Kakuzu: Down and Out, Brothers. Back in the day, even Hashirama almost died by my hand.

The female version of Gojo Rin stands at a height of 1.68 meters, her figure slender and graceful, especially her proud, eye-catching bust, which has been meticulously adjusted to be even more striking.

At this moment, her slender fingers gently grasp the equally charismatic gender-swapped Gojo Satoru before her, and she speaks in a tone that is gentle yet tinged with worry: "Teacher Gojo, look, the gaze Obito hides beneath his mask seems to hold an irresistible greed and fervor for me. Did I adjust my chest to be too provocative? It makes Obito-bro's eyes constantly locked onto me."

Upon hearing this, Gojo Satoru shows no embarrassment or shyness; instead, she lowers her head to examine Gojo Rin's alluring bust, paired with those soul-snatching, sexy black stockings. Even though her height is maintained at only around 1.6 meters, she appears full of charm and allure.

She lightly adjusts her glasses and says with composure: "Rin-chan, your charm is indeed unrivaled, but don't let little brother Obito fall too deep. You know, the reason he chose to join the Akatsuki and orchestrate all of this was originally to create a world where you exist. He is still very young, and his heart retains that innocence and naivety; the Sage Two of his childhood is still the Sage Two."

Tracing back to the childhood of Obito Uchiha, his IQ test result was only 2, but this number could not measure his potential and determination.

Behind the grand layout of the Akatsuki lies the strategic support provided by that ancient monster, Black Zetsu, as well as the various advanced tactics left behind by the late Madara Uchiha—such as the method to control the Nine-Tails, the means to construct the Eye of the Moon world, and the persuasive techniques that can easily incite hearts. These have all become important weapons in Obito's hands to change the world.

As for why Madara Uchiha chose the Sage Two Obito, it is because he was the best candidate for the layout according to the Eye of the Moon plan, and a potential choice for the top-tier bonds of Konoha.

In this unique worldview, Obito's emotional entanglement with Rin is no different from his obsession in reality, perhaps even more profound and complex.

Hidan is watching the new faces before him—Gojo Rin and Gojo Satoru—with great interest, these two new members who unexpectedly joined the Jashin Cult. With a face full of smiles, he jokingly teases Hanabi: "Little sister Hanabi, your ability to recruit people is truly growing. Are these two also fresh blood for our Jashin Cult? In such a short time, the number of cultists has grown so rapidly; as expected of you, your connections are vast and your methods are brilliant."

A glimmer of joy and surprise flashes in Hidan's eyes, but he is not shocked by the outstanding figures of Rin and Satoru; what truly delights him is the fact that the Jashin Cult's ranks are growing day by day.

He beams and suggests in his usual exaggerated and humorous manner: "Ahem, you two newcomers, as a welcome gift, I've decided to give you each a special ceremony—how about stabbing your hearts? Haha, I guarantee you'll fall in love with this unique feeling!"

Standing to the side, Hanabi cannot help but interject to remind him: "Big brother Hidan, they aren't as 'thick-skinned' as I am and can't withstand the test of a heart-piercing. It was hard enough to find new people; if they were to sacrifice themselves for nothing, I'd have to go find replacements, and that would be such a hassle."

Hanabi coughs lightly behind her hand and waves it dismissively, responding with an indifferent air: "Big brother Hidan, if they actually get stabbed to death, I won't have the energy to scout for you next time; you'll have to figure it out yourself. Did you see the spirit of these villagers? They are basically all ordinary people. Do you really want to choose them?"

Her words carry a hint of mockery, clearly disapproving of Hidan's extreme way of welcoming newcomers.

However, Hidan does not give up. He scratches his head and, as if struck by a sudden thought, changes his tune: "Alright, alright, since we can't stab the heart directly, let's change the method. You can each stab your own chest. That way, you can express your piety to the Jashin Lord without causing any fatalities—isn't that killing two birds with one stone? This is the unique way we Jashin Cultists offer sacrifices to the Jashin Lord."

"..."

Facing this series of outrageous demands from Hidan, Gojo Rin and Gojo Satoru can only look at each other in silence.

Both of their faces wear expressions of being unable to laugh or cry, and they cannot help but think to themselves: Can this guy fit anything in his head other than the Jashin Lord?

"Hey, brother Hidan, you must understand what the biggest problem our Jashin Cult is currently facing, right?" Hanabi says, tossing the megaphone in her hand aside, hands on her hips, a triumphant smile on her face. "Insufficient numbers—that is the key. That's why I decided to infiltrate the Akatsuki, attempting to dismantle the enemy from within, and then turn around to clean up the Akatsuki. This way, not only do we weaken our opponents, but we can also convert those Akatsuki members who have lost their support into believers of the Jashin Cult. Look, isn't this a great plan to kill two birds with one stone? Am I right, Hanabi?"

