The Akatsuki Meeting

Deep inside a damp cave, where light only finds its way through candles barely struggling to stay lit, the members of the Akatsuki gathered. The silence in the room wasn't ordinary—it was heavy, a silence befitting individuals who believed in blood more than they believed in words.

Pain sat at the head of the table, as usual. No one questioned his position, no one even tried. His Rinnegan eyes didn't focus on anyone in particular—they simply looked at everyone at once. Not necessarily because he cared, but because he trusted no one.

Beside him stood Konan. His shadow, his old friend, the only one he didn't doubt.

Kakuzu sat as if attending a financial board meeting, not a gathering of killers. His hands were clasped, his eyes moving as if counting the cost of time wasted here.

As for Juzo, he had made the effort to attend but hadn't bothered with caution. He stood leaning against the wall, as if waiting for the start of a decapitation party.

Sasori didn't speak, didn't move much, but his presence was undeniable. His cold, silent demeanor was enough to remind everyone that stillness didn't equal weakness.

But there was always one exception.

Orochimaru.

Orochimaru sat in his wooden chair as if the entire meeting were just a dull theatrical performance. One leg crossed over the other, his long fingers lazily dancing across the table, fiddling with something no one could see. His golden eyes never stopped moving across the faces around him, silently observing, but his gaze wasn't casual... it was the gaze of a predator studying its prey.

"The Rinnegan, huh..."

His eyes finally rested on Pain, or rather, on those eyes embedded in his face, as if they were a clear declaration of absolute power.

The smile on his lips was nothing more than a mask. Beneath it, greed pulsed relentlessly, an insatiable desire to possess that could not be hidden. For a moment, his eyes gleamed with a fleeting spark—not admiration—but a recognition of the value of what he saw.

"Those eyes... If I had them, how many doors would open for me?"

When Pain spoke, everyone's thoughts halted, as if his voice carried a military command that could not be delayed.

> "I've decided to recruit a new member."

Pain's gaze didn't demand attention, but it commanded it nonetheless.

> "I want two of you to go with Konan and invite him.

... The Ice Prince."

Silence.

Not the kind of silence that signals ignorance, but the kind that comes when a name is too heavy to be greeted with immediate words.

Kakuzu, as usual, didn't care much for titles. But he knew this name well—not from rumors, but from bounty records in the black market.

> "The Ice Prince... or rather, the owner of the Ice Palace Empire."

Everyone's gaze turned to him, curiosity gleaming in their eyes.

After seeing their looks, Kakuzu continued, "This man controls the largest shipping network in the Land of Water, and his influence extends to the Land of the Clouds. Everything that passes through the sea goes through him. You don't understand... this isn't just a ninja. This is a walking bank."

Pain, as cold as ever, asked:

> "And what are you trying to say?"

> "I'm saying we don't need to recruit him. We need to get rid of him... along with his wealth."

Juzo laughed, not because he disagreed with Kakuzu, but because Kakuzu had voiced what was on his mind—in his own way.

Sasori only gave him a glance, then said:

> "If he doesn't fight, what's his worth?"

At this, Pain intervened. In a tone that left no room for debate:

> "You don't need to ask me. Zetsu confirmed the information. This man doesn't fight often... not because he's weak, but because he doesn't need to. It's said that he can freeze his enemies with a single step."

Freeze with a single step.

Even Orochimaru, who seemed lost in his own world, paused for a moment.

A sly smile curled across his face.

> "What an evolution... Hyoujin Kon, it seems you've exceeded my expectations."

But Pain didn't leave room for distractions.

> "We need his power... and his wealth. And if he refuses? We'll follow Kakuzu's advice and settle for his money our way."

Konan stepped forward. No room for debate.

> "I'll go. I need two with me."

Kakuzu raised his hand without thinking:

> "I'm with you. Whether he comes willingly or not, my bank account will benefit."

Juzo smiled a smile that didn't bode well:

> "A Konoha ninja with ice limits? I don't want to miss that. I'm coming."

Pain nodded. The decision was made.

> "You leave tomorrow. Don't fail."

The members slowly dispersed, but Orochimaru stayed behind for a few moments, staring into the void with his snake-like smile.

*Hello everyone!

This is the first chapter of season two, and I've made a few changes to my writing style for this season. I hope you like the update and would love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Your support and comments mean a lot to me and help me improve the work! Thank you for your continued support.