Akatsuki's gathering, the resolve to change history!

Renewing their assault, the two circled around the battlefield.

Pain's gaze shifted. "You've figured out my ability, so you aren't charging straight in anymore."

Whoosh! As he ran, Suigetsu unfurled the explosive scroll on the Exploding Blade Shibuki.

—Explosive Blade Art: Happare Shishi!

Rustle!

The explosive scroll rapidly spread out, closing around Pain!

Pain said, "No matter how many Explosive Tags you bring, they pose no threat!"

—Shinra Tensei!

Whoosh!

The Repulsion drove back the approaching Explosive Tags, detonating them at the same time!

Boom, boom, boom...!!

For a moment... rolling waves of explosive flame cut off the battlefield!

Suigetsu retrieved the longsword Nuibari from his Summoning Scroll!

True to its name, Nuibari resembled a long, slender needle, with an incredibly sharp length of thin steel wire attached to its handle!

Resting Shibuki on his shoulder and gripping Nuibari, Suigetsu recalled, "I've only seen my brother use Nuibari once. Its essence lies in the steel wire, and controlling it takes an incredibly delicate touch. I don't think I can match my brother on my first try, but with this Sharingan, I can at least imitate him a little!"

Boom, boom, boom...!

One second before the explosive flames cleared, the longsword Nuibari had already vanished from Suigetsu's hand!

Pain emerged unscathed, but he had also failed to notice Suigetsu's preparations!

Just then, Jugo unleashed his Cursed Seal again and charged at Pain at full speed!

Pain said, "I see you still haven't learned your lesson!"

—Shinra Tensei!

Boom...!!

The powerful Repulsion mercilessly blasted Jugo away...!!!

"Ugh..." After landing, Jugo struggled to rise, only to collapse again!!

"My bones feel like they're falling apart. Even with the Cursed Seal transformation, another hit will seriously injure me. Suigetsu... it's up to you!!!"

Whoosh!!

Suigetsu rushed into the fray with the Exploding Blade, while Pain nimbly dodged his attacks!

"Just as I thought, there's an interval between uses of your ability!!!"

"Oh, you've noticed? But how many hits can you take?"

Pain raised his palm.

—Shinra Tensei!!

Bang...!!

Suigetsu was hurled away, blade and all!

But at the same time... he confirmed the interval between uses of Shinra Tensei!

"Five seconds? That's a tight window. But you asked how many hits I could take, didn't you!?"

Splash...!!

Suigetsu's body suddenly turned to liquid, greatly reducing the impact of Shinra Tensei!

Pain finally showed a slight trace of surprise. "I see. The Hozuki Clan's ability to liquefy their bodies. That's why Orochimaru chose you back then, isn't it? But the blade in your hand is another matter."

—Banshō Ten'in!

Whoosh!

The Exploding Blade Shibuki was pulled through the air. Pain swept his arm, and with a clang, Shibuki embedded itself in a pillar of Amegakure's Tower.

"Now, can you still accomplish anything?"

Splash...!

Suigetsu's liquefied body reformed in front of Jugo, and he formed hand seals!

—Longsword Ninja Art: Earth Spider Stitch!

Slash...! The steel wires buried underground beforehand sliced through the soil, rapidly forming a web a palm's width above the ground and converging on Pain's feet!!

Pain immediately realized what was happening. "That explosion you deliberately set off earlier was to bury these steel wires underground? You're targeting the gap between uses of my ability..."

He braced a Black Rod against one steel wire, halting the entire formation's advance. Taking that opening to pull his feet free, he stepped on the footholds formed by the intersecting wires and leaped into the air!

Suigetsu changed his hand seal!

Slash!

The longsword Nuibari shot out of the ground, straight toward Pain's chest!!

—Shinra Tensei!

Clang...!

The repulsive force directed straight downward knocked the longsword away and shattered the web of steel wire along with it!

Suigetsu shouted, "Now... his ability's downtime!!"

"Rooooar...!!"

Jugo roared, partially entering the second stage of his Cursed Seal transformation in his arm. Chakra jets appeared at his elbow!!

He lifted Suigetsu with his enormous arm, then unleashed powerful streams of chakra from the jets, hurling Suigetsu forward with all his strength!!!

Boom...!!!!

Suigetsu swept toward Pain like a gale...!!

Pain offered sincere praise. "Excellent teamwork. I'm beginning to see you two in a new light..."

"Five seconds... I can make it!!!"

Suigetsu's palm was just about to touch Pain's clothes!

But in the end, he had underestimated Pain's basic combat skills!!

Pain twisted in midair and drove a powerful kick into Suigetsu's chest, sending him flying!!

A second later, Pain flicked his sleeve and launched a Black Rod!

Suigetsu's Sharingan caught the Black Rod hurtling toward him, and he knew he couldn't dodge it!

As he flew backward, he shaped his hand like a gun. Without taking precise aim, he fired the Hozuki Clan's secret technique—Water Gun—at Pain, who was rapidly receding from his sight!

It was the only resistance he could offer!

Shunk!

The next second, the Black Rod pierced Suigetsu's abdomen.

He curled up on the ground, completely unable to fight!

The chakra seeping from the Black Rod rampaged through his body, leaving him unable even to liquefy.

