Appreciation

Before Tobi

"I have a question," I announced at our 4th Akatsuki meeting, which was done through thought waves converted into chakra. None of them responded, therefore I continued before i dragged on the awkward atmosphere from my sudden need to converse. "If one of us dies, do we have an instant replacement? I'm just curious since we've used up so many replacements for Kakuzu" I said, I felt Kakuzu shoot a dirty look at me.

It went silent for a bit before Zetsu spoke up. "Don't worry about that Deidara, we have someone in mind, I don't think he is for Kakuzu though, since we have found him the perfect immortal match" he said as he glanced over to Hidan, who was right beside Kakuzu. I watched as Hidan proudly smirk before saying something to Kakuzu which made his eyes roll.

"We think he is a very interesting person" Zetsu added, he looked almost compelled to tell me who it is, however before he could continue, black Zetsu interrupted him.

His other half, black Zetsu said in a very tiresome tone "What do you mean 'we' ? I think we all can agree that this person isn't worthy of being in the Akatsuki " he ended his sentence with a serious tone. Zetsu ignored his other half's response and looked at Pain.

"What do you think Pain? I know you have him in mind too.." Zetsu said to Pain, who now slowly opened his eyes and looked over to them. Zetsu looked back as he grinned mischievously, the tone of his voice from his previous sentence almost sounding a little desperate to prove his other half wrong.

I looked back and forth between the two, they have really piqued my curiosity, also its rare to see the two-toned Zetsu in a conflict about a person, because black Zetsu usually does not care about recruitments and their potential, as he said to me before "only worthy ones are capable of being in the Akatsuki" and if Zetsu has someone in mind then the person must be really good. But if Black Zetsu disagrees, then maybe the person doesn't meet Black Zetsu's requirements?

Pain looked over to everyone and said "You all will meet him soon, however, be careful of him" he said the last part more sternly, his eyes darted towards me while saying the last part.

"Replacements can't possibly be better" I scoffed, did he just say that our replacement is potentially stronger than us? Stronger than me? He surely has not seen my true potential, placing me face to face with the potential new member isn't such a bad idea, the thought of blowing up someone's hopes and dreams along with them truly compliments my sadistic side.

But one thing that I sort of took into consideration was how serious he sounded, is this guy really the real deal? I've never been warned so seriously before about a person before by any other Akatsuki member. Especially Pain, one of which has the potential to crush the planet itself into a pulp.

"Looking forward to it," Kisame said, sarcastically, he is definitely doubting this new member's potential. I mean who wouldn't? Tales are just myths until confirmed with facts.

"Let's hope he doesn't betray us like the last one that left" Itachi added, referring to Orochimaru. Ever since Itachi's partnership with Orochimaru, he has been very careful with his partners, only getting comfortable with Kisame recently, after he has a firm belief that Kisame isn't the kind to take his Uchiha powers, the sharingan. "This one won't try to steal your Sharingan, Itachi" Pain confirmed, but it didn't seem like Itachi was worried, he was merely stating a fact that people were coming for his Sharingan.

"Meeting is over, I have explained your duties; now I expect them to be carried out, we will meet for the separation process of the Jinchuriki and the tailed beast," Pain said, as all the other members start to leave.