Chapter 77: The Akatsuki Organization Shaken

"I need your explanation," demanded Pain, his Rinnegan eyes fixed on Tobi.

Tobi, known to few as Uchiha Obito, pursed his lips, bitterness welling up inside him. The Akatsuki was a product of his collaboration with Nagato, with Nagato in the light and himself in the shadows. Except for a select few like Itachi and Kisame, most members were unaware of his existence.

However, due to Mei Terumi's deliberate misdirection, the Five Great Shinobi Villages now knew of his existence, believing that the use of the Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees was his doing. This misinformation had spread so convincingly that even the high-ranking officials of Kirigakure believed it. As a result, other villages naturally accepted it as truth as well.

This misdirection shifted the focus of the other villages, who began to target the organization behind the masked man, believing their aim to be capturing Jinchuriki. With the assumption that someone within this organization could utilize the powerful Wood Release technique, villages housing Jinchuriki had to exercise extreme caution. This led to a wave of investigation and surveillance, making the Akatsuki's covert operations significantly more challenging.

The Akatsuki wasn't just the core members like Kakuzu and Kisame. It included numerous secondary and tertiary members who were vital sources of intelligence. Due to Tobi's failed operation, these members were now being targeted by the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

"It wasn't me who used the Advent of a World of Flowering Trees. This is slander!" Tobi gritted his teeth, his frustration palpable. Mei Terumi's actions had not only drawn the attention of the Five Great Shinobi Villages but had also caused Nagato to suspect and be wary of him. This left Tobi feeling aggrieved.

"To capture the Three-Tails, I sent Kakuzu to assist you," Konan interjected, stepping forward with a cold glare. "Yet your actions not only caused the Three-Tails to go out of control but also prematurely exposed the Akatsuki's existence to the Five Great Shinobi Villages, complicating our future operations. How do you explain this?"

"I..." Tobi stammered, unable to find a suitable defense. Konan's accusations were essentially true. The Akatsuki was still in the phase of gathering funds and recruiting combatants, nowhere near ready for exposure.

"And what about Kisame? What's your plan for him now that he's gravely injured?" Konan pressed further.

"I will ensure he is healed," Tobi replied through gritted teeth.

"Good," Konan said, narrowing her eyes before stepping back beside Pain. She had gleaned the information she sought.

"Since you've been exposed, you will officially join the Akatsuki from now on," Pain declared once Konan finished speaking. He had no objections to Konan's decisions, as her judgment was his judgment.

"I understand," Tobi agreed. Given his exposure, there was no alternative.

"Tonight at 19:00, prepare for a meeting," Pain instructed, his gaze drifting to the masses below the tower.

Tobi nodded, entering his Kamui space to leave.

That night, at precisely 19:00, a massive cave housed the meeting. The ten fingers of the Gedo Statue bore the ethereal forms of the Akatsuki members.

"This is our new member," Pain announced.

"Hello, everyone! You can call me Tobi," Zetsu, on Tobi's cue, greeted excitedly.

"Welcome, welcome," White Zetsu chimed in, clapping with a playful smile.

Uchiha Itachi eyed Tobi carefully, narrowing his eyes. Monitoring the self-proclaimed Uchiha Madara was a key reason for his joining the Akatsuki. The failure of the operation in Kirigakure, leading to exposure, likely prompted Tobi's formal induction.

"And where is Kisame?" Kakuzu asked, looking at the empty space. "Is he dead?"

"No, he'll be back soon," Pain reassured. "The Five Great Shinobi Villages have now taken notice of our organization. From now on, we must be cautious and avoid direct confrontation. Our primary mission remains recruiting fighters and raising funds. Understood?"

"Yes," the members responded in unison.

After everyone had reported their mission statuses, Pain turned to Black Zetsu, who projected an image of Shishou.

"This man carries deadly poisons and venomous insects, possesses Flying Thunder God and Wood Release, and commands a giant insect summon. His combat prowess is formidable. He disrupted our mission to capture the Three-Tails," Black Zetsu explained.

Flying Thunder God and Wood Release! Hearing this, both Itachi and Juzo were stunned. Even Sasori, who had remained silent, reacted.

These two techniques alone were enough to command respect in the shinobi world, yet this individual wielded both? Juzo was inwardly shaken, thinking he should keep his distance next time.

If Shishou saw that Juzo was still alive, he might reflect on the "butterfly effect." In the original timeline, Juzo died defending against a Tailed Beast Ball. However, due to Shishou's influence, Juzo was now pursuing Orochimaru with Itachi and remained alive.

This person must have connections to Konoha. I'll find out more about him, Itachi resolved internally.

If I could make this person into a human puppet... Sasori thought greedily, considering how valuable such a rare specimen would be to his collection.

After Black Zetsu finished, Pain addressed the group. "If any of you obtain information about this individual, do not act rashly. His strength far exceeds yours, even in pairs. Once his location is confirmed, Konan and I will personally attempt to recruit him."

Hearing this, the Akatsuki members, except for Tobi, Kakuzu, and Black Zetsu, who knew Shishou's strength, were shocked. The leader's personal involvement indicated the seriousness of the threat or the value of the potential recruit.

Could this person really be that powerful? Sasori thought with some dissatisfaction.