Ch. 81Akatsuki
After the Konoha Defense War, Kakuzu returned to Akatsuki and learned that Iwagakure had commissioned a dangerous mission seeking an expert who had fought Hashirama Senju. Nagato approved the job, and Konan and Kakuzu set off for the Land of Fire as mercenaries.
- Kakuzu returned to Akatsuki, sneezing repeatedly, and asked Konan whether he could take more money-making missions.
- Konan told Kakuzu that a client wanted an expert who had fought the First Hokage, and she went to consult Nagato while Kakuzu waited.
- Konan found Nagato asleep in his wheelchair and reminded him to retrieve Pain before sleeping so Yahiko's corpse would not be damaged.
- Nagato said Akatsuki could accept Iwagakure's mission and ordered Konan and Kakuzu to go, help Kakuzu if needed, and retreat from an overwhelming enemy.
- Konan and Kakuzu agreed to kill some Guardian Ninja along the way and headed for the Land of Fire.