On the Sky Screen, the images of Team Hebi slowly faded. The people of the Shinobi World thought this round of group introductions was about to end and were just about to breathe a sigh of relief when the screen suddenly went dark.
The next second, an explosive BGM roared to life. From its rhythm and intensity, one could tell that a heavyweight figure was about to make an appearance.
[Of course, the above-mentioned groups can only be considered 'barely passable.' The strongest and most popular Shinobi group in the world is, without a doubt—the Akatsuki.]
In an instant, the entire Shinobi World fell silent.
'Barely passable?'
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, the AB Combo, the Twelve Guardian Ninja, Team Hebi—these powerful groups singled out and listed individually—were only "barely passable"?
Then what would the truly "passable" look like?
Before the people could react, a deep and oppressive voice suddenly rang out from the Sky Screen.
["And now… This world shall know Pain!"]
Countless hearts in the Shinobi World skipped a beat. Goosebumps erupting all over.
This Akatsuki… didn't sound very friendly.
But still, those words were really impactful.
Then, the images in the Sky Screen began to flash rapidly.
A beautiful woman with purple hair and paper flowers adorning her head. Her eyes were gentle yet distant, always giving the impression that something stood between her and others.
A man wearing a yellow spiral mask, only one red Sharingan visible beneath it.
A young, blue-eyed blonde with a cocky smile on his face—something resembling a mouth seemed to be embedded in each of his palms.
A tall, shark-faced man carrying a large sword wrapped in bandages on his back, his lips parting to reveal sharp fangs.
A black-haired man shrouded in mystery, with deep tear troughs at the corners of his eyes, his demeanor as cold as millennia-old ice.
A strange, puppet-like man with countless tiny black tubes running across his face.
One figure after another flashed by—different styles, wildly different appearances. Some were so handsome it was hard to look away, others so ugly that people dared not look at them. The only thing identifying them was the uniform black robe adorned with red clouds.
Finally, the image froze on a group photo.
Ten figures stood side by side, their black-and-red robes fluttering in the wind. Some stood, some sat, each in a different pose, yet all radiating a dangerous aura.
[Amegakure · Akatsuki Hideout]
Yahiko stood by the window, staring at the group photo on the Sky Screen. He was frozen in place, as if struck by lightning.
"I-is… is this still the Akatsuki?"
His voice trembled with unbelievable shock.
Apart from himself and Konan, he didn't recognize a single person in that image. But they were undeniably wearing the Akatsuki uniform.
Who were these people?
How had the Akatsuki been reduced to just these few?
And where were the others?
His gaze fell on the "Yahiko" in the image.
He wore lip and nose piercings, and his gaze was as cold as stagnant water, devoid of his former enthusiasm and the light of his ideals. Standing there, he exuded an oppressive aura that made people afraid to approach.
"Actually pretty cool…"
Yahiko muttered instinctively.
"He really has a commanding presence…"
Wait, something was wrong!
His eyes—
Yahiko's pupils suddenly constricted.
The Rinnegan!
That version of him had the purple, ripple-patterned Rinnegan!!
"Those eyes!" Yahiko cried out in shock.
"How do I have the Rinnegan?! Where's Nagato?!!"
He frantically scanned the group photo again. Once, twice, three times…
Nagato was not there.
His brother who had sworn alongside him since childhood to change the Land of Rain, who had founded the Akatsuki together with him—the boy possessing the legendary eyes of the Sage of Six Paths—was not in the image.
Yahiko's body swayed, his head spinning.
"Yahiko."
A gentle voice sounded in his ear, and a pair of hands supported him.
Yahiko turned his head and saw Konan standing beside him. She was much younger than the Konan on the Sky Screen. Her purple hair was not yet so long, her face still held a touch of innocence, and she was far more full of life.
"Konan…"
Yahiko's voice was as raspy as sandpaper.
"Where is Nagato? Did you see Nagato?"
Konan's face was also pale. She shook her head, biting her lip.
"No. I looked several times… Nagato is not there."
The two looked at each other, both seeing the same terrifying suspicion in the other's eyes.
"It can't be."
Yahiko muttered, as if trying to convince himself.
"Nagato is so strong, and he has the Rinnegan. He can't be gone… He absolutely can't be!!!"
"Konan."
Yahiko's fist slowly clenched, his fingernails digging into his palm.
"From now on, we have to work harder. We have to become stronger—strong enough to protect everyone. The three of us must stay together, whole and complete!"
Konan nodded heavily: "Mm."
Yahiko's mind was still replaying the image of "himself" with the labret and nose piercings, complex emotions flashing in his eyes.
What had that future version of him experienced to become like that?
And those eyes—what was going on with them?
---
[Land of Earth · Iwagakure]
"It's Brother Deidara!"
A crisp voice rang out through the Tsuchikage Office.
Kurotsuchi, dressed in a outfit that revealed her long legs, pointed at the Sky Screen, jumping up and down with excitement.
"Brother Deidara is in the Akatsuki! His outfit looks so cool—it's absolutely awesome!"
The surrounding Iwa ninjas turned their heads one after another. Some muttering under their breath.
"Deidara? That explosion maniac?"
"Didn't he defect?"
"Why is Lady Kurotsuchi so happy…"
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, floated in mid-air with his arms crossed, his expression grim.
He naturally knew that Deidara was in the Akatsuki.
Among the Five Great Nations, the Land of Earth had cooperated with the Akatsuki the most. After all, those S-rank missing-nin would do anything as long as they were paid. Many of Iwagakure's dirty jobs had been outsourced to the Akatsuki through intermediaries.
But that line from the Sky Screen—"This world shall know Pain"…
Ōnoki's brow furrowed into a tight knot. He realized he had never truly understood this organization.
He had always thought the Akatsuki was just a mercenary group of rogue shinobis who worked for money—strong members, yes, but without a unified political goal, posing no real threat to the major nations.
But now…
"Who said that?" Ōnoki muttered, repeating the phrase to himself. "The purple-haired woman? Or the masked man? Or… that leader called Pain?"
A gleam of contemplation flickered in his eyes.
"Kitsuchi," Ōnoki called out.
"Yes!" Kitsuchi immediately straightened up.
"Go and organize all known intelligence on the Akatsuki, including each member's background, abilities, and mission records. Also…"
He paused.
"Increase surveillance on Deidara."
"This Akatsuki… may be far more complicated than we ever imagined."
Kitsuchi nodded. After all, that line alone sounded extremely dangerous—"This world shall know Pain." It had the ring of something aiming to make a very big splash.
*****
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