Who made that guy refuse to act with us, thinking he had a good relationship with Jiraiya, insisted on watching the commotion outside, and even wore the Akatsuki organization's clothes?
Red Sand Sasori looked at Nagato, who seemed a bit hesitant, and advised in a deep voice, "If we don't leave soon, Salamander Hanzo's troops will catch up... Plus, with Jiraiya and that kid named Akihara Kagura, I don't want to stick around and get caught in one fell swoop with you."
From any perspective, Sasori's actions were already quite considerate. He discovered that the organization's leader was a puppet, yet chose not to leave Akatsuki. Instead, upon learning about an imminent crisis, he even snuck in to warn them.
Konan's favorable impression of Sasori increased significantly.
Even Nagato understood that for an S-Class Traitorous Ninja like Sasori to be willing to help them escape, he was fulfilling his duty as a comrade as much as possible.
"Thank you, Sasori."
Konan rarely took the initiative to thank Sasori.
"No need to thank me."
Sasori, controlling Hiruko, crawled out of the escape door, continuing, "If you want to repay me in the future, kill that kid named Akihara Kagura and let me turn his corpse into a puppet. I really enjoy strong puppets..."
"Okay."
Nagato immediately agreed.
Although Nagato believed Akihara Kagura's strength was considerable, enough to become a Six Paths Puppet, the Six Paths' important abilities resided in the Rinnegan. Killing Akihara Kagura and handing the body to Sasori wouldn't matter.
"..."
Hiruko paused momentarily at Sasori's words, then continued crawling outside without further comment.
Kakuzu, who had been following Sasori, was the one with a different opinion. He stated, "That kid's body can already sell for thirty-five million ryou... In the future, the price might increase even more."
This group of Akatsuki members...
They don't look like they've been defeated; they seem as if they've won a victory instead.
As the group left the hideout, they hid behind a rock and saw a black line approaching the Akatsuki hideout in the distance.
That was...
Salamander Hanzo's Rain Ninja troops.
"Konoha's Jiraiya and Salamander Hanzo have joined forces to besiege us..."
Kakuzu's voice sounded somewhat old; he seemed unbothered by this alliance, unaware of how much impact his words had on those beside him.
"..."
Nagato and Konan's expressions were very grim.
Because this scene reminded them of many years ago when Konoha's Shimura Danzo and Salamander Hanzo jointly besieged the budding Akatsuki organization.
"Let's go."
Konan pushed Nagato's wheelchair to leave first.
"..."
Hiruko followed behind, just giving Kakuzu a peculiar look. How did this guy, who was so talkative, survive from that era until now?
On the other side.
When Salamander Hanzo led the Rain Ninja troops and arrived, they immediately surrounded Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Akihara Kagura's group.
Salamander Hanzo also saw the body of Pain lying on the ground and asked in a deep voice, "This is the leader of the Akatsuki organization. It seems you've already dealt with the greatest trouble..."
"Lord Hanzo."
When Jiraiya saw Salamander Hanzo appear, he thought Nagato and Konan were still in the cave and didn't want Hanzo to interfere, questioning, "Weren't we supposed to wait for me to peacefully resolve the Akatsuki's issue..."
"I've been waiting all this time."
Salamander Hanzo indeed wasn't lying and said willingly, "Seeing that a battle broke out here, I immediately came to help you after all, we have a pact to jointly oppose Akatsuki..."
At this point, Salamander Hanzo continued, "I didn't expect you to have already dealt with the leader of the Akatsuki organization. It seems you've indeed grown stronger over these years..."
"No..."
Jiraiya quickly wanted to explain, reluctant to reveal Nagato and Konan's situation, attempting to ask Hanzo to leave with his men: "The Akatsuki's issue hasn't been resolved yet. I've found a peaceful solution..."
"Killing the leader of the Akatsuki organization is indeed a peaceful resolution."
Salamander Hanzo looked at Pain's body, nodded satisfactorily, and loudly instructed, "Have someone announce that the leader of the Akatsuki organization, Pain, is dead, and the civil war in the Land of Rain is over!"
"No..."
Jiraiya truly didn't know how to respond.
"By the way."
Salamander Hanzo didn't even wait for Jiraiya to finish, waved his hand, and continued, "Since the Akatsuki hideout is here, let's give this body a proper burial."
"Yes!"
A group of Rain Ninjas immediately lifted Pain's body.
"..."
Jiraiya watched this scene somewhat lost in thought.
This matter...
He didn't seem able to argue back?
After all, Yahiko had long been dead, and Nagato's desire to turn Yahiko's body into a puppet was somewhat excessive. Letting Yahiko rest in peace wasn't a bad thing.
After Hanzo finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Orochimaru, still wearing the Cloud Black Robe. "It seems only one member of the Akatsuki remains... Letting you go during the war back then might have been a mistake, Orochimaru—is that the name?"
"That's right."
Orochimaru's expression subtly changed.
Even after many years, Orochimaru had grown much stronger, but the psychological shadow from being suppressed by Salamander Hanzo while part of the Sannin of Konoha remained.
Rustle!