295.The Final Gathering
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Amegakure, the Village Hidden in Rain.
Towering iron-gray spires rose like a dense metallic forest, shrouded in the cold, watery veil of perpetual rain.
Inside an empty hall, a massive iron chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting warm light on the walls and illuminating a relief sculpture depicting "God and Angel" with a golden glow.
The heavy doors slowly creaked open as the remaining members of the Akatsuki, cloaked in their signature black robes with red clouds, filed in one by one.
"Never thought Akatsuki would be reduced to just this handful," Kisame remarked casually, his shark-like grin stretching wide. "And Zetsu's missing today—did he get taken out too?"
Deidara, as arrogant as ever, laughed. "Probably! At the end of the day, those who got wiped out were just too weak, yeah!"
Sasori, his youthful doll-like form now replaced by his true body, stared at Deidara with lifeless eyes. "You've got surprisingly good luck, Deidara. I always assumed you'd be the first to die."
"Still refusing to acknowledge my strength, huh, Sasori no Danna? Yeah!" Deidara tilted his chin up, feigning magnanimity, before raising his palm—where a mouth unfurled its tongue. "My art and I will outlast all of you. Try not to croak before me, yeah."
"Heh heh heh…"
A raspy chuckle echoed through the hall.
"Tobi"—no longer masking his voice—spoke. "Zetsu's gone. Probably got himself killed."
"Oh? So you're finally dropping the act, 'Tobi'? Yeah?" Deidara sneered.
"Then this…" Sasori's gaze sharpened on the now-serious "Tobi," "...is your real self?"
"All in due time."
"Tobi" tilted his head up toward the enormous clock hanging on the wall.
The long pendulum swung, and the mechanical gears groaned as a dull, melodic 'ding-dong' reverberated through the hall.
A flurry of white paper swirled as Konan descended from above, her pristine wings spread wide. Hovering midair, she called out:
"Nagato."
The others followed her gaze to the clock face, where an unfamiliar man stood, looking down at them.
"A pleasure."
He spread his arms and floated down with deliberate calm.
"I am Nagato—leader of the Akatsuki."
"The hell?" Deidara squinted at Nagato's unmistakable Rinnegan. "Where's Pain, yeah?"
Konan landed behind Nagato. "Pain was a puppet Nagato controlled with the Rinnegan. From today onward, he will no longer hide in the shadows."
"Makes sense. Not like just anyone can wield those eyes, yeah!" Deidara nodded.
"Tobi." Nagato's gaze shifted. "Explain Zetsu's absence."
"No idea."
"Tobi" shrugged.
"Hm."
Nagato didn't press further. His eyes swept over the group.
"The Five Kage Summit approaches. It's time for Akatsuki to step into the light."
"And what's the plan, boss?" Kisame's grin widened.
"We will make the world know pain," Nagato declared, arms outstretched, "and usher in an era of peace."
"We didn't nab the Nine-Tails, but we've got enough chakra to substitute, yeah!" Deidara's voice crackled with excitement. "So we're invading the Five Great Villages?!"
"I will announce at the Summit that the shinobi world now belongs to us," Nagato said coldly. "The villages will resist. We need only wait for them here."
"You're saying we take on all the villages at once?!" Deidara thrust both palms forward, tongues lolling from their mouths. "Perfect! My art deserves the grandest stage, yeah!"
"Prepare for total war." Nagato levitated again. "This world will change for us."
With that, he ascended back to the clock face and vanished into a dark, gear-filled passageway.
"All of you—stand by in Amegakure until further orders."
Konan's voice lingered as her body dissolved into a storm of paper, scattering into the heights before disappearing.
"Guess I'll head out too." Kisame smirked at the remaining trio and strode through the doors.
"Heh. Later."
A vortex spiraled open in "Tobi's" lone eye, swallowing his body whole.
"Tch!" Deidara spun on his heel. "Let's go, Sasori! Gotta cook up some new masterpieces for the big show, yeah!"
"I need materials," Sasori muttered. "Lost too many puppets in Konoha."
"Hah! Including your prized Third Kazekage, yeah!"
"Shut it."
---
Top of the Tower – A Dim Chamber.
Nagato sat alone before a chessboard.
"Nagato."
Space twisted, and "Tobi" materialized.
"Tobi." Nagato placed a piece on the board. "About Zetsu—you know something."
"Heh…"
"Tobi" chuckled low, then reached up and removed his mask.
"I sealed him away."
Nagato turned, his lips curling into a stiff smile. "How rare—you're being honest with me, Obito."
"Because you're not the clueless Nagato from before." "Tobi"—now revealed as Obito—sat opposite him and moved a piece. "You've figured it out, haven't you? The truth of the Infinite Tsukuyomi."
"So you're here to propose an alliance?" Nagato frowned at the board.
Obito toyed with a chess piece, his gaze piercing. "I'll work with anyone who fulfills my goal. Black Zetsu was Madara's will—pushing me to reclaim the Rinnegan and revive him. But you… you're a better partner."
"Why assume I'd agree?" Nagato countered. "The Infinite Tsukuyomi contradicts my original vision."
'Click.' Obito set his piece down.
"You'll accept." He smirked. "Your 'Wrath of God' plan only delays war until your death. The Tsukuyomi is the only way to realize the peace Yahiko dreamed of."
"Do not speak his name."
Nagato's voice turned glacial.
"...I'll consider it."
"Good enough."
Obito stood, his body distorting into the vortex again.
"I'll await your answer."
Once Obito vanished, Nagato lifted another piece.
"It seems he doesn't know the Tsukuyomi's true purpose—or Zetsu's. Don't you agree, Sophren?"
"Yes."
A pale figure emerged from the floor—Sophren, his Rinnegan identical to Nagato's.
"Obito and Madara were both deceived, Lord Nagato."
"Pity."
Nagato placed the final piece.