"I've called you all here today to outline Akatsuki's upcoming missions," Nagato said, taking a deep breath. He had nearly lost his temper and kicked Kenichi out of the room.
Fortunately, Kenichi didn't push his luck any further, or Nagato's patience would have snapped.
Kenichi shrugged, understanding Nagato's point. Akatsuki wasn't yet the powerful organization that would later inspire cooperation across the Ninja World; it was still a fledgling group with only a handful of members.
They needed to recruit more people, accumulate funds for operations, and acquire necessary resources. In essence, Akatsuki was in a state of total reconstruction.
There was a mountain of tasks ahead: scouting and recruiting suitable targets, building the organization's financial reserves, and possibly even helping Konan prepare her Exploding Tags.
Kenichi glanced at Konan beside Nagato. Exploding Tags were notoriously expensive, and Konan's stockpile seemed ridiculously large.
Perhaps she possessed some unique ability? Otherwise, even Kakuzu's legendary diligence couldn't possibly keep up with such demand.
"Kong, I need you to acquire funds quickly. Use any means necessary, but you must not harm civilians," Nagato said, glancing at Orochimaru.
He had sensed something odd about Orochimaru earlier. Had he shrunk slightly? Nagato didn't care to investigate. As long as Orochimaru completed his assigned tasks, Nagato had no intention of interfering with Akatsuki members' personal affairs.
"No harming civilians? Very well. But in exchange, I want to study your Rinnegan," Orochimaru said, licking his lips and eyeing Nagato with dangerous intent.
Kenichi covered his face. Here we go again.
He had specifically helped his teacher join Akatsuki and obtain a ring, hoping to prevent this. Yet Orochimaru still harbored such provocative intentions. Kenichi vaguely recalled Orochimaru's initial confrontation with Nagato in the anime, where he was defeated before joining Akatsuki. He had thought he had averted that fate.
But here they were, playing out exactly as before.
"You may try," Nagato replied calmly, his voice unchanged, as if Orochimaru's challenge held no weight.
Konan was visibly furious.
But after Nagato glanced at her, she fell silent, folding her arms and glaring at Orochimaru, her displeasure etched across her face.
"I'll give it a try," Orochimaru said, licking his lips. His long, snake-like tongue sent a shiver down Kenichi's spine.
Teacher really loves playing with snakes, Kenichi thought. He's got some nerve, though. Then again, when I first saw Nagato, I couldn't resist wanting to dig out his Rinnegan to study them. I guess I can understand Teacher's obsession now.
"I'm kind of the same way," Kenichi muttered, clicking his tongue.
"Kenichi, your mission," Nagato said, ignoring Orochimaru. Let that snake taste the power of the Sage's Eye when the time comes. He turned to Kenichi.
Nagato just wanted to get rid of this troublesome pest. If I keep him around any longer, I'll be driven mad with frustration.
"Getting money, right?" Kenichi gave a thumbs-up, flashing Guy's signature smile.
Nagato suddenly found that smile unbearably dazzling, as if it were reflecting sunlight.
"Yes," Kenichi replied. Though Nagato's satisfaction with his compliance already felt sufficient – the Leader's authority remained unquestionable.
Yahiko, you truly were the one meant to lead Akatsuki, Kenichi reflected.
"I'll complete it as soon as possible," Kenichi said. He refrained from approaching Nagato directly so soon after joining, considering mission completion the proper way to demonstrate his commitment.
"Very well. That's settled for now. Other members may join later; I'll inform you when they do." Nagato waved his hand, and Kenichi instantly reappeared in the Experimental Base.
Kenichi surveyed his surroundings, impressed by the ability's utility and discretion. No wonder Akatsuki remained the most secretive organization in the Ninja World.
Though not the most secretive individual, Kenichi mused. That distinction belongs to Black Zetsu. And there's still that Ōtsutsuki clansman lurking in the Ninja World – true veterans of deception.
"Kenichi, could you handle my mission as well? I need to visit the Rain Ninja Village," Teacher Orochimaru suddenly materialized before him, licking his lips.
Kenichi watched as his teacher reverted to his original appearance, scratching his head. While he knew Orochimaru's true form, he couldn't deny that his previous appearance had been more pleasing to the eye.
But Orochimaru was his teacher, after all, and Kenichi understood that his earlier form had likely been a test.
If I were to pat his head... Kenichi mused, staring at Orochimaru's head in contemplation.
He had previously tested Yuki using the Pavlov's dog experiment. Back then, Yuki would tremble all over whenever Kenichi touched his head. He wondered if that reaction still held true.
However, considering the potentially disastrous consequences of patting Orochimaru's head, Kenichi quickly abandoned the thought.
Orochimaru noticed Kenichi's prolonged silence and frowned, finally drawing his attention back to his teacher's earlier words.
"Understood, Teacher," Kenichi replied, scratching his head. What a shame, he thought. His research hadn't even begun yet, and the thermobaric explosive was still in the experimental mixing stage. He'd have to postpone it for now. But he had already considered where to secure funding for his future experiments.
Gato seemed like an excellent candidate.
Although Gato was just an ordinary man, Kenichi figured Nagato wouldn't object even if he killed him, given Gato's future actions in the Land of Waves.
Akatsuki, while dedicated to achieving peace in the Ninja World and leaning towards protecting civilians, still recognized that necessary sacrifices were sometimes unavoidable. Kenichi doubted Nagato would sympathize with someone like Gato.
"Teacher, are you planning to test Pain's strength?" Kenichi couldn't help but ask.
"Yes, I want to see what the Rinnegan is truly capable of," Orochimaru replied, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Kenichi felt a similar thrill.
The Rinnegan—a legendary ocular technique of immense power. If the Mangekyō Sharingan was its youthful counterpart, the Rinnegan was the fully evolved, super-enhanced version, fundamentally different in nature.
"Wait for me, Obito," Kenichi said, patting his sealing scroll. "Once I finish the Chakra Temperature-Pressure Bomb, you won't mind helping me test its destructive power, right?" Inside the scroll lay a Mangekyō Sharingan—Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan.