Born with a great love for the Uchiha

Sasori and Kakuzu have completely lost contact, even abandoning their member rings...

'The Tailed Beast Capture Plan failed completely after capturing only the Seven-Tails…'

What's the organization's next move? Continue recruiting rogue ninja? Or launch a direct war?

Pain's thoughts were in turmoil, and he was almost numb.

And just then...

Pain's [Rain Tiger Freedom Technique] sensed a familiar chakra fluctuation rapidly moving towards them through the rainwater seeping into the ground.

'Um? '

Pain lowered his hands and turned his head.

His deep purple Rinnegan scanned a corner behind him.

A giant pitcher plant emerged from the ground, and Zetsu's distinct black and white face came into view of Pain and Konan.

Konan's eyes were filled with surprise and doubt as she looked at Black Zetsu.

'Madara—no, Obito Uchiha is already dead! How come Zetsu didn't escape?'

When Obito Uchiha was still known as "Madara Uchiha," he was already working with Black Zetsu.

In a sense.

Obito Uchiha and Black Zetsu were "veteran members" of the Akatsuki organization, second only to the trio of Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan.

Even during his lifetime, Yahiko distrusted Obito Uchiha and Zetsu.

The same applies to Nagato and Konan.

Konan had assumed that after Obito Uchiha officially announced his death, Zetsu would also disappear completely along with that Uchiha.

The other party had indeed disappeared for several days, and even when Payne tried to contact them, he couldn't get in touch!

The result was completely unexpected.

Zetsu has actually appeared in Amegakure once again!

Pain was also somewhat surprised, but his deep purple onion eyes revealed little human emotion.

"Jue, you've come."

Yes, I've arrived.

'You shouldn't have come.'

'But I'm already here.'

Pain and Black Zetsu stared at each other across the distance, their gazes meeting as if they were exchanging thoughts.

The exact words may not be exactly what they say, but that's the gist of it.

In the end, it was Black Zetsu who took the initiative to speak, breaking the silence.

"I've been handling some matters in Tianzhiguo these past few days."

"The Land of Fields?"

Payne remained silent, and Konan took over the conversation.

"I thought you went to rescue Obito Uchiha!"

Xiao Nan's tone was full of sarcasm.

However, Black Zetsu merely glanced at her lightly.

I?

Rescue Obito Uchiha?

Stealing kills from Uchiha Gen?

You woman, you're absolutely hilarious!

Black Zetsu said expressionlessly, "Obito Uchiha is dead."

"What a 'qualified' intelligence officer."

Konan walked to Pain's side, still coldly mocking Black Zetsu.

"Konoha's newspapers have already reported the news of Obito Uchiha's public execution!"

The Love and Care Newspaper?

Black Zetsu's eye twitched slightly.

If Xiao Nan hadn't mentioned the newspaper, Black Zetsu would have almost completely overlooked its existence.

anyway.

They gather intelligence from Kirigakure and buy newspapers from Konoha.

Which method is more timely in obtaining intelligence?

Black Zetsu remained silent for a moment, then decided to ignore Konan and look directly at Pain, throwing out a bombshell piece of information.

Orochimaru is currently perfecting the Impure World Reincarnation Technique.

Black Zetsu also explained the specific origins and abilities of the Impure World Reincarnation technique.

"The Second Hokage developed a forbidden technique to summon the dead?"

Upon hearing about the effects of the Impure World Reincarnation, the first thing Pain thought of was—

It seems the Akatsuki no longer needs to recruit those S-rank rogue ninja!

Isn't the Impure World Reincarnation even better?

But Payne then realized he had discovered another fundamental problem.

Orochimaru!

This S-rank rogue ninja from Konoha has left the Akatsuki organization!

His mastery of the Impure World Reincarnation Technique does not mean that the Akatsuki organization possesses this forbidden technique.

Pain stared at Black Zetsu; there must have been a reason why the other party brought up Orochimaru and the Impure World Reincarnation Technique.

"...Orochimaru wants to rejoin Akatsuki?"

Pain has not dealt with Orochimaru, Kakuzu, Sasori, and other traitors to the organization these past few days.

It wasn't that he couldn't deal with these S-rank rogue ninjas, but rather that he hadn't yet figured out how to handle them.

If Orochimaru was intimidated by the power of the Rinnegan—or perhaps coveted its power—he wanted to rejoin the Akatsuki.

Payne could accept it.

Black Zetsu never expected Nagato to be so naive.

After a brief moment of surprise, it finally spoke.

"...Orochimaru can continue to cooperate with the organization."

Orochimaru is cooperating with Black Zetsu.

Black Zetsu is still a full member of the Akatsuki organization.

Round it off.

Orochimaru was cooperating with the Akatsuki organization.

Yes, it is like that!

Although Black Zetsu's words were not what Pain wanted to hear.

However, Payne can accept the current situation.

Orochimaru's strength is decent, and his Impure World Reincarnation technique is a powerful weapon.

If the Akatsuki continues to cooperate with Orochimaru, they might still be able to advance their previous plan to capture the tailed beasts...

Black Zetsu had no idea what Pain was thinking.

If it knew that Pain still wanted to continue with the plan to capture the tailed beasts, it would definitely have stopped him immediately.

After experiencing Obito Uchiha's complete defeat.

Black's expectations for capturing tailed beasts were already very low compared to those of these "ordinary ninjas" of the present day.

Let's leave professional matters to the professionals...

A thousand words can be summed up in one sentence—

Wait for Madara Uchiha to be resurrected!

As for Pain (Nagato), Black's expectations for him are also very low.

Although Nagato was not a direct descendant of Indra, he could not control the Rinnegan as freely as Madara Uchiha.

However, Nagato's parents were also extraordinary, coming from the Senju and Uzumaki clans respectively, which was the source of his powerful vitality.

Nagato was originally chosen by Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu as a vessel for the Rinnegan.

It's just that Madara Uchiha has been dead for so many years.

Nagato has not yet fully mastered the power of the Rinnegan, and he is even nearly drained of its power...

Blackie was extremely disappointed with the little red-haired girl.

If it weren't for the fact that it needed to conserve its power to revive its mother, it would definitely have taken control of Nagato's body and immediately used the [Rinne Rebirth Technique] on Madara Uchiha!

In that case, there would be no need for it to cooperate with Orochimaru and plot the Impure World Reincarnation!

Black Zetsu thought for a moment and then released another bombshell piece of information, trying to reassure Nagato.

"One week from now, Gen Uchiha will convene a new Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron."

Black Zetsu continued.

"Based on the intelligence I gathered in Kirigakure, the main topic of this Five Kage Summit is how to deal with our Akatsuki organization."

"Handle it? Xiao?"

Konan's brows furrowed immediately, and she subconsciously glanced at Pain beside her.