*Chapter 197: Bad News *

The Akatsuki Organization hasn't yet gathered all its members, but thanks to Obito and Black Zetsu's efforts, they've managed to assemble a decent number. After all, there are very few rogue ninja in the Shinobi World who meet their requirements.

Even when there are suitable candidates, Kakuzu is notoriously known for "consuming" his partners. Essentially, the partners who go out on missions with him usually end up becoming money upon return. And they have no way to criticize Kakuzu for this.

Kakuzu's usual response is, "When I attack, they should just dodge. If they don't, then they're just unlucky!"

He hands over the money as expected, which shuts everyone up.

So, Obito's days have been quite challenging. For instance, they've recently lost Hidan, and it feels like they can never get enough people in their organization. Obito is already planning to team up with Kakuzu himself. After all, Kakuzu is often based at the bounty station and can complete missions alone.

With White Zetsu gathering intelligence, Kakuzu could almost work solo.

But plans never keep up with changes. Just recently, a new recruit was "consumed" by Kakuzu.

Now, in the Akatsuki Organization, only five usable members are left: Orochimaru, Kakuzu, Kisame Hoshigaki, Jūzō Biwa, and Sasori of the Red Sand.

Obito even brought Kisame Hoshigaki from Kirigakure because the Akatsuki is currently so short on manpower. If he hadn't brought him, Nagato might have accused him of not doing his job properly.

Orochimaru licked his lips, his snake-like eyes darting across the group. Initially, he thought the Rinnegan in the Akatsuki was the most fascinating thing in the world, but Raijin had brought him an even bigger surprise.

However...

Orochimaru doesn't trust others so easily; he needs a test subject. The people in Akatsuki would be perfect—they're the best test subjects for him.

Most of the members in Akatsuki are vicious and ruthless; they're hardly amiable toward one another. Murdering and looting are commonplace among them, and even teammates are on guard against each other. They're always afraid that one day, like in Kakuzu's case, a teammate might stab them in the back when they least expect it.

"Orochimaru, if you keep looking at me with those disgusting eyes, I will strip your snake skin," Sasori of the Red Sand suddenly said, glaring at Orochimaru with a sharp look, as if ready to attack him at any moment. Hiruko had already raised his iron tail, demonstrating against Orochimaru.

Ever since this guy obtained certain things, he seems to be going a bit crazy.

"Hehehe, Sasori, we are colleagues, after all! There's no need for hostility between us," Orochimaru said with a sly smile. "I’m willing to exchange my research results with you!"

Although their research directions are different, the diverse studies could provide Orochimaru with some inspiration. Especially with Sasori—who knows what this guy might become in the future.

Like the concept of "Artificial Intelligence" Raijin mentioned... it sounds so advanced.

"It seems you know some insider information! As expected, those from Konoha are always up to no good!" Sasori responded coldly. "As for exchanging research, no need! I have no interest in sharing with you!"

Sasori shot a cold glance at Orochimaru, showing no interest in his proposal. It's not that he hates Konoha's ninja—that's secondary—but rather that their research isn't heading in the same direction.

He planned to ask Uchiha Raijin about this so-called "Artificial Intelligence." It seemed somewhat aligned with the path he wanted to take.

"Hey, do you two know why the leader called us here?" Jūzō Biwa asked bluntly, stepping between Orochimaru and Sasori. Although the atmosphere within the organization isn't great, the Akatsuki is a sanctuary for all sorts of eccentrics.

"Hehehe, I wouldn’t know," Orochimaru replied, his gaze constantly examining Jūzō Biwa. Although he didn't quite meet Orochimaru's requirements, Orochimaru didn’t mind. If things worked out, this guy might end up thanking him.

Sasori also looked at Jūzō Biwa thoughtfully. He wanted to experiment with a Devil Fruit—a strange new concept. He wondered if turning someone who had eaten a Devil Fruit into a human puppet would allow them to retain their powers. Currently, Sasori hadn't gotten his hands on anything from Raijin, so he knew very little.

As for how to bind a Devil Fruit to an object, he had no clue. But starting is always the hardest part! The more experiments, the better; it didn’t matter how tough the beginning was.

He was also short on materials. Regular ninja weren't worth his time! Even if he turned them into human puppets, they'd be useless and would waste his valuable resources.

So... his fellow organization members seemed like perfect targets. These guys had all been through countless battles and were strong. If he succeeded in making a human puppet, he would set a precedent.

"You two have some seriously disgusting looks in your eyes," Jūzō Biwa muttered, frowning at Orochimaru and Sasori. He sensed greed in their gazes, but they were both men, after all. What was with those looks? Did they think he could be a woman or something?

Orochimaru and Sasori fell silent, exchanging glances and realizing that they both considered their former comrade as prey. Who would've thought this guy would still be competing for that?

