Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 86: Nagato Takes His Place, the Secrets of Akatsuki (BONUS)

The Land of Rain.

The Akatsuki's hideout was damp and humid.

Since the base was situated in the constantly raining country, water droplets clung to the rocky surfaces, slowly accumulating on the cavern walls.

As Shigen stepped inside, he ran his fingers along the wet stone before proceeding deeper into the Akatsuki base.

"Apologies, we haven't found a more suitable base yet..."

The Deva Path, walking beside Shigen, explained, "Inside, we store the Gedo Statue."

Nagato followed behind them, his steps unsteady.

He had insisted that he and Konan remain at the back, as if they were just ordinary members of Akatsuki. He wanted the Deva Path to act as the organization's leader while accompanying Shigen.

After Shigen's treatment, Nagato seemed like a completely different person. Though still somewhat frail, he no longer had the sickly, skeletal appearance that had once made Konan's heart ache every time she saw him.

However...

There was something unusual.

A faint marking had appeared on Nagato's forehead, and his features had reverted to those of his fifteen- or sixteen-year-old self, a time when he was still a red-haired youth full of potential.

Though he still struggled to walk properly, he was determined to get used to it again. He was satisfied with the results of his treatment—he could feel his chakra and life force steadily replenishing, more than enough to sustain his Rinnegan.

"Nagato!"

Konan reached out instinctively as he nearly stumbled.

"Konan, let me walk on my own."

Nagato gently refused her help and reminded her, "Lord Shigen told me I need to get used to using my legs again."

"Nagato."

Zetsu's figure emerged.

White Zetsu raised a hand, preparing to use its Spore Technique. "If you need, I can create a clone to assist you..."

"I'll be fine soon."

Nagato shook his head and refused outright.

"What a pity..."

Black Zetsu's voice carried a hint of disappointment.

"Recover quickly."

Shigen's voice drifted from the front, sounding indifferent but laced with deeper meaning. "Once you regain full mobility, you'll be able to go on missions with your teammates—Konan and the Deva Path."

"Yes."

Nagato finally smiled.

That was exactly what he wanted.

He was happy because Shigen understood him.

In the past, whenever the Deva Path left for missions, he had always followed closely behind, merely playing the role of a hidden puppet master.

But from now on, there was no need to hide.

He could openly stand alongside Konan, just as they once stood beside Yahiko.

Besides...

With Shigen here...

There was no reason to lurk in the shadows anymore.

Nagato never saw himself as a true leader.

Even though he controlled the Deva Path, he was simply indulging in a delusion—pretending that Yahiko was still leading Akatsuki.

Now, there was no need for such an illusion.

"Akatsuki's numbers are quite low..."

The Deva Path remained a dutiful leader, reporting on the organization's status to his mentor. "We currently have four active teams—Konan and I, Zetsu and the man claiming to be Uchiha Madara, Orochimaru and Sasori, and Kakuzu and..."

He paused.

Turning to Konan, he asked, "Konan, who is Kakuzu's current partner?"

"He doesn't have one."

Konan sighed deeply and furrowed her brows. "His last partner had a bounty of 1.5 million ryo, so he ended up killing him during a mission to collect the reward."

"..."

A heavy silence filled the room.

"That guy..."

White Zetsu sighed helplessly. "Will he ever stop treating his partners like bounties?"

After a pause, White Zetsu turned to Konan and Nagato. "By the way, why did you even recruit Kakuzu in the first place? He's a nightmare."

For White Zetsu, Kakuzu was a serious hassle.

Since recruitment was handled by both Zetsu and Konan—Zetsu finding candidates and Konan recruiting them—Kakuzu had been an endless source of frustration.

"Because Kakuzu is strong."

Nagato, his mindset seemingly reverting to his younger self, responded with a solemn expression. Unlike the Deva Path's cold detachment, there was respect in his voice when he spoke of Kakuzu.

"Kakuzu, huh..."

Shigen murmured as memories resurfaced.

"Kakuzu always respected your ideals, Lord Shigen."

Nagato spoke carefully, as if probing for confirmation. "Did you ever interact with him? I heard he was active before the First Great Ninja War..."

"...You could call us old acquaintances."

Shigen's voice echoed softly through the dimly lit base.

"They should be returning soon."

Konan estimated the timing based on Akatsuki's usual patterns.

Deep within the base stood a massive statue.

It was grotesque—human-shaped, with nine closed eyes, and skin that resembled ancient, withered bark.

The Gedo Statue.

Or rather, the husk of the Ten-Tails.

Even in its incomplete state, it radiated immense vitality and power, standing eerily like a slumbering beast that could awaken at any moment.

Of course...

Its real purpose was not battle.

Only when all nine tailed beasts were sealed within it would it regain its full power, transforming into the true Ten-Tails.

Akatsuki members passed by this statue regularly, understanding that their ultimate goal was to seal the tailed beasts and awaken it.

But given the small number of members...

Many saw this plan as unrealistic.

After all...

The tailed beasts were in the hands of the great nations.

Akatsuki, with its limited manpower, was outmatched by the thousands of ninja within the Five Great Villages. Any attempt to steal the tailed beasts would likely trigger an all-out war.

As a result...

Most members weren't particularly invested.

To Kakuzu, Akatsuki was simply a convenient source of high-paying contracts.

To Orochimaru, the organization was useful for gathering intel and resources.

When Orochimaru and Sasori returned to the base, they planned to head straight for their respective laboratories—one to research forbidden jutsu, the other to perfect his puppets.

But today was different.

Konan had summoned them to the chamber where the Gedo Statue stood.

They were to welcome a new member and hear an important announcement.

"Another new recruit?"

Kakuzu seemed indifferent.

As long as Akatsuki continued recruiting criminals with high bounties, he didn't mind.

"Will this newcomer be my partner?"

Kakuzu turned to Konan, his tone blunt. "Konan, can you at least pick someone with a high bounty?"

"..."

Konan took a deep breath, her expression pained. "Akatsuki members are not meant to be turned in for bounty rewards..."

"But they're weak.

When they die in battle, their bodies are just going to waste.

I don't see them as comrades—only as teammates for missions."

Kakuzu's voice was cold.

He had no need for "comrades."

He had once considered his fellow Hidden Waterfall ninja his comrades—until they betrayed him and tried to kill him.

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Comrades?

They were unreliable.

At least the fools from the Uzumaki Clan were trustworthy—despite their clingy nature, they never tried to steal his money or stab him in the back.

As for everyone else...

They were just tools.

Even Orochimaru and Sasori despised each other, their partnership maintained solely because they couldn't kill each other.

Sasori, the rogue Suna ninja, had assassinated the Third Kazekage before fleeing. A master puppeteer, he only valued his puppets as true companions.

"Hmph..."

"What a waste of time."

Sasori's voice was cold.

"Maybe they'll be interesting."

Orochimaru smirked.

He enjoyed seeing new faces—especially if they possessed unique abilities.

And if...

They had an ability worth stealing...

All the better.

However...

The name that was about to be spoken would surprise even him.

"Apologies for the delay."

Standing atop the Gedo Statue, the Deva Path addressed the gathered members.

"Let me introduce our newest member—Nagato.

From now on, he will be my partner and will act alongside Konan and me."

A red-haired youth stepped forward.

The moment he appeared, Sasori remained indifferent.

But Kakuzu and Orochimaru...

Their expressions shifted.

They had seen this boy before.

But back then, it had been years ago...

And he was supposed to be much older.

Yet here he was—unchanged.

With Rinnegan eyes.

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Powerstones?

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