Nagato appeared before Konan in a swirl of leaves. His crimson eyes gleamed with purpose as he spoke.
"Hey Konan, how is the Akatsuki?"
Konan set down her paperwork with a sigh.
"We lack food. You've looted every nearby village and hunted every animal in the forest, but it's not enough. The Rain Country's constant downpour makes farming impossible."
A rare smile touched Nagato's lips.
"I have a solution. First, tell me our current numbers."
"You never cared about this before," Konan replied, raising an eyebrow.
"We have thirty members— you, me, fifteen genin who can barely throw a kunai straight, and fifteen civilians who mostly complain about the leaks in the roof."
Nagato nodded.
"And potential recruits?"
"Fifty more want to join—fifteen genin and thirty-five civilians. I've been delaying because our food stores can't support them."
"Accept them all," Nagato said firmly.
"I'll handle the food situation."
Konan crossed her arms.
"How exactly?"
"By repurposing the abandoned industrial zone. It's where you..."
He paused, shaking his head.
"Never mind. How's Nawaki?"
"Joined today. Yahiko's carving him a wooden leg, but it keeps sprouting leaves."
Nagato chuckled.
"Nature's prosthetic. Have the civilians move to the factory tomorrow. I'll prepare living quarters and farming space."
Before Konan could protest, Nagato vanished in a swirl of leaves.
The abandoned factory stood as a decaying monument to better times. Nagato remembered this place from another life—the site of Konan's final stand. Now, it would become their salvation.
"Steel Creation Jutsu!"
Metal tendrils erupted from the ground, weaving through the structure like living vines. They reinforced crumbling walls and created support beams without disturbing the building's integrity.
"Fire Swamp of Underworld Jutsu!"
Molten mud surged through the steel framework, filling every crack before hardening into smooth, fireproof surfaces. The lowest level now had perfect foundations.
"Earth Release: Fertile Plains Technique!"
The concrete floor transformed into rich black soil. Nagato scattered rice seeds from his pouch, watching as they disappeared into the fertile earth.
"Wood-Earth Release: Blooming Fields Technique!"
The miracle unfolded before his eyes. Seeds sprouted, stalks shot upward, and golden grains ripened—an entire harvest in minutes. The second level received the same treatment, becoming a vast rice paddy.
"Fire-Wind Release: Solar Halo Technique."
A glowing orb formed above the fields, radiating warm light across the crops.
"It is done. I connected this place to the canal, so it's easier to water everything," Nagato said to himself.
The upper floors required different attention. Nagato moved methodically, shaping living spaces with precise Earth Release techniques. Walls rose where he willed them, forming simple but sturdy apartments. Water Release created functional plumbing, while controlled Fire Release channels provided heating.
"Wood Style: Wood Clone Jutsu!"
Five replicas materialized from the wooden structures.
"Guard this place," Nagato ordered. "Remain hidden unless there's trouble."
One clone smirked.
"What constitutes trouble here? A missing ramen coupon?"
"Just... use your judgment," Nagato sighed.
"To have a chakra bank really makes me happy. Just using original Nagato's chakra—even if he was brought back with Edo Tensei—it'd be impossible to finish this in half a day."
As he departed, the first civilians arrived, their gasps of amazement echoing through the transformed factory. Nagato allowed himself a rare moment of pride. The Akatsuki would thrive now—with full bellies and dry roofs over their heads.
Somewhere above, a child's shriek pierced the air.
"Mom! The walls just grew a chair!"
Nagato rubbed his temples.
"Never mind. Small detail."