Chapter 209: Akatsuki's Team Battle? My Squad Might Be a Bit Stronger, Don't You Think?
"Konan."
"Mm."
From the window, countless sheets of paper slipped silently through the cracks and gathered into the form of Konan.
She stood before Renji, her expression complex. The members of Akatsuki had entered the Shinobi Nation because of her. As the secretary, she knew exactly how to bypass the barriers and enter unnoticed.
When it came down to it, she had betrayed Renji.
She had promised him that she wanted peace for the Shinobi Nation, yet she was the one who shattered that peace. Everything she had done now felt like a betrayal. She didn't even have the face to look him in the eye.
"Something on your mind?"
From her attitude, Renji could tell Konan had made her choice.
He wasn't surprised. Konan had always been obedient—devoted entirely to Nagato's ideals. She felt indebted to him and followed his will without question.
This time was no different. Nagato must have decided to act.
Still, Renji found it curious. He had already explained the risks and benefits clearly. Why would Nagato still choose to move?
Did Nagato think that because Renji had gone blind, he could no longer maintain control over the Shinobi Nation?
If so, then he was walking down the same doomed path again.
And if Nagato truly believed that, why not wait until internal strife erupted in the Shinobi Nation before acting?
Right now, the country was still strong. There was no way Nagato actually thought that his blindness meant the entire nation would crumble.
Even with Akatsuki's power, they couldn't defeat the Shinobi Nation.
Yes, Akatsuki was formidable—especially in group combat—but Renji knew better than to underestimate the remaining Kage. Gaara had been replaced by Yōkura; aside from the One-Tail and Nine-Tails being unavailable, the other seven Jinchūriki were ready to fight, backed by numerous elite shinobi.
If Nagato used a massive Shinra Tensei, he could destroy a lot—but not everything. The Uchiha clan was still intact. Unless Madara himself appeared, Nagato couldn't hope to win.
Not unless Obito unleashed the full army of White Zetsu—but knowing him, that was unlikely. Only a few had come, and even then, not the full Akatsuki lineup. Kisame and Itachi weren't even here.
After a moment of thought, Renji considered a darker possibility.
Could Obito be planning to sacrifice Nagato?
If that was his plan—what would they even gain from it?
While Renji pondered, Konan's inner turmoil grew unbearable.
"I…"
Her voice caught.
She couldn't say it. If she revealed the plan, it would be betraying Nagato.
She finally understood what it meant to be trapped by one's own ideals. She wanted peace—but peace was slipping further away with every choice she made.
"There's no need to force yourself to speak."
Renji shook his head slightly. "If it pains you, don't."
His gentleness only made it worse. The more understanding he was, the more conflicted she felt.
This peace—this fragile peace—was something she had longed for so deeply.
"I just… don't know whether saying it or keeping silent is worse."
Konan's nature was kind, but the world had forced her to wear armor over her heart. She had once believed that gentle part of herself had died.
Now, she lived only to fulfill Nagato's dream.
"You're from the Land of Rain, aren't you?"
Konan blinked, surprised that Renji knew.
But it made sense—there were people from the Land of Rain within the Shinobi Nation. Someone must have recognized her.
"Yes. I grew up there."
No reason to hide it now.
"The Land of Rain… a battlefield during the Third Great Ninja War, wasn't it? It was caught between three great nations. You must've been one of the war orphans from that time."
Renji's words struck deep, and she tensed. He knew. Of course he knew.
But he wasn't trying to provoke her—he was pushing her to open up.
"Yes," she said coldly. "The great nations wage war to protect their borders while using smaller nations as their battlegrounds. They trample the weak. My family, my friends, even strangers—they all died for someone else's war."
Her voice hardened with every word.
Like Nagato, she despised the great nations. They brought endless war to the small ones, and the innocent paid the price.
After the war ended, the great nations signed peace treaties—while small nations were left in ruins, forgotten and broken.
"Humanity will always fight," Renji said calmly. "That's the truth. The world itself is cruel, Konan. The peace you see now exists only because I have the strength to enforce it. The moment that strength fades, the hatred within people's hearts will rise again."
Konan clenched her fists. She wanted to deny it—but couldn't.
"So… if you die, peace dies too?"
"Hashirama and Madara were both alive once," Renji replied. "No one dared start a war then. But after they were gone, conflict returned—worse than before. What used to be clan wars became wars between entire nations."
He looked at her meaningfully. "Akatsuki's dream of peace is no different. Nagato's heart is in the right place, but his plan will only last while he lives. Once he's gone, it'll collapse. And you—both of you—are being used."
Konan froze, her eyes widening.
"You mean… the Tailed Beast plan—"
"Yes. It's a lie," Renji said simply. "That man with the mask—he's deceiving you. You're nothing more than pieces on his board."
For a moment, Konan couldn't speak. Her mind went blank.
How did he know all this? Her past, Nagato's motives, even Akatsuki's inner workings—Renji had seen through everything.
Her eyes darkened with killing intent. If he knew everything, then that meant…
"You knew from the start."
"Don't be so hasty, Konan," Renji said softly. "I've always been sincere with you. I allowed you to move freely here, to learn what you needed, and even to tell Nagato whatever you wished. It's unfortunate he misunderstood my intentions."
"So from the very first time we met—you already knew who I was?"
Renji smiled faintly. "Of course. You're Jiraiya's disciple, after all. And if I recall, when you arrived, Jiraiya had just left Konoha."
Her expression turned sharp. "Then what do you want, Mister Renji? What is the truth you're trying to tell me?"
From the very start, Konan had never trusted the masked man. But by the time she began to doubt him, Nagato had already been consumed by hatred.
He had become convinced that Akatsuki's dream could only be achieved through force. Yahiko's ideals had failed—every effort of persuasion, every call for peace had ended in tragedy.
