Akatsuki's Internal Affairs

Three days later, in a desolate wilderness somewhere in the Land of Rain.

"Great, everyone's here. Let's go!"

Nagato looked at the seven people present, nodded slightly to Konan, and then spoke.

Who are you? Where is the leader?

Kakuzu spoke to Nagato with ill intent.

He was only willing to come here because of Pain.

When they arrived at their destination, all the other members were present, except for Pain, who was missing.

If Nagato hadn't been wearing the Akatsuki, Kakuzu would have wanted to attack him directly.

Anyone who gets in his way of making money must die, except for those he can't defeat!

What do you think?

Nagato no longer controlled his aura, Chakra surged forth. With the surge of his aura, he lifted his bangs, revealing his unique Rinnegan.

Rinnegan!

What is his relationship with the leader?

Not only Kakuzu, but all the other Akatsuki members who were unaware of the situation showed thoughtful expressions in their eyes.

'Bang!'

Deva Path Pain appeared beside Nagato.

Nagato stepped back slightly, standing a little behind Deva Path Pain.

"Pain doesn't refer to any specific person; we are Pain!"

Deva Path Pain's cold voice rang in everyone's ears.

"Pain is us!"

Nagato immediately followed.

This was Nagato's idea; he was unwilling to Rotation, as he still needed to mold Yahiko into a god of the new world.

However, after being taught by the Sage of Six Paths, Nagato learned the skill of using the power of the Deva Path at any time.

Furthermore, [Limbo] cannot grant Six Paths clones.

In this way, Nagato's true strength far surpasses that of Deva Path Pain. Therefore, Nagato chooses to act using his true form, using Deva Path Pain as a symbol.

There's another advantage to doing this, as the Sage of Six Paths has already demonstrated.

That is, Nagato can return to the city at any time, although he can't do what the Sage of Six Paths did and go directly from Konoha back to Amegakure.

However, it can still cover hundreds of kilometers without any problems.

After Deva Path and Nagato each explained their relationship in one sentence, Deva Path flew directly into the sky and left.

"Any other questions?"

Nagato asked again.

While everyone was still shocked by the two pairs of Rinnegan and the fact that Pain was not alone.

When Tobirama Senju recruited Hiruzen Sarutobi and Itachi, he keenly sensed something was amiss with Deva Path Pain.

Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flickered slightly at this moment.

Just as Teacher Tobirama said, it was just a puppet. It could be the real thing, or it could be another puppet.

Allow me to test the waters.

"I'm very curious, if I were to obtain your Rinnegan, could I also become Pain?"

"You can give it a try!"

"You misunderstand, Chief. I had no intention of attacking you; I was merely curious!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi bowed slightly and spoke very solemnly.

Having achieved his goal, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't do something so foolish without being sure of success.

He was just stirring things up!

After a few simple words, the rest of the Akatsuki exchanged ambiguous glances.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words immediately broadened the perspective of everyone present.

This guy in front of me, like the leader, shares the name Pain; isn't their commonality the Rinnegan?

If I take his Rinnegan, can I become Pain too?

After rounding, isn't that just the leader?

The way this guy treats the leader with such respect suggests he's probably weaker than the leader.

If I can't beat the chief, I can at least beat you, buddy!

As everyone's thoughts drifted and they exchanged glances, Hiruzen Sarutobi subtly gave Itachi a meaningful look.

Itachi, who understood the situation, stepped forward to speak, but someone moved faster than him.

"I only came here because of the leader. Although you share the same name as the leader, [Pain], I wanted to test your strength. I believe the leader won't hold it against me!"

Kakuzu Body Flicker Technique directly opposite Nagato.

While saying he was just testing his strength, Kakuzu was actually tempted. If Nagato was just all bark and no bite, Kakuzu planned to accept the Rinnegan without hesitation.

However, Kakuzu was not a reckless person; he merely suggested a sparring match, thus leaving himself a way out.

If he succeeds, he'll go from a bicycle to a motorcycle; if he fails, Kakuzu is confident he'll only suffer a minor injury.

With the potential benefits far outweighing the risks, Kakuzu decisively stepped forward.

Seeing this, Itachi wanted to retreat back to the group, but a voice came from behind him again.

"Mr. Itachi, actually I'd like to give it a try just like you, you don't mind, do you?"

As he spoke, Kisame also stepped forward and walked to Itachi's side.

Itachi remained silent, but since Kisame, it wouldn't be appropriate to back down now.

Therefore, Itachi remained standing still without moving.

At this moment, Konan also began to walk out of the crowd, just when everyone thought that Konan also had her own ideas.

But then Konan walked straight to Nagato's side and stood opposite the others, her attitude making no doubt about it.

"Heh heh, actually I also want to test Lord Pain's strength!"

Scorpion, not wanting to be left out, stepped forward.

Sasori was just watching the show from the sidelines; he wasn't actually interested in the Rinnegan.

However, Konan's appearance made Sasori change his mind.

As someone who was defeated by Konan and forced to join the Akatsuki, Sasori felt that now was a good opportunity to prove himself.

"I'll go scout the area to make sure no one wanders in by mistake!"

Jue seemed a bit nervous and burrowed underground, disappearing from sight.

The only one who didn't take sides was Hiruzen Sarutobi trouble.

The internal environment of Akatsuki was clearly different from that of Konoha, and Hiruzen Sarutobi felt somewhat weary.

Why are there so many idiots? How have you all survived this long?

Oh, so they're all missing-nin who couldn't even make it in a ninja village. Never mind then!

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi also carried the identity of a missing-nin, he always felt that it wasn't that he wasn't capable, but rather that the enemy was too monstrous.

The situation had suddenly become so dire that Hiruzen Sarutobi his promise and slowly take a step forward.

Compared to losing face, being out of place was clearly more unacceptable to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

At this moment, the situation is simple and clear.

Of the remaining eight members of Akatsuki, excluding Zetsu who abstained and fled, the situation was 5 against 2.

In a normal world, even if the five people have different thoughts, the outcome is already obvious.

However, this is the Shinobi World, a world where extraordinary powers exist. Quantity is no longer the standard of judgment; power is.

"Konan, step back."

Nagato spoke softly to Konan beside her, then turned to look at the five people opposite her.

The eerie Rinnegan coldly lingered on each person for a moment.

"Since you all want to try, then I'll show you what Pain is all about. All of you, come at me together!"

All of you here are notorious missing-nin in the Shinobi World. I originally thought Nagato would choose one of you as his opponent, but now he wants them all to come at me?

The oldest Kakuzu them, Kakuzu, was the first to object. "Do you think you're Hashirama Senju?"

[Lightning Release: False Darkness!]

[Shinra Tensei - Kai!]