WEEKLY POWER GOALS 💎🔥 30→2ch | 60→5ch | 100→8ch | 200→15ch | 400→25ch⏰ Resets Monday!
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The two renewed their assault, circling the battlefield.
Pain's gaze shifted. "You've realized my ability. You're not charging directly anymore."
SWISH! Suigetsu sprinted, unrolling the explosive scroll of his Explosion Sword, Shibuki.
—Explosion Sword Art: Detonation Weighted Death!
The explosive tags spread in a flash, surrounding Pain from all sides!
Pain spoke. "A formation of explosive tags? No matter how many, they're nothing to fear."
—SHINRA TENSEI!
WHOOSH!
The repulsion force pushed the closing tags back—and detonated them!
BOOOOOOM—!!!
For a moment, a sea of explosive flames stretched out, cutting the battlefield in half!
Amidst the roaring flames, Suigetsu drew from a summoning scroll—the Longsword: Nuibari!
True to its name, it was a massive, slender needle. A razor-sharp wire, thin as a thread, extended from its hilt.
Suigetsu hoisted Shibuki onto his shoulder, gripping Nuibari. "Nuibari… I only saw my brother use it once. The essence of this blade is the steel wire. Controlling it requires incredibly fine manipulation. I don't think I can match him from the get-go… But with this Sharingan, I can at least imitate him a little!"
BOOOOM…!
A split second before the flames cleared—the Longsword: Nuibari vanished from Suigetsu's hand.
Pain reappeared, unscathed. But he also failed to notice Suigetsu's setup.
Jūgo released his Cursed Mark again, charging at Pain with everything he had!
Pain's voice was cold. "It seems you two still haven't learned your lesson."
—SHINRA TENSEI!
BAM…!!
The powerful repulsion sent Jūgo flying—mercilessly—through the air!
He landed hard, struggled to his feet—only to collapse again.
"Every bone feels shattered… Even with the Cursed Mark, taking another hit like that would mean serious injury. Suigetsu… it's on you now!"
SWISH!!
Suigetsu burst into the fray, Shibuki in hand. Pain dodged with agile footwork.
"So your ability has a cooldown after all!"
"Oh? You noticed. But how many hits can you take?" Pain raised a hand.
—SHINRA TENSEI!!
THUMP…!!
Suigetsu and his sword were sent flying—but he'd confirmed it! The interval of Shinra Tensei!
"Five seconds? That's cutting it close. But you asked how many hits I can take!?"
WHOOSH…!!
Suigetsu's body suddenly liquefied, drastically reducing the impact!
Pain finally showed a flicker of surprise. "I see. The Hōzuki clan's Hydrification Technique. That's why Orochimaru chose you. But your sword is a different matter."
—BANSHŌ TEN'IN!
WHOOSH!
The Explosion Sword: Shibuki was yanked through the air. With a wave of his hand, Pain sent it slamming into a pillar of the Amegakure tower with a CLANG!
"Let's see what you can do now."
SPLASH…!
In front of Jūgo, Suigetsu's body reformed. His hands flew into a seal!
—Longsword Ninja Art: Earth Spider Stitch!
CHAK…! The steel wires buried earlier tore through the soil, rising to ankle height. They weaved into a spider-web formation, converging under Pain's feet!
Pain noticed instantly. "The earlier explosion was to bury these wires? Aiming for the gap in my ability…" He used a black rod to pin one wire, halting the advance, and pulled his foot free. Using the crisscrossed wires as footholds, he leaped into the air!
Suigetsu's seals changed!
CHAK!
The Longsword: Nuibari shot from the ground, straight for Pain's chest!
—SHINRA TENSEI!
CLANG…!
The downward repulsion force sent the blade flying, shredding the wire web!
Suigetsu yelled. "Now… the 'dead zone' in his ability!"
"GRAAAAAH—!!"
Jūgo roared. Parts of his arm shifted to Cursed Mark Stage Two—chakra-jet ports opened at his elbows! His massive arm scooped up Suigetsu. With a blast of chakra from the ports, he hurled Suigetsu forward with all his might!
BOOM—!!!
Suigetsu shot forth like a storm!
Pain mused, genuinely impressed. "Splendid coordination. I'm starting to see you two in a new light."
"Five seconds… I can make it!"
Suigetsu's hand was inches from grazing Pain's robe—but he had underestimated Pain's sheer combat prowess. A mid-air pivot—a powerful kick slammed into Suigetsu's chest, sending him flying!
A black rod shot from Pain's sleeve! Suigetsu's Sharingan tracked it—he knew he couldn't dodge. Even while tumbling backward, he formed a gun with his hand. Without precise aim, he fired the Hōzuki clan's secret art—the Water Gun technique—at the rapidly shrinking figure of Pain. It was his only resistance.
THWIP!
The next instant, the black rod pierced his abdomen.
He crumpled, combat strength gone. The chakra seeping from the rod ravaged his body, preventing even Hydrification.