Upon hearing this, a fanatical light flashes in Hidan's eyes. He pats his chest and echoes: "Hey, as expected of you, Hanabi! This brain of yours turns faster than a windmill! Since that's the case, before we clean up the Akatsuki, why don't we just take care of those annoying small fries across the way, and then use their life force to sacrifice to the Jashin Lord? This will not only show our loyalty to the Jashin Lord but also further strengthen the power of the Jashin Cult. Don't you agree?"

When Hanabi hears this, the smile on her face fades slightly. She shakes her head, pretending to be serious, and replies: "Oh my, comrade Hidan, although I appreciate your enthusiasm and execution, we can't just know how to kill all day long, especially when dealing with those innocent ordinary people. Think about it, if we make it a river of blood and corpses everywhere, that kind of scene—let alone me, I'm afraid the Jashin Lord wouldn't be happy to see it either. What we need to do is guide and influence, not blindly slaughter."

Hidan is stunned, clearly not expecting Hanabi to have such a viewpoint. He scratches his head, but a moment later, he is grinning again: "Aha, Hanabi, what you say makes sense. Then we will try to limit the scope of the battle to within the Akatsuki, striving to make them willing to become believers of the Jashin Lord. This way, we expand the congregation while avoiding unnecessary casualties—it's simply a perfect plan! It seems that following you, I also need to learn to use my brain more."

Hanabi nods with satisfaction and Responded: "That's more like it, Hidan. Remember, the purpose of the Jashin Cult is not just to pursue power, but to understand balance and wisdom. Let us work together to realize the great vision of the Jashin Lord step by step!"

The two share a smile and continue to plot how to cleverly and efficiently expand the power of the Jashin Cult.

About one or two hundred meters away, core members of the Akatsuki such as Konan, Kakuzu, and Itachi clearly capture the conversation between Hanabi and Hidan. Although the distance is a bit far, Hidan's excited voice and Hanabi's relaxed and happy response are particularly abrupt in this quiet environment, so much so that their plan strikes the ears of the Akatsuki members like a bolt from the blue—the ambition to dismantle the Akatsuki and strengthen the Jashin Cult is laid bare.

Kakuzu's expression is grave, a trace of vigilance flashing in his deep eyes. He turns his head slightly to look at Konan and asks in a low voice: "It seems this little girl from the Uchiha remnants is specifically here to find trouble for us. Konan, it seems a conflict is inevitable, right?"

His words reveal a sense of determination after having been baptized by countless battles.

Itachi follows closely behind, calmly analyzing the current situation: "Konan, the problem now is that Hidan has reached some kind of consensus with Hanabi, and look, he has already begun preparing to initiate that transformation into his immortal form."

As Itachi speaks, he points to Hidan, who is brewing a strange ritual in the distance. His gaze is sharp, staring fixedly at Itachi and the others.

Just as Konan is still thinking about countermeasures, the movement on Hidan's side becomes increasingly intense.

He is seen muttering words, seemingly performing some kind of sacrificial ritual, and actually begins to attempt to use a portion of Kakuzu's blood for some kind of sacrificial act. Kakuzu himself is clearly shocked by this situation: "That lunatic actually got my blood, and he intends to use this method to put me to death! Konan, Itachi, you must be careful; the newcomer is equally dangerous."

Kakuzu's words echo in the air, reminding his companions that the crisis before them is no joke. Whether it is Hanabi or Hidan, their actions undoubtedly signal that a battle concerning life and death is about to break out. Every member of the Akatsuki dares not take it lightly, because they know that any negligence could lead to irreversible consequences.

As Hidan's voice falls, a cold and eerie atmosphere instantly envelops the entire field.

He looks at Hanabi with a smile, a firm and persistent light flashing on his slightly crazy face, as if he is performing a sacred sacrifice.

"Watch closely, little sister Hanabi, the next moment is time to witness a miracle."

Before the words are finished, Hidan unhesitatingly stabs the sharp weapon in his hand fiercely into his own heart.

Only a dull thud is heard, and everyone watching is dumbfounded, unable to believe what is happening before their eyes.

Hidan's movements are clean and neat, without any hesitation or expression of pain, as if that heart were not a part of his body.

Blood gushes out, staining the ground red, but surprisingly, Hidan does not fall. Instead, a faint blue light flickers at the wound—that is the mysterious power unique to the Jashin Cult.

