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Shin arrived at the Akatsuki’s base in the Land of Rain with Kushina.
“So this is the Akatsuki base? It’s so dark and gloomy, like a rat’s nest underground,” Kushina commented, looking around the interior with distaste.
“Shin Uzumaki, why did you bring an outsider here?”
Pain appeared, unsurprised by Shin’s arrival—given Kakuzu’s situation, Shin was bound to show up—but clearly displeased by Kushina’s presence.
The Akatsuki’s base needed to remain secret.
Their goal of collecting the Tailed Beasts inevitably put them at odds with the Five Great Villages. The Akatsuki wasn’t strong enough yet; exposure was dangerous.
They’d already been exposed once during the mission to eliminate Yagura in Kirigakure; thankfully, not many had noticed.
Now, with Kakuzu attracting Konoha’s attention, Shin bringing an outsider was unacceptable to Nagato.
“Hey! Who are you calling an outsider, you dead puppet? I’m Shin’s wife!”
Kushina, fiery as ever, snapped back, revealing Pain’s true nature without hesitation.
It wasn’t Shin who told her; Kushina sensed it herself. Though Pain looked alive, he lacked any life force. With her [Wood Release] and mastery of [Sage Mode], Kushina was highly sensitive to life energy and could easily tell Pain was a corpse puppet.
“A dead puppet?”
Orochimaru, hearing Kushina’s words, looked thoughtfully at Pain.
Sasori, the master puppeteer, also glanced over, intrigued by the word “puppet.”
Hidden away, Nagato clenched his fists, furious that his secret had been exposed.
“Wow, that big guy looks familiar! Isn’t that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path?” Kushina exclaimed, pointing at the massive statue.
Its grotesque appearance was unforgettable, even after so many years. It proved that ugly things could be just as memorable as beautiful ones.
Nagato, hearing Kushina, almost stormed out to confront her. ‘She’s seen the Demonic Statue before? Where was it before I summoned it?’
He’d never considered this question before. Now, he had to.
“Leader, let’s focus on my situation. Konoha’s Shinobi are still hunting me relentlessly,” Kakuzu’s voice interrupted, his image projected via the [Magic Lantern Body Technique].
His real body was still on the run, hiding somewhere safe.
“Orochimaru, Sasori, go assist Kakuzu,” Pain ordered.
“Leader, just the two of us might not be enough. My teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, is leading the pursuit,” Orochimaru said, glancing at Pain.
As Hiruzen’s student, Orochimaru knew his teacher’s strength well.
Orochimaru alone was no match for Hiruzen. Even with Kakuzu and Sasori, their chances weren’t great. Besides, Hiruzen wouldn’t be alone; he’d have elite Konoha Shinobi with him.
“Then I will go myself.” Pain looked coolly at Orochimaru.
As for asking Shin for help? Pain didn’t think Shin would agree; he was probably just here for the show anyway.
Pain going personally suited Orochimaru perfectly.
This would be a chance to gauge Pain’s true strength.
Kushina Uzumaki had called him a puppet; Orochimaru suspected she was right, especially considering the other Paths. He wondered if his dear teacher, Hiruzen, could force Pain’s true controller out into the open.
They set off immediately, arranging to meet Kakuzu—The rendezvous point wasn’t in the Land of Rain.
Nagato didn’t want to expose their hideout. He chose the neighboring Land of Grass as the battlefield.
“Are we going too?” Kushina asked Shin.
“Of course. I want to watch the show. If you don’t want to come, I can send you back.”
“Of course I’m coming! It’s rare for just the two of us to be alone. I’m not giving up this chance!” Kushina hugged Shin’s arm tightly, afraid he’d leave her behind.
Shin chuckled but didn’t push her away. He enjoyed the closeness too.
——
The Land of Grass wasn’t far. Within an hour, Pain and the others rendezvoused with Kakuzu.
“Leader, I apologize for causing trouble for the Akatsuki,”
Kakuzu said to Pain.
He needed the Akatsuki’s help; he couldn’t evade Konoha’s pursuit alone. Hiruzen was personally leading the chase, along with Konoha’s best trackers. Kakuzu couldn’t hide.
“You dared to kill the Third Hokage’s son, yet you’re afraid to fight the Third Hokage?” Kushina scoffed, looking at Kakuzu.
Kakuzu remained silent.
‘Do you think I didn’t try? If I could beat him, I wouldn’t be running.’ He acknowledged that his mastery of Ninjutsu was inferior to Hiruzen’s.
Whether it was Taijutsu—Ninjutsu—or Genjutsu, Hiruzen surpassed him.
Running was his only option…
“And you fought the First Hokage? I really wonder how you managed to escape alive,” Kushina continued her sharp-tongued remarks.
Shin looked at Kushina.
‘Her toxic tongue skills are at least an 80 out of 100,’ he thought.
“Watch your mouth, Little girl. Words can kill,” Kakuzu growled, a flash of killing intent in his eyes. He couldn’t stand being mocked.
“Are you threatening me?? Think I’m scared? Sounds like you’re asking for a beating.” Kushina wasn’t intimidated.
In fact, itching for a fight after being stuck in The Land of Whirlpools for so long, she almost welcomed the challenge.
Kakuzu bristled with anger, but seeing Shin standing beside Kushina, he held back.
Fortunately for Kakuzu, he didn’t attack. Kushina would have likely killed him; she wouldn’t hold back against him.
“Prepare yourselves, Leader. Konoha’s Shinobi will be here soon,” Kakuzu said to Pain. He’d been running for over a day, unable to shake them off. They always caught up quickly.
Pain nodded calmly, waiting for Konoha’s arrival.
“Shin, what kind of expression do you think the Third Hokage will make when he sees us?” Kushina asked Shin.
“Can’t guess. But it will definitely be interesting.” Shin was also looking forward to seeing Hiruzen’s reaction.
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