Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

"what happened?"

Seeing his bewildered expression, Yoru chuckled softly.

"He looked like he didn't expect me to say that."

"Don't think of death as something so wonderful, kid."

Yoruichi's gaze passed over Sasuke's shoulder, and her voice became ethereal.

"As a 'captain,' whoever you are, your hands are inevitably stained with indelible sins."

"Any means are permitted as long as it is for the purpose of achieving the ultimate goal. This is the weight that the title of 'Captain' must bear."

"..."

Sasuke remained silent.

He always believed that Yoruichi was ultimately kind at heart.

But now he realizes he was wrong.

Although this wasn't a big deal and Sasuke could accept it, it ultimately stemmed from a problem with his understanding.

Just then, Yoruichi chuckled again, her icy killing intent completely gone.

"Okay, okay, I won't tease you anymore."

She stretched, her eyes curving into a mischievous crescent. "Look at that serious face of yours, you're not actually considering my suggestion, are you?"

Chapter 181 Cooperation: The Primary Condition is Equality

In the Land of Rain, inside a dimly lit cave.

Several illusory projections, each with a different aura, stood silently on the finger of the demon statue.

"Is everyone here?"

A detached voice came from the figure at the highest point, whose Rinnegan, filled with purple ripples, swept over every member present.

There was an empty seat that stood out starkly.

"The holder of the Crimson Ring is absent."

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, Chief."

"Mr. Itachi seems to have suddenly remembered some personal matters that he had to deal with."

Kisame paused, as if recalling something, then grinned and added, "So, he's already taken the lead and set off for the Land of Fire."

These words caused a slight commotion among the people present.

"Hmph, is it because of that Uchiha brat again?"

Another hoarse voice rang out, Sasori's voice filled with disdain, "Didn't Deidara's death teach Itachi a lesson?"

"Who knows?" Kisame shrugged.

“The unauthorized actions of one member can affect the entire plan’s deployment.” Kakuzu’s voice remained cold. “Who should bear the additional costs and risks that arise?”

"Money, money, money, what else is in your head besides money?" Hidan scoffed.

"Maybe Itachi went to buy some three-colored dumplings," White Zetsu said cheerfully. "I've heard that the dessert shops in Konoha have really good ones."

Pain didn't dwell on Itachi's absence, his eyes calm and unwavering as he relayed the next piece of information.

"Just now, Jue sent back the latest news."

"The One-Tailed Beast from the Land of Wind, and the Three-Tailed Beast from the Land of Water..."

Pain paused, giving everyone a brief moment to process what had happened, "They have all been captured by Uchiha Sasuke."

"what?!"

This time, even Kakuzu exclaimed in surprise.

"Are you kidding me?! That's a Jinchūriki and a Tailed Beast! Two walking money pits just fell into that kid's hands..."

"interesting."

A deep voice interrupted him, and Hidan revealed a sickly smile, licking his lips with his long tongue. "It seems that this brat named Sasuke is even more suitable to be a sacrifice to the Jashin than I thought!"

"Heh, we only captured two relatively weak tailed beasts." Sasori's voice remained disdainful.

"The issue is not who he captured."

Payne's voice rang out again, drawing everyone's attention back: "The problem lies in his purpose."

The Rinnegan swept over every figure with ulterior motives present, and the voice grew increasingly cold.

"After Orochimaru betrayed the organization, he also seemed to be secretly eyeing the power of the Tailed Beasts."

"And Sasuke Uchiha, after forming an alliance with Orochimaru and killing Deidara, immediately began to capture the Tailed Beasts..."

"His behavior has already demonstrated his hostility towards Xiao."

Payne paused for a moment before giving his final conclusion.

"From this moment forward, the organization's original 'Tailed Beast Capture' plan will be officially brought forward."

"We must take control of the remaining tailed beasts before he does."

"Absolutely brilliant."

"I'm here," Bai Jue's light voice rang out, seemingly unconcerned about the tense atmosphere.

"Report the location and information of the remaining Jinchūriki."

"Hi, got it."

Bai Jue shook his head, as if flipping through something, "Then, let's start with the most recent one."

"First is the Jinchuriki of the Four-Tails, Roshi from Iwagakure. He had a big argument with the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, a while ago, and then left the village in a fit of anger."

"He is currently wandering alone in the area of ​​the Grass Country on the border of the Land of Earth."

After these words were spoken, an excited voice rang out.

"I know this person, hmm!"

Inside the cave, everyone's gaze was drawn to the source of the sound.

Beside the scorpion, a figure dressed in a black robe with red clouds and long golden hair was excitedly raising his hand.

As Deidara spoke, he turned his head 360 degrees, volunteering, "Boss! Leave this mission to me! I promise..."

Most of the people present fell silent upon witnessing this bizarre scene.

"Send someone else," Payne interrupted him abruptly.

"...Huh? Why?!" Deidara's spinning head suddenly stopped, his face full of confusion.

“Kisame.” Payne didn’t explain, but simply turned his gaze to the shark-faced figure.

"Yes."

Kisame nodded slightly, accepting the task.

Payne's gaze swept across the entire room once more.

"So, what about the distribution of the remaining Jinchūriki..."

"I object!!"

Deidara's shrill voice rang out again, filled with resentment, "Leader! What do you mean by this?! Why won't you let me go?! Huh?!"

"Could it be that because Grandpa Scorpion turned me into this state, you think I'm useless?!"

He was referring to the fact that he had become a puppet.

"Shut up, Deidara."

Scorpion's voice interrupted him, "You've already died once, you have no right to shout here."

"Lord Sasori..." Deidara reluctantly shut his mouth, but his eyes still gleamed with resentment.

"As for the Five-Tails and Six-Tails, I will handle them personally," Pain continued to Deidara. "As for the Seven-Tails, I'll leave it to you and Sasori."

This decision sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

Is the leader going to take action personally? And the target is two tailed beasts?

"Hey, are you kidding me?!"

Hidan was the first to lose his temper, brandishing the huge, blood-red crescent scythe in his hand and shouting wildly.

"Leader, you took two by yourself. Does that mean I'll have to personally offer the remaining two-tailed and eight-tailed beasts to the great evil god?!"

"You?"

Deidara found an outlet for his dissatisfaction, letting out a short, mocking laugh as he looked him up and down with an expression of utter contempt.

"You bastard, besides that disgusting curse that can only be activated through self-harm, what else can you do? Hmm?"

As if remembering something, he added with a gloating tone, "Killer Bee, the jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails, is a ninja who can perfectly control the tailed beast. Your scythe probably can't even scratch his skin, hmm!"

"What did you say?! You want to fight?!"

"All right."

Payne's indifferent voice rang out again, silencing the impending argument.

"Stop, continue."

"Yes~"

The pitcher plant-like leaves swayed again. "Regarding Kumogakure, the situation has been a bit unusual lately."

"They appear to be amassing a large force; the entire village is on high alert."

"Although their purpose is unclear, it is certain that most of their high-end combat power is concentrated in the village."

"It would be unwise to provoke them now."

"..."

Payne remained silent.