Regarding Gaara's wish to become stronger, Simu had many ideas.
First was the little Shukaku. He could reseal the little Shukaku back into Gaara, making him a Jinchuriki once again.
The current little Shukaku had been completely trained by Simu into the shape of the Great Jashin. If Simu wished, he could transform Gaara into a flawed version of a perfect Jinchuriki at any time.
However, the little Shukaku was still a vital experimental subject for Simu, so this plan was temporarily passed over.
Another option involved Simu's newly acquired—and currently his only—Kekkei Genkai.
Magnet Style.
Indeed, with Sasori's help, Simu had successfully analyzed the structure of Magnet Style by studying the chakra pathways and genes within the core construction of the Third Kazekage.
This meant that if Simu transplanted genes capable of refining Magnet Style chakra into Gaara's genetic code, he could enable Gaara to master this Kekkei Genkai and become a Magnet Style ninja.
This was the second plan Simu prepared for Gaara.
As for the third, it was to let Gaara continue practicing the Hidden Sand Village's sand manipulation techniques to fully realize his innate talent.
Simu left the choice for the future to Gaara.
"Mr. Shopkeeper, can I choose to transplant the Magnet Style genes and also learn sand manipulation?" Gaara asked seriously.
"I want to use that man's ability to defeat him with my own hands."
Simu naturally would not refuse this request from Gaara and agreed immediately.
"Of course you can. However, your soul has not yet fully adapted to this body, so the genetic modification work needs to wait for a while."
Although this body was already a great fit for Gaara's soul, it was still unwise to rush things.
With that, Simu took a scroll from the shelf and handed it to Gaara.
"During this time, if you get too bored, start by learning how to better control the sand."
"I understand, Mr. Shopkeeper. Thank you very much!"
Gaara took the scroll and gave Simu a deep, sincere bow.
Facing Simu, who shared no blood relation with him, Gaara felt nothing but respect and gratitude in his heart.
Simu lightly gripped Gaara's shoulder and said with a smile, "Carry your anger and hatred, and keep moving forward. Let the world see your strength. I have high hopes for you, Gaara."
Hearing this, Gaara's face turned slightly red. He forced down the excitement in his heart and said, "I definitely will not fail Mr. Shopkeeper's expectations."
On the other side, the crowd dispersed quickly after finishing the sealing work.
Pain and Konan naturally returned to the Hidden Rain Village.
As a few months passed, the Hidden Rain Village had stabilized once more.
Pain protected the village in the name of God. The rainless day held once a week demonstrated God's great power and presence.
Below God was the Lady Angel, who carried out God's will and served as the highest leader the Hidden Rain ninjas could interact with.
As for the Lord God above the Lady Angel, they were not qualified to meet him.
At this moment, their Lord God was sitting in a wheelchair at the highest point of the Hidden Rain Village, overlooking the village shrouded in rain.
"Nagato, what do we do next?"
Konan stood beside Nagato, resting one hand on the armrest of the wheelchair.
"Our plan was originally to recruit all members before beginning the secret capture of Tailed Beasts. I didn't expect Simu Kamizuki to cause such a commotion just to capture the One-Tail."
Konan's tone carried some dissatisfaction because Simu's actions had indeed disrupted their plans.
"It's fine, Konan. No need to blame Simu further. At least our organization hasn't been exposed. Regardless, we have finally captured the first Tailed Beast."
Nagato lightly touched his eyes and continued, "I can feel that with the successful sealing of the One-Tail, the power of the Gedo Mazo has grown considerably."
He let go of his hand, gazed out once more, and softly instructed, "Continue recruiting new members. Once we reach ten, we will begin capturing the remaining Tailed Beasts."
"Yes. Uchiha Madara said he would personally go to the Hidden Leaf to recruit that genius of the Uchiha Clan, Itachi Uchiha, into our organization."
Konan's tone was slightly strange when mentioning the name Uchiha Madara. Although the other party claimed to be Uchiha Madara, neither Nagato nor Konan could confirm his identity.
However, given the power he displayed was indeed astonishing, they could only temporarily accept that he truly was the legendary Uchiha Madara.
After all, they had never seen the real Uchiha Madara.
Hearing this, Nagato frowned slightly. "Itachi Uchiha..."
As an ambitious man wishing to subvert the world, Nagato naturally maintained a strong focus on the various hidden villages.
The Hidden Leaf, known as the strongest in the shinobi world, was a primary focus.
And this Itachi Uchiha was currently the most popular genius in the Hidden Leaf, hailed as the second Kakashi.
"Why would a genius like that defect from the Hidden Leaf to join the Akatsuki?"
Nagato could not find a single reason for Itachi Uchiha to leave his village and join the Akatsuki.
Konan shook her head. "Who knows? But Uchiha Madara guaranteed that the kid named Itachi Uchiha definitely has the strength to join the Akatsuki."
"It doesn't matter. Since he wants to bring in the power of the Uchiha Clan, we will just wait and see. The Sharingan is not the Sage's Eye, after all."
Nagato possessed immense confidence. He could rely on his own Sage's Eyes to suppress all powerful enemies!
Even Uchiha Madara...
Looking at the spirited Nagato, Konan could not help but nod slightly.
It had to be said that after Yahiko's death, Nagato truly entered a period of rapid strength development.
Not only was he becoming more proficient in mastering the power of the Rinnegan, but he also used that power to create six clones, each corresponding to the Six Paths.
His strength had already far surpassed that of an ordinary Kage.
Therefore, it was only natural for Nagato's self-confidence to continue rising.
"I understand. However, the organization's funds are still a bit tight."
Konan raised a new problem.
To this, Nagato's solution was: "If necessary, we can target the nobles within the Land of Rain. We've raised these pigs for so long; it's time they serve a purpose."
"Understood. I will arrange it properly."
Having received Nagato's signal, Konan knew what to do. Her body quickly turned into pieces of paper and vanished into the air.
Meanwhile, another member of the Akatsuki, the recently joined Orochimaru, had also returned from headquarters to his base located on the border of the Land of Fire.
"Lord Orochimaru, Danzo has arrived."