Someone Couldn't Sleep~

The Evil God Cult, once a notorious cult in the Land of Hot Water, has suddenly vanished. Kato Osamu and Mei Terumi searched almost the entire former headquarters of the Evil God Cult from top to bottom, but still couldn't find a single living member. Only some buildings and items with slight signs of damage proved that this group had indeed existed.

"So, what exactly is your plan?"

I've asked that at least ten times, maybe more.

Mei Terumi couldn't think of any way to break the deadlock, but she subconsciously felt that someone like Kato Osamu wouldn't be without other ideas.

"Maybe yes, maybe no, who knows..."

Upon hearing this, Kato Osamu glanced at Mei Terumi and smiled. However, since he had not found the Evil God Cult this time, his brows furrowed slightly, and several guesses began to form in his mind.

"Hidan's techniques are extremely unique, and his immortality is most likely something that cannot be replicated..."

"Perhaps the Evil God Cult truly has no one left..."

According to the fragmented intelligence he gathered, the Evil God Cult's doctrines were extremely cruel; killing one's own comrades and infighting were commonplace. Anyone capable of escaping like Hidan had most likely already perished alongside them, and remaining here would only be a waste of time...

His eyes flickered slightly, and faint Chakra fluctuations continuously emanated from the Void-Dust Ring on his hand. He had spent over ten days in the Land of Hot Water; that was long enough...

"Let's go. Perhaps we can find some answers to your questions at Akatsuki's headquarters..."

With a light step, Kato Osamu's figure suddenly disappeared from Mei Terumi's sight. A strange light flashed in Mei Terumi's eyes, and her gaze became somewhat firm as she followed Kato Osamu's retreating figure.

They remained silent the entire way. As night approached and they reached their campsite to rest, Mei Terumi, who had been holding back her words the whole way, finally couldn't help but speak. She looked at Kato Osamu, who was quietly throwing small pieces of twigs into the campfire, her gaze slightly darkened, and after a long while, she slowly spoke, her words carrying a hint of solemnity.

"What do you know about the other members of Akatsuki, and their leader, Nagato Uzumaki...?"

After all, Kato Osamu's words these past few days had made her realize that her strength was probably at the bottom of the Akatsuki. If things went wrong on this trip, there wouldn't be another 'Kato Osamu' to save her...

Kato Osamu's gaze seemed unwavering, as she continued to idly play with the campfire, her voice drifting over slowly:

"Zero Burial, Nagato Uzumaki, was also a leader of the Akatsuki;"

Although she had never met White Tiger and Konan, she was a sworn sister of Nagato Uzumaki and followed his lead without question.

Black Tortoise, Jue, is a special person, highly skilled in perception, and mainly responsible for gathering intelligence;

You should know Southern Dipper, Kisame Hoshigaki. I heard he killed his superior officer on the battlefield.

Northern Dipper, Kakuzu, is a bounty hunter who is rumored to have fought against the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

Three Terraces and Hidan are members of the Evil God Cult who possess immortality.

Jade Maiden, Sasori, a puppeteer from the Sand Shinobi;

Then there's Obito Madara Uchiha, who's known as Obito Uchiha, now known as Tobi, and works as an intern— the Masked Man you've seen.

Finally, there's me, codenamed Kuchin.

"The Azure Dragon is currently in limbo; there's no suitable candidate. Once you join the Akatsuki, your codename will be Vermilion Bird..."

"These are the current official members of Akatsuki. In addition, there are some Genin among the peripheral members, Konan mainly manages this part..."

"As for Nagato Uzumaki, I've never met him, but Obito Uchiha once said that he possesses the legendary Sage's Eye— the Rinnegan!"

"The Rinnegan?!"

Mei Terumi had been quietly listening to Kato Osamu introduce the members of Akatsuki, already had a furrowed brow. She knew about Kisame Hoshigaki because of the information she had Mist Shinobi after his defection. This made her realize that the fact that this Jonin unknown Kirigakure Mist Shinobi was able to kill Suikazan Fuguki and steal Samehada already demonstrated his strength.

While it was powerful, it wasn't beyond her comprehension, but the existence of the Rinnegan still shocked her...

Does such a thing really exist?

Ancient texts in various villages contain numerous legendary descriptions, including the rumor that the Sage of Six Paths' eyes possessed the ultimate Dōjutsu known as the Rinnegan. However, for thousands of years, no one had ever heard of it appearing in the Shinobi World, and everyone considered it a complete fabrication. Mei Terumi, too, was filled with disbelief...

