Amegakure, atop the Tower.
Deva Path Pain's enormous projection occupied the foremost position, while the projections of the other Akatsuki members appeared one after another.
"It seems our little Sasori has done something big lately," Kakuzu said sinisterly, greed gleaming in his dark green eyes. "His bounty has gone through the roof. That heart of his must be worth a fortune now."
He paused, then looked toward Deva Path Pain's projection, a barely perceptible hint of covetousness in his voice. "Still, I'm more interested in you, 'Pain.' The power to destroy Kumogakure with a single strike... your heart must have unimaginable value."
"That wasn't art. It was pure violence, hm!" Deidara snorted in displeasure.
Pain, who had remained silent all this time, finally spoke. His voice was as cold and emotionless as ever, but what he said shook everyone present.
"The one who attacked Konoha and destroyed Kumogakure was neither me nor any of us."
Pain's Rinnegan swept over each member's projection as he continued slowly. "It was a mysterious individual who used my name and also possesses the sage eye. His goal is to use the name of the Akatsuki to ignite the Fourth Shinobi World War and plunge the entire shinobi world into conflict, thereby weakening us, or even making us everyone's target."
Kakuzu's greed froze, and Deidara's complaints caught in his throat. Everyone fell silent.
This news was even more shocking than Kumogakure's destruction. There was another person with the Rinnegan? And he was manipulating them from the shadows?
"So, from now on, everyone must exercise twice as much caution when operating outside," Pain said, his voice allowing no argument. "To conceal your movements, I permit you to remove the organization's uniform and operate in your own ways, except on specific missions."
It was an unprecedented decision,