"Kirigakure, the Three-Tails Jinchuriki!"
Deva Path Pain answered Uchiha Ye's question.
"?!"
At the answer, Biwa Juzo and Zabuza, both from Kirigakure, stared at Deva Path Pain in shock, as if asking whether he was joking.
But everyone present could understand why they were so stunned.
"Capture the Fourth Mizukage? Leader, are you serious?"
Even the usually composed Kakuzu's pupils contracted, and his voice betrayed his shock.
At that moment!
Even Hidan, who was always unruly, sobered up. Looking at Deva Path Pain, he asked, "Leader, are you sure? This is no different from declaring war directly on Kirigakure."
Uchiha Itachi spoke with rare gravity. "To carry out a mission of this scale, we'd need to send at least two teams!"
"But doing that would make it easier for our movements to be exposed!"
Uchiha Ye nodded, putting away his exaggerated expression.
He had already guessed as much, and Deva Path Pain's words confirmed he'd been right.
Their target was the Three-Tails inside the Fourth Mizukage.
But hearing it directly from Deva Path Pain still left him strangely shaken.
After all, their target this time was a village's Kage, along with Kirigakure behind him!
The Five Great Shinobi Nations were no joke!
Even a monster like the Third Raikage, who could fight the Eight-Tails hand-to-hand, had been worn down to death by an army of ten thousand Iwagakure Ninja.
And they were nowhere near as powerful as the Third Raikage.
If they were surrounded, it would be over.
Only Deidara seemed like a fearless youth, grinning as he said, "Heh, this sounds exciting! A mission like this is just too interesting. Leader, why not let me handle it?"
Sasori of the Red Sands remained calm, as though he'd already figured something out. "So this mission is falling to Ye and me again?"
He looked at Deva Path Pain and asked, "Pain, what happened in Kirigakure? What made you suddenly decide to strike there?"
His question voiced the doubts of the other members, too.
Even Uchiha Ye shared them.
It was true!
Kirigakure, isolated from the rest of the world, was a suitable target.
They could obtain a Tailed Beast without attracting too much attention and putting the organization at a disadvantage.
Looking further ahead!
They had already made an enemy of Kumogakure.
If they could seize a Tailed Beast before Kumogakure had time to react, that would be a good outcome.
Otherwise!
Once Kumogakure began taking them seriously and contacted the Five Great Shinobi Nations to form a united front against Akatsuki, capturing Tailed Beasts would become much more difficult!
But even if Kirigakure was isolated, it was still one of the Five Great Shinobi Nations.
Without a good opportunity, invading it directly would be no different from courting death.
He was curious what had happened in Kirigakure to make Nagato, behind Deva Path Pain, suddenly decide to target it.
Why not choose the relatively weaker Takigakure, which also had a Tailed Beast?
"There's only one reason!"
Deva Path Pain's voice was indifferent. "According to reliable information from Zetsu, Kirigakure was thrown into turmoil yesterday!"
"The Kaguya Clan rebellion caused a huge disturbance. Though the Fourth Mizukage forcibly suppressed it, the incident also marked the beginning of Kirigakure's persecution of Kekkei Genkai users."
"Kirigakure is already in a state of panic!"
"Besides the Mizukage's faction, another faction has emerged to contest its power."
"In other words, Kirigakure has never been more chaotic or vulnerable."
"How could we waste such a perfect opportunity?!"
Deva Path Pain's answer left the members present visibly surprised.
Uchiha Ye was no exception!
In the original story, the Kaguya Clan rebellion wouldn't happen for several more months.
There was no doubt—it had happened early.
"Azure Dragon, Virgin!"
"Vermilion Bird, Nanto!"
Deva Path Pain gave his orders. "The two of your teams will carry out the capture mission!"
Uchiha Ye, Sasori of the Red Sands, Uchiha Itachi, and Biwa Juzo all nodded.
"Kuchin, Genbu!"
Deva Path Pain continued, "You two will cover Azure Dragon's team as they retreat and handle transporting the Jinchuriki!"
At that, Deidara grew excited and shouted, "That's fantastic! Leader, this is definitely a wise decision!"
Zabuza's expression gave nothing away.
"Santai, Hokuto!"
Deva Path Pain spoke again. "You two will continue carrying out the bounty missions and accumulate as much money as possible!"
Kakuzu nodded. "Understood!"
Hidan also shouted excitedly, "Looks like I'll get to spread the Jashin Cult's teachings again and offer sacrifices to Lord Jashin!"
In other words, every member of Akatsuki except Deva Path Pain and Konan was being sent out.
That was a rare occurrence.
Usually, two or three teams would stay behind to rest.
"The plot's getting more and more derailed!"
Back at his lodgings after the meeting, Uchiha Ye felt a chill in his heart.
"So be it. I'll just have to strengthen myself as quickly as possible!"
He took a deep breath, and a system panel appeared before his eyes.
```[Ding! Froggy has returned from his trip, bringing souvenirs for you to claim]
"Claim!"
As the words left his mouth, familiar memories poured into his mind once more.
They fused, then synchronized with his body.
But this time, it happened twice!
[Souvenir 1: Six Powers—Life Return]
[Source: One Piece World]
[Description: Infuse the body with consciousness to freely control any part of it]
He wouldn't have much use for other applications.
But this skill could effectively improve Uchiha Ye's recovery ability.
Its effect should be very similar to Yin Healing Wound Destruction.
[Souvenir 2: Intermediate Armament Haki: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced]
[Source: One Piece World]
[Description: A power hidden within the human body. It can improve defense and attack, and can also be used to coat weapons to increase combat power]
"Armament Haki has finally arrived, huh?"
He wasn't surprised that Armament Haki had arrived.
He already had Observation Haki. Armament Haki was bound to come sooner or later.
"Armament! Hardening!"
He opened his hand and willed it into action. A taut, condensed sensation washed over him.
A layer of black material enveloped his palm.
Without using chakra, he unleashed pure strength and slammed his fist into the blade beside him.
"Clang!"
Bright sparks flew. A white mark appeared on his fist, while a large chunk had broken off the blade.
"So this is... intermediate Armament Haki?"
Uchiha Ye dispelled the Haki and nodded in satisfaction.
The blade wasn't a famous weapon, of course.
But it had been forged from Zabuza's broken sword, so it was naturally harder and sharper than ordinary blades.
Even so, a weapon of this caliber had chipped against his hardened fist, and he hadn't felt the slightest pain.
The strength of intermediate Armament Haki was plain to see.
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