"No."
Deidara sneered at Yakushi Kabuto with disdain, snorting as he said, "What kind of person are you? Relying on someone else's power to act arrogant, a coward hiding in the shadows, thinking you can be the new leader?"
After saying this, Deidara turned his head to Sasori of the Red Sand and said, "Rather than letting you be the new leader, it would be better for Master Sasori to inherit the leadership of Akatsuki!"
"Why!"
Hidan immediately jumped out, proclaiming, "I'm the most suitable candidate! Why don't you all join my Evil God cult…"
"Shut up!"
Kakuzu interrupted Hidan with a single phrase, turning to look at Yakushi Kabuto, speaking gruffly, "You say you've dealt with Pain, but haven't dealt with Uehara Naraku and Konan, have you? Pain seemed to mention wanting Uehara to become the next leader of Akatsuki, that kid is quite suitable."
"That's right."
Sasori looked at Yakushi Kabuto, his gaze also turning slightly colder, "If I'm not mistaken, you actually wanted to deal with Uehara Naraku but almost got dealt with by him instead! Uehara's strength is not weak at all!"
"Well… you guessed it right!"
A helpless smile appeared on Yakushi Kabuto's face as he raised his head and continued, "But it doesn't matter anyway, Uehara Naraku and Konan have already given up on the Tailed Beasts plan.
From now on, they will likely only stay in small places like the Land of Rain. With your strength, do you still need to continue staying here?"
"..."
Everyone fell into silence involuntarily.
If the Akatsuki no longer intends to collect the Tailed Beasts, what should they do next? Just waste their years here?
"Where we go is none of your business!"
Deidara looked at Yakushi Kabuto with dissatisfaction, then at Sasori, "Hey, Master Sasori, let's make a decision together after Uehara returns, as long as it doesn't interfere with my art…"
"Hmm."
Sasori nodded in agreement, "I also think we should wait for Uehara to return before discussing this matter. As for Yakushi Kabuto, this guy…"
"Hey, Yakushi Kabuto!"
Hidan suddenly interrupted Sasori loudly, grinning as he looked at Yakushi Kabuto, "If you can help me spread the Evil God cult, I might just join you…"
"Shut up!"
Kakuzu swung his arm, punching Hidan to the ground, speaking gruffly, "When some things shouldn't be said, just shut your mouth!"
"Bastard!"
Hidan leapt back up, looking at Kakuzu with displeasure, "I don't want to stay in this place, I just want to spread the will of the Evil God!"
"No, you don't."
Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear extended vines, firmly binding Hidan. He glanced surreptitiously at the Seven-swords Ninja of the Hidden Mist, who hadn't made any move.
These Seven-swords Ninja of the Hidden Mist, after showing shock at Pain's death since Yakushi Kabuto's appearance, hadn't moved or spoken, just minding their own business repairing their ninja blades.
Kakuzu glanced at Hidan, speaking coldly, "Sometimes, your life isn't worth much, but other times, you only get one life. The two most painful things in life are being alive without money and being dead with money still around."
"..."
Hidan didn't understand his words, but he obediently shut his mouth, because Kakuzu was generally right when he was serious.
"Is there no one willing to leave?"
Yakushi Kabuto frowned, then looked up at Uchiha Sasuke, speaking softly, "Sasuke, are you unwilling to leave as well? Uehara Naraku and Konan have reconciled with Konoha. If you want revenge…"
"Shut up."
Uchiha Sasuke looked down at Yakushi Kabuto with a gloomy face, speaking disgruntledly, "I'll ask Senior Uehara when he gets back!"
"Is that so... you all really have feelings for this organization!"
Yakushi Kabuto pushed up his glasses, showing a small smile as he looked up at the massive Gedo Statue, speaking softly, "Alright, but if Akatsuki no longer needs the Tailed Beasts, I'll take the Gedo Statue first…"
"..."
Everyone's gaze slowly turned to Yakushi Kabuto.
Weapons in every hand began slowly being drawn.
Sasori summoned his two puppets, staring hard at Yakushi Kabuto, "You really are just like that bastard Orochimaru! Traitor, don't be too arrogant in front of us…"
An hour later.
The entire Akatsuki was knocked to the ground.
No one from Akatsuki could stop Namikaze Minato's rampage; against Namikaze Minato in Kurama Mode, no member was a match for Yakushi Kabuto.
The one who held out the longest was Uchiha Sasuke.
Unfortunately, even with his power, he couldn't defeat Namikaze Minato.
Namikaze Minato easily set up a Flying Thunder God Barrier, taking away the Gedo Statue and the Eight-tailed Jinchuriki Killer Bee. At that moment, there was not a single person who could stop him.
After Yakushi Kabuto finished all this, his gaze slowly landed on Sasuke, smiling lightly, "Sasuke, don't forget, your brother Uchiha Itachi's Sharingan is still in my hands. Only I can help you go against Konoha…"
"Bastard!"
Uchiha Sasuke clenched his fists.
After a while, Uchiha Sasuke's expression changed, and he struggled to get up, walking over to Yakushi Kabuto's side.
Even though Uchiha Sasuke would rather be with his brother's friend, Uehara Naraku, he must first reclaim Uchiha Itachi's eyes; otherwise, resolving the blindness caused by the Mangekyo Sharingan is not easy!
Uchiha Sasuke was still silently contemplating that once he resolved the Mangekyo Sharingan issue, he'd simply kill Yakushi Kabuto, and then carry Yakushi Kabuto's head back to rejoin Akatsuki!
Of course, if Akatsuki by that time still intended to destroy Konoha... in Sasuke's heart, seeking revenge against Konoha undoubtedly remained his top priority.
"Very well."
Yakushi Kabuto gave a look of approval to Sasuke, then turned to see the fallen Akatsuki members, smiling lightly, "Then, everyone, we'll take our leave now. If you regret it in the future, you can come find me…"
The situation was indeed a bit unexpected.
Not a single member of Akatsuki was willing to leave with Yakushi Kabuto. Even Hidan, who wanted to defect, was stopped by Kakuzu.
When Yakushi Kabuto reported back to Uehara Naraku, his expression was quite peculiar, "It seems they have great confidence in Lord Naraku. Except for Hidan, not a single person wanted to defect…"
"Tsk, this bunch…"
Uehara Naraku's voice carried a touch of helplessness, "They really leave people with no choice, huh? Is this a case of a golden nest and a silver nest not being as good as one's own doghouse?"
"Huh?"
Yakushi Kabuto was a bit confused.
Uehara Naraku's voice resounded softly, "Kabuto, the relationships between Akatsuki members are always very realistically cold, seemingly very unkind to their own companions.
Yet within these realistically cold relationships, there's a rare warmth. Some have wandered alone for too long; they appear indifferent to this warmth, but their bodies sincerely crave it…"
"I think I understand."
Yakushi Kabuto pushed his glasses up, sighing in reflection, "We were once the same with Master Orochimaru. Whenever we used each other without reservation, Master Orochimaru's gentleness was a luxury. We experienced a bit of warmth in cold relationships, making us long for his gifts even more…"
"Hmm."
Uehara Naraku nodded, then spoke softly, "Alright, focus on preparing Orochimaru's body, and leave Akatsuki's affairs for me to handle!"