"When is the leader arriving? Where did White Zetsu go today? Why haven't we seen him?" Kakuzu grumbled, his face dark. He felt like he was about to miss out on a few million ryo. Damn White Zetsu, how dare he stand him up?

*If you don’t bring back a head worth more than ten million ryo, Kakuzu feels like he won’t be forgiving that guy any time soon.*

“This organization is like a den of demons,” the quiet one stood silently on the side, watching the scene unfold before him. They were indeed a group of villains!

But!

Only this organization would provide a place for them to belong. Especially because only that one person has the qualifications to command such a group.

“It seems the atmosphere among your Akatsuki members isn’t very good. Since I’m here, I can help you resolve this,” a voice rang out from the entrance. “For instance, you can use this biting Executioner’s Blade and the shark-faced guy who looks so innocent next to him.”

Everyone turned to look toward the entrance and saw four dark shadows standing there. They were in a dimly lit room in Amegakure, with only a few dim lights illuminating the place. At most, they could barely make out each other's shapes.

After all, they weren't people who needed to be in the spotlight, so they didn’t need such a good environment. This current setup was already satisfying enough for them.

“As for Orochimaru and Sasori, to be honest, you don’t seem to know how to make good use of talent! Let me handle them. And as for that green-eyed one, I’d like to take him and modify his jutsu a bit, see if I can make him stronger. Later, he can continue being a bounty hunter, and we can split the bounty fifty-fifty.”

Raijin stroked his chin as he looked at the group of ninjas in front of him. To be honest, this bunch wasn’t easy to manage. He conveniently decided to place the two most problematic individuals together—under Pain's suppression, they wouldn’t cause much trouble. After all, how could Pain make an appearance without enforcers? All the ninjas from Kirigakure could go to Pain. Having Zabuza was enough for him; Kirigakure was only good for Water Release techniques.

Their assassination skills that they’ve practiced for so long weren’t even effective on the high seas. Look at Zabuza—he's been struggling to adapt to maritime combat. Raijin had no interest in those who held no value. But for those with value, he would always pick them out first.

“Hm? I’m not some commodity!” Jūzō Biwa squinted, his Executioner’s Blade swinging out from behind him and landing in his hand in an instant.

However, Pain raised a hand and stopped Jūzō Biwa from saying more. Right now, Jūzō Biwa had no right to speak. Since he came to Amegakure, he was now considered one of its people. Pain, being the master of Amegakure, certainly had the right to assign them.

“Fine!” Nagato didn’t say much and just nodded. He had lived his life surrounded by lies since birth, and these people were all deceived by his lies. Nagato thought that while pursuing his so-called peace, these guys beside him were like stray dogs with no home. They could guard the house when needed.

“By the way, take some of the children from Amegakure as well. If they stay in Amegakure, they might just become cannon fodder. I’ve just established a school where they can live until they’re eighteen! Of course, it’s not a ninja school, but they can learn some self-defense skills,” Raijin said. He had long been interested in the ninjas of Amegakure. Training the next generation was a duty he couldn’t shirk! The sea needed the impact of some shinobi. Let's show them what a gathering of shinobi looks like and let them see the power of ninjas.

“... Don’t push your luck too far,” Nagato’s face darkened as he looked at Raijin. This guy would even pluck feathers from a flying goose. He wanted to take everything, including Amegakure itself. Nagato felt himself shivering. If this guy stayed in Amegakure any longer, his wheelchair might end up in someone else’s hands.

“Of course, if you want them to go to war and die, I have no objections. For at least the next two to three years, you won’t be able to return. By the time you get back, those familiar faces might have already been sent to the battlefield. If you have the ability, you can leave behind some means to protect them, but clearly, you don’t have that ability!”

Raijin had pretty much cornered Nagato. Even if Nagato didn’t want to agree, he couldn’t change the facts.

“...”

Nagato fell silent, ultimately unable to refute Raijin's words. Though his words were harsh, they contained some truths.

“Kakashi, give them a proper talk! Then have Shikaku Nara come over and select fifteen hundred people to take away. In the meantime, you can guard Amegakure. Let’s see if your good buddy will show up again,” Raijin said to Kakashi.

“The next great ninja war is about to begin, and it’s going to be unprecedentedly brutal. I don’t want to miss it.”

Kakashi’s observation Haki had reached an exceptional level. If Uchiha Obito really planned to return to Amegakure to play around, Kakashi would likely detect him immediately.

“Leave it to me! Mihawk just returned; he can keep me company,” Kakashi shrugged.

“Mihawk is back?”

Raijin remembered Mihawk, the man who fell into another Uchiha trap. Wasn’t he chasing after Fugaku, trying to turn a married woman into a widow? Did he finally find Fugaku?

“Yes, he’s back! But it seems like he failed—didn’t get any spoils,” Kakashi said with a complex expression. The Uchiha clan's tactics were indeed sinister. Even Mihawk couldn’t hold his ground. Who knows who the next victim will be?