Obito and Black Zetsu were having a massive headache, so they ultimately chose to seek out Nagato.
There was no other way!
Their intelligence really wasn't that high; after discussing this level of plotting and calculation for a while, the two still had no results.
But, the problem was...
Subconsciously, they still felt there was definitely a trick to this. Moreover, this development gave them a faint sense of 'danger,' which was why they had hurried back from the Hidden Mist Village.
Nagato: "..."
Looking at the serious pair before him, the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.
A problem?
Heh, you guessed right!
Of course there's a problem.
Because I, Nagato, the leader of the Akatsuki Organization, had already secretly defected long ago without you noticing.
Surprised? Unexpected?
Of course, these words definitely couldn't be said, but long before Black Zetsu and Obito arrived, he had already silently thought of an excuse.
Facing the duo's inquiry, Nagato immediately spoke with indifference.
"A trivial matter, ignore it!"
"Even if someone is truly fishing in troubled waters, so what? The more chaotic the Ninja World is, the more beneficial it is for the Akatsuki Organization, isn't it?"
"Perhaps the various Great Shinobi Villages have their own little schemes, but to put it bluntly, isn't it just about striking rival villages and conveniently snatching more resources, population, and such nonsense?"
"But does our Akatsuki Organization truly care about the resources those villages are fighting over?"
"We don't!"
"The Akatsuki Organization doesn't need resources, doesn't even need money, and doesn't even need territory."
"Our goal is to wait for the Three-Tails and Six-Tails to revive, then capture these two Tailed Beasts, concentrate all our strength, and go to Konoha to seize the final Nine-Tailed."
"Before the Tailed Beasts revive, as long as the Ninja World falls into chaos and cannot form a coalition, that's enough!"
"Anything else—has nothing to do with the Akatsuki Organization!"
At this moment, Nagato had his back to the two, but the overbearing tone of disdain for everyone in his voice was quite firm.
Of course.
Obito and Black Zetsu listened with faces full of black lines.
After all, both of them knew very well that Nagato was merely a pawn they controlled.
Now, having to helplessly listen to this pawn acting all impressive here... to be honest, it really made them feel quite stifled. But for the sake of their plan, they could only endure it silently.
Truly...
The two really wanted to use the hidden measures within the Rinnegan to take control of it and give him two punches.
But—sigh!
After a helpless sigh, Obito and Black Zetsu glanced at each other, both seeing the helplessness in the other's eyes.
"It seems—it actually makes sense?!"
"What Nagato said really seems to be the case. What do those filthy schemes of the Ninja World have to do with us?"
"Our Akatsuki Organization really doesn't need territory, supplies, or anything like that. Anyway, once we delay until all the Tailed Beasts are collected, our Akatsuki Organization can directly deter and control the entire Ninja World."
"So-called territory and supplies are completely meaningless!"
Obito slapped his head and couldn't help but speak.
Right!
Anyway, his goal was the Infinite Tsukuyomi. As long as it didn't affect his collection of Tailed Beasts, even if the various villages were scheming against each other under the table, what the hell did it have to do with him?
And, regarding this.
Hearing these words, Black Zetsu couldn't help but slowly nod his head.
Indeed!
His goal was to rescue his mother; he naturally cared even less about the so-called wars of the Ninja World.
"Then let it be so."
"Just as Nagato said, let's stop worrying about these things."
"Let the struggles of those villages go as they will; we just need to do our own thing."
"I am also looking forward to the shocked and terrified looks on the faces of those from the shinobi villages once our Akatsuki Organization's plan is complete."
A faint smile couldn't help but appear on Black Zetsu's sinister face.
Through Nagato's words, he had truly come around.
No matter what nonsense the shinobi villages were trying to pull in secret, as long as it didn't affect the Akatsuki Organization's plan, it was fine. Because the Ninja World itself followed the path of absolute power crushing all schemes; so-called power was utterly meaningless in the face of strength.
It was enough as long as they could capture all nine Tailed Beasts and truly let the Ten-Tails revive.
When the time came to bring Uchiha Madara back through Edo Tensei, they would just control Nagato to use the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique.
The resurrected Uchiha Madara would naturally become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki. At that time, Black Zetsu didn't think anyone would be qualified to resist.
So-called authority had no meaning.
Immediately after.
Having understood this point, the two didn't bother with pleasantries with Nagato and quietly left the Land of Grass.
And, regarding this.
Nagato simply watched the two leave with indifference. No emotion showed on his face, only a disdainful cold snort escaped the corner of his mouth.
Yes!
Nagato looked down on these two characters, Obito and Black Zetsu, from the bottom of his heart.
Even knowing that White Zetsu was temporarily one with him, he wasn't worried that White Zetsu would go and snitch. Because besides hiding the fact that he had joined Konoha, he was playing almost all his other cards face up.
Even if in their hearts he was just a pawn, he was still the leader of the Akatsuki Organization on the surface.
If he wanted to play some tricks, it would naturally be simpler than for anyone else!
"Konan..."
"Just wait!"
"The day we reunite shouldn't be too far away!"
Nagato gazed into the distance, his mouth murmuring.
What he was thinking about was cooperating with Konoha to finish this nonsense as quickly as possible, so he could finally return to Konoha to live a peaceful life with Konan, and at that time, he could also conveniently resurrect Yahiko.
He dared to say these words.
Because those who didn't know the specific situation would only think he was still waiting to save Konan and finally achieve the Tailed Beast collection plan.
In fact, that was exactly what happened.
Hearing these words, White Zetsu didn't think much of it at all and was even too lazy to pass this information back.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Different from the Akatsuki Organization and Konoha, the several Great Shinobi Villages were almost going crazy at this time.
Hidden Mist Village.
Mei Terumī wore the Mizukage hat. Sitting in the Mizukage's office, her brow was slightly furrowed, and her entire being was filled with exhaustion and hardship.
Her desk was covered with emergency reports from all over the Land of Water, almost all of them requesting the Hidden Mist Village to dispatch Ninjas to help.
But the problem was, the Hidden Mist Village had long been emptied!
All the Ninjas who could be sent had already been dispatched. Now, the Hidden Mist Village only had its basic defensive forces left.
If she were to transfer another group of people, the Hidden Mist Village's defenses would have issues.
But as the Mizukage, she couldn't act as if the emergency reports from all over the Land of Water didn't exist, which naturally made her feel an increasing headache.
Just at this moment, an Anbu member walked in.
He knelt on one knee and hurriedly spoke.
"Mizukage-sama!"
"Iwagakure has sent a diplomatic document through regular channels. The Tsuchikage hopes to convene a Four Kage Summit."
"The location is still in the Land of Iron, and this time Konoha has not been notified."
"The time is set for five days from now!"