Chapter 38: The Kirigakure Plan

Within a secret base in the Land of Rivers, the members of the Akatsuki gathered once again for a new round of discussions.

"You've all done well recently, the organization's growth has been rapid," Nagato summarized after the group's initial exchanges.

Of course, it's growing fast—when you have multiple Kage-level subordinates working under you, what wouldn't move quickly?

"What's our next target?" Kakuzu asked, cutting to the chase.

"The Land of Water. Kirigakure." Nagato spoke slowly, his words deliberate.

"Kirigakure?" The group was somewhat surprised. Were they finally going to act against one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages?

"Yes." Pain's Deva Path nodded, his voice steady as he elaborated. "Kirigakure has been in chaos due to its Blood Mist policies. Dissidents, and even rogue ninja, are numerous, some of whom are quite powerful."

"For example, Zabuza Momochi and Kisame Hoshigaki were both former Kirigakure shinobi."

Seeing no objections from the group, Nagato revealed the mission's objective.

"I want to send a team into Kirigakure to recruit talent. Who's willing to go?" He chose not to assign anyone directly but instead sought volunteers. After all, it was one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Even for Kage-level members, the risk was significant.

"I'll go with Sasori. My art could use the Explosive Blade from Kirigakure. Two birds, one stone. Hmm!" Deidara spoke up eagerly. Just yesterday, he had been pondering ways to collect the Explosive Blade and the Hozuki bloodline. Now the mission had come right to him—perfect timing.

But something was off. Black Zetsu, who usually stayed silent or rarely commented on Akatsuki's decisions, unexpectedly voiced his opinion.

"I think Kisame and Itachi should go. Kisame is a former Kirigakure shinobi, and Itachi has already been there once. They're far more experienced for this mission."

"As for the Explosive Blade, Kisame can retrieve it for Deidara along the way," Black Zetsu added in his usual deep, measured tone.

Deidara's first reaction was suspicion. Something wasn't right.

Black Zetsu actively pushing for Kisame to go? Coupled with the issues of Uchiha Obito using genjutsu to control the Fourth Mizukage, it was clear that there was something deeper going on in Kirigakure.

This made Deidara even more determined to go. Since he had chosen to side with Nagato, Obito was naturally his enemy. And if it was about disrupting the enemy's plans, he was all in.

"No! I'll go!" Deidara insisted.

"I'm very interested in Kirigakure, you know!" He looked toward Pain's Deva Path, hoping Nagato wouldn't be so blind as to miss Black Zetsu's hidden motives.

"Then it's decided. Deidara and Sasori will go," Nagato declared, bringing the discussion to a close.

Fortunately, Nagato still had some sharpness to him.

After the meeting adjourned, Zetsu emerged from a thick branch of a large tree. Inside the tightly closed pitcher plant, faint whispers could be heard.

"What do we do? If Deidara and Sasori go to Kirigakure, they might uncover something unusual," White Zetsu said in a high-pitched, nervous voice.

"A deviation from the plan. We'll have to inform Obito," Black Zetsu replied.

"Let him talk to Nagato himself. No matter what, this mission needs Kisame to go. He'll help us keep our secrets at the critical moment," Black Zetsu added decisively.

Moments later, the space next to Zetsu distorted in a spiraling motion. A masked figure with a single Sharingan eye appeared—it was Uchiha Obito.

"Zetsu, what's the matter?" Obito asked calmly.

"It's a disaster!" White Zetsu blurted out.

"Nagato wants to send Deidara and Sasori to Kirigakure. If that happens, our secrets might be exposed!" White Zetsu said, his tone filled with concern.

"This is different from the mission with Jūzō and Itachi. Back then, they were merely sent to assassinate a noble. Although they entered the Land of Water, they never set foot in Kirigakure itself.

"That mission ended with an unexpected battle against the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, which cost Jūzō his life. But this time, they're heading straight into Kirigakure—it's a completely different situation."

"What?" Obito's Sharingan flared briefly with surprise and shock as he turned to Black Zetsu.

"Why did they suddenly decide to target Kirigakure?"

"Nagato, spurred by Deidara's suggestion, aims to expand Akatsuki's influence by recruiting from Kirigakure's rogue ninja. The village's internal strife makes it a prime target," Black Zetsu explained.

"Did you not try to stop him?"

"I objected, but it only aroused his suspicions. You'll have to handle this personally," Black Zetsu replied, frustration evident.

Obito fell silent for a moment, realizing the stakes. The intricate layers of his plans made them inherently fragile to unexpected deviations like this.

"Understood. I'll talk to Nagato." Obito activated Kamui, his form spiraling out of sight.

In the central tower of Amegakure, Obito materialized after traversing the void. Despite his urgency, he maintained an air of calm, as if everything was under his control.

Pain's Deva Path glanced at him but said nothing. Nagato clearly wasn't surprised by Obito's arrival.

Without preamble, Obito got straight to the point.

"This Kirigakure mission—Kisame and Itachi must be included."

"Are you giving me orders?" Pain's Deva Path turned to face Obito directly. Though his tone was even, his displeasure was palpable.

Obito smirked inwardly at Nagato's posturing. Despite being tethered to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, his body barely holding up, Nagato still clung to the pretense of divinity.

Still, Obito knew he had to tread carefully to preserve their fragile alliance.

"It's merely a suggestion," Obito said, raising his hands in mock surrender.

"Or perhaps… a trade. If you include Kisame and Itachi, I'll give you something valuable—a potion that significantly enhances vitality."

Obito produced a small vial of emerald-green liquid, holding it out as an enticing offer.

Nagato's eyes narrowed. Enhancing vitality was indeed tempting, given the toll the Gedo Statue took on him.

But his pride as the self-proclaimed god of Akatsuki wouldn't allow him to trade his subordinates for personal gain.

"I refuse," Pain declared firmly.

Before Obito could argue further, a quiet but resolute voice interjected.

"We'll accept your terms."

It was Konan.

"Konan!" Nagato's tone was unusually sharp.

"Listen to me this time, Nagato!" Konan insisted. "This potion is too important to pass up. You need it!"

Nagato hesitated but relented, unable to argue against Konan's rare defiance.

"Deal," Obito said, setting the vial on the table before vanishing once again.

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