Gojo Rin: Obito-bro, please calm down. Don't go all day, okay?!

At that moment, Hidan's words and behavior filled Kakuzu with intense suspicion.

"Has this guy's brain been taken over by Uchiha Hanabi? Itachi, take a look." His voice was tinged with helplessness and confusion.

Hidan had always acted strangely, but now he seemed utterly deranged, endlessly muttering the Jashin Cult's doctrine. It was as if Uchiha Hanabi's Mangekyō Sharingan had penetrated his mind and devoured every last bit of his reason.

Earlier, he'd leaped into the air and let out a deafening shout. If he hadn't been immortal, he would probably have been dead by now. The sight had made Kakuzu grind his teeth with rage, because Hidan's recklessness had cost him a precious heart.

Enough was enough. If he hadn't joined Akatsuki, this little bastard would've been dead by now.

Hearing Kakuzu's question, Uchiha Itachi didn't answer at once. Instead, he calmly activated his deep, dark Sharingan and carefully examined Hidan's mental state.

After a thorough inspection, Itachi stated his conclusion in a flat voice: "It doesn't look like he's under genjutsu. He's simply accepted the Jashin Cult ideology that Uchiha Hanabi preaches."

Hidan seemed deeply interested in Uchiha Itachi's Sharingan. Without the slightest restraint, he loudly teased him: "Wow, bro, those eyes of yours give Hanabi's colored contacts a run for their money! Tell me, where'd you get those eyeballs? How about this: I'll give you a powerful weapon, and you tell me the secret behind those contacts. What do you say? If that doesn't work, why not join us as deputy leader of the Jashin Cult?"

Hidan's words brimmed with covetousness for Itachi's Sharingan and devotion to the Jashin Cult.

Uchiha Itachi: "..."

Faced with Hidan's nonsense, Uchiha Itachi didn't respond. He simply remained silent, his expression calm.

Kakuzu could no longer stand Hidan's deranged antics. His clenched fists betrayed his anger. "Should we just get rid of this useless guy?"

He practically ground the words out through his teeth. Hidan's behavior had not only hindered the mission; more importantly, it had nearly made Kakuzu pay a terrible price.

Konan's gaze fell on the team's distinctive, fanatical trainee member, Hidan. In her usual calm voice, touched with concern, she asked, "Hidan, that Uchiha Hanabi you keep talking about—where exactly is she now?"

As soon as Hidan heard Konan mention Hanabi, his face lit up with an almost pathological reverence and smugness.

He thumped his chest, his eyes gleaming with fanaticism, and replied, "Heh heh, that girl Hanabi is in Yugakure, spreading our Jashin Cult among those ignorant villagers. You know, she's really good with words. Her brainwashing skills put even me to shame. But since you asked, I have to make one thing clear first: on my turf, I won't allow people to spread just any old religion—especially not anything other than the Jashin Cult. So if you want to go see her, you have to promise not to try to steal my thunder once we get there. First, I want Lord Jashin's name to ring through that village."

Konan frowned slightly at his words, but showed no displeasure. Instead, she replied in a calm yet firm manner: "Hidan, our purpose here isn't to spread the ideas of any religion. You can be completely certain of that. We simply need to see Uchiha Hanabi for the organization's internal business. Please take us to Yugakure so we can learn more about her situation there."

Konan's words rang out firmly, without the slightest hint of compromise. Even Hidan couldn't help but rein in some of his frivolity.

After a moment's thought, he nodded, as if he saw this as a good chance to demonstrate his loyalty.

Then, with a mysterious smile, Hidan began arranging the journey to Yugakure.

After a long trek, they finally reached their destination. The sight before them was a great surprise.

Uchiha Hanabi, Gojo Rin, Gojo Satoru, and the other important figures were already waiting in an open space beneath the bright sun. Their faces were beaming with warm smiles, as if they had been eagerly anticipating this meeting.

