Besides having a Shadow Clone openly disguising the main body and leading the team, Mokgetsu also has a Shadow Clone protecting his disciples from the shadows.
Upon discovering the Akatsuki ninja, the Shadow Clone in protection secretly dispelled itself, allowing memories to flow back to the main body.
Having received the memories, Mokgetsu immediately rushed over, creating a new Shadow Clone to protect Kakashi and the others, then the main body followed the Akatsuki ninja to locate the Akatsuki Hideout.
To test the transformation skill's hiding ability, Mokgetsu transformed into a face somewhat resembling Aizen.
Why a face somewhat resembling Aizen instead of directly using Aizen's face? Because Mokgetsu once transformed into Aizen during a previous mission, and he suspected Uchiha Madara might have that information.
Even if Mokgetsu's disguise cannot be seen through, an identical face might still arouse suspicion.
If it only somewhat resembles and cannot be seen through, then there should be no problem.
Mokgetsu activated the Transparent World to gather his own aura, silently infiltrating the village where Akatsuki was located.
"Leader Yahiko, today we helped a village fend off three wandering ninjas." The tall, skinny ninja said excitedly to Yahiko, who was practicing Taijutsu.
"You two managed to fend off three wandering ninjas, that's impressive." Yahiko laughed and praised.
Though the skinny ninja was much older than Yahiko, he smiled genuinely upon receiving Yahiko's praise.
Akatsuki, as a ninja organization, does not offer great conditions, stationed only in small villages, without any benefits. Most of the ninjas joining the Rain Village are drawn by Yahiko's charisma, wanting to join him in changing the Land of Rain.
"We don't have that kind of strength; it was passing Konoha ninjas who helped us out." The skinny ninja explained.
A ninja without self-awareness is a scary thing. If he truly swelled and claimed all the credit, he might later accept tasks beyond his capabilities.
Upon hearing the words "Konoha ninja," Nagato beside Yahiko instinctively glanced at the skinny ninja.
"Those Konoha ninjas were truly strong, despite looking around ten years old, they resolved three wandering ninjas in less than a minute, and there was a very skilled Medical Ninja; after receiving treatment from her, not a single scar was left."
The skinny ninja recalled their battle, marveling at Kakashi and the others.
"As long as you work hard in cultivation, you can become stronger too." Yahiko smiled encouragingly.
"Mm." The tall, skinny ninja now really wanted to train.
"Are you Akatsuki?" Mokgetsu jumped down from the rooftop, slowly walking towards Yahiko and the others, asking.
A few Akatsuki ninjas quickly assumed combative positions, cautiously watching Mokgetsu.
"We are Akatsuki, so, what is it, do you want to commission us for a task?" Yahiko signaled to the surrounding ninjas to put down their Kunai and said with a smile.
In Yahiko's view, although Mokgetsu had infiltrated, since Mokgetsu dared to appear openly, he probably wasn't here looking for trouble.
If Mokgetsu wanted a fight, a sneak attack would be a better choice; after all, nobody in Akatsuki noticed Mokgetsu.
"Nothing much, I just heard Akatsuki is a ninja organization dedicated to peace, so I came to take a look." Mokgetsu answered Yahiko's question while continuing toward Yahiko and Nagato.
Mokgetsu's attention mainly focused on Nagato's face.
Previously, in the Land of Rivers, Nagato had seen the appearance of Mokgetsu's main body, if Nagato's Rinnegan saw through the transformation, he would surely be surprised.
"That's right, our goal in Akatsuki is peace in the Ninja World. Before that, we'll make the Land of Rain peaceful." Yahiko still thought Mokgetsu came to join Akatsuki as a ninja, enthusiastically expressing his ideals.
Speaking, Yahiko also walked toward Mokgetsu, preparing to elaborate his peace plan.
"Don't go over, this person is strong." Nagato grabbed Yahiko, who was about to walk toward Mokgetsu.
He could see the powerful Chakra within Mokgetsu, so Nagato did not trust Yahiko to get too close to such a ninja infiltrating.
Yahiko froze, then smiled, patting Nagato's shoulder, and said: "You're here, aren't you Nagato? I trust you."
Then Yahiko, together with Nagato, approached to within 1.5 meters of Mokgetsu.
"You said you want to make the Land of Rain peaceful, so how are you going to do it?" Mokgetsu smiled and asked.
"Protecting villagers from wandering ninja invasions, spreading our organization's ideals to attract more ninjas with the same vision to join us, and becoming strong enough to deter even the Five Great Countries from warring against the Land of Rain." Yahiko quickly responded.
The first three ninjas to join Akatsuki were impressed first by Yahiko and Nagato, then influenced by Yahiko's ideals.
"During the Second Ninja World War, Rain Village had thousands of Rain Ninjas and the Demigod title of Rain Ninja Leader Hanzo, yet was still unable to escape war. Do you think, according to your plan, Akatsuki can surpass Rain Village during the Second Ninja World War?" Mokgetsu asked calmly.
In Mokgetsu's view, the only possibility for Akatsuki's ideals to come true rests on Nagato, yet Nagato has Uchiha Madara's schemes, which might instead lead to Akatsuki's demise.
"It would..." Yahiko was momentarily stumped.
Including him, Nagato, and Konan, Akatsuki only has about twenty ninjas now. Forget about Rain Village during the war, they're far from today's Rain Village.
"What do you think your Akatsuki has, compared to Rain Village or other ninja organizations, that makes ninjas choose Akatsuki over Rain Village or other organizations?" Mokgetsu continued asking.
Reality is harsh; without substantial benefits, even Uchiha Madara left without any Uchiha choosing to follow him.
