Chapter 501: Scorpion and Old Acquaintance

The border of the Land of Iron.

Tall trees, clothed in silver white.

The icy rain and snow were like giving them a thick layer of armor.

Branches bent under the white snow stood silently in the cold wind.

Enduring the test of winter.

In the distance, a continuous series of dull thuds came, breaking the silence of this primeval forest.

"Is this the summoned beast of the Animal Path?"

"Looking at the enormous dog, rhinoceros, centipede, and crab before him, Dong Shilang's eyes showed interest."

"As soon as I landed, Pain's Six Paths brought a large group of summoned beasts to my front."

"He really couldn't wait."

"Fifth Hokage, your existence hinders the arrival of peace."

"So… you must die today!"

"Standing among a group of Pains, the Heavenly Path spoke in an indifferent tone, declaring as soon as he opened his mouth that today was Dong Shilang's day of death."

"Death?" Dong Shilang lightly shook his head, unconvinced: "Those who wanted me dead now have grass three feet high on their graves."

"If the intel is correct, you should be ninja from the Land of Rain, and your organization is called Dawn, right?"

"Hmm… and you have some connection to that idiot Zilaiye."

"Looking at the Heavenly Path, Dong Shilang also didn't rush to act."

"Zilaiye teacher…"

"Upon hearing Zilaiye's name, the Heavenly Path obviously paused, evidently his memory of the time spent with Zilaiye was deep."

"Since you claim peace as your goal, why did you attack us?"

"Seeing the Heavenly Path's face colored with recollection, Itachi couldn't help but speak up to question."

"We came to the Land of Iron this time for the peace of the Ninja World."

"Attacking us now will only destroy the agreements reached among the major nations."

"Let the hard-won hope come to nothing!"

"Itachi's own view on the proposal Dong Shilang put forward."

"Knowing these agreements, although they cannot eliminate the conflicts between the major nations, they will have a positive effect on reducing the outbreak of war."

"Since the other side is using peace as a pretext, they should not attack them even more."

"Hmph~ Peace?"

"This is merely peace between your major powers; for us small nations… it means nothing."

"Having grown up in the Land of Rain, Nagato had seen many major-nation ninjas who trampled on small-nation civilians at will; although he didn't know what this so-called peace agreement had actually diluted this time."

"But he instinctively distrusted these so-called major powers, and his hatred for them was etched into his bones."

"All right, Itachi, this guy is just a puppet." Seeing Itachi still wanting to argue with the other side, Dong Shilang spoke up to interrupt him.

"If you have something to say, say it to his real body's face."

"Puppet…"

"Although he noticed something off about these people, Itachi had never thought the other side were actually puppets."

"Alright, I'll deal with these people."

"You take Yamato and search that direction; report any findings directly."

"Since we're fighting Pain, we naturally need to first find his true body."

"Although he still didn't know the exact position of the other side, he could still judge the approximate direction."

"You…"

"In his ripple-like eyes, the pupils suddenly contracted."

"Nagato also hadn't expected that just a single glance would let the other side figure out his secret."

"Moreover, the direction the other side mentioned was exactly where his true body currently was."

"Boom boom boom!"

"Without further words, Pain directly controlled those summoned beasts and charged toward the direction where Dong Shilang and the others were."

"Go; after you find the person, don't act rashly—the opponent is not an ordinary ninja."

"After giving Itachi a brief order, Dong Shilang went to meet the enemy."

"Wanting to get past me is wishful thinking…"

"Among the six, two intended to bypass Dong Shilang and directly attack Itachi and Yamato."

"However, chains appeared again."

"They respectively attacked the two Pains who had broken away from the group, as well as those few summoned beasts."

"Other than that, it was fine, but that splitting dog was a bit troublesome, forcing him to divert some attention to take special care of it."

"All Creation…"

"Seeing this, the Heavenly Path instinctively tried to use All Creation Heavenly Pull to drag the opponent to himself."

"But before his ability could activate, a flash of white light, like a sudden electric bolt, shot toward the Heavenly Path."

"Really troublesome~"

"If it were just a long sword, the Heavenly Path wouldn't care at all, but the opponent's Grass-Cutting Sword, while flying, suddenly transformed into twelve blades."

"Each pointed at the remaining four Pains."

"Those who had felt the edge of the Grass-Cutting Sword did not dare to be careless."

"Heavenly Subjugation"

He spread out these long swords.

And when he observed the situation again, there were still two Leaf Village ninja silhouettes there.

"Deidara this guy…"

He looked up at the sky, and Pain's heart sank.

This guy, could he have been caught in the enemy's Genjutsu?

He just tried to contact that guy through the ring in Deidara's hand, but…

"Looks like you guys brought a lot of people!"

Dong Shilang, who originally was manipulating the Vajra Chains, intending to seal those few summoned beasts, stopped his action and turned his gaze to the side.

His keen perception let him know that there were two chakra sources of quite good quality lurking there.