Suigetsu gave up struggling. "Still not enough? No wonder you're the boss of a bunch of Orochimaru-level monsters. I did my best. There's really nothing more I can do..."

Pain was about to announce that Suigetsu and Jugo had been eliminated, but his attention locked onto the tiny wound on his own cheek!

Because he felt no pain, he hadn't noticed the wound immediately!

It was the graze left by Suigetsu's final Water Gun!

That directly changed Nagato's preconceived opinion.

Even knowing that getting hit would end the fight, he still remembered to launch one last attack. That's a rare quality. Their resolve to join Akatsuki is very strong.

Also, unlike the other Akatsuki members, who pride themselves on their strength and act independently, these two have the best sense of teamwork of any members so far.

Perhaps... they're exactly the kind of talent Akatsuki needs right now.

Pain extended his palm, drawing the Exploding Blade Shibuki out of the Tower's pillar with an attractive force.

Holding Shibuki, he approached Suigetsu and Jugo.

Suigetsu's true colors showed. "Hey... d-don't do anything crazy! I report directly to Lord Tobi!!"

Clang!

Pain planted Shibuki upright in front of Suigetsu.

"Hozuki Suigetsu, Tenbin Jugo, starting today, you are official members of Akatsuki..."

With that, he turned and walked toward the Tower, leaving Jugo and Suigetsu frozen in place!

Once he recovered, Suigetsu shouted, "Hey, boss, at least pull this rod out of me!!!!"

Meanwhile, Konan descended to the foot of the tower and met Pain.

"Why did you let them pass?"

She hadn't noticed that Suigetsu's final counterattack had grazed Pain's cheek.

Pain said, "Akatsuki needs people right now. The ones Madara brought are certainly no mediocrities. We'll put them to use for now. I already have plans."

Konan said, "If that's your decision, then fine."

Half a day later, Akatsuki convened once again.

Deidara looked at Tobi's projected image. "Tobi, where did you run off to?! I thought you were dead!"

Tobi replied with comical exaggeration, "Deidara, sir, Kakuzu is just too scary! I was afraid he'd kill me if I stayed there..."

Deidara said, "You're such a coward. Speaking of which, where's Kakuzu? Busy making money?"

Just then, Pain said gravely, "Kakuzu and Hidan are dead."

A brief silence fell.

Kisame Hoshigaki said, "Well, well, those words turned out to be prophetic after all. So... as usual, was the one responsible that same person?"

Pain said, "Yes, Sasuke Uchiha. Unlike the incident with Sasori, we have precise eyewitness intelligence this time. Zetsu, you explain!"

Zetsu said, "Sasuke Uchiha killed Kakuzu and Hidan single-handedly. Unlike when he severely injured Deidara, Sasuke didn't use his Sharingan at any point this time. However... he did use the Senju's Wood Release!"

Dead silence. A long, deathly silence filled the gathering.

Even Akatsuki's members, proud as they were, could no longer dismiss a feat like that!

Deidara shouted, "That bastard! I'll make him taste my new art!!!!"

Kisame Hoshigaki said, "Itachi... your little brother is remarkable. Perhaps he'll surpass you for good before long."

"..." Itachi's Sharingan remained fixed on the darkness, but beneath his clothes, his hand seemed to quietly clench into a fist.

Pain said, "Also, we've chosen new members to replace Kakuzu and Hidan."

Whoosh!

Two projected figures appeared!

"Hozuki Suigetsu, Akatsuki's new Three of Akatsuki, and Tenbin Jugo, Akatsuki's new North Star!"

Tobi said, "Well, well, now I'm a senior too~! My adorable juniors~!"

Kisame Hoshigaki said, "Suigetsu, so it's you..."

With Obito backing him, Suigetsu showed no stage fright at all. "That voice... Kisame Hoshigaki. Can you lend me your Samehada to play with?"

"Hahaha..." After a hearty laugh, Kisame said menacingly, "If that's what you want, come find me anytime. I'll give you a taste of my 'shark cuisine'!"

Pain said, "Enough chatter. I have a major decision to announce at this gathering. Effective immediately, Akatsuki will officially begin the Tailed Beast Hunting Plan!"

Deidara said, "Hey, hey... hold on! Isn't that almost three years ahead of schedule? Leader, why did you suddenly change your mind?"

Pain said, "Plans can never keep up with change..."

Deidara said, "Like explosions? You can never predict the shape of the next blast~! Yeah, now that's art~!"

Obito thought to himself, Nagato, this time, you finally haven't disappointed me...

Kisame Hoshigaki said, "Well, if you ask me, that's how it should be. Fighting for money always feels like a waste of time. So, have you decided the hunting order and assignments for the tailed beasts?"

Pain said, "We'll begin with Shukaku of Sunagakure and finish with the Nine-Tails of Konoha, hunting and sealing them in order..."

Deidara said, "Sunagakure, huh... old man Sasori's hometown. Worth celebrating with some art. Leave the One-Tail to me, Leader, yeah!"

"As the weakest of the tailed beasts, the One-Tail is perfect for a newcomer's debut."

Under the sidelong glances of Akatsuki's members, Pain turned his gaze toward Suigetsu and Jugo!

—"Suigetsu, Jugo, you two will be responsible for hunting Shukaku of the Sand. There must be no mistakes!"