"All right, then. Tobi, I'll leave the Three-Tails to you."
Pain gave Tobi a meaningful glance and continued:
"According to our intelligence, although the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, Roshi, has left Iwagakure, he seems to still be traveling within the Land of Earth..."
"Kisame, Itachi, you two will bring him back."
Kisame Hoshigaki said, "Understood, Leader."
Uchiha Itachi said nothing, merely nodding slightly.
Pain said, "As for Iwagakure's Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Han, the Land of Water's Six-Tails Jinchūriki, Utakata, Takigakure's Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, Fū, and Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto, the Fourth Hokage's son... my Six Paths of Pain will handle them all."
"Huh?" Deidara grew angry the moment he heard that and complained unhappily:
"Boss, aren't you being way too greedy?! Taking four Jinchūriki for yourself-that's not fair! Hm!"
Pain replied expressionlessly, "Fairness has nothing to do with it. All I know is that if I go, success is certain. I'm not trying to steal your prey. I simply want to gather all the tailed beasts as soon as possible."
At that, Hidan sneered mockingly. "Hmph, that's four Jinchūriki. Can you really handle all of them? Don't push yourself, Boss. Careful you don't fall flat on your face~"
Ever since joining the Akatsuki, all Hidan had known was that Pain was the organization's leader and, outwardly, possessed a pair of mysterious eyes. He had never witnessed Pain's true strength firsthand.
Pain showed no intention of acknowledging Hidan's mockery and merely said casually:
"All right, follow your assignments. Dismissed!"
Just as everyone was about to leave, Uchiha Itachi's voice suddenly rang out. "Wait, Leader."
"?"
Everyone froze at his voice and could not help turning toward Uchiha Itachi at the same time. It was truly rare for him to speak up on his own, and the members were very curious about what Itachi had to