Ebizo followed Nagato away with heavy footsteps...
Nagato stared at the text message on his phone, feeling a headache coming on.
[This is Rasa. Nagato, my friend, thank you for your help. While Ebizo was here, most of Sunagakure's authority was in his hands. Now that he's gone, I can shake off some of those shackles and restrictions and serve Konoha better. Oh, and when you get back, please give Uncle Dave and Mr. Kakuzu my regards. I'll never forget what they've done for me. Also, please be careful, Nagato. Ebizo is known as the Heart of the Sand, and he's extremely calculating. Be sure to watch yourself around him. -Anonymous3787hds]
Reading that message made Nagato's balls ache. Had he poached Sunagakure's elder? Uh, put that way, had he indirectly done a good deed?
"Young Nagato, where's our organization based?" Ebizo asked with a chuckle.
"In Konoha. Don't worry, Old Man. Now that you're joining us, we certainly won't mistreat you." Nagato looked conflicted as he gazed at the old fool he and Rasa had tricked into coming along. He felt a little bad about it...
"Hahaha, that's all right. This old man doesn't eat much. Just give me a little something to eat each day." Ebizo laughed heartily.
Soon, it was time for the Akatsuki to assemble...
A vein bulged on Nagato's forehead as he looked at the assortment of people before him.
"Hahahahaha! Nagato! Why aren't you saying anything? Look! Our Akatsuki is full of the best of the best!" Yahiko laughed loudly, throwing an arm around Nagato's shoulders.
"Sure is. We've got the elderly, the children, the brain-dead, and the blind. What a gathering of exceptional talent. Only the elite flock to this nest." Nagato gave a cold chuckle.
His gaze swept over Ebizo, whose