Several hours ago.
Ōnoki, after a long flight, traveled from Iwagakure, crossed several national borders, and arrived in the Land of Rice Fields.
He found Kakuzu, whose business was thriving more than ever.
Ōnoki gave him a mission: to abduct a Genin for Iwagakure for 10 million ryo.
This was considered an exorbitant price, not considering the difficulty of the mission.
Kakuzu was immediately interested, until Ōnoki mentioned that the Genin was currently in Konoha.
The originally enthusiastic Kakuzu became disinterested.
He thought, 'I boasted too much back then, overdid the showing off. Do they really think I'll do anything for money?'
Just as Kakuzu was about to refuse Ōnoki's mission and tell him to find someone else, Sasori's communicator in Kakuzu's pocket vibrated.
Sasori, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, recalled Deidara, whom he had seen a few times from afar in the Konoha research building, based on Ōnoki's description.
Comparing this to the fact that he himself had been mercilessly abandoned by Konoha, Sasori felt that this matter might actually be worth trying.
Perhaps Deidara was no longer valuable now. If the price was right, given their current cooperation with Konoha, they might even be able to buy him directly.
Sasori's wild analysis made Kakuzu think it was indeed possible.
So, he resumed negotiations with Ōnoki, primarily about the price.
Kakuzu immediately demanded 100 million ryo, mainly because after becoming friends with Yuuki, Kakuzu's horizons had broadened.
What's there to discuss for a job worth less than 100 million ryo? He hadn't realized Iwagakure was so stingy back then.
If Ōnoki knew Kakuzu's thoughts, he would probably spit out a mouthful of old blood.
The previous jobs involved years of defense for the Land of Earth; how could that be compared to capturing one person now?
After some haggling, the two finally agreed on a price of 30 million ryo.
Then, Kakuzu, claiming that he couldn't make the decision himself and needed to consult with his leader, left Ōnoki waiting again.
The irritable old man Ōnoki was left alone, stroking his beard and glaring.
He thought, 'Are they playing with me? This is ridiculous!'
'If you can't make the decision, why were you negotiating so enthusiastically? Anyone would think you were the leader. Rogue Ninja are just rogue Ninja, completely undisciplined in their actions.'
After Kakuzu left, he immediately contacted Yuuki, asking if he could buy a Ninja from Konoha for 10 million ryo.
How could Yuuki agree to such a thing? He severely reprimanded Kakuzu, stating that if he didn't want to continue working, he didn't have to.
However, Yuuki still asked who he wanted to buy.
After hearing the answer, Yuuki recalled the current situation and roughly guessed that it might be Iwagakure's doing.
Yuuki would be willing to sell ordinary Konoha Ninja, let alone Xiao Di.
Xiao Di was definitely one of his own, Yuuki's little fanboy.
Seeing that Yuuki wouldn't agree, Kakuzu knew he wouldn't earn this extra money, so he contacted Pain.
After explaining the situation, he clearly stated that he didn't want to take on this mission and didn't want to provoke Konoha.
Nagato, after listening to Kakuzu's report, pondered for a moment and decided to accept the job.
It was time for the Akatsuki Organization to make its presence known in the Ninja World. The Nine Tailed Beasts had already all appeared, and the plan to collect the Tailed Beasts could begin.
Especially after learning from Konan that Sunagakure had sent the Ichibi Jinchuriki to Konoha to participate in the Chunin Exams.
Nagato, who was already restless, became even more determined in his thoughts. On the surface, they would capture Deidara to gain Iwagakure's help, but in reality, their target was the Ichibi and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
The Ichibi Jinchuriki had to be acquired. As for the Nine-Tailed, if they could capture it easily, they would take it as well.
As for failure?
Nagato had not even considered this question. His battle against the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and his subsequent victory, had made Nagato's confidence skyrocket.
In the current Ninja World, he was a god!
Having made his decision, Nagato immediately contacted Konan and informed her of the plan in detail.
To be honest, Konan was unwilling to make a move on Konoha, especially after seeing Konoha's defensive capabilities yesterday.
Despite explaining Konoha's various advantages, she could not make Nagato change his mind.
Konan was currently inside Konoha, and there was only one reason Nagato could trust Konan to go to Konoha alone.
That was because Nagato had made ample preparations. Sealed within the scroll Konan carried was a Pain, the Preta Path Pain, capable of absorbing all Ninjutsu attacks.
To enable an immediate connection the moment Konan released him, the body beneath the Preta Path's clothes was almost entirely replaced by black rods created with Onmyōton.
When Konan encountered danger, the other Five Paths of Pain and Nagato's main body could instantly arrive at Konan's location through the reverse summoning of the new Animal Path Pain and summoning Ninjutsu.
No matter how excellent Konoha's defensive measures were, if the Akatsuki Organization sent other squads to create a diversion, Nagato could use this to reach Konan, and practically kill gods and slay Buddhas in Konoha.
Nagato was set on his course, and Konan, besides supporting him, no longer tried to dissuade him.
After ending the communication with Nagato, Konan, who had already returned to her lodging, walked to the window and looked at the bustling Konoha, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
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