Naruto's expression changed slightly.
"What… why is he here?!"
"Tendo Pain!"
"Damn… this guy destroyed Konoha in the future…"
For a moment, Naruto felt something strange, like remembering something from his past life.
Pain slowly walked out of the forest.
Black Zetsu slithered down from the trees like a plant, following behind him.
"Who are you?"
Kakuzu asked with an unhappy expression.
Even though Kakuzu's body was full of stitches, the two in front of him didn't look normal either—especially Black Zetsu.
Pain walked closer and spoke coldly:
"Undying ninja, Kakuzu. We came to invite you to join Akatsuki."
"Akatsuki?"
Kakuzu raised his brows.
"It is an organization that seeks true peace."
Black Zetsu said slowly.
Kakuzu sneered:
"I'm not interested in that kind of thing. The only thing that interests me is money."
As an elite ninja from Takigakure, Kakuzu once accepted a mission to assassinate the First Hokage.
He fought Senju Hashirama…
And lost.
After escaping back to his village, instead of being rewarded, he was punished harshly.
A ninja who risked his life… was treated like trash.
So Kakuzu escaped, stole the forbidden technique, and killed the village elders, taking their hearts.
Since then, he lived like a monster, chasing money.
Joining an organization for "peace"?
That was a joke.
After speaking, Kakuzu turned to leave.
Pain spoke again:
"Whether you like it or not… you will join."
Kakuzu stopped.
"You talk big. Another fool who doesn't know his limits."
"People like you usually die fast."
The stitches on Kakuzu's body tore open.
Black tentacles burst out.
Yamato, watching from afar, frowned.
"Who is this guy…?"
He knew how dangerous Kakuzu was.
A ninja who fought Hashirama…
Definitely Kage level.
And yet—
This young man dared to provoke him.
Pain laughed calmly:
"You want to fight? Fine."
He stepped forward.
"If I win… you join Akatsuki."
Kakuzu narrowed his eyes.
"This brat…"
Pain smiled coldly:
"Come. Witness the power of a god."
Kakuzu snorted and rushed forward.
"So fast!"
Yamato was shocked.
But the moment Kakuzu got close—
An invisible force exploded.
"Shinra Tensei!"
"What?!"
Kakuzu's face changed as he was blasted away.
He crashed through several trees.
He stood up slowly.
"You're… not normal."
His tentacles moved as he stared at Pain.
"Those eyes… not Sharingan… what is that?"
Pain said calmly:
"Offer your strength to Akatsuki. That is your only path to survive."
The next second—
Pain moved.
"So fast?!"
In an instant, he appeared in front of Kakuzu and kicked him away.
"What's wrong? That's not your full strength, right?"
"Banshō Ten'in!"
Kakuzu was pulled back instantly—
And kicked again.
The powerful Kakuzu, who just wiped out the Wind Demon Clan…
Was now being toyed with.
Yamato felt a chill.
"Where did this monster come from…?"
He looked carefully.
"A Rain Village headband… no… it's scratched…"
"A rogue ninja from Amegakure!"
He turned to signal Naruto to retreat—
But Naruto was watching with excitement.
Meanwhile, Hana and Izumi were trembling in fear.
This level of power…
Was far beyond them.
"Fire Style…!"