Atop a high tower in Amegakure, the Six Paths of Pain stood expressionlessly, his eyes gazing faintly into the distance as though he were watching for something.
"Nagato, Kakuzu is dead, and Hidan was captured alive by Konoha." Behind Pain, sheets of white paper suddenly flew in, instantly gathering into a human figure. It was Konan, the person Pain had trusted most for many years.
"Mm, I already know."
"In that case, we've lost four official members. Nagato, I'm afraid this will have a major impact on the organization's plans." A trace of concern appeared on Konan's face. Her worries were not unfounded. Akatsuki's goal was to gather the Tailed Beasts, which meant making enemies of the entire ninja world.
Whether for the combat power needed to capture the Tailed Beasts or the strength required to stand against the major ninja villages, these official members were indispensable. They were all talents with Kage-level strength, or strength close to that level, along with certain special abilities.
These people were the core of Akatsuki. Those peripheral members, including the so-called Amegakure ninja, simply could not serve as Akatsuki's trump card against the other ninja villages.
"It's fine. The Tailed Beast capture plan has reached its final stage. Only the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails remain, and the other preparations are nearly complete. Leave the Nine-Tails to Itachi and Kisame. As for the Eight-Tails..."
"I'll handle the Eight-Tails." Before Pain could finish, the surrounding space twisted, and a figure appeared beside Pain and Konan. The exposed Mangekyō Sharingan revealed his identity—it was the mysterious masked man, Tobi!
As he looked at the masked man who had appeared, Pain's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Pain was extremely confident, even calling himself a god, yet he had always harbored deep wariness toward the man before him, because he