"Think about it!" Obito's lips curled into a strange smile.
"Sasori abandoned his physical body in pursuit of eternal art, while Hoshino modified his body in pursuit of power. Essentially, they are both doing the same thing."
"But unfortunately, Hoshino was personally trained by Grandma Chiyo, so Sasori might have had thoughts of comparison."
"So you mean..." Nagato's eyes narrowed slightly.
Obito slowly raised his hand. "Tell Sasori, this isn't about creating weapons, but about creating timeless art that transcends time."
A flash of understanding crossed Nagato's eyes, "In the name of art..."
"That's right." Obito's voice was seductive.
"Make Scorpion understand that only by perfectly integrating Puppet Technique with technology can he create truly timeless works of art; otherwise, in the eyes of others, he is merely a clumsy imitator."
"... Eternal art also needs witnesses."
Konan murmured thoughtfully, "Using art as an excuse to give Scorpion a way out?"
She suddenly understood Obito's scheme.
This is not a simple provocation, but a holy war concerning dignity to be ignited in the art palace that Scorpion cherishes most.
For an artist like Sasori, nothing is more important than proving his artistic talent, especially in front of the successor chosen by Grandma Chiyo.
After all, in the present-day Sunagakure, Sasori's former glory has been completely overshadowed by Hoshino.
If Scorpion were to appear before others in the future, they would only think that his so-called eternal art was nothing more than a clumsy imitation of prosthetic technology.
How could that proud artist tolerate his masterpiece being forgotten and scorned by the world?
This step is high enough...
It is high enough that even a perfectionist artist would willingly step down from their pedestal.
Nagato slowly stood up. "Then let's do it this way. Konan, this matter is yours to handle!"
Konan nodded slightly, her paper wings fluttered, and she turned and disappeared among the scattered pieces of paper.
Upon Obito, Obito's lips curled up slightly beneath his mask, and then his body twisted as he was swallowed by the vortex-like spatial fluctuations.
He has more important things to do.
That stubborn brat Sasuke won't obediently stay in the Land of Rain and wait for him to return. The single-minded Uchiha is just annoying.
Time flew by, and before we knew it, the day the talks were about to begin arrived.
Within the Land of Rain, a town that had been temporarily requisitioned stood quietly in the morning light.
This city was originally an important hub for black market transactions, but it has now been emptied out and used as the venue for the Four Kage Summit.
Nagato's choice of this location was no accident.
Located in the heart of the Land of Rain, surrounded by mountains, its strategic location serves both to demonstrate the Akatsuki's control and to ensure the secrecy of the meeting.
The midday sun pierced through the thick clouds and shone on the tall tower in the center of the town.
The flag atop the tower fluttered in the wind, its black background and red cloud pattern gleaming brightly in the sunlight.
The talks are about to begin.
Konan hovered above the city gate, her paper wings fluttering lightly, her expression indifferent, her gaze sweeping over the approaching figure in the distance.
A leader and two guards.
The group from Konoha consisted of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Kakashi Hatake.
The Kumogakure include Raikage A, Mabui, and one others I don't recognize.
The Iwagakure is occupied by Ōnoki and two other unnamed Jonin.
The Sunagakure is represented by Hoshino, Hizuki, and Arashi.
Their timing was quite perfect!
These ninja villages appear to be enemies, but they secretly work together seamlessly, even timing their meetings with remarkable precision.
"Welcome everyone," Konan's voice came from the air, " The Akatsuki have been waiting for you."
The Third Hokage was the first to look up, a wisp of smoke rising from his pipe, and he chuckled, "You must be Jiraiya, Konan's apprentice. Konoha is practically your second home; you're always welcome to visit."
Konan's paper wings paused slightly in the air, and her eyes instantly turned cold.
She still remembers how Yahiko died, all because of Root. In the eyes of ninjas from other countries, Root's actions abroad represented Konoha.
Then Konoha should naturally bear the responsibility, since they were never on the same side to begin with.
" Lord Hokage, you jest! I'd rather not be a guest; after all, I'm not Konoha ninja."
Konan gazed at the Third Hokage's wrinkled yet still shrewd face, her voice devoid of any warmth:
Jiraiya stood behind the Third, looking at his former disciple with a complicated expression. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he only sighed.
Raikage A impatiently interrupted, "Stop reminiscing! Where's Pain? We're not here to listen to your old stories."
Konan withdrew her gaze, her paper wings unfurling lightly. "Please follow me. The meeting will begin promptly at noon. Before then, you may rest in the lounge."
She waved her hand gently, and four paths made of paper extended to the feet of the four teams.
This exquisite Chakra control made Ōnoki squint.
The ability to maintain such a large-scale Ninjutsu while precisely creating four independent paths is a testament to their formidable skill.
The paper path led the group through the city gate and into the main urban area.
Standing on both sides of the street were all Rain Ninja, expressionless, their eyes cold and sharp as they stared at them.
Konan deliberately slowed down so that the guests could see the layout of the town clearly.
This was a deterrent that Nagato specifically instructed Nagato to use.
"It seems the Akatsuki is well-prepared." Ōnoki floated in the air, his tone tinged with probing.
"To ensure the smooth progress of the talks, we naturally need to be fully prepared," Konan replied without turning her head.
When everyone arrived at the central square, a giant conference room made of paper was already ready.
The building is circular, with a black-and-red cloud symbol suspended at the top, and is surrounded by twelve stone pillars, each carved with a different wild animal pattern.
Konan landed in front of the conference room door, turned slightly to the side, and gestured an invitation.
Please follow me inside.
The group followed Konan into the conference room, their footsteps echoing in the empty space.
As the last person stepped inside, the heavy stone door closed silently, completely shutting out light and sound from the outside world.
In the center of the conference room, five chairs were arranged in a semi-circle, with Deva Path Pain sitting in one of them.
Behind him, Scorpion stood silently, his Hiruko shell gleaming coldly in the shadows.
Please take your seats.
The symbols of the five Five Great Shinobi Villages appeared in front of the five seats, indicating their respective positions.
The Third Hokage walked first to the chair engraved with the Konoha symbol, with Jiraiya and Kakashi standing on either side of him behind him.
Upon seeing this, Ōnoki, Raikage A, and Hoshino also took their seats with their guards.
Konan, on the other hand, came to the other side of Deva Path Pain, standing on either side of Sasori, like two guardian deities behind Pain.
Now that everyone is here.
Deva Path Pain slowly spoke, "Then let's begin this meeting that will decide the future of the Shinobi World."