Stone Village's frenzied expansion was like a red-hot branding iron, searing fiercely into the stagnant waters of the ninja world.
It not only made those old geezers in Leaf Village howl in pain, but also completely alarmed another pack of madmen lurking in the shadows.
Land of Rain, in an underground cave that never saw daylight.
The air was cold and damp. Sticky water dripped from the corners of the walls, carrying the rancid stench of dead rats.
"Bzzzz—"
Space twisted.
Several blurry figures flickering with static appeared out of thin air atop the ten enormous fingers of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
Magic Lantern Body Technique.
"Is everyone here?"
The phantom standing in the central position spoke slowly.
He had short orange hair, black chakra rods embedded all over his face, and a pair of ripple-patterned eyes as indifferent as if they held not a trace of emotion.
The leader of the Akatsuki Organization, Deva Path Pain.
"Cough, cough... Leader, a few people still haven't logged on."
A phantom wearing a spiral mask, with an annoyingly frivolous voice, raised his hand.
Tobi, also known as Uchiha Obito.
Half his body was still wrapped in bandages, clearly lingering effects from his last trip to the back mountain of Stone Village.
Pain swept his gaze over the several empty spots, his brows knitting slightly.
"Kakuzu, Sasori, Deidara, and Hidan still aren't here?"
Those bastards were more eager than anyone when it came to grabbing money, yet they all collectively went offline when it was time for a meeting.
"Um... Leader."
The blue-haired woman standing beside Pain, Konan, hesitated before forcing herself to speak.
"According to the latest intelligence Zetsu sent back..."
Her voice was a little dry.
"Kakuzu, Sasori, and Deidara..."
"May not be coming anymore."
The cave instantly