Looking at Kato Osamu's ambiguous gaze and the faint smile on his lips, Mei Terumi involuntarily swallowed—she knew that this matter was probably already a certainty...

"No wonder Akatsuki's goal is to unify the Shinobi World..."

There seemed to be a hint of dejection in his murmured voice. If the enemy was three times stronger, then he would fight with all his might; if the enemy was twice as strong, then he would fight to the death; but if the enemy suddenly transformed from a human into a 'god'...

"So, is Mei Terumi preparing to surrender to Nagato Uzumaki?"

Kato Osamu's eyes held a hint of mockery and scrutiny. After all, they had spent so many days together, and suddenly replacing this fairly useful team-building tool was a little troublesome...

"Tsk tsk, Lord Kato is really full of murderous intent..." Upon hearing this, Mei Terumi Kato Osamu, letting out a soft snort, her thoughts also disrupted by Kato Osamu.

Perhaps it was because she had gotten to know Kato Osamu better over the past few days, or perhaps it was her killer move called sincerity, Mei Terumi seemed to have regained some of her girlish mentality, and her actions had become more charming.

As intelligent as she was, how could she not understand that she was now bound to Kato Osamu? Within the Akatsuki, brought along by Kato Osamu, she would inevitably be branded with his mark, making it difficult to gain Nagato Uzumaki's trust. Moreover, Kato Osamu's decision not to kill her must have its purpose; if she hadn't been discreet, she would probably already be a victim of his blade...

'When the sky falls, someone taller will naturally hold it up...' Looking up at Kato Osamu not far away, an unconscious urge to escape suddenly arose. Thinking this, Mei Terumi's mood seemed to brighten. She was not in a position to interfere, and besides, no matter Akatsuki wanted to do, she had no power to stop them.

A slight smile seemed to creep onto her lips, "Right now... I'm still more interested in Lord Kato..."

"What if one day, Lord Kato is no longer able to live..."

With a hint of flirtatiousness in his eyes, he looked at Kato Osamu with a teasing smile, but received no response. Kato Osamu's expression remained calm, his gaze fixed on the flickering campfire, slightly lost in thought.

"You, on whom Kirigakure placed such high hopes, now seem to have lost your initial conviction..."

"I wonder if the elders of the Terumi Family, the high-ranking officials of Mist Shinobi, and the struggling commoners of Mist Shinobi —all those hopeful eyes—keep you tossing and turning at night..."

Kato Osamu slowly stood up from the campfire and walked step by step toward Mei Terumi. A slight smile played on his lips, and his voice was low. Each sentence he uttered made Mei Terumi's expression gradually become extremely complicated.

"What if?"

"Mei Terumi..."

The warm breaths beside her ear stirred Mei Terumi's heart, but they couldn't outweigh the more complex emotions within her. Slowly turning her head, she met Kato Osamu's gaze, which was close at hand, her eyes filled with resentment.

"You were the one who told me everything back then, and now you're saying these things..."

"You may not be the strongest member of Akatsuki, but you are definitely the most treacherous!"

"Haha... who knows..."

"Going to sleep now..."

Kato Osamu chuckled softly and slowly walked into the makeshift camp built with Earth Release. Only after his figure disappeared from sight did Mei Terumi, slightly annoyed, withdraw her gaze and slowly sit down on the stone platform by the campfire.

The night was serene, with only the graceful fireworks and the bright moon hanging in the sky, yet it could not conceal the myriad emotions in her heart. Mei Terumi seemed to be trapped in some kind of complicated mood, tilting her head slightly, silent and deep in thought.

"Well..."

After a long while, a soft sigh was heard, as if it had startled the animals foraging for food in the forest at night. The nightingale in the mountains took flight, the small beasts in the bushes scurried away, and the white snake slithered and chased after them.

Mei Terumi seemed to understand something, yet she appeared even more confused. Her gaze shifted to the dark shadows of the camp, where the familiar sound of sleeping breathing added to her complex emotions. She couldn't understand why Kato Osamu, who was so perceptive, seemed to trust her so much.

Is it sincere?

His gaze was deep and unfocused, yet his feet moved involuntarily toward the tent, his figure gradually disappearing into the darkness and vanishing without a trace.

After a long while, a deep voice suddenly came from the darkness.

"I can't sleep..."

"Huff huff..."

"..."