AN: Another filler chapter filled with exposition. But it's a fun exposition. Also, I decided to divide the Akatsuki's three-step goal differently. So, instead of Phase One just being funding the organization, it is now funding the organization and making the Akatsuki the most trusted mercenary organization since they kind of go together. So, Phase Two just focuses on the Bijuu, and Phase Three is world domination. Just makes more sense to me.

Cat Beats: Thank you! I'm glad you're still reading this long. Zetsu will have a special interaction at the end of this chapter. Hopefully, it's good enough!

p.s. no beta, too lazy to edit. Please excuse any jank.

Warning(s): Genderbend (Mid), Language (Mid), Out of Character

…

Wasteland

The Akatsuki Arc

Chapter 70

Once all Akatsuki members finished their missions and were back in Amegakure did Pein order everyone together for an organization meeting—the first one in over ten years.

Kakuzu and Gine were the first ones in the meeting room. As instructed by Pein, they took their seats next to each other so that partnerships were together. Next, Orochimaru and Sasori walked in a brief time later. Orochimaru sat down. However, due to Hiruko, Sasori could not sit in a chair. Also, due to the puppet's squat frame, he could not see over the table. As he tried to position himself, Hiruko struck the table, causing it to tip. Kakuzu's paperwork slid over the surface while Gine smudged the fresh coat of green paint on her nails. Both glared at the burdensome puppet.

Finally, Sasori used Hiruko's back legs to crouch while leaning his upper half on the table with his arms folded. Orochimaru quirked a penciled-on eyebrow at her partner's…interesting choice of position.

"Sasori, darling, that cannot be comfortable."

"Whatchu talkin' about, woman? It's perfectly comfortable." Sasori said, as if he wasn't fighting to keep the puppet balanced so his body weight inside didn't cause it to teeter onto its back like a tortoise. Orochimaru decided not to tell him that it looked like Hiruko was taking a dump and went back to filing her nails.

It was a while later that the final partnership of Kisame, Jūzō and Itachi entered.

"See? I told ya we weren't gonna be late!" Jūzō said, pointing at Kisame.

Kisame rolled his eyes. "I still can't believe ya made us wait for your show to be over first."

"It was the season finale of The Bold and the Brash! I was not gonna miss it, bro." Besides, he'd promised Zetsu he'd record it for her to watch later—and just figuring out how to work the VCR took an hour by itself.

They circled the table to sit across from Orochimaru and Sasori. As they did, Kisame and Jūzō noticed Sasori and giggled like schoolgirls at the puppeteer's funny-looking posturing.

Kisame nudged Jūzō and motioned at Sasori. "Looks like someone had the Stobhach Gaelach," He whispered, and the two men busted into uproarious laughter, falling over each other in their hilarity. Sasori glared at them while Itachi just frowned. He didn't get it…

"Itachi-kun," Itachi blinked and divided his eyes from his partners—who were now rolling on the ground in their hysterics—across the table at Orochimaru. She gifted him a bittersweet smile. "How are you taking to the Akatsuki, dear?" Her tone is friendly—too friendly for the likes of the Sannin. Itachi knew better than totrust it, trust her.

"Fine," His answer is short, snappish even, as he looked elsewhere so as not to meet her golden gaze for too long.

Orochimaru frowned, purple lips puckering. "Now, now, Itachi-kun. I would have thought Fugaku and Mikoto raised you with better manners, no?" Itachi ignored the jab at his dead parents, his gaze fixated on an invisible point past her, offering neither a response nor a glance.

Finally, Kisame and Jūzō had finished with their merriments and sat next to Itachi, red-faced—or purple-faced in Kisame's case—and wiping tears from their eyes. It fell moderately quiet as everyone waited for the meeting to start, broken only by the rustling of Kakuzu doing last-minute paperwork and the scratching of Orochimaru's nail file.

It didn't take much longer afterwards until Pein, Konan, and Zetsu finally made their grand entrance. Pein took his seat at the end of the table with Konan and Zetsu sitting on either side of him. Everyone sat up straighter in their chairsin the presence of their leader—or stood straighter in Sasori's circumstance. Pein cleared his throat, the sound startlingly loud in the otherwise dead silence.

"Thank you, everyone, for being here today. What I want to speak to you all about is the Akatsuki: what is next for the organization and our ultimate goal: world peace," Pein started, intertwining his fingers and resting his arms on the table.

"It has been ten years since I first gathered you here to speak of the Akatsuki. For the last ten years, we have laid the foundations for something greater than ourselves. This decade, known to us as Phase One, was about preparation. It was about building the strength, the reputation, and network. Each and every one of you has played an important role in accomplishing that," He turned his gaze to each member, his tone shifting as he acknowledged them one by one.

"Kakuzu," His eyes fixed on the tall, masked man. "Through you, we have gathered wealth. Not only have you funded the Akatsuki's operations, but you have kept us thriving where others would have failed. You have turned profit into power, ensuring we always have the means to achieve our goals." Kakuzu just nodded his head.

"Sasori, your spy network has been one of our greatest assets. Through your agents, we have gathered invaluable intelligence, remaining steps ahead of our enemies. Your mastery of manipulation—both of people and puppets—has been essential to the Akatsuki's success,"

"Damn straight," Sasori grumbled, and Orochimaru smacked him for his pridefulness.

"Zetsu, your ability to gather information, to be everywhere, and yet nowhere, has been our eyes and ears. Thanks to you, no secret is hidden from the Akatsuki. You are the lifeblood of our intelligence." Zetsu smiled and bowed her head in Pein's direction, feeling a little modest from such high praises.

"Orochimaru, despite your individual ambitions, your loyalty to the Akatsuki has been steadfast, and you have always upheld your commitment to this organization. Your vast network of spies has provided us with crucial intelligence and has strengthened our operations,"

"Oh, Yahiko, you're making me blush," Orochimaru cooed, cradling her face in mock flattery. Though, any sign of a blush was impossible to see through the layers of white foundation.

"Kisame, Jūzō, your strength have been pillars of the Akatsuki. In every battle, you've been our unstoppable force, and your dedication to the organization has never failed. You have been indispensable to our cause,"

Jūzō nudged Kisame with a grin. "He said we're indispensable, bro." Kisame mimicked his grin and nodded.

"Gine, and in such a short time, you have accomplished more than many would in years. Your dedication and efficiency have proven invaluable to our cause, and your contributions, though swift, have left a lasting impact on the organization. You have more than earned your place among us." Gine bowed her head to acknowledge what Pein said.

"Itachi, though you recently joined the Akatsuki, I expect nothing less than greatness from you. I have no doubt you will be an upstanding member of this organization. Your skill, intelligence, and resolve are exactly what we need to push our goals forward. I trust your contributions will leave a lasting mark on the Akatsuki's path." Itachi politely bowed his head towards Pein for the praise.

"And to Konan," Konan looked up from her notepad, where she had been quietly writing down notes, and met Pein's gaze. There is a gentleness behind the Rinnegan that only she can see, and in this rare moment, it is Nagato speaking to her, not just Pein. "You have been with me since the beginning. Through every trial, every hardship, you have stood by my side. You are more than just my comrade—you are my greatest partner and my dearest friend. The Akatsuki would not be what it is without you. Your strength, your loyalty, and your belief in our cause have kept me going through it all. I owe everything we've built to you. You are the heart of this organization, and for that, I will always be grateful." Konan's lips twitched into a faint smile.

Pein's eyes switched back to the entire Akatsuki as he continued his briefing, his voice returning to its authoritative tone. "With Phase One we have established ourselves in the shadows of this world's broken systems. In these past ten years, we have gained the trust of multiple nations as mercenaries they could rely on when their own militaries failed them. They sought us out, desperate for our strength, and in doing so, they played directly into our hands,"

He glanced around the room, his Rinnegan eyes glowing in the mute lighting filtering in from the window. "The Akatsuki is now the most sought-after mercenary organization in the world. Our reputation, built on your skill and precision, has allowed us to infiltrate the ranks of every great nation. We have woven ourselves into their wars, their politics, and their economies without them realizing the extent of our influence. We have also amassed a modest wealth. Wealth that fuels our operations and keeps us self-sustaining. The nations pay for their own destruction, and with each mission, we've guaranteed that the systems they cling to will crumble under their own weight,"

He paused for a moment, letting the significance of their achievements marinate with everyone. "Phase One was a success because it allowed us to become indispensable to this world. Now, we stand ready to begin Phase Two, the next step toward achieving true peace,"

"And what is Phase Two?" Sasori inquired before Pein could explain, being the ever-patient person he was.

"You should remember, Sasori," Pein said, not taking offense to the interruption. He then answered Sasori's question before Sasori could do so himself. "It is the Bijuu, the Tailed Beasts." Immediately, a wave of shock washed over the members as they exchanged stupefied looks. Even the stoic Gine and Itachi appeared momentarily dumbfounded. The only ones who didn't look blindsided by the news were Kakuzu, Zetsu, and Konan.

Jūzō let out a nervous laugh. "The Bijuu? Like, the Kaiju-sized chakra monsters? Those Bijuu?" Kisame dug his pinky in his ear to make sure he had heard that correctly, too.

"My my, what a…grandiose goal." Orochimaru took out her smoking pipe, suddenly overtaken by an intense craving for tobacco.

"I reckoned you were just blowin' smoke up our arses when ya said we goin' after the Bijuu," Sasori deadpanned.

Gine glanced at Kakuzu for his opinion, but he said nothing, eyes closed, and arms crossed. Itachi was quiet, too, staring down atthe table's surface.

"Enough," Pein's Rinnegan flared, delivering a pulse of chakra through the room. In an instant, everyone fell silent, and all eyes were on him once more. "I did not gather you all here to question my plan. Do not underestimate yourselves—or me. Capturing the Bijuu is not a matter of if, but when—and the when is now,"

"The Hidden Villages hoard the Bijuu as tools of intimidation. Each village guards its Tailed Beast as its most prized weapon. Capturing the Bijuu is not a pursuit of power for its own sake. Each Tailed Beast we acquire brings us one step closer to achieving peace; a true peace that this world has never seen. Once we control the Bijuu, we will unleash them against one side in any conflict, annihilating it completely, leaving no doubt of our power. The display alone will strike fear deep enough to silence the most stubborn factions, leaving the other side—and the world at large—terrified to lift a hand in battle again,"

"By taking them, however, we will be challenging every nation that has trusted us as allies, as mercenaries. But their loyalty was always fickle. We are not here to serve them—we are here to mold them. This is the purpose of Phase Two: to take the power they cling to, to use it, and to leave no question that the Akatsuki is the only path to peace." He knew this was no small task, but he wanted no room for doubt in the member's mind.

"Kisame," Kisame's eyebrows perked to his headband as Pein recognized him first. "Your people—the ningyo—lived in harmony with the Sanbii once, yes? Imagine using it to reclaim what the ningyo lost to Kirigakure. Their freedoms and waters returned, and Kiri would know the terror of the sea turned against them once more." Kisame grinned at the notion. He had to say; it was so very tempting when Pein put it like that. The ningyo would no longer have to live as second-class citizens in the Wetlands and the Sanbi would once more be safe with them, just as Sage intended.

"Kakuzu," Pein spoke to the miser next. "The Bijuu will allow us to disrupt the economies of every hidden village and nation that dares defy us. We will control the resources, and when they fear their towns and fields might face ruin, they will pay any price to secure their survival. Think of the wealth we will amass by holding the balance of their world in our hands." There is a twinkle in Kakuzu's eye at the prospect of limitless profit. It would be like an infinite money glitch.

Finally, Pein turned to Orochimaru. "Orochimaru, the Bijuu offer a unique and rare opportunity for research—each one a distinct reservoir of chakra that is yet to be fully explored. By harnessing them, you will have access to experiments and knowledge no one else possesses. We can come closer than ever to understanding the limits of human potential—and perhaps even surpassing them."

"Now now, when you put it like that," Orochimaru mused, tapping the mouthpiece of her pipe against her lips, golden eyes gleaming with intrigue and the endless possibilities swirling in her head.

Pein then addressed them all with finality. "The Bijuu are more than weapons; they are the keys to each of your ambitions. By capturing them, we create the world we envision: a world of peace. Each of you will find what you seek in that world—a place where your skills, your power, and your purpose will shape history."

As Pein finished, the tension in the room melted away into a quiet yet palpable determination. The members who once questioned the plan now have a newfound understanding of the potential that lies before them, excitement, even. For each of them, capturing the Bijuu no longer feels like just another order—it is now a step toward something personal.

"How are we doing this then?" Gine was to ask the one question on everyone's mind.

"Our first step in capturing the Bijuu is to locate and monitor the jinchūriki—the human vessels carrying these Tailed Beasts. Each one is heavily guarded and closely monitored by their village, but that is precisely where we excel: moving within the shadows, gathering information unseen. Zetsu," Pein turned to her. "Your skills make you perfect for tracking and observing the jinchūriki without being detected. We will rely on you to gather precise information on their locations and routines."

Zetsu bowed her head. "Yes, Sir Leader."

"Sasori, Orochimaru—I need both of you to mobilize your spies to assist Zetsu in tracking the jinchūriki. Their movements, their guard rotations, their vulnerabilities."

"Sure, sure. I reckon I can donate a few bodies to the cause," Sasori said, metallic tail swaying back and forth like a cat.

"Ah, my dear Yahiko, I would assist—however, my spies are… otherwise a twee occupied with projects of particular interest to me. You understand, but of course?" Pein frowned, his lip piercings jutting forward as he stared at Orochimaru, who offered him an apologetic smile—about as apologetic as she could manage.

"Very well," Pein continued on. "Once we identify their weaknesses, we will move to capture them one by one. But this must be done carefully. Each jinchūriki extraction will destabilize their village and draw suspicion. We need them to believe these are isolated incidents, so the Hidden Villages won't unite against us too soon."

"'ow the 'ell do ya plan on extractin' 'em?" Sasori questioned, fixing Hiruko's squatted position. Damn, his butt was starting to hurt like a bitch.

"We will use a sealing technique. However, the extraction process will be delicate and requires precision. Each jinchūriki holds immense chakra, and our goal is to separate the Bijuu from their host. It is a slow process. How this will be done will be introduced at a later date. Now, before we conclude this meeting, I ask: does anyone have any further questions?" Jūzō's hand was the only one to go up.

"So, umm…where are gonna like, put them?" He asked since you couldn't exactly hide a Bijuu. Did you have to feed them? And if you did, that mean they had to poop, too? Ugh, so much poop. They were going to need a lot of trash bags.

"As I said: that will be introduced at a later date," Pein ambiguously explained before turning towards Kakuzu. "Speaking of—Kakuzu, we will need funding to purchase land in the Land of Rivers. I intend to build a new base of operations there,"

Kakuzu narrowed his eyes, his mind already calculating costs and contacts. "And why the Land of Rivers? That land isn't cheap." Since all land in the Riverlands was owned by a daimyō, the cost would be grossly higher than buying from a private owner.

"The Land of Rivers is distant from the major nations, and its neutrality keeps it out of direct conflict. Its remote location will also permit us to operate freely; the perfect place to contain the Bijuu without drawing attention."

Kakuzu sighed. "Fine, I'll see what I can do."

"Any final questions?" Pein's eyes did one last scan over the room.

"Sir Leader, if I may," Itachi interjected, his tone calm. "Extracting a Bijuu from its jinchūriki will inevitably lead to the host's death."

"Yes, I understand, Itachi. But that is a necessary price. The jinchūriki are weapons of their villages, chosen to house these beasts for the sake of war. Their deaths, though unfortunate, serve a greater purpose. Through their sacrifice, we gain the power needed to achieve true peace." Itachi's expression remained unreadable, but he gave a slow, silent nod, accepting Pein's answer. Beneath the facade, a quiet anguish gnawed at him. "If there is nothing else, you are all dismissed. Thank you." Everyone got up and, one by one, disappeared into the elevator to leave.

"Zetsu," Zetsu paused in the middle of getting up and looked at Pein. "Stay, would you kindly?" She obeyed and sat back down.

Once the chamber was empty of the other members, Pein leant toward Konan and whispered something to her. Her amber eyes widen slightly, a rare glimmer of surprise breaking through her usually composed demeanor.

