"It's like this, Leader..."
Hearing Pain's inquiry, Uchiha Itachi recounted the events exactly as they happened.
"Is that so!"
Pain's expression didn't change at all as he spoke indifferently.
This kind of minor skirmish couldn't pique his interest. In his view, although Aoki Yoru had defeated Kisame, his strength was only at that level and wouldn't pose any obstacle to the plan; at worst, he would just step in himself.
A god is invincible.
As for Kisame, since he lost, he was useless; whether he lived or died depended on himself.
"Since you're here, let's call everyone for a meeting and give them a reminder while we're at it." As Pain spoke, he activated the communication with the others.
Before long, several figures appeared one after another, standing on the fingertips of the statue. In the blink of an eye, eight out of the ten fingers were occupied; all members of the Akatsuki Organization had gathered at this moment.
"Hey, what did the Leader call us here for? I'm in the middle of a ritual, just one step away from finishing. If I stop, Lord Jashin will be unhappy," Hidan said irritably.
"Humph! You're immortal anyway. If your 'Evil God' is unhappy, let him come down himself and see if he can kill you. Hidan, if you kill him, then you'll be the Evil God."
"Kakuzu, what did you say? How dare you be disrespectful to Lord Jashin! Be careful, or I'll send you to see Lord Jashin and repent to him."
Kakuzu ignored this fanatical believer. Wasn't it better to believe in money? Why believe in something as strange as an 'Evil God'? He turned his head to look at Pain.
"Hey, Leader, what did you call us for? I make hundreds of thousands every minute; I don't have time for idle chatter."
"None of you are proactive about carrying out missions. Every cent of the organization's funds is earned through my hard work, hunting down bounties at the risk of my life!"
At this time, the others who were watching the commotion also looked toward Pain in the main seat. Usually, the Leader wouldn't look for them unless there was something important. Could it be that the time was ripe and it was time to act?
Looking at the crowd, Pain spoke slowly, "Itachi and Kisame's mission failed. Kisame is now heavily injured, and his fate is unknown."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.
The strength of the Kisame and Uchiha Itachi duo was considered top-tier in the organization. To have suffered such a huge loss, who exactly did it?
Subsequently, Itachi recounted the events once more.
"Hahaha! Vermilion Bird actually suffered such a big loss! This is what happens when you don't study art in your spare time. Hm. Someone like me, who respects art, wouldn't end up like that," Deidara laughed loudly.
He hadn't forgotten the humiliating experience of being taken down by a single glance from Uchiha Itachi. It was rare to have a chance to mock them, so he wasn't going to hold back.
"Kirin of Konoha—Aoki Yoru. A brat actually managed to defeat Kisame. Hey, Leader, leave him to me; I want to turn him into a puppet."
Sasori was very interested in Aoki Yoru. To possess such strength and achievements at this age was comparable to when he killed the Third Kazekage. He had collection value; if he had some rare Bloodline Limit, it would be even more of a gain.
"Big Brother Sasori, although we are both creators and I respect you, your eternal dolls aren't art at their core. Art is the beauty of a single moment; that is true art. Hm."
"Art is eternal beauty—long-lasting and never decaying. That is art," Sasori retorted coldly.
"Enough. This is an organizational meeting, not your art debate."
Pain interrupted them directly and looked at Itachi. "Vermilion Bird, as for Kisame, it depends on whether he can pull through. If he dies, bring back the ring. The rest of you, continue lying low and gathering funds. The organization will remain silent for the next two years."
As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished.
The figures of the others also vanished amidst their bickering.
To them, the Akatsuki Organization was merely a temporary resting place. The life or death of a comrade was not even as important as a single dinner.
In the end, only Zetsu remained in the area. His expression was grim. Kisame was a mole they had placed in the Akatsuki; if he truly died, it would have a significant impact on their plans.
"I must quickly inform Obito."
Land of Grass border.
Obito stood on a tree, quietly watching the sky.
This was the place where Rin Nohara died. Whenever he was free, he would come here to look at the scenery Rin saw in her final moments. The scenery of the same sky always made him feel a bit closer to Rin.
At that moment, a dark shadow suddenly emerged from the tree beneath his feet and spoke in a low voice:
"Obito, Pain just summoned us. Itachi and Kisame returned in defeat from Konoha, and Kisame is currently in critical condition."
Upon hearing this, Obito's left eye instantly turned into a Sharingan, his rapid breathing revealing the lack of calm in his heart.
"Tell me the details," Obito said seriously, narrowing his eyes.
Black Zetsu then repeated the story and said to Obito:
"Obito, are you really not going to take back Kakashi's Sharingan? Lord Madara said that only when two Sharingan work together are they complete. Once combined, your Kamui can reach its peak."
"Zetsu, call me Madara."
"I will take back that eye of his when the time is right."
Obito said impatiently, "Rather than focusing on that trash Kakashi, find a way to deal with Kisame's situation."
"You know that everyone in the Akatsuki, including Nagato, has their own hidden agendas. Kisame Hoshigaki is the hidden piece we planted in the Akatsuki; he is our most loyal informant.
If he's lost, it will be hard to find a second one. Strong people all have their own schemes; a loyal subordinate like Kisame is hard to come by again."
Seeing Obito's attitude, Black Zetsu knew it was impossible to get him to take back the other Sharingan in the short term, so he said, "In that case, let White Zetsu take action. It would be a pity to lose him."
Obito was stunned for a moment after hearing this, then fell into deep thought, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.
After a long time, Obito suddenly looked up at Black Zetsu: "After being healed by White Zetsu, will he be able to use Wood Release?"
He could use Wood Release himself because of White Zetsu, which was a huge boost for him—especially since it allowed him to use his Mangekyo Sharingan indefinitely without suffering from exhaustion and injuries like Uchiha Itachi after just a few uses.
If Kisame obtained Wood Release, there was no guarantee he wouldn't develop other ideas. What if he thought, 'If the First Hokage could do it, so can I'?
It was better not to cause unnecessary complications. If it really didn't work, then let Kisame die.
"It's possible! Just attach an entire White Zetsu to him. Anyway, White Zetsu follows our commands," Black Zetsu said in a raspy voice.
Hearing this, Obito was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized. If it was an entire White Zetsu, then there would be no problem; it could even serve to monitor him and see if he had any ulterior motives.
"Fine, let's do it that way."
"However, if we treat him, Uchiha Itachi will definitely discover that Kisame is one of ours."
Obito said nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter. Right now, all Itachi cares about is his younger brother. As long as we hold that leverage, he won't be able to cause any trouble."