Chapter 156: Akatsuki's Child

Thirty minutes later...

Pain had settled Konan and then walked out of the bedroom. Outside the door, only Black and White Zetsu stood guard. The rest of the members had moved their brawl to the base's main hall.

White Zetsu snickered, "Pain, how's Konan? Did she admit that the child is Uchiha Itachi's?"

Pain shot a cold glance, "No, the child is not Itachi's. He belongs to all of us!"

"Ah?" Black Zetsu was taken aback. "What do you mean by that?"

Pain began walking towards the main hall, answering as he went, "I'll explain everything in a meeting. You'll all know soon enough."

"Hold on."

From the dark wall, a figure in a black cloak and a swirling mask, Tobi, emerged, stopping Pain.

"Pain, since you're calling a meeting, I have a mission to discuss. Announce it to everyone later..."

Pain: "What mission is so important?"

Tobi: "Uchiha Natsuhane, do you remember him?"

Pain nodded slightly, "Yes, the man who revived his clan after it was nearly wiped out by Itachi."

Tobi: "Exactly. Natsuhane's recent actions have been puzzling me. They warrant our attention."

Pain: "I've been preoccupied with the organization's matters and Konan's condition, so I haven't been following recent intel. What's Natsuhane up to?"

Black Zetsu chimed in, "Natsuhane left the Land of Fire and the Hidden Leaf Village a while ago. He's now established himself in the Land of Sea and has become its daimyo. Interesting, isn't it?"

"Oh...?" Pain paused before speaking slowly, "Has Natsuhane betrayed the Leaf to become a rogue ninja seeking power?"

White Zetsu grinned mischievously, "Hehe, it's possible. But it could also be part of a larger scheme by the Leaf. Remember, Natsuhane is the husband of the Fifth Hokage. His actions might reflect the Leaf's high command's decisions. If that's the case, the Land of Sea could become an extension of the Land of Fire..."

Hearing this, Pain's eyes flashed with a cold gleam, "Hmph, these hypocritical great nations... Always pretending to be righteous while secretly coveting others' lands."

Tobi: "Let's not jump to conclusions. We don't yet know Natsuhane's true intentions."

Pain turned to Tobi, "Madara, what do you suggest we do?"

"I suggest Akatsuki test him," Tobi said, walking to Pain's side and revealing his red Sharingan. "If Natsuhane has truly betrayed the Leaf and seeks power as a rogue ninja, we should recruit him into our organization to further our great cause. But if this is part of the Leaf's expansion strategy, we should eliminate him and take control of the Land of Sea ourselves."

"Understood." Pain acknowledged before heading towards the main hall.

...

Inside the hall, the "sparring" among the members continued.

Kisame and Kakuzu were locked in a fierce battle, with Kakuzu preparing to unleash his Earth Grudge Fear form. Meanwhile, Itachi sat alone on a stone platform, gazing at the sky with a composed demeanor, while Hidan stood still, his face twisted in ecstasy, muttering, "So good, the pain is so good! Itachi, more Itachis, keep stabbing me, don't hold back..."

Hidan was evidently caught in Itachi's genjutsu, yet he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it.

Deidara and Sasori had also joined the fray, each fighting for their artistic beliefs. Deidara crafted numerous spider-shaped bombs, while Sasori responded with his Third Kazekage puppet.

Just as Deidara was about to shout "Katsu," Pain appeared in the center of the hall, spreading his arms and quietly intoning, "Shinra Tensei!"

Boom!

A powerful force radiated from Pain's Deva Path, sending the members flying into the corners of the hall.

"Enough with the pointless fighting. Calm yourselves and prepare for a meeting!"

...

Minutes later, the members' shadowy figures gathered on the fingers of the Gedo Statue.

Kakuzu glared at Kisame, "Kisame, you should be grateful. If not for the Leader's timely arrival, your heart would be mine. I'd find a way to sell your head to the Hidden Mist Village for a hefty price."

Kisame smirked coldly, "Old man, you should be the grateful one. Don't forget, I destroyed one of your hearts with ease!"

Hidan, reminiscing about the recent pain, yelled at Itachi, "Itachi, I haven't had enough. Let's continue later!"

"..." Itachi kept his eyes closed, ignoring Hidan.

Deidara taunted, "Sasori, one day I'll show you my ultimate art. Prepare to be awed, yeah!"

Sasori snorted, "Boring..."

"Enough." Pain coughed lightly to regain control. Once silence fell, he continued, "I have two things to discuss today."

"The first concerns the father of Konan's child..."

"??"

At this, everyone looked at Itachi. He remained silent, only slightly furrowing his brow. On the surface, he stayed calm, but inside, he was thinking of escape strategies. It seemed he would have to bear this unjust suspicion.

However, Pain's next words shocked everyone.

"Stop looking at Itachi. The child isn't his alone. He belongs to all of us. From now on, every member is this child's parent. His name, decided by Konan and me, is Akatsuki. I hope you all will embrace this."

The members: "..."

Before they could voice their opinions, Pain moved on to the second matter.

"Uchiha Natsuhane, he's now the daimyo of the Land of Sea. I want to understand his motives. Who wants this mission?"

"I'll go!" Deidara immediately volunteered, "That detestable Uchiha would make a perfect opponent! Leader, let me handle this, yeah!"

Pain shook his head, "No, Deidara, you have too strong a bias against the Uchiha. This mission isn't about fighting; you're not suitable..."

Hidan, licking his lips in excitement, suggested, "Then let me go. Haha, I want to feel that thrill again! Itachi, does this Natsuhane have genjutsu like you?"

Uchiha Itachi: "..."

Pain sighed, "No, Hidan, you're too impulsive."

Turning his gaze to Itachi and Kisame, Pain asked, "Itachi, Kisame, will you take this mission?"

Feeling Pain's intense gaze, Itachi broke his silence, "I'll go. As a fellow clan member, I believe I can understand his true intentions."

Pain nodded, "It's decided. Itachi, Kisame, if Natsuhane is our ally, recruit him. If not... you know what to do."

Itachi and Kisame nodded simultaneously, "Understood."

"Good. That's all I have to say. Dismissed."

...