Konoha, Hokage's Office.
Tsunade stared at the financial ledger, which was cleaner than her own face, and was so furious she nearly demonstrated her monstrous strength by tearing the building apart on the spot.
Across the entire ninja world, nearly everyone's attention was focused on the mess that was Konoha, on the verge of bankruptcy.
Some watched with amusement, some sighed, and some rejoiced in its misfortune.
But there would always be people who liked to fish in troubled waters.
Inside a dark underground cavern that never saw daylight.
Several blurry projections flickering with static gathered once more atop the fingers of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
The Akatsuki Organization's regular online meeting.
"Hehehe... this is killing me."
Tobi—Uchiha Obito—sat on one of the fingers with his legs crossed, swinging them back and forth.
In an exceptionally obnoxious tone, he gleefully shared the gossip he had just heard from White Zetsu.
"You should've seen it. Konoha is so broke now that their ninja supposedly have to split Military Ration Pills in half before eating them."
"That newly appointed Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, smashes tables and curses people out in her office every day. She's just one step away from performing on the streets to pay off their debts."
"Isn't that perfect?"
Pain, who had remained silent until then, slowly spoke.
His emotionless Rinnegan swept across the projections of every member present.
"Konoha is too busy dealing with itself, while Iwagakure is occupied digesting the territory they just poached."
"Now is the best time for us to act."
"That's right."
Black Zetsu's half-black body slowly emerged from the shadow beneath Pain's feet, his voice hoarse.
"Uchiha Yoru may be troublesome, but he is only one man. He cannot be everywhere at once."
"While Konoha's mess has him tied down, we