Chapter 168 » Kakuzu's Hidden Agenda! The Protection Has Crumbled!

Crack—

Boom!!

Dark clouds gathered, and torrential rain poured down!

The Land of Rain, a country perpetually drenched in rainfall. The people living here had long since grown accustomed to these sudden downpours, taking them in stride. After all, for the past decade or so, this was how they had lived.

Though fierce storms and dark clouds frequently appeared, the people living here all knew these storms and lightning were actually their god protecting them!

Pain. Here, within the borders of the Land of Rain, he was a god! He represented the highest authority in the Land of Rain and their deity.

The only unfortunate thing was: their god was destined to vanish like a bubble!

Inside the tallest building in the Land of Rain.

At this very moment, Pain sat atop the strange structure, feeling the ice-cold raindrops striking his body. He carefully sensed the chakra flow changes within the raindrops. By doing this, he ensured that no shinobi from other villages had infiltrated the Land of Rain.

If there were any, either Konan or he would have to personally deal with it.

Kamui!

Behind him, a spiral distortion slowly appeared. Finally, Obito's figure emerged behind him.

"Pain. Get ready. Prevent Yusuke Kamizuki from suddenly barging in here." Obito said in a low voice, "I've already sent Sasori and Kakuzu to the borders of the Land of Water. At this time, Yusuke Kamizuki is not in the Land of Water, Black Zetsu has already tracked his route. Currently, he has just left Iwagakure and arrived at Sunagakure. Based on our estimates, we should have about a week. During this week, Black Zetsu and I, along with Sasori and Kakuzu — the four of us will find a way to capture the Three-Tails and Six-Tails Jinchuriki from Kirigakure, as well as the Two-Tails Jinchuriki."

Pain nodded silently upon hearing this.

"Mm. The Land of Rain will be left to Konan and me."

Obito took a deep breath. This was an extremely challenging mission! It had to be done quickly, accurately, and ruthlessly!

After explaining everything, he once again activated Kamui. His body slowly distorted, turning into a spatial vortex, vanishing without a trace!

Pain glanced at the spot where Obito had disappeared, then shook his head slightly.

This masked man—from the moment he appeared, although he claimed to be Madara Uchiha, Nagato had never once believed he was who he said he was.

In fact, later on, Nagato had even specifically inquired about Madara's exploits. Comparing the legendary Uchiha's deeds to this man before him, he had completely confirmed in his heart: this man was merely someone impersonating "Madara Uchiha"!

But none of this mattered to him. He only needed to use the other party, then hunt down all the Tailed Beasts.

After all, no one understood the Gedo Statue better than he did!

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The Land of Water, within its borders.

"The leader told us to come first, but he himself hasn't shown up for so long. What do you think? Could it be that the leader has gone back on his word?" Sasori asked as he walked slowly through the forest.

At present, he still had the appearance of a young man. He hadn't yet created his Hiruko puppet. Kakuzu, walking beside him, glanced at Sasori.

"Do you want to hear the truth?"

"Oh?" Sasori's eyes narrowed slightly, "What do you mean?"

"The leader told us to capture the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, and also the Two-Tails Jinchuriki." Kakuzu sneered, "Let's not even mention that the Six-Tails Jinchuriki isn't currently in Kirigakure. The Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Yugito Nii — who doesn't know she's currently in Kumogakure, under the Raikage's protection? Do you think we can capture her so easily? Moreover, the Three-Tails Jinchuriki is the Mizukage of Kirigakure. Do you think we can capture them?"

After hearing his words, Sasori narrowed his eyes further, "Kakuzu, are you saying that we are just... bait?"

"Indeed." Kakuzu let out a cold laugh, "It's so efficient talking to smart people. Since that masked man behind the scenes wants to use us, why don't we take this opportunity for ourselves?"

After he finished speaking, he fixed his eerie green eyes on his partner beside him.

"Our opportunity? Such as?" Sasori also sensed something was amiss. He began to warily eye his partner.

"Such as?" Kakuzu grinned maliciously, "For example, I capture an Akatsuki member. Then hand them over to Kirigakure. This way, it would be enough to demonstrate my sincerity in defecting."

After hearing his words, Sasori nodded thoughtfully.

"But if you do that, wouldn't you be betraying the leader?"

"Betrayal?" Kakuzu slowly shook his head, "You and I are both S-rank rogue ninja — what's there to betray? Besides, when I first joined the Akatsuki, I made it clear to them: I work for them, they give me a stable shelter. Now, this so-called stable shelter is no longer stable. Do you think a desperate fugitive like me would still stay?"

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