Nagato's answer was to continue Yahiko's will, but through power rather than diplomacy.
And that was exactly where the masked man struck—feeding Nagato's anger, twisting his pain into a weapon.
"I told you, Konan," Renji said quietly, his voice calm but resolute. "I want to bring peace to this world. You and Nagato don't need to walk this path any longer. Take me to him—I'll convince him myself."
He reached out and gently placed a hand on Konan's head, pulling her into his embrace. His fingers brushed through her hair softly.
He could feel her trembling, the conflict within her heart—torn between her desire for peace and her loyalty to Nagato.
"Tell me," Renji said suddenly, "that masked man—he isn't Uchiha Madara, is he?"
Konan froze. "What do you mean?"
Renji's tone didn't waver. "He's not Madara. Uchiha Madara is dead. The Rinnegan in Nagato's eyes isn't his—it was Madara's."
Konan's eyes widened, her breath catching in disbelief.
Lies don't hurt people, Renji thought. Truth does—it cuts deeper than any blade.
"If the Rinnegan really belonged to Madara," Konan whispered, her voice trembling, "then Nagato's entire life… has been nothing but a tragedy."
Still, she tried to argue, as though defending Nagato's dignity. "How can you be so sure?"
Renji's answer was simple. "Because I have one too."
Her eyes shot up. "You… what?"
"The Rinnegan requires the power of both Uchiha and Senju—the chakra of Indra and Asura combined. Nagato had neither. Do you understand now?"
Konan's lips parted, but no words came out.
Renji didn't give her time to speak. "Akatsuki has already entered the Shinobi Nation. Their target is the Tailed Beasts, isn't it?"
Konan lowered her head, guilt tightening her chest. "Yes. I… betrayed Nagato."
"I know," Renji replied calmly. "I've already sent my people to intercept them. Take me to Nagato. I'll end your suffering—and his. And when this is over, I'll heal his legs."
Konan's eyes widened. "You… can heal Nagato's legs?"
"At least I can try," Renji said. "His body's been drained for years by the Rinnegan and the Gedo Statue. If not for his Uzumaki vitality, he'd already be dead. That's why Madara gave him those eyes—to use him as a vessel."
Konan stood silently for a long moment, then nodded firmly. "I'll take you to him."
The words barely left her lips before her body scattered into thousands of paper sheets and vanished from sight.
At that same moment—
Elsewhere, Akatsuki's members were already surrounded by Renji's operatives.
"Deidara-niisan," Kurotsuchi said, her voice conflicted. Beside her, Onoki's expression twisted in barely restrained fury.
The former Iwagakure shinobi stood face to face with his old master.
"You fool," Onoki growled. "You dare betray the village and join Akatsuki?"
Deidara grinned, though his tone carried unease. "Heh… Old man, you'll finally get to see true art again!"
But beneath the bravado, he was nervous. He had known he might run into Onoki—but facing him again still sent a chill down his spine.
He leaned toward Sasori and muttered, "Hey, let's team up to handle the old man later!"
Before Sasori could respond, a familiar voice called out.
"Sasori. It's been a long time."
"Chiyo-baasama," Sasori replied, his tone low. His gaze shifted, and when he saw Tsunade and Yōkura standing beside her, even he looked mildly surprised.
"Quite the lineup," he murmured.
Meanwhile—
"Move it, Hidan!" Kakuzu barked.
"I know, I know! Quit nagging me, old man!" Hidan retorted.
The duo stalked through the forest, heading straight for the Two-Tails' location. But they stopped short when two figures appeared ahead.
"Finally, you idiots showed up!"
Killer Bee rapped his words with a grin, while the Raikage, Ay, cracked his knuckles impatiently.
"Lord Ay," said a calm voice from behind. "Leave Kakuzu to me. I'll handle Hidan."
Uchiha Shisui stepped forward, his Sharingan glowing faintly.
Ay grunted. "Fine. Don't hold back."
Kakuzu stared at the three of them and sighed. "Wonderful. The AB Combo… and Shisui the Teleporter. Just my luck."
Elsewhere, Gaara and Naruto were under the watch of Hyūga Hiashi, Uchiha Fugaku, and Terumi Mei. The remaining Jinchūriki were gathered as well.
Renji had prepared for this.
If Akatsuki wanted a group battle, then they would get one.
Deidara would face Onoki in the skies. Sasori would be up against Tsunade, Chiyo, and Yōkura—a high-tier team.
Kakuzu's opponent would be the AB Combo, while Hidan faced Shisui's deadly genjutsu and speed.
It was almost disappointing, Renji thought, that Itachi and Kisame hadn't come.
He had originally assigned Fugaku, Mei, and several Jinchūriki to deal with them.
If they had shown up, Naruto and Gaara would have been reassigned accordingly.
Meanwhile, within a wooden structure made entirely of paper near the Shinobi Nation's border, Nagato sat motionless—his Rinnegan glowing faintly.
When he saw Konan step inside with Renji behind her, his eyes widened.
He hadn't expected her to bring him.
"Nagato," Renji said calmly. "I'm here to make a deal."
Konan opened her mouth, but Renji gently raised a hand.
There was no need for her to speak; he could shoulder this himself.
"Forgive me, Nagato," Konan said quietly. "He convinced me."
Nagato stayed silent. Konan knew he was waiting—giving her a chance to explain.
But then, to her surprise, he exhaled softly. "No. Before I act, I wanted to meet him anyway."
He looked straight at Renji.
He could sense the man's overwhelming chakra, even through his blindness.
Konan wouldn't have betrayed him without reason. So what kind of man could move her so completely?
Renji, however, stood calm and steady under his gaze.
"Let's talk, Nagato," he said evenly. "You and I—we both want the same thing."
(End of Chapter)
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