Suigetsu gave up struggling. "Still not enough? No wonder he leads a bunch of freaks on Orochimaru's level. We did our best… There was nothing more we could do."
Pain was about to declare them eliminated when his gaze froze on the faint cut on his own cheek. Lacking a sense of pain, he hadn't noticed it immediately. It was from Suigetsu's last-ditch Water Gun.
This directly changed Nagato's perspective.
"Knowing a hit would end it, yet still launching a final strike… That's a rare quality. Their will to join the Akatsuki is remarkably firm."
"Moreover, unlike other members who act alone, flaunting their strength, their cooperative instinct is the best of any member so far."
"Perhaps… they are precisely the talent the Akatsuki needs now."
Pain stretched out a hand. Gravity pulled Shibuki from the pillar. He walked over to the downed pair.
Suigetsu's true nature resurfaced. "Hey—you! Don't do anything crazy! I'm under Lord Tobi's direct command!"
CLANG!
Pain planted Shibuki in the ground before Suigetsu.
"Hōzuki Suigetsu, Jūgo of the Scales. From today, you are official members of the Akatsuki."
He turned and walked toward the tower, leaving the stunned pair behind.
As reality set in, Suigetsu shouted after him, "Hey, Boss! At least pull this rod out of me!!!"
Konan landed at the tower's base, meeting Pain.
"Why did they pass?" She hadn't noticed the cut on Pain's cheek.
Pain said, "The Akatsuki needs manpower. The ones Tobi brought aren't mediocre. We'll use them for now. I have arrangements."
Konan nodded. "If you've decided, then it's fine."
…
Half a day later, the Akatsuki assembly reconvened.
Deidara looked at Tobi's projection. "Tobi! Where'd you run off to? I thought you were dead, yeah!"
Tobi said with his usual antics, "Deidara-senpai, Kakuzu-senpai was way too scary! I was afraid if I stayed, he'd finish me off…"
Deidara scoffed. "Look at you, no backbone at all. Speaking of which, where's Kakuzu? Busy making money?"
Pain's voice cut in, grave. "Kakuzu and Hidan are dead."
A momentary silence fell.
Kisame spoke. "My, my. It came true in the end. So… following precedent, the culprit this time is that one, right?"
Pain confirmed. "Correct. It is Sasuke Uchiha. Unlike the incident with Sasori, we have precise eyewitness information this time. Zetsu, you explain."
Zetsu explained, "Sasuke Uchiha took down Kakuzu and Hidan single-handedly. Unlike when he crippled Deidara, Sasuke didn't use his Sharingan this time. However… he did use the Senju's Wood Release."
Dead silence. A long, heavy silence fell over the gathering. A feat like this couldn't be taken lightly, even by the arrogant members of the Akatsuki.
Deidara exploded. "That bastard! I'll make him taste my new art for sure! Yeah!"
Kisame mused, "Itachi… your little brother is something else. Perhaps soon, he'll officially surpass you."
"…" Itachi's Sharingan remained fixed on the darkness, but beneath his robe, his hand seemed to clench slightly.
Pain continued, "Furthermore, the new members replacing Kakuzu and Hidan have been decided."
Two spectral projections flickered into view.
"Hōzuki Suigetsu, the new Santai of the Akatsuki. Jūgo of the Scales, the new Hokuto."
Tobi cheered. "Ooh, ooh! That means I'm a senpai now too! Lovely kōhais!"
Kisame recognized one of them. "Suigetsu… it's you, huh."
Backed by Obito, Suigetsu didn't flinch. "That voice… it's Kisame Hoshigaki. Can I borrow your greatsword, Samehada, for a bit?"
Kisame let out a hearty laugh, his voice turning dangerous. "If you're thinking about it, you can come find me anytime. I'll let you taste some 'shark cuisine'."
Pain cut them off. "Enough idle talk. In this gathering, I announce a major decision. Effective immediately, the Akatsuki will formally commence the Tailed Beast Hunting Plan!"
Deidara was shocked. "Hey, hey… wait. That's nearly three years ahead of schedule, yeah? Leader, why the sudden change?"
Pain replied, "Plans always change."
Deidara grinned. "Just like explosions, yeah! You can never predict the shape of the next blast! Yeah, now that's art!"
Obito thought to himself, Nagato… this time, you didn't disappoint me.
Kisame sounded pleased. "Well, I say it's about time. Fighting for money always felt like wasting time. So, have the hunting order and assignments been decided?"
Pain declared, "Starting with Suna's Shukaku, all the way to Konoha's Nine-Tails. Hunt and seal them in order."
Deidara's eyes lit up. "Suna, huh… Old Man Sasori's hometown. Deserves a tribute with art. Leave the One-Tail to me, Leader! Yeah!"
"The One-Tail, being the weakest of the Tailed Beasts, is perfect for a 'rookie debut'."
Under the sidelong glances of the Akatsuki members, Pain's gaze fell on Suigetsu and Jūgo.
—"Suigetsu, Jūgo. The Sand's Shukaku is your responsibility. No mistakes allowed!"
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