Not only Iwagakure and Kumogakure, but also Sunagakure and Kirigakure began to perceive Ye Zi as someone not to be trifled with. As for Ye Zi's superior, Pain, who leads the Akatsuki in Amegakure. What did the villages think of him?
Amegakure had always been a minor nation, unworthy of much attention from the major villages. However, with recent events, Amegakure had risen significantly in importance, now earning a prominent spot in the eyes of the great shinobi nations.
In Iwagakure, most leaders were unwilling to expend resources to deal with Ye Zi, especially with Kumogakure poised to watch from the sidelines, ready to capitalize. Unless Amegakure or Ye Zi attacked Iwagakure directly, there was no benefit to targeting them.
Sunagakure and Kirigakure viewed Amegakure as a thorn in their side, particularly Sunagakure, which harbored deep resentment toward Ye Zi. However, as the two weakest of the Five Great Nations, neither had the resources or manpower to challenge Amegakure directly. Their current focus was on recovery and development.
The two hoped Konoha would take the initiative against Amegakure, and they even expressed this desire to Konoha. But Konoha's ambiguous response neither confirmed nor denied an intention to pursue such a course.
Thus, the ball remained in Konoha's court. Sunagakure and Kirigakure had no choice but to bide their time, focusing on strengthening their military until an opportunity arose.
If Konoha, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure were to unite against Amegakure, neither Iwagakure nor Kumogakure would get involved.
For Iwagakure, weakened after losing a jinchūriki, having others handle Amegakure was an ideal scenario.
As for Kumogakure, they would be more than happy to see Amegakure embroiled in conflict with others. They might even secretly support Amegakure, hoping to weaken other villages and gain an advantage in the next war.
Unaware of these geopolitical deliberations, Ye Zi arrived in Amegakure.
Through the rain, he made his way into the village. The guards at the gate respectfully saluted him as he passed. His arrival needed no announcement; Pain sensed his presence immediately and waited for him in the grand hall.
In the dimly lit chamber, Konan stood beside Pain and voiced her concerns. "Pain, I believe Ye Zi poses a potential threat. Why not eliminate him now?"
This was not the first time she had expressed such sentiments. However, Pain had always dismissed her concerns, his immense strength and confidence rendering him unconcerned about Ye Zi.
Recent events had given Konan reason to revisit her fears. Ye Zi's strength, demonstrated during his attack on Konoha, was undeniable. He inflicted severe damage on the village and escaped unscathed despite facing numerous high-level shinobi.
Konan viewed Ye Zi as a thorn buried deep in her heart, it was one that needed to be removed.
Pain, seated on his high-backed chair, rested his hands on the armrests, his expression calm and composed. He did not immediately respond. Since unlocking the powers of the Rinnegan, Pain's mindset had changed dramatically.
Hanzo, revered as a "demigod" in the shinobi world, had fallen before him. If Hanzo was a demigod, then Pain saw himself as a god.
From this perspective, Ye Zi, despite his accomplishments, was insignificant.
"He still has his uses," Pain said at last, his gaze fixed on the grand doors of the hall.
No matter how strong Ye Zi became, his power was ultimately finite. The Akatsuki's grand mission, gathering the Tailed Beasts, required his contributions. As long as Ye Zi posed no immediate threat, there was no reason to eliminate him.
What Pain didn't know was that Ye Zi had an ace up his sleeve, his Edo Tensei army. Along with the strengthened clone army enhanced by experimental serums, these forces represented a dangerous and relentless threat.
If Pain had been aware, he might have reconsidered his stance.
Konan frowned, her concerns unresolved. "The Tailed Beast collection can be planned carefully over time, but I still don't trust him."
Pain glanced at her and replied, "You overestimate him."
Realizing that Pain would not act against Ye Zi, Konan sighed softly, her lips pressed into a thin line as she fell silent.
Pain returned his gaze to the doors and continued, "Don't worry. The more Tailed Beasts we collect, the stronger I will become. Ye Zi won't be able to cause any significant disruptions. Once he's outlived his usefulness, I'll kill him without hesitation."
While Pain did not currently see Ye Zi as a major threat, he recognized his utility. After all, the plan to gather the Tailed Beasts had been proposed by Ye Zi himself.
The Outer Path Gedo Statue was under Pain's control, and once infused with all the Tailed Beasts' chakra, it would become an unstoppable force. At that point, Pain would have no need for Ye Zi and would dispose of him accordingly.
Konan nodded faintly, her only hope being that everything proceeded as planned. When the time came, Ye Zi would indeed lose his value and be eliminated.
The hall remained silent until the grand doors slowly creaked open. Ye Zi entered, stepping into the chamber where Pain and Konan awaited him.
Nagato stared at Ye Zi quietly, showing no reaction, while a fleeting but barely noticeable hint of hostility flickered deep in Konan's eyes.
Ye Zi paused briefly at the door, then began to walk slowly toward Nagato and Konan, his gaze fixed on them as he approached.
Stopping before the two, Ye Zi looked directly at Nagato and stated his purpose without preamble: "The plan to collect the Tailed Beasts can resume."
Konan's expression shifted subtly, but she remained silent. In this setting, she had no room to interject.
"Are you giving me orders?" Nagato's tone was cold as he looked at Ye Zi.
Ye Zi carefully concealed his killing intent, burying it layer by layer deep within his heart. He shook his head calmly and replied, "This isn't an order. It's a suggestion."
"Give me a reason," Nagato said flatly, his tone devoid of emotion.
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