for the methods of Sasori of the Red Sands, who relied too heavily on external tools.

Consequently, the relationship between the two remained perpetually tense, with every encounter devolving into a heated argument.

However, Orochimaru's defection brought such bickering to an abrupt end.

He left the Akatsuki to pursue his own path toward so-called immortality, leaving behind a wake of chaos and a vacancy. For Sasori of the Red Sands, this was not only a relief but a provocation.

He viewed Orochimaru as a traitor, loathing his betrayal with a passion that ignited a fire of vengeance within his heart.

Now, Orochimaru's whereabouts had finally been tracked by Sasori of the Red Sands. He immediately submitted a request to Pain to assassinate Orochimaru alone, hoping to use this opportunity to wash away his past shame.

Pain looked at Sasori of the Red Sands before him, his gaze filled with firmness and resolve, knowing this decision had been brewing in his heart for a long time.

Yet, Pain also understood that the Akatsuki was currently at a critical juncture. The Six Paths of Pain had lost three paths to Kirin, and the organization's strength had been greatly diminished.

Furthermore, Pain's own right hand had only recently been repaired, and his combat power had yet to return to its peak state.

Under these circumstances, every action had to be considered with caution.

"Of course," Pain said softly, his voice calm and deep. "However, you must ensure the success of the mission. We cannot afford any more losses."

Sasori of the Red Sands nodded, his voice revealing an unquestionable confidence: "I understand, Leader. I have already planted a spy near him and will soon track his exact location. I will take action personally to ensure Orochimaru cannot escape."

Pain watched Sasori of the Red Sands, unable to help but sigh inwardly. He knew the strength of Sasori of the Red Sands and his thirst for revenge.

However, he hoped more than anything that Sasori of the Red Sands would treat this mission with a cool head and not let personal emotions affect the bigger picture.

"Then, the task of tracking Orochimaru is left to you." Pain's voice echoed in the dim conference room, carrying an air of unquestionable authority.

His eyes were deep and resolute, as if he had already seen through the various challenges of the future.

Sasori of the Red Sands smiled slightly upon hearing this, a hint of cunning and confidence revealed in that expression.

He knew this was Pain's trust and support, as well as an acknowledgment of his strength.

He nodded gently, his voice raspy yet firm: "Thank you for your trust, Leader. I will go all out to track Orochimaru's movements and settle this grudge personally."

Pain nodded, a glimmer of approval flashing in his eyes. He knew the strength of Sasori of the Red Sands and believed he could complete the mission. However, he had not forgotten the current state of the organization, especially the loss of the Six Paths power.

"At the same time, I will arrange for Zetsu to search for the remaining three paths to make up for the organization's vacancies." Pain's voice revealed a sense of calm and decisiveness. "The Animal Path, the Preta Path, and the Asura Path were crippled by that Six Paths Level ninjutsu; although they are not dead, they have lost their combat capability. We need to restore our strength as soon as possible to face future challenges."

Sasori of the Red Sands felt a chill in his heart; he knew Pain was right. The organization's strength had indeed suffered severe losses.

If they did not replenish their power quickly, the road ahead would be even more difficult.

"The Leader is wise." The voice of Sasori of the Red Sands revealed a sense of admiration and determination. "I will find Orochimaru as soon as possible to eliminate this threat to the organization. At the same time, I will fully cooperate with Zetsu to find the new three paths and let the organization regain its vitality."

"Hmm." Pain's voice echoed in the empty conference room, brief and firm, as if adding a touch of coldness to the space shrouded in haze.

"Hmm." Pain's voice was short and powerful, like a blade forged from fine steel, carrying unquestionable majesty. His eyes were deep and bright, like shining stars, revealing an infinite curiosity and desire for conquest over unknown realms.

The Akatsuki meeting concluded in a stifling and heavy atmosphere; as the last member departed, the lights in the conference room gradually dimmed. However, Pain did not leave immediately; he kept Zetsu, a member known for his prowess in intelligence gathering.

"Zetsu, I need you to search for intelligence." Pain's voice echoed in the empty conference room, carrying an indescribable depth and mystery. His words were like an invisible command that Zetsu could not resist.

"Yes, Leader." Zetsu's voice was low and respectful; he knew his duty and mission well.

As a member of the Akatsuki, he had long been accustomed to walking in the shadows, using his own eyes and heart to explore the secrets of this world.

"We need new ninja corpses to create the new three paths of Pain."

Pain's voice sounded again, echoing in the empty and silent secret chamber.

For Zetsu, this was a daunting and important task. He nodded slightly to show he understood, his face devoid of any extra expression.

He knew that Pain's decisions were always well-considered, and every word and syllable contained deep meaning and purpose. The reason he wanted to create new paths of Pain was surely to enhance the organization's strength to meet the coming challenges.

Especially with the appearance of Liuli, a stranger of Six Paths Level strength unseen for a thousand years.

Zetsu understood that this had brought unprecedented pressure upon the entire Akatsuki.

The grand plan to save the Mother must not miss any opportunity!

The appearance of this mysterious powerhouse undoubtedly brought huge uncertainty to the future development of the organization.

Therefore, Pain's decision appeared particularly important. He hoped to enhance the organization's strength by creating new paths of Pain to meet the challenge of this mysterious powerhouse. And Zetsu, as an important member of the organization, naturally shouldered this arduous task.

"I understand, I will go to the Five Great Villages to find the fallen corpses," Zetsu stated, his voice low and powerful, revealing a sense of firmness and determination.

He knew that although this task was arduous, he had to complete it. Because only by finding ninja corpses suitable for creating the paths of Pain could he ensure the organization's strength was improved.

"Hmm, especially those suitable for the Asura Path and the like," Pain added, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.