"Fuck! Fck! Fck!"
"I fuck! I fuck! I fuck!"
"Why did you learn to speak like that from me?!"
"Because I have no culture! I can't express my current emotions in any civilized way! The admiration and joy in my heart are like a dam bursting—unstoppable and overwhelming. I can't hide this surge of gentleness within me! My current state of mind is like the magnetic pull between celestial bodies. Though I stare into the abyss, I feel the thrill of the abyss staring back! My soul, once parched, now drinks deeply from a sweet spring, and I can feel every hair on my body rejoicing! I now—"
"Wait, bro!!"
"What now?!"
"Akatsuki! Akatsuki is amazing! Pain is awesome!"
"Yes, my friend, you're absolutely right—Pain is incredible!!"
This was a conversation between two ordinary samurai in the Land of Iron.
…
"Damn! Damn! Damn!"
In Kumogakure, Killer Bee, the perfect Jinchuriki, was flailing his fists wildly at the screen above his head.
He had actually asked Gyūki (Eight-Tails) for his thoughts, but was flatly rejected.
Gyūki's only reply: I don't waste time with idiots.
Inside Killer Bee's body, the Eight-Tails Bull Demon paid no mind to his host's antics. Instead, he stared solemnly at the man and woman on the screen—both now in tears.
At first, only the girl cried. But once the words "The answer is correct" echoed, even the man in the wheelchair broke down.
His crying was raw, but it couldn't match the brilliance of the smile on his face.
That unwavering belief in the other's courage… Even a tailed beast had to respect it.
In a world as cold and treacherous as the ninja world, that kind of faith was a rare thing.
The Bull Demon knew this kid wasn't exactly a good guy… But still—it had to admit…
He has charisma.
He's a born leader.
"I'll remember you… brat."
…
"This courage… this sheer courage…"
Zabuza Momochi stared at Pain in awe. He didn't scoff at the tears, didn't mock the vulnerability.
He was stunned. And convinced.
As one of the second-generation Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist, he had once attempted to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage to end the era of the Bloody Mist. He failed, and became a missing-nin.
To survive, he took any assassination job for the right price. His heart hardened, convinced the world was full of lies and betrayal—where even a child would hand a blade to slit their own parent's throat.
But now…
Maybe there really is something worth believing in.
Zabuza clenched his fists. For the first time in years, his worldview cracked.
If he had an organization like that…
If he had a leader like that...
A flicker of struggle danced in his eyes. But when he saw the smiles on the faces of the Akatsuki members, his hesitation vanished.
"I want to see him."
He got up, and then paused.
He didn't know where Akatsuki was based… But he knew how to find Kisame Hoshigaki.
Zabuza stood abruptly—too abruptly. The motion woke the child beside him.
"Are we leaving again, Zabuza-sama?"
"I've changed my mind. Let's go. I've got something else to do."
He didn't turn around. Where he was going was far too dangerous to bring the boy.
Haku silently covered his mouth, refusing to cry.
He remembered what Zabuza once said: Tools don't shed tears. Tools never abandon their master.
"Wait for me, Zabuza-sama…"
And it wasn't just Zabuza.
Countless outcasts across the ninja world—people with nowhere left to turn—watched that moment.
They didn't care about justice. Didn't believe in the major villages. Didn't trust anyone.
But after witnessing that…
They started to believe in Pain.
Maybe he was strong enough, brave enough… ambitious enough.
Maybe this man was worth following.
…
"This boy… if he doesn't die, he'll become a great problem!"
Danzo Shimura's expression twisted in surprise and suppressed fury.
He had sworn the correct answer would be Uchiha Obito.
He even bet his reputation on it.
And now?
He was utterly humiliated.
Still, what truly shocked him wasn't the correct answer—it was Pain's choice.
Even he couldn't believe it.
That man—so ruthless, so cold—chose her.
He couldn't understand it.
Then, a cold voice cut through the air, making Danzo stiffen.
"Everyone… I think it's time we had a talk."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice had never been colder. His words froze the two elders next to him.
And what came next sent them into an emotional freefall.
"I'm old. It's time to step down."
"When I retire, Konoha will no longer need advisors. You two may retire with me."
"And Danzo—don't think I forgot. Over ten years ago, you conspired with Hanzo of the Rain to destroy an organization."
"That organization… was also called 'Akatsuki.'"
"If your explanation doesn't satisfy me, I'll dismantle Root myself."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi! How dare you?!" Danzo shot up, eyes wild with fury.
But Hiruzen didn't argue.
He simply looked into the distance and murmured, "I've figured it out. I truly am old."
"Dead branches must fall to nourish the roots."
"This is final. With all this happening, I know Tsunade and Jiraiya will return. When they do, we'll determine the next step."
"Konoha's flame… must not die out in my hands."
…
Meanwhile, in the shadows, Zetsu blinked in confusion.
"…They got it right?"
No. Wait. That didn't make sense.
He looked around the room.
Nobody had died.
Not even Orochimaru or Jiraiya—usually the least responsive—had escaped the moment's intensity.
Zetsu was stunned.
Wasn't that a breach of test discipline?
Still, everyone was now glaring at him.
So he quietly tiptoed to Obito's side… and laid down.
Time to play dead.
He wanted to stir things up earlier, but the moment was gone.
He was done.
Emotionally drained, mentally wrecked.
He was so tired of being around these people.
…
Above, Jia Yi hadn't expected Pain to make that choice.
That required more than trust.
It demanded faith.
No wonder—even though the Akatsuki ultimately failed in the original timeline, countless people still loved them.
Some said each of the ten members represented a dream of humanity:
Peace. Friendship. Family. Art. Love. Power. Immortality. Innocence. Faith. Strength.
Jia Yi didn't know if that was true.
But watching Konan slowly recover now…
He did know this:
It was worth using up half the reward.
That kind of friendship…
Was sacred.
And this version of Akatsuki?
Truly worthy of love.
"System… analyze them."