"So what if I did?"
As soon as he said it, the tense atmosphere reached its peak.
Killing intent filled the air.
It felt as if there were countless sharp needles in the air, and a single breath in seemed to burn the throat…
Huh?
This isn't right!
Kisame's expression shifted slightly. He realized what was happening and covered his mouth and nose.
It wasn't killing intent at all!
It was Sasori's poison, slightly vaporizing in the confined space, causing a stinging sensation in his respiratory tract!
Pain's eyes grew colder. He didn't understand why Sasori was acting out, but as the leader, he couldn't allow members of the organization to fight amongst themselves. If that happened, it would open the floodgates—
Pain's thoughts stopped dead when he caught sight of compassion in Sasori's eyes.
"Is he... sad?"
Pain pondered for a few seconds, then asked, "Are you going to get revenge on Tobi?"
"That's right."
Pain hadn't seen the look of "revenge" in an Akatsuki member's eyes for many years.
Since they had become the current Akatsuki, their reasons for fighting seemed to be only about profit, goals, and ideals.
Looking at Sasori, Pain was inexplicably reminded of himself many years ago.
Back then, he had the same look in his eyes and, despite opposition from many Akatsuki members, had personally killed Salamander Hanzo.
Thinking of this, Pain closed his eyes, sighed lightly, and withdrew his black rods.
"I don't know where Tobi is."
Sasori looked at Pain quietly.
This answer revealed Pain's attitude:
He tacitly agreed to Sasori hunting Obito.
If you were to talk about trust, there was Obito, who always refused to show his true face, called himself Uchiha Madara, acted mysteriously for years, and then was beaten twice by Linto recently.
Then there was Sasori, whose background was unknown. Since joining the Akatsuki, he had been dedicated to his work, had no bad habits, and just enjoyed making puppets.
Anyone would consider Sasori more reliable.
Pain hadn't obtained firsthand information from the Roran ruins battlefield, but this didn't stop him from making a leader's judgment based on Sasori's emotions and his few words—
Obito, who went to fight Linto and snatch Gaara's thing, was likely trying to show off, but failed, was beaten by Linto, and had to use a companion as bait to escape.
Sasori and Deidara were teammates and had similar interests. Seeing Deidara die tragically for such a reason, Sasori wanted revenge.
Pain felt it was understandable.
Sasori appeared young, but he had been through many years in the ninja world and naturally understood Pain's meaning. His killing intent vanished, and he nodded, saying:
"I'll find him myself."
He turned to leave.
Suddenly, a gust of wind came from behind him.
Sasori raised his hand and caught it. Just as he was about to counterattack, he saw that it wasn't a weapon in his hand at all, but a scroll covered in dust.
Three large characters were written on the scroll:
"Salamander"
Sasori looked up sharply.
Pain took the document back from Konan without responding to his gaze, merely saying casually:
"You've worked hard these past few years."
Sasori looked deeply at Pain, gave a light laugh, and turned to leave.
With no more drama to watch, the remaining few lost their interest and left one after another. Pain and Konan were the only ones left in the base.
Konan was still looking in the direction Sasori had left.
"I didn't expect you to agree to him going after Tobi, and I certainly didn't expect you to give him Salamander Hanzo's body."
"As for the first question, it's because I also think Tobi, or rather, the imposter who calls himself 'Madara,' deserves to die.
If he weren't useful to us, I would kill him first.
If Sasori wants to kill him, let him. But... I don't think he'll succeed."
Konan asked, "Then you still let him go?"
Pain retorted, "Among these people in Akatsuki, once someone has made up their mind, do you think words can stop them?"
Each Akatsuki member had different personalities and abilities, but they were surprisingly consistent when it came to "stubbornness."
To put it plainly, if they didn't have the stubbornness to firmly believe in their decisions, they wouldn't have reached this point and become renowned strong individuals.
"As for Salamander Hanzo's body."
Pain said, "That thing is long useless."
Right after killing Salamander Hanzo and seizing power in Amegakure, Pain needed to intimidate the weak, so he hung Salamander Hanzo's body on a tall tower.
Many years had passed, and Pain's fear had permeated every aspect of Amegakure.
He no longer needed a deceased, and even forgotten, Salamander Hanzo to help him intimidate others.
Konan nodded, and after a long silence:
"In the end... have we come to this?"
Hidan wished he were dead.
Kakuzu died in battle.
Orochimaru died after defecting.
Deidara died in battle.
Sasori left.
Tobi's whereabouts are unknown.
Too many people had died in successive operations. The remaining members of the Akatsuki organization were now:
Pain (Nagato), Konan, Uchiha Itachi, Hoshigaki Kisame, and Zetsu.
A total of five people.
Among them, Kisame and Zetsu had an ambiguous relationship with Tobi, making it uncertain if they could be trusted.
Uchiha Itachi was also bound by past mistakes and still had ties to Konoha village, making it equally uncertain if he could be trusted.
By this count, after years of management, in the end, only Pain and Konan remained as individuals the Akatsuki organization could trust each other.
As if nothing had changed.
Yet, everything had changed.
And...
"Linto won't let this go," Konan said.
Pain nodded. "Neither will I."
As long as Linto wanted to protect the One-Tailed Shukaku, a battle between them was inevitable.
Konan frowned slightly. "You've seen the changes in the Land of Water, you've seen what he did in Korin City, Nagato, and you still don't believe Linto?"
Pain didn't answer this question.
Konan sighed.
One was her family.
The other was the first man she had truly admired in many years.
If possible, she truly didn't want Linto and Pain to fight.
Konan also walked out, leaving the space to Pain, and closed the door.
Until the door closed, Pain seemed to be answering Konan, and also speaking to himself:
"I believe Linto, but..."
"I don't believe in this terrible world."
...
Hearing the sound behind him, Linto saw Kakashi lift the curtain and poke his head out of the car.
He couldn't open his eyes due to the bright sunlight above, his features contorted. Coupled with being unconscious for two days and having swelling all over his body, his face looked like a big steamed bun.
"Did I go to hell?" Kakashi squinted and asked.
"You're back to hell."
Linto said, picking up a bottle of water and tossing it over.
Kakashi grabbed it and drank a few mouthfuls, letting out a satisfied sigh.
"I had a very long dream."
"I dreamed of my father, apologizing to me, saying he shouldn't have left without saying goodbye.
I also dreamed of many people who had passed away. They surrounded me, clapping and congratulating me."
Linto imagined that scene.
"That sounds like a nightmare."
Kakashi shrugged and smiled.
"Whether it's a nightmare or a sweet dream... it's time to wake up."
A cool breeze blew from the other side of the sand dune, dispelling the heat of the scorching desert.
Linto rode a camel to the top of a sand dune, and a magnificent oasis city appeared before them.
A red carpet.
A ceremonial guard.
Beautiful women from the Land of Wind holding bouquets of flowers.
And nearly a hundred officials standing respectfully in front of the city gate, waiting under the blazing sun.
Years of training had made the officials' smiles sincere.
But the calculations hidden in the depths of their eyes could not escape Granny Chiyo's notice.
Granny Chiyo tutted:
"They're up to no good."
"We are the ones—"
Linto smiled, shook his head, and didn't continue.
"Let's go, into the city."