"Who told you to do this?"
When she learned that Masked Madara had shifted the blame for capturing the tailed beasts onto Uchiha Ryun, Konan was very dissatisfied with this matter, and even the Deva Path Pain could not help but frown.
"Shifting the trouble to Otogakure is to protect the Land of Rain, to protect Amegakure. Do you really think the four great nations would do nothing after their tailed beasts are captured?" Uchiha Obito spoke with a cold expression.
"We dared to capture the tailed beasts, so naturally we considered the consequences. You, the 'Shura of the Ninja World', resort to such despicable acts. This might solve the immediate trouble, but it will bring us even greater trouble!" Konan said with a look of disgust.
"Watch your language, little girl. I will not say this to you a second time." As Uchiha Obito spoke, his eyes quietly transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"You..."
"Enough, Konan!"
Konan originally wanted to say more, but the next moment she was directly cut off by the Deva Path Pain.
"Hmph. I said Uchiha Ryun is not undefeatable. As a member of Akatsuki, shouldn't one consider Akatsuki first? What is wrong with me diverting the pressure from the four nations onto Otogakure? Your fear of Uchiha Ryun does not mean others fear him."
Uchiha Obito snorted coldly and began his sarcastic remarks.
"Save such big talk for when you actually defeat him." Konan retorted, unwilling to back down.
"That moment will come soon, you will see it before long..." Uchiha Madara responded faintly.
Seeing Masked Madara's overflowing confidence, Nagato was momentarily taken in by his bluster. Even Konan just let out a cold snort and did not say anything more.
Daring to be so arrogant must mean he has some solid trump cards, right? Thinking carefully about Uchiha Madara, a existence on par with the 'God of Shinobi', the two of them could somewhat understand...
"The failure of Pain has proven one fact, that is, we cannot deal with Uchiha Ryun with sincerity. If we want to cooperate, either we conquer him, or he subdues us. The tailed beasts will ultimately only end up in the hands of the victor."
Hearing Masked Madara's words, although Nagato felt somewhat in his heart, he had to admit this was the truth...
That fellow Uchiha Ryun is arrogant and indeed very difficult to handle. Apart from fighting again, there really is no other way to smoothly obtain those five tailed beasts.
"Let's first seal the three tailed beasts into the Gedo Statue before discussing anything else..." The Deva Path Pain suggested after glancing at Masked Madara.
"You handle it. I need to continue scouting for new Akatsuki members. Notify me if there's anything you can't handle..." After saying this, Masked Madara transformed into a spiral and vanished.
"Konan, when it comes down to it, he is doing this for Akatsuki. You don't have to respect him, but at the very least, you shouldn't be insolent..." The Deva Path Pain sighed and said.
"I feel that we could cooperate with Uchiha Ryun... It doesn't necessarily have to be a fight, and besides, we might not win..." Konan argued based on reason.
"Don't be so naive... If cooperation were possible, I wouldn't have fought him in the first place..." The Deva Path Pain said expressionlessly.
Konan wanted to ask: Didn't you start the fight by provoking him? But for the sake of Nagato's self-esteem and face, she ultimately held back the question.
"Let's go... The other members are already waiting for us..."
The Deva Path Pain stood up and walked out of the room. Konan said nothing, but in the end, she actively followed him.
Performing the 'Nine Dragon Sealing Jutsu' to absorb the tailed beasts requires a long time, especially when Akatsuki is short-handed.
The Gedo Statue does not necessarily have to absorb the tailed beasts strictly in order from one to nine, but starting with the One-Tails and ending with the Nine-Tails is a rigid rule.
When Akatsuki painstakingly completely sealed the One-Tails into the Gedo Statue, it also signified the official start of the 'Eye of the Moon Plan'. Nagato, Black Zetsu, Uchiha Obito, Uchiha Ryun, and even the deceased Uchiha Madara... they were all very satisfied with this outcome.
Several days later.
While Ryun was leisurely enjoying life at home, the outside world generated much criticism and abuse directed at him.
He was an untrustworthy villain, who promised not to target the tailed beasts of the Five Great Nations again, but then found ways to have Amegakure do these evil deeds... Furthermore, the nations of Wind, Lightning, Water, and Earth publicly demanded that Otogakure release their Jinchuriki.
"What? You're saying all four great nations believe it was our Otogakure that captured their Jinchuriki???" When he heard the Acting Shadow report this matter, Ryun immediately showed a stunned expression.
"No way... Are the Four Kage brainless? It was clearly the people from Amegakure who captured their Jinchuriki. Instead of going to the Land of Rain to trouble Amegakure, why are they all coming to our Otogakure demanding people???"
"I don't know... Rumor has it that Sunagakure obtained concrete evidence stating that those people (from Akatsuki) were acting under your orders to capture the tailed beasts..."
The Acting Shadow explained with an awkward smile.
"Additionally, they believe you are the only one in the ninja world with a hobby of collecting tailed beasts, and also believe only you would dare to provoke them openly, and that Amegakure is merely a puppet village in your hands..."
"What a load of dog crap!" Ryun could not help but curse loudly.
"This is clearly a deliberate frame-up by those from Amegakure... Well, well, well. Akatsuki dares to play dirty tricks with me." Ryun laughed in extreme anger.
"It is indeed a frame-up, but... the fact that those four nations all believe it is the key point..." The Acting Shadow said with a worried expression.
After calming down a bit, Ryun quickly regained his composure. "It doesn't matter. Would that mob dare to come knocking on our door?"
"Should we offer an explanation to those people (the four great nations)?" The Acting Shadow cautiously inquired.
"Explain what? Why should I explain something I didn't do? Those trash really think they're something important?" Ryun said with a look of disdain.
"But we can't just take the blame for this unjustly, right... Amegakure caused the trouble but pushed us out to take the fall. If we silently accept these matters, the outside world might truly believe you broke your promise and found ways to snatch their tailed beasts..."
The Acting Shadow said this entirely for the sake of Ryun's reputation.
"You're right. We won't take this blame... If Amegakure dares to play dirty tricks with me, then I'll show them what real, open blades and spears are!"
"Go now and gather the ninja for war preparations. Also, announce publicly that the Land of Rice Fields officially declares war on the Land of Rain!"
Ryun decisively issued this command.
The Land of Rice Fields is now strong and prosperous, its mid to low-level combat power definitely not inferior to the established ninja village of Amegakure. As for high-level combat power... if the Akatsuki members dare to show themselves, then Ryun wouldn't mind taking action personally.
"Yes! I will now prepare for war in your name... This way, we can also silence the gossip in the ninja world..." The Acting Shadow said earnestly.
"Silence the gossip? Do you think I care about the feelings and thoughts of ants?" Ryun glanced at him and said faintly.
He wanted to punish Amegakure because Akatsuki's schemes had disgusted and angered him. Furthermore, his reason for starting a war actually had deeper intentions, but it was definitely not for the sake of those four nations.
"!!!"