Naruto: Konoha's Kanpu

Chapter 990: So You're The Real Leader of Akatsuki

The night was starry and moonlit, and the gentle moonlight bathed the dense forests, as if draped in a hazy, beautiful veil.

Within the depths of this veil, a river of paper meandered.

Konan and Nagato sat on the paper river in silence. After a long while, the ring on Nagato's hand emitted a strange fluctuation.

"It seems that Kisame and the others have successfully reached the hideout." Konan noticed this fluctuation and said indifferently.

Nagato gently touched the ring, his pupil power flowing, and at the next moment, Kisame's mental projection on the paper river.

"Pain, we..."

Kisame had just begun to speak when he noticed something was off, "Wait, who are you?!"

Kisame's sharp eyes focused intently on the red-haired man sitting on the paper river. This man had dry hair, a withered face, and looked like a bag of bones, appearing as though he wouldn't live much longer. Moreover, he was sitting next to Konan...

'Could he be the true leader of Akatsuki, the secret mastermind behind Pain?'

"Kisame."

Konan explained with a calm expression, "Pain is just a puppet we put in the open. This is the true leader of the Akatsuki, his name is Nagato."

"Nagato, hehehe... hiding really deep."

Kisame chuckled coldly. But for a Shinobi, this was standard procedure. So he quickly got to the point, discussing the main issue, "We, along with Zetsu, have delivered Sanbi's Jinchuriki to the designated hideout. Nagato, when do we begin the sealing?"

'Zetsu?'

Nagato's eyes narrowed slightly, as if thinking about something. After a moment, he replied, "We will begin the sealing in half an hour."

"Understood." Kisame nodded with a smile.

"Nagato?" Konan's expression showed concern.

After all, Nagato had just gone through a major battle, and the strain on Nagato's Rinnegan was significant.

Moreover, Zetsu had been untrustworthy ever since joining the Akatsuki. Although Obito behind him was caught by Konoha, who knew what his current intentions were.

"It's decided." Nagato dismissed Kisame's mental projection with a wave of his hand and said, "Let's find a secluded place."

"...Yes." Seeing that Nagato had decided the matter, Konan reluctantly complied.

Meanwhile...

Underground

Tobi wrapped Orochimaru with his body, and used some of his Chakra to protect Roshi's corpse. The group of three people traveling rapidly underground.

Having traveled for most of the day without encountering Zetsu, Orochimaru began to sense something amiss and immediately ordered Tobi to go to the surface.

"Why are there only few of us left?"

Hyōketsu asked while working, "Where are Deidara and Sasori?"

"Dead." Nagato replied, his voice slightly fatigued.

"Who are you? Why haven't I seen you before? Are you new? Why do you have Pain's eyes?" Hidan asked, staring at Nagato.

"Pain is a puppet created by Nagato." Konan explained Nagato's identity briefly.

"In other words, you're the real leader of the Akatsuki?"

Hidan laughed maniacally and said, "Nagato, do you believe in Jashin? If not... "

"Shut up!" Nagato said coldly.

"Tch." Hidan turned away in annoyance.

"Nagato."

At this time, the black face on the right half of Zetsu's face started to talk, "After Sanbi is Yonbi. I've found Yonbi's whereabouts."

"Where?" Konan asked before Nagato could respond.

"In Orochimaru's hands." Black Zetsu said solemnly.

"Orochimaru?" Konan's eyes flashed with cold light, "So you took refuge in Orochimaru!"

"Refuge?"

Black Zetsu chuckled and shook his head, "No no no, Orochimaru and I are merely partners."

"Orochimaru is a traitor of Akatsuki. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you for cooperating with him?" Nagato said emotionlessly.

"Hehehe... kill me? Don't you want information on the Gobi, Rokubi, and Nanabi?" White Zetsu interjected with a grin.

"This is not good."

Hyōketsu suddenly began to said strangely, "Without the Yonbi in Orochimaru's hands, we can't continue sealing Gobi, Rokubi, and Nanabi. Moreover, without Zetsu's information, we can't even find these three tailed beasts. Isn't that right, Zetsu?"

"Hehehe." White Zetsu laughed and said nothing.

"Nagato, what do you plan to do?" Kisame also looked at their leader amusedly.

"After we finished sealing Sanbi, bring Orochimaru to me." Nagato said.

"Understood." Black Zetsu replied solemnly.