A crowd of Yugakure villagers surrounded Hanabi, young and old, men and women alike. Their curious, slightly awed eyes were fixed on the people ahead.

Outside the village entrance stood Hidan and Konan, representing Akatsuki. They wore the organization's iconic black cloaks with red clouds and straw hats adorned with bells, though this scene was entirely unlike the grim atmosphere usually associated with them.

Most eye-catching of all was a huge couplet hanging at the village entrance. It read, "Akatsuki is our peaceful home; spreading Jashin is everyone's job." The comical and unexpected slogan left everyone present dumbfounded.

Holding a megaphone, Hanabi spoke in a loud, captivating voice: "Villagers, look at the people standing over there. They're the legendary Akatsuki. Although outsiders have misunderstood them and spread all kinds of rumors, today I'm here to tell you that they're a force dedicated to bringing peace and partners we can trust."

Konan, Hidan, and the other Akatsuki members were all taken aback. They clearly had no idea about this "new identity" of theirs.

Kakuzu glanced at the couplet and gave a wry smile. He teased Konan, "Looks like our image in Yugakure has been completely remade. We've become messengers of peace. That wasn't the goal we had in mind when we first joined Akatsuki."

Konan was speechless. She knew how far Akatsuki's original purpose had drifted from its current circumstances.

Akatsuki had originally been founded by Yahiko with the aim of ending war and seeking peace. But as the organization grew and outside forces infiltrated it, especially under Madara Uchiha's influence, Akatsuki gradually took an extreme path, attempting to collect the Tailed Beasts to carry out the Eye of the Moon Plan and rule the entire Ninja World.

Yet, faced with this scene, she couldn't help falling into deep thought. Perhaps after everything they had endured, Akatsuki's role and mission really had reached a turning point. Maybe there was a chance they could return to Yahiko's original vision and pursue and safeguard peace in a different way.

Everyone in Akatsuki knew that, although the scene was warm and harmonious at that moment, achieving the ultimate goal of world peace would not happen overnight. At times, it seemed more like an unattainable pipe dream.

It would take sustained effort, unwavering resolve, and the combined contributions of countless people. A slogan on a sheet of paper or a single symbolic gesture could never bring it about so easily. Given how complex and difficult reality was, even a powerful group like Akatsuki couldn't lightly promise that it could bring permanent peace at once.

Hidan stepped forward. His face, usually set in a wicked grin, now showed off a row of white teeth. He approached Uchiha Hanabi and said approvingly, "Hey, Hanabi, that was brilliant! I never thought we could use the Jashin Cult's message to promote peace, too. Looks like we should join forces and spread this peaceful 'Jashin' way!"

Hearing that, Hanabi smiled like a flower in bloom and replied smoothly, "You're too kind, Big Brother Hidan. Actually, I was inspired by the Jashin Cult's unique slogans, which gave me the idea for this unconventional approach. The Jashin Cult's beliefs may not be mainstream, but they certainly have a special knack for spreading ideas and bringing people together. It's your wise decisions and unique insights, Big Brother Hidan, that are the real driving force behind all of this!"

"Not at all, not at all. This is all thanks to everyone's hard work," Hidan said, waving a hand. He was modest, but also a little pleased with himself. "But you're right. Sometimes, looking at things from a different angle can reveal common ground between things that seem to oppose each other. Like our Jashin Cult and the pursuit of peace. Sure, we kill people whenever we feel like it, but it's all for Lord Jashin."

As Hidan and Hanabi exchanged praise and playful banter, creating a strange yet harmonious atmosphere, Konan and the others did not get swept up in the merriment. They remained alert, coolly analyzing everything before them.

Konan noticed the changes in their surroundings and quietly informed her companions: "According to the latest information from Zetsu, the identity of this Uchiha girl, who's revered by the villagers of Yugakure and active at today's event, may not be what it seems. It's possible she isn't simply an Uchiha descendant raised on the villagers' offerings."

