This Naruto is too easily persuaded.

Chapter 141 The Akatsuki Takes Action

Rain-Hidden Village.

In the dark and damp underground space, the Akatsuki members once again gathered using the Illusionary Body Technique. Several colorful holographic phantoms stood on the giant finger of the Gedo Mazo, exuding different kinds of oppressive aura.

At this moment, a huge projection screen was standing in front of everyone, playing a promotional video that the Snow Country was broadcasting to the world.

In the video, the city of Fenghua is brightly lit, and the dazzling aurora concert is mesmerizing.

"Wow! This girl's great! That figure, that voice!"

Hidan, carrying his scythe, was completely absorbed in the enthusiastic atmosphere of the concert.

Gazing at the radiant beauty of Kazaka Koyuki on the screen, he whistled excitedly, "If we offered her as a sacrifice to the evil god, she would make a wonderful offering! Don't you agree, Kakuzu?"

Kakuzu gave him a cold glance, not bothering to pay any attention to this madman.

His gaze was fixed on the rows of brand-new buildings, the bustling port, and the well-dressed civilians in the background, as he silently estimated the total value of this so-called "mutual aid society."

The style changes abruptly as the scene shifts.

That was the final scene of the "Destroyer Legion" charging across the snowfield.

The heavy armor ignored the ninjutsu bombardment, and the chakra giant sword tore through the Cloud Village's defense line. The emotionless, bulldozing-like violent aesthetics sent a chill down your spine even through the screen.

"cut."

Deidara looked at the bulky heavy armor on the screen, curled his lip in disdain, and his eyes were full of contempt.

"These aesthetically unappealing tin cans don't deserve to be called art at all! Hmm!"

However, when several ice crystal bombs exploded in the crowd, blooming into beautiful yet deadly ice flowers, his eyes lit up slightly, and he leaned forward a little: "This kind of dazzling explosion is quite a sight to behold. Although it still can't compare to my bombs, it's barely passable."

"Are these... puppets?"

Sasori of the Red Sand hid within the hunched-over Hiruko, his cold eyes peering through the gaps in the outer shell, intently watching every detail of the armor's movements in the scene: "No—the movements are too fluid, there's absolutely no stiffness from the chakra threads pulling them together."

"That's interesting."

His voice was deep and hoarse, tinged with interest: "If we could pry open this iron shell and turn it into a new human puppet along with the person inside—it would make a pretty good collectible."

"This technology, which combines biology and mechanics, may bring new inspiration to my art."

"Don't underestimate them, Deidara, Sasori."

Kisame Hoshigaki, who had been silent all along, suddenly grinned, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth.

He reached out and touched Samehada on his back, his tone unusually serious: "That nine-tailed brat is much stronger than you think."

Kisame recalled the golden chain wrapped in Conqueror's Haki that had casually repelled Samehada in the forest that day, and a deep sense of dread flashed in his eyes: "When we fought last time, my Samehada was terrified of him."

"That brat is a true powerhouse."

Kisame looked at the shadow on the screen that, though it didn't show its face, seemed to be everywhere, and sighed, "Back then, I felt that he would become something extraordinary in the future. I never expected that after so long, he would actually create a country for himself to play in."

"That's truly an enviable ambition."

Uchiha Itachi, who had been silent all along, finally slowly raised his head.

"We may have all gotten one thing wrong."

His voice was calm and even, yet it invigorated everyone: "We've always thought of him as a lucky kid with the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox."

"But look at the people around him—Orochimaru, Tsunade, two of the Legendary Sannin are all by his side. There's also the Uzumaki clan member in the video who can suppress the Tailed Beasts, and the heavily armored warrior who can fight the Tailed Beasts head-on."

"Even—how many powerful figures are lurking in the shadows is an unknown number."

Itachi paused, his gaze seemingly piercing through the screen, his tone becoming somewhat heavy: "His influence has already encompassed a significant portion of Konoha's upper echelons, and he continues to devour surrounding resources."

"He's not playing a ninja game; he's fundamentally overturning the rules of this world."

"If we don't nip him in the bud while he's still relatively powerful, he'll grow into an even more troublesome force than the five great nations combined."

After saying that, Itachi closed his eyes again.

Beneath his cold exterior, however, a subtle, indescribable turmoil stirred within him.

Sasuke—what kind of monster are you desperately trying to catch up with?

"Strangle? Easier said than done."

The ground rippled, and Jue slowly emerged from it.

White Zetsu's face showed a rare hint of helplessness as he spread his hands and said, "Although I don't want to admit it, the Land of Snow is now practically a forbidden zone for me."

"A restricted area?" Payne tilted his head slightly.

"That's right," Black Zetsu added in a deep voice.

"Naruto Uzumaki used some unknown method to create a huge mental network over the Land of Snow."

"My spore clones will be instantly located the moment they step into that frozen soil, before they even have a chance to get close to the core area."

"And then—he was accurately shot dead from an unknown distance by those golden chains."

"I've already lost more than ten clones, and I haven't even touched the corner of the wall of the Daming Prefecture."

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in the single eye of the mysterious masked man standing in the shadows.

Perceptual networks? Precision shooting?

This Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's growth rate is so fast that it completely exceeds the norm.

It wasn't just his growing power that was terrifying; what was even more frightening was that he had established a massive force that was completely detached from the ninja world system and extremely exclusive.

If it is allowed to continue developing, once that so-called new order takes shape, it will inevitably become the biggest variable in the Eye of the Moon Project.

It might even threaten his plan itself.

"If you can't see through it, then don't bother looking at it; just destroy it."

Pain stared coldly at the screen, his Rinnegan devoid of any emotion.

His voice was flat, as if he were merely sentencing an ant to death: "Since this country is too noisy."

"And if we refuse God's watchful eye and intervention, then let this country—feel the pain."

Pain raised his hand and gave the unquestionable command: "Kakuzu, Hidan."

"Your job is to infiltrate the underground black market, hunt down their leaders, and cut off their cash flow. Since they like doing business, let's make sure they can't do it."

Kakuzu's eyes gleamed with excitement, as if he could see extra money beckoning him: "No problem, I'll definitely complete the mission perfectly."

"Sasori, Deidara."

Payne looked to the other side: "You guys are in charge of the frontal assault, creating chaos and destruction, to test the quality of that pile of tin cans."

"If that so-called 'new order' is holding us back, then blow it to rubble."

Payne's voice was icy and chilling, echoing in the empty cave: "If possible, capture the Nine-Tails directly."

This marks the first time since its inception that Akatsuki has simultaneously dispatched two core groups of four S-rank rogue ninjas to target a single objective.

This means that, in Akatsuki's eyes, Naruto Uzumaki is no longer just a simple target to capture.

Rather, it is a chess player who is qualified to play against them.

Four figures bowed to receive the order, then slowly disappeared into the darkness.