"Are you sure?" She asked quietly. He gave her a single, confident nod.

Nodding, too, Konan shut her notebook and got up. She motioned at Zetsu to follow her to the elevator. Inside, Konan's fingers were a blur as she entered a sequence of buttons known only to her. A deep, metallic groaning filled the narrow space as the elevator descended floor by floor.

However, it bypassed the ground floor to exit and plunged deeper—far beneath the main levels of the base to levels unknown. Zetsu stayed quiet as she waited, patient yet morbidly curious, her eyes glancing around the dark elevator. Konan stood next to her silently, her expression blank, yet her eyes flickered with a quiet intensity. It was then that Zetsu noticed something—those chakra signatures, the ones so similar to Pein's, were drawing closer.

At last, the elevator chugged to a stop, and the doors squealed open, revealing a dimly lit corridor stretching out before them. The walls are lined with reinforced steel, and the faint hum of machinery vibrated through the floor. Zetsu glanced around, taking in the new space. She had never known the Tower had a basement. Before she could think to step out, Konan was in front of her, blocking her path.

"Zetsu," She said quietly but firmly. "What you are about to see cannot be spoken of to anyone else. No one in the Akatsuki, aside from Pein and myself—and now you—knows of this place—or what lies here. Do you understand?"

Zetsu gave a small nod. "Understood." Pleased, Konan stepped out of the elevator and led Zetsu into the shadows of the basement.

As they walked down the murky hallway, there was an opening for a room off the side. Zetsu glanced inside, catching a glimpse of six metal beds aligned against the walls. Each bed contained a figure clad in an Akatsuki cloak, their faces and forms eerily motionless and lifeless, yet a powerful aura of chakra emanated from them. One bed, however, was oddly empty. Finally, Zetsu connected mysterious chakra signatures she had sensed as a child when she first entered Amegakure—these five figures have been here all along, hidden in the depths of the tower. And she had a theory on the missing sixth. However, that didn't answer who the seventh chakra signature belonged to.

Konan paused as if to permit Zetsu a moment to grasp what she was looking at before wordless continuing down the corridor, her heels clicking against the stone floor. Zetsu followed in silence, staring at Konan's back as she questioned what else she and Pein may have hiding down here. Turns out, she didn't have to wait long to find out.

At the end of the hallway was a large metal door. Konan glanced back at Zetsu before pushing the door open, revealing a dark, sterile room resonating with the quiet hum and beeping of medical equipment. The air was heavy with the scent of antiseptic, and candlelight cast a soft, orange glow from inside. In the centre was a frail, emaciated figure with long, red hair connected to an array of machines—a heart monitor beeping steadily, an oxygen pump gently rising and falling with each laboured breath. From his back extends a series of long black chakra rods, installed deeply into ghostly flesh and threaded into the metal walls.

As Zetsu stood before the ill man, a strange sensation stirred within her, something foreign and violent clawing at the edges of her consciousness. A sudden wave of anger—deep, raw, and ancient—washed over her, so intense it nearly took her breath away. For a moment, her vision blurred, and everything around her seemed to distort, as if she were caught between two worlds. But just as quickly as it came, the feeling disappeared, leaving her momentarily disoriented, her mind struggling to understand what just happened. The anger had been overwhelming, fierce and all-consuming, and yet it felt...alien, as if it had come from something buried deep within her.

"Zetsu…it is nice…to finally meet you…face-to-face. I am Nagato." He greeted Zetsu, voice escaping slow and rasping, each word laboured as he spoke in rhythm with the breathing machine next to him.

"You…you're the real Sir Leader," Zetsu uttered in disbelief, her golden eyes large—the seventh chakra signature. Nagato offered her a gentle smile, the warmth of his expression juxtaposing his physical condition.

"Yes…I am the one…known as Pein…" Without hesitation, Zetsu got to her hands and knees with her head down, a gesture of utmost respect for the true leader of the Akatsuki. "Stand…there is…no need for that," She stood back up, dusting herself off.

"So, who—" She was in the middle of asking before the redhead interrupted her, knowing exactly what she was going to ask.

