In a sense, very few missing-nin had truly joined Akatsuki for peace. Permanent peace in the shinobi world was as elusive as a castle in the air.
Most missing-nin joined Akatsuki to achieve their own goals.
Sasori and Hiruko, for instance, wanted to prove themselves, while ninja like Orochimaru and Shinnō were far more pragmatic.
Orochimaru wanted access to all sorts of ninja so he could obtain the Rinnegan and Mangekyo Sharingan. Shinnō simply wanted to create the Zero-Tails to power the Sky Warship.
Now, an opportunity to leave Akatsuki and strike out on his own lay before Shinnō, waiting for his decision.
Defect or stay.
If he defected, the other Akatsuki members would hunt him down. Painfully aware of his own lack of strength, he might have no choice but to join a faction opposed to Akatsuki.
But Konoha was the shinobi village that had destroyed the Sky Ninja Bandit Gang all those years ago. That hatred would be hard to let go.
After thinking it over, Shinnō had his answer.
After giving Kakuzu another injection of anesthetic, Shinnō began gathering the bodies and clearing away the traces of battle. Then he disappeared with the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
Several hours later, a disguised Shinnō arrived at a small town in the Borderlands.
Before long, several ninja dressed as travelers appeared before him. They bowed and asked, "Leader, what are your orders?"
Besides being a medical ninja, Shinnō was also the leader of the remnants of the Sky Ninja Corps.
Only after looking around and confirming that he had not been followed did Shinnō hand the unconscious Seven-Tails Jinchuriki over to the Sky Ninja. "Take her to the Temporary Base," he instructed. "I'll head out myself after a while."
"Yes, Leader," the Sky Ninja replied quietly.
Shinnō nodded, gave them a