[Konoha, Year 60]
The Kage of the great nations watched the Sky Screen, their expressions grim; the matter of capturing Tailed Beasts was enough to make any Kage feel uneasy.
Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
As the Fourth Raikage, A, listened to the Sky Screen state that the Akatsuki's ultimate goal was world peace, his lip twitched, and then he burst out laughing.
"Peace? Hahahaha!"
"A bunch of rogue shinobis, killing and looting every day, and now you're telling me their goal is peace?"
"These guys are quite the storytellers! What peace? More like Akatsuki's domination, I bet!"
He had already been displeased that the Akatsuki had received a higher evaluation than the AB Combo. Now, hearing that the Akatsuki's goal was actually the Tailed Beasts, he was even more furious.
A's laughter quickly faded, and he slammed the table hard, a cold light flashing in his eyes.
"But wanting the Eight-Tails? Ask my fists if they agrees first."
---
Land of Earth, Iwagakure.
Ōnoki floated in mid-air, a mocking smile on his face.
"Peace? The Akatsuki sure knows how to package itself. Ambition to rule the world, yet they have dressed it up in such lofty terms."
---
Land of Water, Kirigakure.
The Fifth Mizukage, Terumī Mei, sat in her chair, her long legs crossed, a thoughtful light flashing in her eyes.
"Capturing the Tailed Beasts, waging war, conquering the world…"
She softly repeated the words from the Sky Screen.
"The Akatsuki's appetite is quite large."
Chōjūrō asked cautiously: "Mei-sama, should we strengthen the defenses around the Three-Tails and Six-Tails?"
"That's only natural," Mei nodded.
"But more importantly—"
She paused, a dangerous gleam appearing in her eyes.
"Who is this 'Simp' guy?"
Chōjūrō was taken aback: "Simp?"
"The Sky Screen said that after Nagato succeeded as leader, he partnered with Mr. Simp."
Mei narrowed her eyes.
"I have a feeling that this guy is definitely not an ordinary figure."
---
Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
As for Rasa, he wasn't particularly concerned. True, the Akatsuki did have several S-rank rogue shinobis of considerable strength.
But opposing the Five Great Nations? That was pure delusion.
With enough numbers, quantitative change leads to qualitative change.
The Akatsuki, even at full strength, had only that many people, while each of the Five Great Nations had tens of thousands of shinobis. Unless their strength reached the level of Senju Hashirama, they wouldn't be able to shake the rule of the Five Great Nations.
However, Rasa thought of another name the Sky Screen had just mentioned: Uzumaki Naruto.
A Konoha Shinobi, who might become even stronger than the God of Shinobi in the future—if he was allowed to grow, the entire world would have to live through decades of stifling frustration again.
Dealing with Naruto was far more important than dealing with the Akatsuki. Conveniently, Orochimaru had already contacted him, preparing to launch the Konoha Crush plan ahead of schedule.
A cold smile appeared at the corner of Rasa's lips.
'Konoha… just wait to lose a big chunk of your flesh.'
---
Land of Fire, Konohagakure.
Hiruzen frowned, his pipe in hand and eyes full of gravity.
'Capturing Tailed Beasts?'
Konoha had the Nine-Tails.
Jiraiya sat to the side, for once not grinning or joking.
He looked at the information on the Sky Screen and remained silent for a long while before finally speaking.
"Old Man, I was thinking of looking for Nagato and Konan to convince them to turn back."
"Now, it seems there's no chance."
Jiraiya smiled bitterly.
"Their goal is already to conquer the world; I'm afraid my old face isn't worth much to them anymore."
Hiruzen didn't respond, merely taking a deep drag from his pipe and slowly exhaling.
"Jiraiya, do you think the Akatsuki's plan can succeed?"
Jiraiya thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"Difficult. The Five Great Nations combined have tens of thousands of shinobi, while the Akatsuki has only a few people. Unless—"
He paused, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
"Unless Nagato's strength has truly reached the level of the legendary Sage of Six Paths."
Hiruzen was silent for a few seconds, then said.
"Regardless, the Nine-Tailed must be protected."
He looked at Jiraiya: "Besides teaching Naruto, you must ensure his safety."
---
Akatsuki Hideout.
Obito's body was somewhat stiff, and his face beneath the mask had turned completely dark.
The Sky Screen had said that Nagato partnered with Mr. Simp.
What was a Simp?
He had no idea.
Right now, he only wanted to know one thing: who had come up with that nickname?
And on top of that, the Sky Screen had just spilled all his plans in just a few sentences!
"Accumulating funds, capturing Tailed Beasts, waging war…"
Obito mentally repeated the three steps.
Wasn't this the damn plan Nagato and he had discussed? It had all been exposed now.
He felt a profound sense of helplessness.
How was he supposed to carry out the plan now?
Everyone in the world now knew that the Akatsuki was going after the Tailed Beasts. They would surely strengthen their defenses, and the Five Great Nations would also be keeping a close eye on the Akatsuki's movements.
---
Meanwhile, Nagato's real body, located in the Land of Rain, shuddered slightly.
'Mr. Simp?'
'Was the Sky Screen talking about that "Uchiha Madara" guy?'
'Why was it calling him that?'
Nagato fell into thought.
His impression of "Uchiha Madara" had always been one of mystery, and unfathomability, but now, the Sky Screen was calling him Mr. Simp.
That name sounded…
Kind of silly.
The corner of Nagato's mouth twitched.
He had a feeling that even though he himself had been exposed, he might also learn the true truth about what lay beneath "Uchiha Madara's" mask.
When that time came, he wondered what expression would "Madara" have.
---
The other Akatsuki members exchanged bewildered glances.
"Capturing the Tailed Beasts? Waging war? Conquering the world?"
Deidara rattled off the three phrases in one breath, then turned to look at the others.
"Our organization's goals are that grand? How come I didn't know?"
Hidan looked at him, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Maybe when you joined, you were too busy asking if you could blow things up to actually listen to what the leader was saying."
"Hey!"
Deidara jumped up.
"Weren't you the same? You only joined because the leader beat you into submission! Did you hear anything?"
Hidan was silent for a second, then said.
"No."
Kakuzu sat in the corner, counting on his fingers.
"Capturing the Tailed Beasts… nine Tailed Beasts, each one more valuable than the last. If we actually catch them…"
Hidan rolled his eyes: "All you think about is money! The point is conquering the world! Conquering the world, do you understand?"
Kakuzu asked calmly: "Can that be exchanged for money?"
Hidan: "...No."
"Then there you have it."
Kakuzu went back to counting.
"Tailed Beasts are what's valuable."
Sasori sat expressionlessly off to the side, having said nothing at all.
Itachi stood at the edge of the group. His black robe appeared particularly somber in the dim light.
This was troublesome.
His face showed no emotion, but the subtle ripples deep within his dark eyes revealed that his heart was far from calm.
The Konoha higher-ups had ordered him to infiltrate the Akatsuki, gather intelligence, and prevent Akatsuki from becoming a threat to Konoha. But now, thanks to the Sky Screen, all of Akatsuki's plans had been exposed to the entire world.
Then what was the point of him being a spy now?
Itachi sighed.
The world was vast, yet there was no longer a place left for him.
And so, he could only continue walking down this dark road… until the very end.
"Itachi-san?"
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
Itachi turned his head and saw Kisame looking at him, a curious expression on his shark-like face.
"What are you thinking about?"
Itachi said nothing for a moment, then offered his characteristic smile.
"Nothing. Just thinking… that the days ahead might be quite interesting."
Kisame was stunned for a moment, then grinned.
"They certainly will be."
Just then—
A suffocating sense of pressure emanated from the depths.
Everyone's eyes turned simultaneously toward that spot.
Tendō Pain slowly stood up. His purple Rinnegan swept across every person in the room. There was no emotion in his eyes—only cold indifference.
"It doesn't matter."
His voice pressed down on everyone's hearts like a mountain.
"Whatever the Sky Screen has revealed. Whatever the Five Great Nations now know. Whatever the world says…"
"None of it matters."
Tendō Pain paused.
"Because nothing will change."
"When true pain descends upon them… they will understand: knowing or not knowing makes no difference."
*****
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