Amegakure's current state had nothing to do with any Akatsuki members other than Nagato and Konan. Everyone else had joined the Akatsuki with goals of their own.
Some pursued art, while others chased elusive dreams.
No one knew whether the person fighting beside them now would become an enemy a moment later.
In the end, what trust could there be among missing-nin who had betrayed their villages?
They all used the Akatsuki's name and the power Pain had displayed to do whatever they pleased.
Standing on the muddy forest floor, Zou Hyuga and the other Akatsuki members gazed at the Six Paths of Pain in the distance. Those Rinnegan, their rings like coils of incense, seemed to hold the entire world.
This was their first time seeing all six Pains. They might not know every one of their abilities, but they could all feel Pain's strength. Some even began entertaining thoughts they should never have had.
Take the Rinnegan and make that immense power my own.
Pain also scrutinized the subordinates before him. He had never trusted this group of missing-nin and merchants, but he had to rely on their strength.
After sweeping his gaze over everyone, the Deva Path laid out the plan for this mission.
Unlike their usual two-man operations, the Akatsuki would mobilize nearly all its forces this time and head to the Land of Earth together, preparing to capture the Four-Tails and Five-Tails.
Orochimaru and Shinnō would form a team responsible for the Five-Tails.
Nagato and Konan would form a team responsible for direct combat.
Zou Hyuga and Hiruko would form a team responsible for the Four-Tails.
Obito and Zetsu would form a team responsible for gathering intelligence.
The remaining Akatsuki members would monitor the movements of the major shinobi villages.
Once the Deva Path announced