Naruto: From Konoha to One Piece

Deva Path Pain merely glanced at Kakuzu but didn't intervene in the brewing conflict.

Uchiha Obito encouraged the fight, eager to learn more about this mysterious ninja. So when Kakuzu looked his way for guidance, he said nothing.

Seeing no objections from the leaders, Kakuzu's confidence swelled. "Junior, since you're so eager for death, come and face me!"

Without a word, Shin gestured toward the door and walked out. Kakuzu snorted coldly and followed him.

Sara watched Shin leave, her face filled with concern. The rest of the group, however, paid no attention.

Meanwhile, Black Zetsu secretly dispatched a clone to observe the fight.

Five minutes later, Shin returned, dragging Kakuzu behind him like a discarded doll. He tossed him aside casually. "It seems the 'Senior' isn't all that strong—left bruised and battered by the 'Junior'."

He looked down at Kakuzu, who lay there, drained of chakra, his face etched with disbelief. "I have to wonder, Kakuzu, did you really fight the First Hokage? Or were you just throwing shuriken from a mile away?"

Kakuzu, utterly bewildered, tried to process what had happened. He had seen Uchiha Obito's intangibility and found it terrifying, yet Shin's abilities surpassed even that. Kurogami seemed capable of consuming any ninjutsu Kakuzu used against him, rendering his Five Elements techniques utterly useless. Within two minutes, Shin had absorbed his chakra and dragged him back to base.

"Well, it seems that resolves this dispute," Deva Path Pain remarked, his voice calm. "Kakuzu, I've heard your name, but it seems you currently lack a partner."

Initially, if Shin hadn't brought Sara, Kakuzu would have partnered with him. But now, with both having found partners, there was still one slot open.

"Hmph, I don't need a partner," Kakuzu muttered, slowly rising, his pride wounded.

"You're the weakest here," Deva Path Pain responded bluntly, not sparing his feelings. "A partner is necessary to ensure efficiency."

Kakuzu bristled. "I was merely careless…"

"I'll handle finding a new member," Obito interjected, cutting Kakuzu off. His eyes shifted to Sara. "However, not just anyone can join the Akatsuki. Kurogami, what's the story of your companion?"

Shin's expression shifted subtly. "If you're uncertain, you're welcome to test her yourself. Though, without using your Sharingan, you might not come out on top."

"Humph!" Obito's annoyance was visible beneath his mask. "I'm an Uchiha… And you expect me to fight without the Sharingan?"

He almost declared himself as Madara Uchiha but held back, given Kakuzu's and Shin's skeptical attitudes. His words carried a little determination, but there was an undertone of hesitation. After all, without his Kamui, his combat prowess diminished considerably.

Sara, who had been anxious moments ago, now appeared emboldened. She glanced at Obito with a challenging gleam in her eyes, almost taunting him. Her gaze struck Obito's pride, making him clench his fists.

"Fine," Deva Path Pain said. "Since there are no objections, I approve her membership in Akatsuki." He pulled out several rings from his cloak. 

"These are chakra rings of my own design. Wearing one allows for constant communication within the organization. Choose one."

Obito snatched a ring, as did Shin, Black Zetsu, Sara, Kakuzu, and Konan.

Since the Akatsuki's membership was still growing, the rings lacked specific names this time. Instead, each bore a number.

"That concludes this meeting. In the future, there's no need for us to meet in person. We can convene via the Astral Projection Jutsu."

"Our Akatsuki organization will now undertake smaller war contracts for minor nations. Kakuzu and Kurogami, this responsibility falls to you. If you need intel, consult Zetsu."

Obito, who had proposed recruiting new members, could also begin his search.

With that, Deva Path Pain's figure flickered and vanished. Konan cast a lingering glance at the others before unfurling her wings and taking flight.

Left to their own devices, the remaining members dispersed.

Although Shin was not interested in the small war contracts, they provided Sara with an opportunity to gain combat experience.

However, revealing her wood-release abilities would inevitably attract attention. Once Obito realized Sara's skills, he would undoubtedly grow more curious and suspicious.

Fortunately, Black Zetsu couldn't evade Shin's observation haki, which lay outside the chakra system entirely. Each time White Zetsu sent a clone to spy on Shin, he promptly absorbed it.

White Zetsu's unique spore-like physiology was particularly valuable to Shin as a master of body modifications, opening up a realm of possibilities for experimentation.

"Wood Release: Nativity of a Sea of Trees"

Massive trees erupted from the ground, enveloping the enemy ninjas before they could react, draining their chakra and suspending them in their branches.

"That's… the Wood-Style user from Akatsuki!" gasped a rogue ninja, terror evident in his voice. "I'm quitting this mission—I surrender!"

"Hmph, pathetic," Sara sneered, folding her arms in satisfaction.

"Funny, coming from someone who, at the start, cried about never wanting to set foot on a battlefield," Shin muttered, his usual black cloak shifting as he taunted her.

Blushing, Sara clenched her fists. "How was I supposed to know these ninjas were so weak? I thought I was a beginner!"

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