Just moments ago, Shisui had explained the entire sequence of events to Itachi, making him understand that everything that day had been a meticulously planned scheme targeting him. The sole purpose was to force him to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan.
To be fair, the performance was brilliant. From the first moment Itachi saw Shisui, he hadn't harbored much suspicion. Because everything had been real: the gouging of his eyes, the injuries on his body, the depletion of his chakra. Coupled with Danzo's persona, Itachi truly hadn't expected it to be a charade.
"Brother Shisui, you truly care about me!"
Shisui felt a peculiar tone in Itachi's voice and began to sweat. "Itachi, listen to me, this was all..."
"Brother Shisui, do you know what my awakened Mangekyo Sharingan ability is?"
"Yes, what is it?" Shisui was also curious, as each person's unique Sharingan ability differed.
Itachi slowly approached Shisui, tilting his head up. The Mangekyo Sharingan, marked with a shuriken, began to spin in his hands. "Tsukuyomi!"
"Itachi, you!" Shisui never imagined Itachi would use his Mangekyo Sharingan ability on him for the first time. Was this what they called love turning into hate? All the fault of Teacher Lin Yu's terrible idea!
"Brother Shisui, for the next seventy-two hours, I'll accompany you to play!"
Tonight was a sleepless night, not just for Shisui and Itachi, but for Sasuke and Lin Yu as well. Because upon returning home, Lin Yu found that young Hinata was refusing to leave Kushina. Lin Yu enviously glanced at young Hinata, sleeping in Kushina's embrace. How could a disciple snatch his master's wife?! It was too much!
...
Amegakure, Land of Rain.
"Sister Konan, I won't do it again, please spare me."
"There won't be a next time?" Mei Terumi, wrapped like a mummy by Konan's paper ninjutsu, with only her head exposed, slumped on the ground like a white caterpillar.
"There's no next time, I'll never dare to escape again." Mei Terumi inwardly grumbled; if her chakra hadn't been sealed, she could definitely defeat the elegant woman before her. After all, her Lava and Boil Release Kekkei Genkai had properties that somewhat countered Konan's paper ninjutsu.
Konan advised, "It's fortunate I found you. If the leader had discovered you stealing organizational data and fleeing, he would have killed you."
Mei Terumi recalled the red-haired young man she had seen when she first joined the organization. Although he had the same hair color as Lin Yu, who had brought her here, their personalities were like night and day. Worlds apart. In the eyes of the organization's leader, Mei Terumi saw no trace of emotion, as if they were all ants to him, easily crushed at his whim.
"I didn't take any data... just some observations." Mei Terumi was quite shocked; she hadn't expected the Hidden Rain Village to have fallen into the hands of this organization called "Akatsuki." Perhaps even the entire Land of Rain was under their control. What a terrifying organization, yet it hadn't made a ripple in the ninja world.
Konan said no more. She had said what she needed to say. If the other party still harbored any cunning thoughts, she couldn't be blamed. "This is your final warning. Next time, you won't just be wrapped up like a caterpillar." *You know I look like a caterpillar, I'm losing so much face!*
Konan glanced at the prominent curves on Mei Terumi's chest and secretly huffed, *Quite the assets! But I'm not lacking either!*
"Sister Konan, please let me go, this is so embarrassing."
"Don't worry, this is my room. No one dares to come here. You can stay here with peace of mind."
"I..."
*Bang!*
The door was closed. A hint of triumph appeared on Mei Terumi's seductive face. As a core member of the organization, her room must contain the secret art of eternal youth! Heh heh, here I come, Mei Terumi!
...
High atop the tower, Nagato stood bathed in rain, his eyes closed, as if sensing the state of the entire Hidden Rain Village.
"Any signs of new members?" Black Zetsu emerged from the ground with a "depressed" demeanor. Although his face was entirely black and unreadable, his eyes were filled with weariness and despair. When had he, Black Zetsu, ever been so dishevelled? He was constantly being dragged by Tobi to smell and observe feces, even experiencing it. This was worse than death. What kind of creature was Tobi, and why was he so obsessed with excrement!
"Currently, we haven't found any candidates with the strength to join the organization. Some are limited by age, but they should be ready in a few more years."
"Continue searching. The organization still lacks manpower."
Hearing Black Zetsu mention age limits, Nagato thought of the few individuals Obito had brought back recently. Putting aside the two women, if the Hozuki brothers showed potential to join the organization, then Kimimaro's talent even made Nagato's heart flutter. Such excellent talent, it was too much of a waste to give to Senior Lin Yu! It was a shame, though, that this child seemed to have a one-track mind. Once he set his mind on something, he wouldn't change, no matter how much he was persuaded. He only knew how to sleep, eat, and train. He wouldn't utter a word all day, a stark contrast to the talkative brothers beside him.
The Hozuki brothers quickly bonded with some people. Especially Kisame Hoshigaki, who almost wept with joy upon seeing a "relative" being forced to join the organization. *Great, finally a new member, I don't have to be teamed up with that lunatic Kakuzu anymore, it's too torturous!* Not only did he have to guard against enemy ambushes, but he also had to be wary of his teammate's fatal blow at all times. This life was too difficult!
"Mangetsu, how about you and I form a team? We're from the same village!"
Under Kisame Hoshigaki's expectant gaze, Mangetsu Hozuki shook his head. "Sorry, Senior Kisame, I'm not part of the Akatsuki."
"That's easy! With your strength, you're more than qualified to join. Then, the two of us can form the fearsome 'Demon Moon Combination' within the Akatsuki! Wouldn't that be wonderful!"
Mangetsu Hozuki couldn't bear to see his senior immersed in his fantasy and explained, "I have no intention of joining the Akatsuki. Perhaps I'm only here for practical training."
"What do you mean?" Kisame Hoshigaki didn't believe him. *What do you think the Akatsuki is? A training institute? Practical training! Will the chuunibyou leader in that tower outside agree? He'll just hit you with a Shinra Tensei!*
"It's true." Suigetsu Hozuki poked his head out from behind, blabbing, "This small organization can't hold us. Only the weak stay here. We are meant to..."
"Shut up!" Mangetsu Hozuki quickly covered his brother's mouth. The Akatsuki's strength was not weak; in fact, it was very strong. After only a few days here, Mangetsu Hozuki had sensed several individuals far stronger than him. This was no small organization. This brother was truly a liability! If others heard this, he'd get beaten!
"Only the weak stay here?" Kisame Hoshigaki's mouth twitched. This kid was truly annoying!
"Senior Kisame, Suigetsu is still young. Please don't mind him."
"Ah, don't worry! He's just a brat, I understand. I won't take it to heart!" Kisame Hoshigaki turned around and said, "I have something to do, I'll be leaving now." *Just a brat, a good lesson is enough! Who am I? I'm Kisame Hoshigaki, the shark-faced one. What's a shark's characteristic? A big mouth! This news will spread throughout the Akatsuki by tomorrow! Brats who misbehave deserve to be taught a lesson!*