Surprise Attack

Konan whipped her head around. The paper flower in her hair trembled with the sudden movement. Her brows drew tight as she spoke.

"Pain, that's Konoha! The strongest shinobi village in the Five Great Nations!"

She couldn't keep the worry out of her voice.

She knew how strong Pain was, but Konoha was the foremost of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, founded by Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi. No one knew how many powerful legacies its predecessors had left behind.

"It's decided. Say no more!"

Pain's voice remained flat as he turned to Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru, make the arrangements as planned. I'll join you as soon as I can."

Satisfaction flashed through Orochimaru's golden slit pupils. He nodded slightly, and his Chakra projection blurred before dissolving into motes of light.

Kakuzu's and Sasori's projections vanished soon after. Kakuzu gave an inscrutable snort before leaving, while Sasori never said a word.

Only Pain's and Konan's projections remained in the cave.

Konan stepped forward and stood directly in front of Pain.

"Pain, Orochimaru can't be trusted!"

Her voice rose, undisguised concern churning in her eyes.

"How long has he even been in Akatsuki? Now he suddenly proposes a plan this big and wants us to send our strongest fighter. Something's wrong."

Pain looked at her. The ripples of the Rinnegan turned slowly in his expressionless face.

"I know. But I have to go!"

His voice was still flat, but Konan heard the weight behind his words.

"I can't stand the thought of a despicable man like Danzo becoming the head of a village and gloating over it!"

The ripples in Pain's Rinnegan spun a little faster.

"If we don't intervene, Danzo could well succeed with Orochimaru's help and the advantage of surprise!

I'll wait until Danzo is at his most triumphant, then