After White Zetsu retreated, Konan's voice suddenly sounded from behind:
"They seem to have their own ideas."
"This is an agreement between me and Madara. Their thoughts don't matter, as long as they do their job seriously."
Nagato also knew that White Zetsu and Black Zetsu had their own ideas, and Nagato had long since come to terms with that.
No matter what their objectives were, he didn't care, as long as they accomplished the tasks he assigned, that was enough.
As for what hand Madara left behind... no, he's certainly left some contingencies.
But as for what those contingencies were, Nagato was still uncertain and didn't know if they would be beneficial to him, or if Madara planned to break his agreement or support him, it was all unknown.
"Is it the same with Orochimaru?"
Hearing Konan ask this, Nagato was silent for a moment.
He knew Konan had always been critical of Orochimaru joining Akatsuki.
Orochimaru had once backstabbed the Hidden Rain, causing them heavy losses, and even took advantage of Hidden Rain's trust in Konoha, leading to Yahiko and other Akatsuki members being tragically killed by Root.
"During times of war, everyone looks out for themselves. Konan, don't let personal feelings interfere with work, we have no other choice."
Indeed, as a member of the Hidden Rain Ninja, Nagato had a thousand reasons to seek revenge on Orochimaru, tearing him to pieces.
However, he also had a thousand excuses not to be able to kill Orochimaru.
Orochimaru's strength and talents were things Nagato admired.
Moreover, during times of war, as a member of the Konoha Ninja, Orochimaru's contributions and loyalty to Konoha were undeniable.
With a small number of Konoha Ninja, they kept the Hidden Sand Village at bay, fighting to the death, delaying enough time for the Konoha Squad on the Hidden Rock battlefield, preventing the Hidden Sand and Hidden Rock forces from uniting.
As for the Yellow Flash defeating the Hidden Rock forces alone and destroying their supply lines, that's another story.
Recruiting such talent into Akatsuki, the benefits outweighed the disadvantages.
As for the hatred... it's probably the most useless thing. Nagato mocked himself with a smile.
"I see."
Nagato indeed had changed. This was Konan's true inner thought.
Not just Nagato, even she herself had changed.
Pain had made them grow.
If it were in the past, she might have gone all out to take revenge on someone like Orochimaru.
It was when Yahiko was killed by Root that Orochimaru and Root's Danzo were collaborating the most closely.
Even now, Orochimaru might still have some secret dealings with Danzo.
Nagato had done the same thing.
Although the one contacting Danzo was Tobi disguised as 'Madara', without Nagato's permission, White Zetsu wouldn't initiate contact with Danzo.
The strengthening of Root led by Danzo meant that within Konoha, there was another presence contending with the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
As long as Danzo continued to gain strength, Akatsuki's actions would become much easier.
Based on this judgment, Nagato allowed White Zetsu and the others to secretly contact Danzo.
◎
The atmosphere in the team had changed, something Itachi had long anticipated.
After all, the deceased Tsutama, no matter how you looked at it, had been a companion for a year, and it was once thought that their squad's relationship would last for a long time before it ended.
When he saw Inari Makoto again, Itachi clearly saw a shadow cast over her eyes; Tsutama's death seemed to have made the kinder, more gentle her become timid.
However, upon reuniting, Itachi had something important to request from the team's Jonin, Minazuki Yuzuki.
"The Chunin Exams?"
Hearing Itachi's request, Jonin Minazuki Yuzuki scratched his head in difficulty, looking quite troubled.
"What's the matter?"
Itachi asked, puzzled.
In fact, his strength was already strong enough.
Especially after awakening the Sharingan this time, Itachi was confident he could pass the Chunin Exams and become a Chunin.
Only by becoming a Chunin could he take on more advanced tasks and further hone himself.
Moreover, the Uchiha Clan also hoped for him to become a Chunin as early as possible.
The current reputation of the Uchiha in Konoha wasn't great, and it was necessary to build prestige and prepare thoroughly for the position of the Fifth Hokage.
The Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato's death and the old age of the Third Hokage showed the radical members of the Uchiha Clan hope of becoming Hokage.
Although his father Fugaku advocated for a cautious, progressive policy, he could barely keep it under control.
Moreover, Itachi knew his father also had aspirations for the Hokage position.
After becoming Hokage, the situation for the Uchiha Clan in Konoha should improve, such as changing the Security Team's system.
For this, Itachi had become, to some extent, a representative for the Uchiha Clan.
"In fact, Makoto is here today to resign. She doesn't want to be a ninja anymore."
Minazuki Yuzuki glanced regretfully at Inari Makoto.
Itachi looked at Inari Makoto in surprise.
The person involved, Inari Makoto, gave Itachi an apologetic smile, with a touch of darkness in her eyes, and said to Itachi, "Sorry, Itachi. You might say I'm being immature, but I'm really afraid that one day I'll end up being killed like Tsutama. After Yuzuki-sensei's guidance, I've come to understand…"
She once fantasized in Ninja School that being a ninja was a very honorable thing.
However, after Tsutama's death, seeing the horrific corpse, she suddenly realized how cruel and realistic the world of ninjas was.
Although she was several years older than Itachi, her ability to cope had always been the weakest in the team.
She couldn't stand the thought of her own or her companions' deaths.