In the Akatsuki organization, the only one who currently had a good relationship with Tobi and Black Zetsu was Hidan.
So at this moment, only Hidan would speak up on their behalf.
After all, one of them looked black and white and unnervingly strange, while the other had a ridiculous, thick-skinned playfulness—but somehow, the two could chat together for hours. In Hidan's opinion, they were absolutely the same type of weirdos.
He didn't know why, but he'd invited both of them to join the Jashin Cult many times, only to be rejected every single time.
He still believed it must've been because his invitations weren't sincere enough.
(It definitely wasn't because he couldn't beat either of those two BS monsters.) (╬ Ò﹏Ó)
Nagato, controlling the Deva Path, gave Hidan his answer.
"The two of them launched an attack on Konoha without authorization, which severely disrupted our original plan. They have been expelled from Akatsuki."
"If you encounter them in the future, attack on sight."
As these words fell, the others silently agreed.
Even Deidara, who usually didn't care about anything except his art, nodded. He hated that black-and-white freak.
Why black? Why white? Why both? Why not pure white like his clay?
His clay was perfect white.
So why wasn't he the one called "white"?
Why did that thing get the aesthetic?
Unacceptable. All must die. Boom.
As for Tobi (Obito), he simply wanted to say one thing:
He wasn't close to Hidan at all.
After all, Sasori wasn't dead yet, and Tobi hadn't even officially teamed with him—so how was he supposed to be "friends" with any of them?
Seeing that no one objected to kicking Zetsu and Obito out, Konan stepped forward.
"Everyone, the goal of the Akatsuki organization has always been to bring peace to the ninja world."
"Our original plan was to gather initial funds, collect the nine Tailed Beasts, summon the legendary Ten-Tails, and then use overwhelming power to pressure the shinobi world into peace."
"But now, with Konoha leading the Ninja Association formed by the Five Great Villages, we've seen that there may be a gentler path to peace—one that doesn't require force."
"I have already joined the Ninja Association under the identity of the 'Angel' of Amegakure and currently serve as its Secretary General."
"But Uchiha Hikaru doesn't seem to know my true identity yet."
"Our Akatsuki organization has even been placed on the Association's wanted list."
"So after discussing with the Deva Path, we have decided to hold a private duel with Uchiha Hikaru."
"The winner will become the president of the Ninja Association. The loser will assist the winner in bringing peace to the ninja world."
Konan stepped back.
Below her, Kakuzu, Hidan, Jūzō Biwa, Deidara, and Sasori stared at the Deva Path, wordlessly.
None of them cared about peace. Most had joined Akatsuki only because they couldn't win against its leaders back then—and the treatment in Akatsuki was good. No exhausting missions, plenty of freedom, a roof overhead. Nothing to complain about.
But complacency didn't mean loyalty.
Especially now, when Uchiha Hikaru was acknowledged as the strongest shinobi alive.
Yet their mysterious "leader," the wielder of the legendary Rinnegan, had never publicly displayed his full strength.
Doubt had been growing.
Konan's proposal only confirmed their suspicion:
Let the strongest decide.
If Deva Path won—great. Their bounties could be erased, and they'd gain a world-spanning organization through the Association.
If he lost, then it only meant he wasn't strong enough. In the ninja world, power ruled. They would simply follow the strongest.
So everyone waited silently for Pain's response.
In the tower of Amegakure, Nagato paused the chakra output to the other five Paths and poured everything into the Deva Path.
Inside the Akatsuki base, the Deva Path began to emit a crushing chakra aura, the Rinnegan glowing intensely. Even the veterans felt their hearts tighten.
"I have already issued a challenge to Uchiha Hikaru. In one month, we will duel one-on-one at the Valley of the End."
"The other party has agreed."
"One month from now, the Akatsuki organization will take control of the Ninja Association."
His calm, empty tone made several members tremble with anticipation.
They could feel it—
They were close to returning to the light.
After all… if one could live openly, who wanted to be a rat hiding in sewers and ditches?
Deidara: I can finally show my explosion art to the entire world! (☆∀☆)
Sasori: Endless funds for materials… I'm building a Gundam.
Kakuzu: A world-spanning organization must be loaded. As Akatsuki's accountant… becoming Finance Director is reasonable.
Hidan: Blood rituals on a global stage!! Jashin-sama approves!!
Jūzō Biwa: Can I return to Kirigakure with honor? That would be nice.
Konan: Nagato… I know you'll lose, but I won't crush your spirit. This is for your own good.
Nagato: Sister Konan is the most reliable! She's planning all this so I can take over the Association… I'm so moved…
While everyone was wrapped in their fantasies, none of them knew what was happening back in the high tower.
Obito—wearing Tobi's goofy outfit and Black Zetsu's reinforced thermal-layer—had slipped into Amegakure.
Using Black Zetsu's presence to bypass Nagato's detection barrier, he phased through the walls with Kamui and appeared silently behind Nagato's wheelchair.
He had already confirmed the situation: with the Deva Path outside, the other five Paths were dormant. Nagato was fully focused on controlling the Deva Path.
Nagato's eyes were closed, lips tight, the corners slightly raised as if imagining the future.
Perfect.
Obito materialized and stepped forward boldly.
Black Zetsu, sharing the moment, slid directly onto Nagato's body the instant Obito solidified.
Nagato's eyes snapped open.
"Who?!"
Black Zetsu instantly severed the chakra output to the Rinnegan, trying to rip the eyes out.
The Deva Path in the Akatsuki base froze mid-gesture—locked in place.
Konan didn't notice. She simply assumed Pain was holding a dramatic leadership pose again.
He was always theatrical. She could accept that.
She had no idea he was in mortal danger.
In desperation, Nagato concentrated all remaining chakra into his right eye, awakening the dormant Paths and unleashing a surge of force at Obito.
"With your tricks… you dare?!"
"You wanna die?!"
Black Zetsu saw the power surge and understood he couldn't take both eyes.
He tore out Nagato's left eye, reattached to Obito, and forced the Rinnegan into Obito's left socket.
Obito grinned darkly.
"Got it."
He phased out instantly.
Nagato was left clutching the gaping hole where his left eye had been, pain ripping through his nerves. He summoned the other Paths to protect him and gradually reconnected with the Deva Path.
The Deva Path twitched its right pinky—Konan's and Nagato's old coded signal from childhood.
Withdraw.
Konan reacted immediately, stepping close as the meeting dissolved.
"My left eye was taken by Obito," Nagato said.
Konan froze.
"!!!"
...
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Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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