"So that's how it is!", Kurotsuchi's eyes regained their spark.
"Mm," Tsunade nodded slightly.
"No wonder Konoha knows so much about the Akatsuki. So there was that kind of connection."
Kurotsuchi sighed, then continued her speculation, "That deputy leader of the Akatsuki, is she a woman? Did she stay in Konoha because of Aoba?"
At those words, Tsunade's lips twitched uncontrollably, 'This girl's guess is actually quite spot on.'
Seeing Tsunade's expression, Kurotsuchi already knew that her guess was probably correct.
In her heart, she began to wonder who that deputy leader really was.
'Joined Konoha a year ago…'
Then, an image of a cool, mature woman with blue-purple hair appeared in her mind.
Tsunade gave her a calm glance, "Don't tell anyone else."
This harmless bit of information was, in a way, a small test for Kurotsuchi.
"I know, I know," Kurotsuchi agreed readily.
In her memory, she and that "Konan-nee" had first met during the Chunin Exams about a year and a half ago.
After that, Konan had been living in Aoba's house.
'A cold-on-the-outside, warm-on-the-inside big sister type, who would've thought she is the Akatsuki's deputy leader?'
'Truly, you can't judge a person by appearances.'
Kurotsuchi was about to ask more when her vision suddenly blurred. Three figures appeared before her and Tsunade.
Tsunade immediately stood up from her seat.
"All settled?"
"Mm."
Aoba casually tossed Kakuzu and Sasori onto the ground and nodded.
"Also, after some persuasion, both of them have decided to abandon the darkness and come over to the light. They've left the Akatsuki and joined Konoha."
"Huh?", Tsunade blinked, momentarily stunned. Seeing Sasori in his restored human form also surprised her.
Kakuzu and Sasori awkwardly climbed to their feet, speaking very obediently, "Lady Hokage, from now on, we are Konoha shinobi."
"This…", Tsunade frowned slightly, pulling Aoba aside to whisper, "Are you sure this is fine?"
After all, these two weren't women.
If they were, she might feel a little more at ease, Konan was proof enough of that.
"Don't worry, Sensei. I placed a sealing curse inside them. And I know their weaknesses," Aoba reassured her.
"Weaknesses? As rogue ninja, they actually have weaknesses?", Tsunade was surprised.
"Of course,".Aoba replied confidently.
"All right then. As long as you know what you're doing."
Tsunade didn't ask further. Returning to the others, she pulled Kurotsuchi, who was circling Kakuzu and Sasori curiously, back and asked the two men, "What roles did you have in the Akatsuki?"
Kakuzu: "I was in charge of making money."
Sasori: "I was in charge of intelligence gathering."
Tsunade nodded, "Then you'll handle those same duties here in Konoha."
"Yes!" ×2
Both men felt a little odd, like they had switched jobs, but not really.
Still, for the first time in a long while, they had something to look forward to.
Kakuzu now had a salary.
Sasori had a chance to see his parents again.
They both had bright futures.
"Were Roshi and Han captured by you? Are they still alive?", Kurotsuchi suddenly asked.
"The Four-Tails and Five-Tails were captured by Kisame and Deidara," Kakuzu replied truthfully, "After capture, their tailed beasts were extracted. They're already dead."
"Deidara-senpai? He joined the Akatsuki?", Kurotsuchi shouted in shock, completely caught off guard. Not only that Deidara had joined Akatsuki, but that he'd attacked Iwagakure's own jinchuriki.
"Damn it! When I catch him, I'll make him pay!", She clenched her fists, teeth grinding.
Aoba compared their strengths in his mind and quietly thought Kurotsuchi's goal was… ambitious.
Just then, someone knocked on the door to the lounge.
Shibuki walked in, followed by several Takigakure ninja, "So Lord Aoba has already returned. I wanted to ask about Kakuzu—"
He stopped mid-sentence when he saw Kakuzu and Sasori standing there. The words got stuck in his throat.
"They're my prisoners," Aoba explained calmly, "I'll take them back to Konoha for interrogation."
He didn't mention their defection.
Shibuki visibly relaxed, "As expected of the Hokage's disciple. We're deeply grateful for your help tonight. Takigakure will never forget this debt."
He bowed deeply, ninety degrees, to Aoba and Tsunade.
The ninjas behind him, including Fu, bowed together.
Looking at Fu's scrunched-up expression, it seemed like she was holding something in.
Aoba thought the young Takigakure leader was being overly polite.
"No need for thanks. Our purpose here was also to warn you about Akatsuki's movements. We just didn't expect things to line up so perfectly."
"Akatsuki?", Shibuki looked puzzled, clearly unfamiliar with the name.
"Akatsuki is collecting tailed beasts," Aoba explained, "The Four-Tails and Five-Tails of Iwagakure have already been taken, and Kumogakure's Eight-Tails has been attacked as well."
"What? Such a dangerous organization exists in the shinobi world?"
Shibuki's face turned pale. It terrified him even more to learn that several great villages had already fallen victim.
He instinctively looked at the worried Fu beside him.
It was pure luck that Konoha's Hokage happened to be visiting this time, but what about next time?
Just those two Akatsuki members who came tonight were already far beyond Takigakure's ability to handle.
Seeing his concern, Tsunade spoke directly, "If you're willing, you can let your Seven-Tails jinchuriki live in Konoha for a while."
"This…"
"Really?", Before Shibuki could respond, Fu burst out, unable to contain her excitement.
Tsunade nodded, "After all, we can't stay in Takigakure forever. Once we leave, Akatsuki might strike again."
"Chief?", Fu looked at Shibuki with eager eyes.
Shibuki sighed helplessly. He had warned Fu to mind her behavior before they came, but clearly, it hadn't sunk in.
Still, after tonight's attack, he knew the truth, sending Fu to Konoha was the safest choice.
But… letting Fu go was one thing. Letting the Seven-Tails' jinchuriki go to Konoha was another matter entirely.
Konoha was too powerful. If they wanted to replace Takigakure's jinchuriki, there was nothing he could do to stop them.
"Lady Hokage, it's already quite late tonight. Regarding this matter… may I give you an answer tomorrow?", Shibuki felt this decision required the other village elders' input.
"No problem."
Tsunade waved her hand casually. Even if they agreed now, it wasn't as if they'd depart immediately.
"Thank you, Lady Hokage."
With that, Shibuki turned to leave with Fu.... Only to find that Fu had already scooted right up to Aoba's face.
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