Akatsuki’s Full-Scale Assault

However, Itachi Uchiha had not expected the leader of the Akatsuki Organization to first target Konoha’s Jinchuriki.

He felt that this might be an opportunity.

An opportunity to wipe out the Akatsuki Organization and bring his life as Itachi Uchiha to an end.

At that moment, Pain’s Heavenly Path also turned his gaze toward Itachi Uchiha and said:

"Konoha’s current strength is extraordinary, so before that, we need to send a representative to communicate with Orochimaru. Ideally, we should establish an alliance."

He hoped that Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki could take on this mission.

"I object." Itachi Uchiha’s heart jolted, but he said calmly, showing no emotion on the surface.

"Why?" Pain’s Heavenly Path’s voice rang out. "You and Orochimaru came from the same Ninja Village, and you once suppressed him with your Sharingan. Besides, you’ve never disappointed me when it comes to negotiations."

Although Nagato said this, his wariness had already reached its peak.

The Akatsuki Organization had never been an unbreakable organization to begin with.

The main reason it had been established was that its members were rogue ninja from various countries with nowhere else to go, in addition to his own powerful strength as its leader.

Now, however, the sudden increase in strength of Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki had already caused the hearts of the organization’s members to waver.

"The reason is simple." Itachi Uchiha spoke calmly. "I am now far from being Orochimaru’s match. And before he betrayed us, I had already clashed with him."

It was a perfect reason.

They had clashed before, and he had no confidence in winning.

Sending him there would be no different from sending him to his death.

"Hey, hey, you’re not his match either?"

Deidara looked at Itachi Uchiha in apparent shock. He himself had joined the organization only after being defeated by Itachi Uchiha.

"I witnessed that battle in Konoha with my own eyes," Itachi Uchiha said. "Orochimaru has already changed completely. He’s also obsessed and insane, and his motives are unclear. I don’t think allying with him is a good choice."

If Orochimaru truly cooperated with the Akatsuki Organization, Konoha would be in real danger.

Or rather, Orochimaru alone was already extremely dangerous.

"He really is someone beyond imagination," Kisame Hoshigaki added.

The two of them had both witnessed the battle that had taken place in Konoha.

Nagato’s brows had already drawn tightly together.

He could not determine whether Itachi Uchiha truly felt that way or had developed some other intention.

In the end, he seemed to make up his mind.

"In that case, we’ll all go together," Pain’s Heavenly Path said.

"Wait, leader. You said we’ll all go together?" Deidara’s eyes widened.

The others also turned to look at the leader who had gathered them together.

"Everyone, you joined the Akatsuki Organization with your own goals, didn’t you?" Pain’s Heavenly Path’s gaze swept across them one by one. "Money, the Evil God, art, power—you all possess pursuits of your own that this world cannot accept. So do I. That is why we joined forces. But now, those who are gradually growing stronger will undoubtedly obstruct and destroy us. Other than fighting together, we have no choice."

In a sense, what Nagato said was the truth.

Everyone present was a rogue ninja from one of the Ninja Villages.

Their identities doomed them to never receive the recognition of any Ninja Village.

And now,

the Ninja Villages outside, Konoha at the very least, had begun to grow extraordinarily powerful.

If they did not unite, they might be defeated one by one.

The scene fell somewhat silent.

Everyone was thinking.

In the end, Deidara, who had joined only recently, was the first to speak:

"All I need is a place where I can display my art."

He clasped his hands behind his head and put on an indifferent expression, but his gaze remained fixed on the others, as though he was worried they might suggest disbanding.

"I’m very interested in Konoha’s money," Kakuzu said.

"If we get rid of these troublesome Ninja Villages, no one will stop me from spreading the word of the Evil God, right?" Hidan seemed to have found his motivation as well.

"I don’t care," Sasori said.

Itachi Uchiha remained silent for a moment before finally nodding.

Since he had agreed, Kisame Hoshigaki naturally had no objections.

Aside from Nagato, Konan, and Obito, the entire Akatsuki Organization consisted of only these six people, making nine in total. Faced with the impact of new powers and a new situation, they had temporarily chosen to stand together.

Shen Mo, who was spying on this scene from his own home, could not help sighing.

The Akatsuki Organization of today was like a group of people huddling together for warmth in a cold world. Although their goals differed, they had already formed clear bonds with one another.

It was simply unknown how long those bonds could last.

At that moment, seeing that no one objected, Nagato seemed to think for a while before slowly saying, "Since that’s the case, I won’t hide my identity from you any longer."

Konan suddenly turned to look at him.

Everyone stared at their leader.

Speaking of which, everyone here knew one another’s identities. Only this man, who possessed the legendary Rinnegan and served as their leader, remained shrouded in mystery.

"Itachi and Kisame have already guessed, haven’t they? That’s right. The person standing before you now is a Puppet." Nagato seemed to have made up his mind. If he continued concealing his identity, it would indeed be difficult to command the group’s respect. Besides, the Six Paths of Pain needed to be brought out to participate in battle.

Thus, under everyone’s astonished gazes,

five people wearing Akatsuki Organization robes carried a heavy machine toward them step by step.

On top of the machine was a man with Black Rods piercing his entire body, his withered form resembling a skeleton.

He raised his eyes.

A pair of Rinnegan was clearly visible.

This person is the leader’s true body?

"Several years ago, I lost the ability to move in a battle and could only rely on machinery to get around." Nagato looked at everyone with his own eyes. Since he had not spoken with his real body for a long time, his voice was hoarse. "However, I can distribute my power among six Puppets made from corpses. I call them the Six Paths of Pain. The one you usually see is the Heavenly Path."

Only then did everyone notice the five people who had carried him over.

Each of them possessed an identical pair of Rinnegan.

The Six Paths of Pain?

The leader, who was usually so powerful, was actually only one of six Puppets?

Aside from Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki, who had guessed this long ago, a faint chill welled up in everyone’s hearts.

The leader was even more powerful than they had imagined.

Nagato took in everyone’s expressions and was somewhat satisfied.

This was one of the reasons he had revealed his true form.

He had to intimidate these people once more.

Without sufficient strength, no one could become the leader of this group of rogue ninja.

"Then," Nagato said hoarsely, "the Akatsuki Organization’s first collective operation begins!"

With those final words, a faint look of anticipation appeared on everyone’s faces.

This was indeed the first time the entire Akatsuki Organization had launched an assault together.