Moreover, among them, there was a chakra that gave him a familiar feeling.

"The Fifth Hokage is indeed extraordinary."

As Dong Shilang's words fell, a slightly magnetic, clear male voice sounded.

A handsome young man with red short hair walked out from behind the concealing spruce tree.

"Isn't this the genius of Sand Village, Scorpion of the Red Sand?"

Looking at the youth wearing a red-cloud robe, Dong Shilang was somewhat surprised.

It wasn't surprising that the opponent appeared.

But rather his current attire, his deep eyes, his tall and straight posture, especially his pair of hands, fair and slender.

He really is a graceful young man.

"Leader~" Looking at Dong Shilang, Scorpio's eyes glowed: "This guy's body, after this, I will handle it!"

After sizing up Dong Shilang, Scorpio's eyes showed a satisfied expression, as if what stood before him was not a human but a peerless work of art.

Filled with longing and possessive desire.

……

Being stared at by a man like that, Dong Shilang got goosebumps all over.

Even his hairs stood up, and at the same time he started to complain in his heart.

Every member of this Akatsuki, one by one, are all perverts.

Although he knew Scorpio merely appreciated his body, intending to turn him into a human puppet, but being stared at by a big man like that, he also felt he couldn't take it.

I'm not interested in men!

After a brief complaint, surprised that Scorpio hadn't yet made him into a puppet, Dong Shilang turned his gaze toward the treetop of a large tree.

If his perception wasn't wrong, there was also an old acquaintance of his there.

"It really has been… a long time since we last met."

Watching the slender figure slowly descending, Dong Shilang's gaze lingered on the other's face for a moment, then he shifted his sight to the other's robe.

"I didn't expect you to also join this Akatsuki organization, Ye Cang!"

"Moreover, today it seems we will be standing on opposing sides!"

Although wearing a wide robe, having experienced its gentleness, Dong Shilang knew that beneath that long robe lay how deadly a temptation.

Thinking of that night's ecstasy, even if facing Pain's Six Paths plus Scorpio, Dong Shilang could not help but start to indulge in wild fantasies.

That truly was an unforgettable night for him.

"Later you come provide cover."

"His corpse can be handed over to you later."

"But you must be careful of the enemy's Genjutsu; that guy Deidara seems to have already been hit~"

After reminding Scorpio, the Heavenly Path turned his gaze toward Ye Cang.

Regarding Dong Shilang and Ye Cang's acquaintance, Pain was not surprised; as the other was an organization member, he naturally had investigated their past experiences.

"Ye Cang, go pursue his guards."

Compared to caring about these, the Heavenly Path obviously cared more about Itachi and Yamato.

Although Konan was by his side, he still intended to let Ye Cang go support.

"Good!"

After giving Dong Shilang a deep look, the just-appeared Ye Cang followed the traces left by Itachi and Yamato and left.

"This woman…"

She really is heartless, not even saying a greeting.

Moreover, she actually came together with Nagato to surround and kill him; after this matter is over, I will definitely give her a good dressing-down.

His gaze swept over Ye Cang's disappearing back.

Unfortunately, the wide robe blocked the view behind, Dong Shilang did not make any attempt to stop Ye Cang's departure.

Instead, he focused his attention on the enemy before him.

"That guy, caught in Genjutsu?"

Having received the leader's reminder.

"Surely he's the type destined to die early!"

After glancing upward, Scorpio no longer brazenly scrutinized Dong Shilang, but let out a scoff and then summoned Scarlet Flow Amber.

One leap and he dove right into it.

He isn't some immature kid like Deidara who hasn't even grown hair; he still has some understanding of the Uchiha.

Although he lusts after the other's body, … he still doesn't lack the necessary caution.

Click click click!

With Xie's manipulation, the huge-bodied crimson flow amber opened its big mouth and spat out a black scroll.

On the other side, Pain's Six Paths had also rearranged their formation, gazing at Dong Shilang, ready to launch an attack at any moment.

"It's not the Third Kazekage; I really was underestimated!"

Looking at the ten puppets surrounding the crimson flow amber, Dong Shilang felt somewhat dissatisfied.

Since Xie hasn't yet turned himself into a puppet, he probably hasn't developed the Hundred Machine Performance either.

However, even so, bringing out some ordinary puppets— isn't that a bit too disrespectful toward him as the Hokage?

"You... you actually know about the Third's affairs!"

Upon hearing Dong Shilang's words, Xie, who was hiding inside the crimson flow amber, jumped in fright.

This matter, I handled it very secretly; there's no way anyone should know about it.

How did this guy find out?

"There's a lot more that I know!"

After giving a meaningful glance at the Heavenly Path opposite him, a puff of white smoke drifted from Dong Shilang's side, and he had already taken out his flame fan.

This time's enemies, whether Nagato or Xie, are both of the type that manipulates puppets.

He also needs to take them seriously.