Standing nearby, Uchiha Itachi drew on his keen instincts as a member of the clan and pointed out, "Even so, there's no doubt she has Uchiha blood. Look at the light in her eyes—that's the distinctive mark of our clan's Sharingan, and it can't be faked."

His sharp, penetrating gaze fixed on Hanabi.

Meanwhile, when the Masked Man, the secretly disguised Obito Uchiha, turned his gaze toward Gojo Rin, his heart stirred.

Rin's familiar face made him feel as if he'd been transported to another time, as though the image of his dear friend had appeared before him once more. "Rin..."

He murmured her name, his voice filled with endless longing and bitterness.

Obito carefully studied the woman before him, who looked so much like Rin. His heart was heavy with emotion. Indeed, from the shape of her features to her overall presence, she was nearly identical to Rin. Even her proportions were so perfect that it was hard to tell them apart. In this ninja world, so full of illusion and reality, to encounter such a genuine presence that stirred these feelings in me... It really does add a touch of heartfelt emotion to this false world.

He gently touched his mask, his heart filled with conflicting feelings: nostalgia for the past, and confusion and helplessness in the face of the present.

Rin's sudden death had pierced Obito's heart like a sharp sword, leaving behind a wound that would never heal.

For a time, he had been consumed by pain and despair. Using the unique power of his Mangekyō Sharingan, he had studied and mastered Space-Time Ninjutsu, eventually creating an idealized yet incomplete Limited Tsukuyomi world.

In that world, he had tried to change Rin's fate and remake a beautiful world without pain or betrayal, hoping to make up for his regret and guilt.

Whenever Rin's name came up, Obito's heart felt as if someone had grabbed it and twisted it painfully. Still, he forced those emotions down and told himself, "Rin, I'll try again and create a world where you can be happy."

He took a deep breath, reining in his tangled thoughts and bringing himself back to reality.

In an instant, Obito's gaze shifted from his memories to the Gojo Rin before him. Her resemblance to Rin reminded him once again to stay focused on his current goal.

Obito turned to the other Akatsuki members and suggested, "Seniors, since Uchiha Hanabi is just ahead, why not go invite her over? After all, she's not only an important member of the Uchiha family but also represents new possibilities. Besides, her two companions are worth paying attention to as well. Perhaps we can learn something valuable from them or find new opportunities for cooperation."

At Obito's suggestion, Konan, Kakuzu, and the others nodded in agreement. They understood that even the smallest possibility could be the key to changing their current situation.

So the group pulled themselves together, each carrying their own thoughts and goals, and headed toward Uchiha Hanabi and her companions.

Inside the clone chat group specially set up by the system, the space called "Akatsuki Insider Exchange" had been carefully designed and established by Uchiha Ruri.

The group's discussions were lighthearted yet tense. They used the platform to share information and coordinate strategies in real time.

Gojo Rin sent a message to the group, sounding a little playful and confused: "Did any of you notice that Obito was looking at me kind of strangely just now? It felt like he wanted to swallow me whole, or maybe take over my body. Haha, am I imagining things?"

The message was followed by a brief silence, then a string of shocked emojis.

Uchiha Ruri, the group owner and the main planner of the operation, promptly replied: "Rin, follow our mastermind's plan. You should all join Akatsuki quietly first and gather as much internal intelligence as you can. I'm busy coaching Naruto and Sasuke right now, so I can't talk at length. Sorry, I have to log off." As soon as she finished, Ruri left the chat group.

Gojo Rin's eyes widened in disbelief. She sent two startled messages in a row: "Huh?"

"Huh?"

It was as if what she had seen had completely overturned her understanding of the world.

It turned out even her original self was busy looking after the kids, with no time to attend to the clones. This slice-of-life kind of humor struck Gojo Rin as both novel and endearing.

It seemed that no matter how extraordinary one's identity was, or whether one possessed the power of the Six Paths, it made perfect sense for Naruto and Sasuke's big sister to have to look after them both.