"The Six Paths of Pain…they are bodies…I can manipulate…with the Rinnegan…an extension of my will. The Deva Path…known to the Akatsuki…as Pein, was once…my—our dearest friend…Yahiko…" A flicker of pain and nostalgia passed through his gaze, one that Konan mirrored. "He was the one…who believed in our vision of peace. When he died, I… I couldn't let his dream die with him. Through him, Pein was born. His body…became the vessel for our shared ideals…the symbol of our vision."

Yahiko. So, that explained why Orochimaru insisted on calling Pein by that name. She must've known him when he was alive. It was morbid to think that the one known as Pein was, in essence, merely a walking corpse. Yet, it was no different from what Sasori did, hiding himself within Hiruko's shell. But, it explained everything now—the seven identical chakra signatures.

"Zetsu, you…are the only one…who knows the truth…of my existence…because you are…the only one…I trust most…in the Akatsuki." Zetsu was gobsmacked. Her? She was the one he trusted most? Not Kakuzu or even Sasori? "Because you are…the only one I trust…I must ask something…of you,"

"Of course," She did not hesitate to say.

"I want you…to spy for me," He continued, his tone more serious now. "Not the other members…only Orochimaru. Lately, she has been…spending considerable time…on her so-called…'personal projects.' She claims these are…experiments to benefit the Akatsuki, but…her intentions may be…more self-serving…than she lets on—" A sudden bout of coughing interrupted him, his thin frame trembling with each rasping breath. Konan, who had been switching out his saline solution bags, immediately tended to him.

"Nagato," She spoke softly, her tone a blend of warmth and unflinching firmness. "You're pushing yourself,"

Nagato tried to motion her off, his determination unbroken even as his body objected. "I… need…to make this clear…to Zetsu…"

But Konan doesn't leave it, leaning up to set an oxygen mask over his face. "Please…just breathe." Nagato's breathing stabilized as he inhaled the oxygen, his Rinnegan eyes staring at Konan with a mixture of frustration and gratitude, not frustration towards her but towards himself. He wanted to continue, but he knew she was right; the toll of speaking was too much for him. So, Konan took over for him.

"Do this quietly, Zetsu. We do not want her suspecting us, especially if she's been keeping secrets. If you find evidence that may suggest her loyalty to the Akatsuki is in question, or what she is doing is a threat to us or our mission, we need to know immediately."

Zetsu nodded. "I understand,"

Nagato bobbed his head, and, noticing the subtle gesture, Konan stepped forward. With delicate care, she removed the oxygen mask from his face, allowing him to speak once more.

"Zetsu…" His voice was but a weak whisper. "You are…the only one I trust with this…because you understand what is…at stake. We are building something…far bigger than any one of us."

"I understand, Sir Leader,"

"Nagato," He gently corrected her. "When it is…you and I…speaking like this…it is just…Nagato."

Zetsu nodded, bowing her head. "I understand, Nagato."

A faint smile touched his cracked lips, though tinged with exhaustion. "Thank you…Zetsu. For everything. You are dismissed…and god bless." Bowing again, Zetsu turned to take her leave.

As Konan guided her back to the elevator, the origamitress paused. "Zetsu, when you're watching Orochimaru, you need to be extremely careful. She's dangerous, even to us. Even if she appears cooperative, do not underestimate her. Whatever she's up to, we need to know. But if she suspects you're watching, she won't hesitate to retaliate. She may try to destroy any evidence, and worse, she might harm you if she feels threatened," Her voice softened slightly, though the seriousness remained. "Don't let her catch you. Keep your distance, observe quietly, and above all, stay safe. Your discretion and survival are more important to us than any immediate findings."

Konan didn't have to tell her, especially after the disaster the last time Zetsu was sent to spy on the Sannin. Still, she appreciated Konan's warning. "I'll be careful, I promise."

Konan stepped back, giving Zetsu one last final nod before turning on her heel to go back to Nagato while Zetsu boarded the elevator to return to the ground floor.

…

AN: Finally, the official introduction of Nagato. Though, he did get a cameo in Chapter 39. Unfortunately, this is when the fun and games are over as of now, we have finally caught up with Canon. And Canon comes with…well, you'll see.

Next Chapter: The Fourth Mizukage.

Until Next Time.