Chapter 285 - Cap 263: The Flower of the Desert (1)

One day had passed since the negotiations had begun and to no one's surprise, Akatsuki already knew about these events.

"Don't you find this nice?" - asked Zetsu as he burst out laughing after hearing the actions of the different leaders of the Elemental Nations - "Look, they think they can take us on with their little circus called the alliance".

". . ." - Obito just kept silent as he thought - "I think it's time to accelerate the plans"

"Are you going to kill Nagato?" - asked Zetsu as he raised an 'eyebrow'.

"No... not yet..." - Obito replied calmly as he watched his companion carefully - "I am referring to the fact of capturing the Nibi and reviving our trump card"

Zetsu's smile was distorted when he heard this - "I think it's perfect... although we'll have to think about things a bit"

"That is why we will capture her during the Five Kage meeting," Obito replied seriously, "I am sure she will go"

"How are you so sure?" - asked Zetsu as he looked at his partner, but to his irritation, Obito did not answer.

* * *

"Meeting of the Kage Five..." - Nagato muttered as he narrowed his eyes because the reason for such a 'social meeting' was the complete annihilation of his dreams.

"What do you plan to do, Nagato?" - asked Konan as she looked at her best friend.

"The truth is that I have nothing planned," replied Nagato as he closed his eyes completely. "Our situation is bad, and if we make a false move, then we will lose everything we have...".

". . ." - Konan was silent for a few seconds before sighing ruefully - "We have not just one enemy, but two..."

"Akatsuki is not like before, now we are two groups... and we are the weak ones," replied Nagato after opening his eyes.

Konan tried to say something, but was silent when she noticed how the red-haired man had a tired look on his scrawny face.

"Konan... my end is getting closer, I can feel that" - said Nagato as the woman noticed Yahiko's body starting to move - "It feels strange to use this body again..."

"How do you feel?" - asked Konan as she watched the redhead control his best friend's body.

"Normal," replied Nagato as he moved the fingers of his hand, "I'm ready to fight... although it's better if we don't make any moves for now"

"Okay, I'm going to listen to you" - answered Konan while she closed her eyes.

"How is our little ally doing?" - asked Nagato as he looked at the blue-haired woman.

"He is not making any strange movements, in fact, he is all the time training or at Midori's side" - answered Konan with her typical neutral look - "Since he lost the Reibi, his power has diminished, but little by little he is regaining his chakra level"

"I see... that's good, although it's still not enough if we want to defeat those two, especially with the army of White Zetsu they possess" - said Nagato with neutrality as he squinted - "I guess that leaves us with few options"

"What do you plan to do?" - Konan asked in surprise to hear this because she still couldn't find an answer to what was happening.

"Simple... the enemy of our enemy is our friend," answered Nagato seriously.

"Do you want to contact the Uzumaki clan?!" - exclaimed Konan with surprise because she never thought of anything like this, not with the fact that their current leader, is none other than the Kyubi no Kitsune - "Are you crazy, Nagato?! You know very well that if we approach them, that beast will destroy us, even more so in your present state!"

"I know... but we don't have many options" - answered Nagato while looking at his only true ally - "Konan, I'm going to be honest with you, my vitality will not be able to resist for long, I can even assure you that I will not be able to live until the end of next month, and that is to have hope about my situation... that is why I want to make my last effort to help the only person who has accompanied me all this time"

". . ." - Konan tried to say something, but was silent when she noticed the serious look her friend had on his face, not that of his puppet, but that of his real, haggard face.

"Konan... it is time for us to start with your escape plan..." - said Nagato as his eyes shone coldly - "I want you to gather everything you need, including information about all our members, as well as my skills that I have gathered over the years"

"Why do you want me to do something like that?" - Konan asked in surprise.

"Because that Uchiha also possesses the Rinnegan" - answered Nagato seriously - "And if so, then Uzumaki Kurama will find it pleasant being surprised by such valuable information, after all, the Rinnegan is a Doujutsu that has only appeared a maximum of 2 or 3 times since its original user showed it to the world".

Konan nodded when she heard this because that information was a good piece of information to use during her negotiation - "What about the information from our allies?"

She was confused because almost all of her allies were dead, and those who were alive were practically a mystery to them.

"Because I have a feeling that we will 'see' them again," responded Nagato seriously as he watched the woman nod.

* * * * *

A week had passed since negotiations with Uzu had begun and things were moving forward by leaps and bounds.

Kushina had been working with everything she had to complete the seals, which was made a little easier by the items Kumo and Iwa gave her.

The training of the shinobis of the different villages was over, and peace had returned to the Uzumaki mansion in Konoha, or at least it seemed that way, since the moment a group left, they gave a condescending look to the other shinobis of other villages, creating a competitiveness that grew with every time a group entered.

"This can be a good business," Kushina said as a huge smile appeared on her face - "But seriously... Where is Kuro-chan?"

"In Suna" - answered Temari, who was taking a sunbath - "Oh, it feels good to sunbathe without fear of ending up as a roast duck"

"I think something similar" - answered Mei while she stretched - "I love Kiri, but the weather is shitty... only two beaches have a good enough weather to be used as a tourist spot"

"What is he doing in Suna?" - Kushina asked with a scowl.

"Pakura-sama called him, I have no idea why," answered Temari as she shrugged her shoulders.

"I think it's obvious what she wants," responded Anko as she moved her eyebrows suggestively.

"Let's see..." - Kin murmured as she pulled out a notebook - "Who was the one who bet on this month?"

"I think it was me," answered Tsunade as she raised her hand. "I just hope they do it today, because we are about to end the month.

"What are they talking about?" - Temari asked as she raised an eyebrow.

"That we made a little bet to see who is the right one in the month that Kuro-chan is going to conquer Pakura-san" - answered Kushina as she shrugged.

"Okay, I hadn't heard that" - said Mei as she lifted the sunglasses she had been wearing and gave the red-haired woman a quick glance - "Why didn't anyone tell me about something so entertaining?"

"Because you're new, we made this bet three years ago" - answered Anko as she rolled her eyes - "Anyway, I just need them to hold on till past midnight and I win, although seeing that the other person who can win this bet is Tsunade-san, I feel like I already won"

". . ." - Tsunade frowned when she heard this because she had no arguments to defend herself. She was aware of her bad luck, and even though it has been improving after having her babies, she was still in negative numbers.

"You still don't tell me what's the winner's prize" - said Mei as she looked at the leader of the Uzumaki clan.

"Let's see... a day with Kuro-chan" - replied Kushina as she tilted her head.

"You are also exempt from household chores for a month" - answered Anko while a huge smile appeared on her face - "Just a few hours and I will be able to enjoy a month without having to wash your clothes, cook or clean the house"

"I don't know what you complain about when you can do those activities with the help of your Kage Bunshin," responded Temari as she rolled her eyes, only to give the purple-haired woman a blank stare because she noticed how she had an expression of absolute surprise - "You didn't think of that?"

". . ." - Anko didn't answer her, she just banged her head against a wall because of how stupid she felt right now.

"Oh..." - Temari shook her head when she saw this while the others just resisted the urge to laugh.