Because in Konoha, they enjoy unprecedented peace, following Uchiha Madara would be entering unknowns.
"We..." Yahiko wanted to say something but realized Akatsuki doesn't seem to have any special advantage, no money nor cultivation resources.
"Akatsuki is a place where everyone fights together for peace!" After holding back for a while, Yahiko finally said.
"It's undeniable that many ninjas yearn for peace, but how can you make them believe that the Akatsuki can achieve everything you claim it can?" Mokgetsu seemed somewhat disappointed with Yahiko.
Yahiko fell silent for a moment, realizing that aside from speaking about dreams and collective efforts, he had no other answers.
For the first time, Yahiko felt so clearly how distant they were from their ideals.
"Our leader Yahiko is a genius ninja, and as he continues to grow, he will undoubtedly become a formidable force that shakes the Ninja World." An Akatsuki ninja spoke up on Yahiko's behalf.
"Right, although our Akatsuki was established not long ago, our reputation rivals that of ninja organizations that have been around for decades, showing that we are on the right path," said a tall, thin Akatsuki ninja.
As Yahiko's followers, they firmly believed Yahiko would succeed.
"That only shows that you are unconventional among ninja organizations," Mokgetsu retorted.
Most ninja organizations exist to make money and more money; naturally, one that suddenly shouts about love and peace will make a name for itself.
"Besides ideals, you have nothing. Even if you can continue to grow, have you considered the Rain Village's attitude or that of other ninja organizations?
How do you plan to earn enough funds to keep the organization running? It's manageable with two or three dozen ninjas, but what about a hundred, or more?
Have you thought about how to maintain peace if you achieve it? If the peace you worked hard for falls into war again in a few years or decades, what will you do?"
Mokgetsu's barrage of questions left the Akatsuki members dumbfounded, and Yahiko showed an embarrassed expression, as he indeed had yet to consider many of these issues.
After all, he was just a fourteen-year-old boy who hadn't attended school.
Despite being questioned fiercely, Yahiko felt even more strongly about inviting Mokgetsu to join the Akatsuki, believing Mokgetsu could bring significant progress to the organization.
"You're right. Our Akatsuki indeed has many shortcomings, which is why I want to invite you to join us. Together we can work to change these flaws and bring peace to the Land of Rain and the Ninja World!" Yahiko said earnestly.
"If you are willing to join the Akatsuki, your status will be equivalent to the leader!" Yahiko offered the greatest bargaining chip he could.
In reality, he wanted to offer the leadership position to Mokgetsu, but since Akatsuki was the result of efforts from him and his companions, giving it away to someone they just met would seem like disregarding the commitment of his like-minded comrades.
If Mokgetsu could indeed solve the problems he mentioned, Yahiko would be willing to hand over the sole leadership to him.
Yahiko yearned for peace, and if the Akatsuki could genuinely bring peace to the Land of Rain and the Ninja World, it didn't matter who the leader was.
"Leader Yahiko, this isn't right." The surrounding Akatsuki members looked at Yahiko in shock.
"It's not a problem; we are all striving for the same ideal. A leader is merely there to guide everyone forward," Yahiko said with a smile.
"This does not interest me; if I wanted, it would not be hard to find dozens of ninja subordinates." Mokgetsu declined Yahiko.
"Then what would make you join the Akatsuki?" Yahiko asked persistently.
He didn't doubt Mokgetsu was bluffing since even Nagato had remarked on Mokgetsu's strength.
For a powerful ninja, forming an organization with dozens of ninjas isn't difficult.
Mokgetsu smiled without replying, and walked away.
"At least tell me your name!" Yahiko shouted after him.
Mokgetsu paused but did not turn back, "Sosuke."
After speaking, Mokgetsu quickly left the village where the Akatsuki was stationed.
Watching Mokgetsu's departing figure, Yahiko's eyes held a trace of regret.
He felt Sosuke was a ninja who also longed for peace; otherwise, why go through so much trouble to find this place?
However, their performance left Sosuke dissatisfied, which was why he didn't join.
"Everyone must work harder in the future; that way, we can attract more excellent comrades," Yahiko encouraged the Akatsuki ninjas.
The Akatsuki ninjas nodded and started to push themselves, realizing that the recent events would not soon be forgotten by them.
"The Rinnegan still isn't working," Mokgetsu reviewed Nagato's scanned information.
He wasn't too disappointed; the Rinnegan is considered top-tier in the Naruto World – even Black Zetsu had only succeeded in helping one Uchiha Madara awaken it after thousands of years of effort.
Mokgetsu did not place too much hope in the Rinnegan because even if he could replicate it, he couldn't use it at present; it's not meant for ordinary people. Even Nagato, with so much Chakra, experiences fatigue, and Obito, whose body contains many Hashirama Cells, dared to transplant only one.
After glancing at Nagato's data, Mokgetsu directly deleted Nagato's information.
Nagato's information was particularly extensive, and overlapped heavily with the Third Hokage's information. Nagato also mastered many Ninjutsu.
"The concealment ability seems decent, not seen through by the Rinnegan," Mokgetsu confirmed the Transformation skill's disguise ability, recalling Nagato's recent performance.
As a Konoha Ninja, Nagato should have had some impression of him, yet from Nagato's earlier performance, it was clear he completely did not recognize him.
After achieving his purpose, Mokgetsu returned to his team, replacing the Shadow Clone to continue the mission.
Although Nagato was important to him as an opportunity to obtain a vast amount of Chakra, his current disciples were even more crucial.
Moreover, Mokgetsu already had a specific plan in mind, and if it went smoothly, apart from recruiting Nagato, he could also earn considerable rewards in the Land of Rain.