Just as Hidan implements his self-sacrifice, Itachi, who has been maintaining a calm observational stance, makes a quick reaction.

He knows that Hidan possesses an immortal body; this level of injury is meaningless to him and might even stimulate more powerful strength. Therefore, Itachi decisively decides to mobilize the chakra in his body and activates the first stage of the Susanoo—a huge, translucent samurai-like figure gradually appears behind him, majestic and solemn, emitting a powerful deterrent force.

The surrounding villagers, witnessing this scene, have long since fled in terror, fearing to be caught in this extraordinary battle. Their fleeing figures leave blurred silhouettes in the sunset, and the sound of panicked footsteps and screams intertwine, forming a bleak and realistic picture outside the battlefield.

The other members of the Akatsuki are also on high alert, especially Kakuzu, who has tasted Hidan's ability. While paying attention to Hidan's changes, he is also wary of Hanabi and other potential threats that might launch an attack at any time.

Facing Hidan's move of brandishing his weapon and stabbing his heart fiercely again, Kakuzu's face turns livid, and he roars this sentence with indignation and helplessness: "That bastard wants to stab me to death again!"

His eyes are filled with annoyance at Hidan's fickle behavior and self-mockery at his own ill-fated life.

After all, in the current squad, Kakuzu, as the man with five hearts, should have been the most tenacious existence, yet he has to endure the life threats brought by his teammate from time to time.

However, Kakuzu does not fall into a passive state because of this. He knows that in a chaotic battle, only a swift counterattack can preserve himself.

Almost at the same time as he curses Hidan, his figure flickers, and he grabs an unfortunate, innocent villager who is close at hand with lightning speed.

The villager widens his terrified eyes, not yet having recovered from the sudden horror, when he is subjected to Kakuzu's secret technique—Heart Extraction.

Kakuzu's palm instantly transforms into an invisible demonic claw, accurately and unerringly piercing through the villager's chest, grabbing the still-beating heart.

In an instant, the villager's once-vibrant life force receded like a receding tide; the light in his eyes dimmed rapidly, and his body slumped limply to the ground, devoid of all vitality.

Having completed the extraction, Kakuzu's expression returned to calm, as if the previous outburst had been nothing more than a fleeting emotional fluctuation.

He quickly adjusted his state, preparing to deal with Hidan's next attack. However, the fanatical immortal Hidan did not seem to be reined in by Kakuzu's actions, and following his twisted ritual process, he unhesitatingly plunged his spear into his own heart once again.

In that moment, Hidan's body suffered a fatal wound, yet he did not fall like a normal person; instead, accompanied by a strange fluctuation of power, he stood back up, completely unscathed.

As for Kakuzu, he once again faced the situation of being "killed" by Hidan, though for him, this had already become an experience as mundane as a daily meal.

Every strike that appeared to end his life was merely an alternative form of interaction between this peculiar duo of Kakuzu and Hidan.

Amidst the chaotic and tense atmosphere, Kakuzu glanced at Konan and Itachi beside him, a bitter smile of mixed helplessness and anger appearing on his face as he posed a heavy question: "Konan, Itachi, faced with a situation like this, must we still insist on inviting him to join the Akatsuki?"

His words clearly carried doubt and dissatisfaction regarding the current state of affairs, while also revealing his deep concern over Hidan's extremely unstable personality.

As he spoke, Kakuzu flipped his wrist and, relying on his unique Secret Technique: Heart Extraction, swiftly seized two villagers who happened to be nearby.

He skillfully extracted the hearts from their chests; though these hearts were unremarkable and lacked chakra, they were, for Kakuzu, a necessary means to temporarily sustain his life.

Reflecting on the past, Kakuzu was once a powerhouse who dared to challenge the First Hokage alone, successfully launching an assassination attempt from eight hundred meters away. His fame once shook the entire Ninja World, and in those days, the hearts he seized were all from powerful ninjas possessing various elemental chakras.

Now, as time flowed on, his former glory had faded, and he was forced, under the pressure of Hidan's repeated suicidal sacrifices, to be reduced to obtaining life energy from ordinary villagers.

Hearing Kakuzu's question, Konan and Itachi exchanged a look. They were well aware of the trouble Hidan caused, but they also had to admit that Hidan's immortal body and his fanatical faith in the Jashin Cult made him play an irreplaceable role in certain missions. Faced with Kakuzu's inquiry, they remained silent for a moment, their inner selves beginning to weigh whether they should continue to accept this uncontrollable partner.

"Oh? Then why not just solve this problem with force?" the Mysterious Masked Man said.