54

With one last, shuddering breath, Juzo Biwa closed his eyes, his life extinguishing like a candle in the wind. Uchiha Itachi stood over him for a long, silent moment, his expression unreadable. He picked up the broken hilt of the Executioner's Blade and placed it beside its former owner. Then, without a word, he turned and left, habitually wiping the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand. He felt no strain, no trickle of blood from the powerful dōjutsu.

After using the Mangekyō, the burden on my eyes has been significantly reduced, he thought. Hashirama's cells are indeed powerful.

In the cavernous Akatsuki base, shadows flashed as the members gathered once more. Looking at the empty seat beside Itachi, Orochimaru chuckled, his voice a playful, dangerous hiss. "Ah, Itachi. Where is your partner?"

Uchiha Itachi said nothing, not even gracing Orochimaru with a glance.

Pain's voice cut through the silence. "Juzo Biwa was killed in action. His opponent was the Three-Tails Jinchūriki."

"Oh?" Orochimaru's interest was piqued. "That means Itachi was able to escape unscathed after a battle with the Fourth Mizukage. His strength is truly impressive."

Itachi remained silent.

"Another member was also killed today," Pain announced, his gaze shifting to Kakuzu.

The bounty hunter turned his head away with a proud, dismissive air. "Hmph."

Black Zetsu added, "Rather than 'killed in action,' it would be more accurate to say he was killed by his own partner."

Kakuzu retorted, "What does it have to do with me? Who told him to be so slow?"

White Zetsu giggled. "Tsk tsk tsk… I'll let you all be the judge." As it spoke, an image materialized in the air before them. In the projection, Kakuzu and his partner were locked in a fierce battle with a group of enemies. Suddenly, Kakuzu appeared from behind his partner, unleashing a massive fire-style jutsu that incinerated both his partner and the enemy in a single, fiery blast. A second later, the image vanished.

The room was silent.

Sasori was the first to speak. "Definitely intentional."

"That was quite deliberate," Orochimaru agreed.

Kakuzu snorted angrily. "Why didn't he just dodge? He was a fool. What was I to do?"

Orochimaru's mouth curled into a sneer. "Tsk tsk tsk. Your relationship with your partner was not very good, was it? In fact, you've wanted to kill him for a long time, have you not?"

Kakuzu looked nonchalant. "Yes. So what?"

Sasori added, "It's nothing. This is normal. I have also had the thought of killing my partner. More than once."

Orochimaru taunted, "Oh my, are you still angry with me?'"

"Enough," Pain's voice commanded, his Rinnegan glowing with an imposing light. "The Akatsuki always acts in two-man cells. For now, Kakuzu, you and Itachi will form a temporary team. We will make other arrangements when we find a suitable partner."

Kakuzu shrugged. "I don't care, as long as this one doesn't bother me. Anyone who bothers me, will be killed."

After a long silence, Itachi finally spoke, his voice cold and flat. "You better watch your back"

Kakuzu responded viciously, "You don't understand? Then we will form a team, and I will teach you! I will make you understand!"

"Wait, wait," Orochimaru suddenly interjected. "Uchiha Itachi should be in a group with me."

Sasori immediately rebuked him. "You disgusting serpent! Do you dare to disregard me?!"

"Silence!" Pain's voice radiated pure authority. "As long as the organization's business is conducted, you may resolve your private grievances however you see fit. The Akatsuki needs new members. When they arrive, we will discuss this further. Disperse!"

At Madara's residence, a familiar voice called out. "Father! I'm back!"

Before Shiro even reached the door, Madara rushed out to meet him. "My dear son, you've finally returned! Look! Look into your father's eyes!"

"!!!" Looking into his father's face, Shiro was overjoyed. The empty sockets were gone, filled now with two living, vibrant eyes. A pair of brand new, three-tomoe Sharingan.

"Father! Your eyes are finally healed!"

"Yes! And on your birthday, of all days. It is destiny! You are my lucky star!" Madara excitedly scooped Shiro up, his expression turning mysterious. "My dear son, let me show you a magic trick." As he spoke, Madara blinked. "Look, they are Sharingan now, are they not? In the next second, I will change them into another form."

With that, Madara opened his eyes again. A pair of genuine Rinnegan, swirling with cosmic power, stared back at Shiro. The second pair of Rinnegan in the world had been born, and both belonged to Uchiha Madara.

"Son, these eyes are magnificent. I will get you a pair of your own when you grow up!"

"Okay!" Shiro nodded enthusiastically.

"Come. The birthday banquet is ready. It is filled with all the signature dishes of the Uchiha clan. Though Fugaku's strength is lacking, he cooks the dishes passed down through generations quite well. Let us have a taste."

Shiro and Obito had already eaten a great deal that day, but since a special meal had been prepared, they had to try it.

"I haven't had authentic Uchiha cuisine in a long time," Obito said, following closely behind Madara, ready to get a share of the food.

Madara turned his head, his voice cold. "Boy, what are you doing following us like a little shadow?"

Obito was stunned. "What do you mean? I'm here to eat, of course!"

Madara replied, "Did I say I was inviting you? Your work is not yet done. Get back to it! I have not prepared a portion for you!"

"This old man…!" Obito was furious. Just as he was about to retort, Zetsu suddenly appeared before him. "Obito, you do have something else to attend to. Nagato wishes to see you."

"Tsk, damn it!" Obito complained impatiently. But no matter how much he complained, he was still living under Madara's roof, and he still had his duties. And if Nagato was summoning him personally, it must be important.

"Shiro! Wait for me! I'll be back to accompany you when I'm done!" he shouted, looking at Madara's retreating back.

Madara was unmoved. "My son has spent the entire day with you! That is enough! You greedy boy, do not push your luck! Hmph!" With that, Madara turned and walked toward the dining hall without a second glance.

In the Hidden Rain Village, atop the highest tower, rain fell in heavy sheets. Pain and Konan stood at the edge of the observation deck, waiting silently. After a moment, a spatial vortex appeared, and Obito emerged from the other dimension.

"I heard from Zetsu that you wished to speak with me," Obito said softly.

Pain replied, "The Akatsuki has lost two members. So as not to delay our plans, we require new blood. Madara, I believe the two candidates you mentioned before can be recruited."

"Very well," Obito nodded. "Leave Kisame Hoshigaki of the Hidden Mist to me. I will bring him here within a day or two. As for Deidara of the Hidden Stone, you can send someone to deal with him. Zetsu knows his exact location."

"I see," Pain said.

"Hmm." Looking into Pain's Rinnegan, Obito was silent for a moment, then asked, "Nagato, if I were to tell you now… that there is another person in this world who possesses the same Rinnegan as you, would you believe it?"

"…" Hearing this, Pain frowned slightly. After a long pause, he finally answered, his voice a low, cold whisper. "Impossible. The Rinnegan is the Eye of God. There is only one savior in this world, and that is me."

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