Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 219: Are You Worthy of Your Boss?

The sudden appearance of the light projection paused the imminent battle.

"Leader?"

"Boss?"

Kakuzu and Hidan looked at the colorful light projection that suddenly appeared beside them, surprised and delighted. Although they didn't know why Pain would project himself over, it was definitely good news for them, as it meant potential reinforcements.

Compared to Kakuzu, Hidan, who could definitely hold out until reinforcements arrived, immediately called out loudly:

"Boss! Someone is trying to snatch the Five-Tails Jinchuriki! Help, eh?"

Halfway through his sentence, Hidan realized something was wrong. He widened his eyes and looked closely at the light projection beside him. This appearance, this outfit, didn't resemble his boss Pain at all! On the other side, Uchiha Izumi and Uchiha Jeng respectfully bowed and said:

"Lord Hagoromo!"

"Hey, hey? What Lord Hagoromo? Isn't the light projection supposed to be the boss's technique? Where's my big boss?" Hidan's spirits plummeted from heaven to hell in an instant.

Projected through the Zero Ring taken from Pain, Hagoromo Gengetsu looked at Hidan with interest and said:

"The immortality of the Jashin cult... quite valuable for dissection and research."

Hidan shivered under Hagoromo Gengetsu's scientific gaze and stammered:

"Hey, hey! Listen to what you're saying. Have some decency! Don't be so twisted!"

"Where's the boss? I miss my wise and mighty boss. Where did he go?"

"He's dead," Hagoromo Gengetsu replied indifferently.

Hidan: "...What a useless boss! To think he got killed. What's the point of having you!"

On the other side, when Kakuzu saw that the light projection wasn't the familiar Pain, he had already guessed the outcome. Then, upon seeing the face of the light projection, old memories quickly surged in his mind.

"Hagoromo... Gengetsu!"

A figure he could only watch from afar in the past had reappeared before him. The sad and pathetic truth was that nothing had changed. The insurmountable gap that once existed still remained, perhaps even larger now.

"I heard you also survived from the Warring States period and even fought Senju Hashirama. Did you see me back then?" Hagoromo Gengetsu asked, his eyes cold.

Kakuzu took a deep breath, "I only observed from afar back then. As for fighting Senju Hashirama, he spared my life, and I narrowly survived."

To others, Kakuzu might boast about surviving a fight with Senju Hashirama. But now, standing before him was someone who knew the truth about the Warring States period. Lying would only invite ridicule.

"At least you have some self-awareness," Hagoromo Gengetsu said indifferently.

Times change, and what might seem ridiculous to people of one era could be perfectly normal in the next. For example, Seimei was merely an artisan during the Warring States period. After he left a boastful will, his descendants took it seriously, believing that a resurrected Seimei could conquer the shinobi world. Kakuzu merely saying he "escaped unscathed from Senju Hashirama" was already restrained. He could easily have claimed to have fought Hashirama to a draw, or even defeated him, especially as those who knew the truth had long since died.

History is a plaything for the living, and the longer one lives, the more control they have over the narrative.

Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at the one-life-left Kakuzu and the Five-Tails Jinchuriki named Han in his grasp, quickly understanding the situation. He wasted no time on further discussion and gave a straightforward choice: "Pain is dead. I now lead the Akatsuki. Submit or die."

Upon hearing this, Kakuzu released the Five-Tails Jinchuriki and calmly said, "I choose to submit."

The Akatsuki members were all S-rank rogue ninjas from various major villages. None of them, not even Pain, expected unwavering loyalty. Kakuzu had only joined the Akatsuki because Pain had beaten him thoroughly. If a stronger force took Pain's place, joining them was only natural, especially when the new leader was Hagoromo Gengetsu, a legend from Kakuzu's era. Submitting to him was acceptable, as long as he could continue making money.

Kakuzu decisively joined Hagoromo Gengetsu's camp. Across from him, Hidan lamented:

"Kakuzu! Our boss trusted you so much! I thought you, with your thick eyebrows, were reliable. How could you turn so quickly? Are you worthy of our boss?"

"I am," Kakuzu replied earnestly.

Before joining the Akatsuki, every penny he earned was his own. After joining, he had to give up a portion. For someone as money-obsessed as him, he felt he had done enough for Pain.

Hidan was shocked at Kakuzu's nonchalant betrayal. He wanted to say something else, but Hagoromo Gengetsu's other light projection spoke up:

"From the way you talk, are you planning to stay loyal to Pain?"

"Me? Hahaha!!"

After laughing loudly three times, Hidan's expression turned serious:

"Of course... not! Dear new boss, I was just surprised that Kakuzu betrayed you first. Although I was a bit slow, rest assured, dear new boss, my loyalty to you will far surpass that to the previous boss!"

Like Kakuzu, Hidan was highly adaptable. Who he served made little difference, especially when his head and body were currently in the hands of others. Although he wouldn't die, having his head dangled was extremely uncomfortable. Thus, after expressing his loyalty, Hidan eagerly looked up at Uchiha Izumi and said:

"Hey, fierce... ahem, beautiful lady~~~ now that we're on the same side, don't hang my head up anymore. Let me return to my body quickly."

Uchiha Izumi listened with a blank expression, then looked at Hagoromo Gengetsu, awaiting his command.

Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at Hidan: "Since you've joined, you should be willing to contribute. Hidan, your next task is to cooperate with the organization for scientific research."

Without waiting for a response from the now-pale Hidan, Hagoromo Gengetsu instructed Uchiha Izumi: "Keep him hanging like that to avoid dismembering him again later."

"Understood!" Uchiha Izumi nodded.

"Wait..." Hidan tried to protest.

Uchiha Izumi pulled out another scroll and stuffed it into Hidan's mouth. Peace returned, the situation was resolved, and the mission was successfully completed.

Hagoromo Gengetsu's light projection disappeared.

Now, there were only two places left.