His next move won't just shake the world—it'll steal its future.
"Not bored at all," Kamizuki Gen replied. "I've got Snake-san and Itachi-san around every day—plenty of entertainment."
"…."
Konan fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
"The organization only needs three or four more official members before we can begin the Tailed Beast deterrence plan. If you're bored, you can scout suitable rogue ninja across the shinobi world and evaluate them."
Gen raised a brow.
"So I'm the examiner now?"
"Mm."
Konan nodded.
Gen laughed.
"No problem. I'll make sure to complete the organization's mission."
Seeing his confidence, Konan asked,
"You already have someone in mind?"
Gen thought for a moment.
"Before I ever joined Akatsuki, I considered something."
"What?"
"If I were to build an organization of rogue ninja… who would I recruit?"
Konan's eyes lit up slightly.
Fortunately—
He hadn't tried to form his own organization.
Otherwise, Akatsuki might've gained a hidden rival.
"So you've had targets in mind for a while?" she asked.
Gen nodded.
"Not all of them are rogue ninja. Some are still active shinobi. Is that acceptable?"
"Of course," Konan replied. "As long as you can convince them to defect."
In the past—
They had tried recruiting elite Jonin from the Five Great Nations.
But those shinobi had strong loyalty to their villages.
Even under threat of death—
They wouldn't betray them.
So Akatsuki shifted focus—
To already rogue S-rank ninja.
But such individuals were rare.
Far rarer than Jonin.
By now, Gen and Konan had descended ten floors, arriving at the entrance of the tower.
Rain poured relentlessly outside.
Thunder rolled through the dark sky.
Gen smiled.
"There's one I want to approach."
"Konoha?" Konan asked.
Gen shook his head.
"Iwagakure."
That answer surprised her.
After all—
Gen had only recently graduated.
It was unlikely he had even been to Iwagakure.
Which meant—
He wasn't trying to recruit his own people.
"I see."
Konan nodded, then asked,
"Ōnoki's men? Rōshi or Han?"
Both were renowned powerhouses.
And Jinchūriki.
Akatsuki had no intention of recruiting Jinchūriki—
They were future targets.
Gen laughed.
"No, no."
"Oh?"
"I'm going after Ōnoki's direct disciple—Deidara."
If Deidara had remained in Iwagakure—
He would've undoubtedly become Tsuchikage one day.
Compared to Kurotsuchi—
His talent and strength were on an entirely different level.
But unfortunately—
Akatsuki intervened.
And took him.
Leaving Iwagakure with a generational gap in top-tier strength.
Even years later—
Ōnoki would still be forced to shoulder everything himself.
Konan's eyes gleamed.
Digging out a village's future—
Ruthless.
"Do you want Orochimaru and Itachi to accompany you?" she asked.
Gen nodded.
"If the organization isn't fully confident in me, you can assign others too."
Konan shook her head.
"Treat Akatsuki like your home."
She paused briefly.
"If not for my duties, I'd go with you myself."
"Next time, then."
Gen smiled.
"Once I finish this one, I'll wait for you."
Konan nodded, glancing at the rain.
"You should rest."
"I've already replaced your previous batch of maids. One of them insisted on becoming your personal attendant."
"If there's a problem, handle it yourself."
"Thanks, Konan."
Gen stretched lazily.
"I'll rest, then head to Iwagakure as soon as possible."
Konan looked slightly surprised.
"…Alright."
She had intended to tell him not to rush.
But seeing how restless he was—
She let it go.
Standing at the entrance, Gen watched as she disappeared into the rain beneath her umbrella.
A girl insisting on being his personal maid?
The previous batch had issues—
He had already noticed.
So he asked Konan to replace them.
But this new one—
He had no idea.
A personal maid…
He didn't really need one.
Turning, he headed back upstairs.
As he reached his door—
He stopped.
A small figure stood there.
A girl with short purple hair, holding a tray.
Her hair had a horizontal side tuft framing her face.
She looked nervous.
Uneasy.
But her eyes—
Shone with excitement.
Gen paused.
Surprised.
…Isn't this—
The future Animal Path?
Ajisai.
He remembered her.
Gifted in summoning.
Noticed by Nagato.
Trained by Konan.
And in the end—
She would die on a mission.
Becoming one of the Six Paths of Pain.
"…Is this my breakfast?"
Gen spoke casually as he unlocked the door and stepped inside.
"Ah—?"
The girl blinked.
"What's… breakfast delivery?"
Then—
Seeing him clearly—
Her face lit up.
"You're… Kamizuki Gen-sama, right?!"
"Mm."
Gen entered the room.
She hurried after him—
Then suddenly stopped at the doorway.
"…Would you like to eat now?"
She stood there, hesitant.
Gen glanced back and smiled faintly.
"Come in. Put it on the table. Come back in half an hour to collect it."
"Yes!"
She nodded eagerly, stepping inside carefully and placing the tray down.
After finishing—
She remained standing there.
Clearly—
She had something to say.
"Do you want to say something?"
Gen sat down, lifting the lid.
Hot porridge.
Sushi.
Dried fish.
A simple breakfast.
Seeing how approachable he was—
Her nervousness vanished.
Her face brightened as she blurted out:
"You're the one who destroyed the meteor that fell on the village with a single punch… right?!"
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