Akatsuki's Next Plan
After being away for two months, Nagato returned to Amegakure.
The sky above Amegakure remained a dull gray, and the icy rain splashed against Nagato's calves. Yet, he didn't feel the cold—only a rare sense of peace.
No matter how vast and dazzling the outside world was, it belonged to others. Only here, amidst the endless rain, was his true home.
Just as he had abandoned the Uzumaki surname, he was no longer a wandering orphan—he was Nagato of the Land of Rain.
A few minutes later, Konan found him and asked worriedly, "Nagato, this time you fought the leader of Uzushiogakure. How is your health?"
Seeing her concern, Nagato felt warmth in his heart. Unlike the cold strategies of Akatsuki, Konan's care was always sincere.
He smiled faintly. "Don't worry. Mito and I were only testing each other. Neither of us used our full strength, but… I can't help but feel unsettled knowing he outmaneuvered me."
Konan's expression turned serious. Nagato's words puzzled her, and she asked, "Nagato, what kind of person is this clansman of yours? What happened between you two?"
Nagato replied in a casual tone, yet his words carried a heavy weight. "Just some minor friction, but our plan to collect the Tailed Beasts may be delayed indefinitely…"
Konan's breath hitched. She stared at Nagato in disbelief.
Nagato continued, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "As for what kind of person Mito is? His methods remind me of Yahiko's ideals, but he also carries a shadow of Pain's ruthlessness. I've learned a lot from him. It's a shame… we can never stand on the same side. Fate has made us enemies."
Konan's face grew solemn as she gazed into the rain.
Nagato rarely spoke with such respect for anyone other than Yahiko. If he viewed Uzumaki Mito this way, then Mito's influence on him was undeniable. Judging from recent rumors, Mito's power might even rival Pain's.
Nagato had already crushed Hanzo the Salamander, a legendary demigod, years ago. He had never feared a single individual—only entire shinobi villages.
Did this mean Mito had reached that same terrifying level?
But why would an Uzumaki oppose Akatsuki's plan to collect the Tailed Beasts? Wouldn't weakening the Five Great Nations benefit Uzushiogakure?
As if reading her thoughts, Nagato gave a bitter smile. "Uzumaki Mito is the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki. That's why I said our plan will be delayed indefinitely."
Konan frowned. "Can't Akatsuki deal with him?"
"If we all attacked together, we could kill him. But capturing him alive? That's another story. We also have to keep an eye on the other Jinchūriki. Unless circumstances change, our plan to collect the Tailed Beasts has already failed."
Konan's concern shifted. "So… what are you going to do next?"
She didn't care much about the Tailed Beast project itself. Her only concern was Nagato, and she would support whatever path he chose.
Nagato fell into thought. Then he asked, "How is our recruitment going?"
Konan considered for a moment. "Kakuzu and I went to the Land of Hot Water and recruited a cultist named Hidan. He isn't exceptionally strong, but his Jashinist blood ritual is deadly."
"Uchiha Itachi and Kisame also recruited Deidara, Onoki's former apprentice."
Nagato raised an eyebrow. "Why would Onoki's student turn rogue?"
"He escaped after being imprisoned by Onoki. His skills are exceptional, and his Explosion Release is extremely powerful."
Nagato smirked. "A valuable addition. He might prove useful."
Konan eyed him warily, and he quickly clarified, "Since our Tailed Beast plan is stalled, the next step is to expand our influence over the surrounding small nations and prepare for future operations."
Konan's eyes widened. "Nagato, you aren't going to follow Hanzo's methods, are you?"
Nagato shook his head. "Unlike the Salamander, I won't resort to reckless violence. I will take a page from Onoki's book—slowly eroding the smaller nations. My time in the Land of Waves taught me something important."
He gazed into the distance, voice firm.
"Even if we succeed, the people of smaller nations will still suffer unless we first strengthen our own. We must ensure Amegakure's survival before we try to change the world."
"If our plan fails, Amegakure will be doomed forever."
"And if even our own people don't believe in our ideals, how can we expect the rest of the ninja world to?"
Konan was silent for a long time. Then she spoke softly, "Nagato… you've changed."
He nodded, a trace of loneliness in his voice. "I have. After my battle with Mito, I realized I am not a god… or at most, I am only a god to Amegakure."
Konan saw a glimmer of the old Nagato in those words. He no longer saw himself as a divine ruler, and while that could be a good thing, she wasn't sure if this change would lead to something better—or worse.
"What about Akatsuki?" she asked.
Nagato's brow furrowed. "The masked man is the real concern. He will not abandon the Tailed Beast plan, nor will he allow us to repurpose Akatsuki for our own goals."
After a pause, he added, "For now, Akatsuki will continue working as mercenaries to fund our operations. As for Mito, let the masked man handle that. Didn't he claim he could control the Nine-Tails? Let's see if he can do it again."
"But I will make one thing clear—he must not act in Akatsuki's name."
---
Elsewhere in the Shinobi World
In a remote location, Black Zetsu tracked down Uchiha Obito, who was in the middle of an assassination mission targeting a noble.
Obito thrived on missions that spread chaos. Yet, when disguised as Tobi, he could just as easily play the fool—helping old villagers with mundane chores, pretending to befriend them.
Black Zetsu knew the truth. Obito wasn't just playing a role. Deep down, he was reliving his past in Konoha, clinging to fragments of a life that no longer existed. That contradiction was why Madara had chosen him.
Sensing Black Zetsu's presence, Obito immediately dropped the act, his voice shifting into a low, commanding tone. "What news?"
"It's about the Land of Waves… and Uzumaki Mito."
Obito scoffed. "I already know about Nagato's fight with him. This exposure isn't good for us. We'll need to adjust our plans and accelerate the Tailed Beast collection."
Black Zetsu narrowed his eyes. "Obito, you might not know Mito's true identity."
Obito chuckled darkly. "You're talking about him being Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchūriki? I knew that from the beginning. Without Kurama, he wouldn't be this strong."
Black Zetsu was momentarily taken aback. "…You already knew?"
Obito smirked. "Of course. And that's precisely why he'll be a problem."
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