The group returned safely to Tanzaku Quarters.
Natsume glanced at Kakuzu and Sasori in the distance, then whispered to Hinae, "Follow this road in, stop when you reach the Gunma casino. My clone will meet you."
Uzumaki Hinae trembled, nodded, and left carrying Karin.
Perhaps it'd been so long since she'd seen a crowd, she moved like a frightened fawn.
"Let's go meet Orochimaru."
Natsume pointed north. "About a kilometer ahead."
He'd chosen a deserted plain for the meeting, knowing a fight might break out—not Tanzaku Quarters.
"Let's go."
Kakuzu grinned darkly, "I can't wait to see one of the legendary Sannin."
You just want to cash in Orochimaru's bounty, don't you?
Natsume saw through him immediately.
Kakuzu had even sold out teammates for money before.
Now Orochimaru, worth hundreds of millions of ryo, was right in front of him—no way he'd pass up the chance.
Natsume wasn't worried.
Orochimaru, though lacking the cursed seal and Living Corpse Reincarnation, was a master at survival and wouldn't be easy to kill.
Plus, Kakuzu and Sasori's abilities weren't as specialized or absolute as the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Worst case, even if Orochimaru died, it wouldn't really affect Natsume.
He already had Hashirama cells.
He wasn't interested in the cursed seal or Living Corpse Reincarnation.
Improved Edo Tensei would be nice, but not essential—Kabuto could study it if necessary.
"One more thing—no matter what Orochimaru asks, don't answer. Just get the goods."
Natsume paused, raising two fingers. "Another 200,000 ryo as hush money."
Kakuzu swallowed his words and nodded. "No problem."
You're rich, so you're always right.
He was completely lost in Natsume's generous payments.
A few minutes later, Orochimaru appeared in the distance.
"I'm just a clone, so I won't join the fun."
Natsume stopped, watching Kakuzu and Sasori approach and pulling out binoculars.
Time for popcorn.
Kakuzu, Sasori, and himself versus one of the legendary Sannin.
How could he miss it?
He'd only seen it on a screen before—now it was up close and personal.
Natsume wanted to see what ninja world's top-tier combat really looked like.
Of course, he'd cheer for his own side.
Orochimaru immediately noticed Kakuzu and Sasori.
He licked his lips, excited.
It was the thrill before a secret was revealed.
If, after the exchange, he could either keep one alive or force out some unique jutsu or bloodline, he'd learn a lot.
As they got closer, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
Definitely an organization.
They even had matching uniforms.
"Where's the stuff?" Kakuzu asked, glancing at Orochimaru. He'd seen his picture in the underworld and recognized him instantly.
He'd even considered taking his bounty.
But since Orochimaru was always in Konoha, breaking in was impossible.
Now that Orochimaru was alone, it was time to throw a master ball.
But first, complete the job.
Thanks to Natsume's big payments, Kakuzu now saw him as a VIP client for long-term cooperation.
"Here."
Orochimaru took out a storage scroll—he had no intention of cheating.
Mainly, Natsume hadn't asked for much.
And if things went south, he'd still have backup plans.
Kakuzu took it without looking, putting it away.
The next second, the calm was shattered—killing intent exploded from both sides.
In Naruto, killing intent is a real thing.
For example, during the chunin exams, Orochimaru used it on Sasuke to freeze him.
Sasuke had to injure himself to snap out of it.
Now, Orochimaru was surprised—Kakuzu's killing intent was just as strong as his.
Killing intent is forged in countless battles.
You can judge a ninja's past by their killing aura.
Orochimaru got serious.
Ten Thousand Snake Formation!
Countless venomous snakes poured from his mouth, covering the area and surrounding Kakuzu and Sasori.
"Not bad."
Kakuzu shed his Akatsuki cloak, and a humanoid figure made of black tendrils appeared behind him, like a stand.
Earth Grudge Fear mode.
A sign of respect for Orochimaru.
He also wanted to end things quickly.
The fire mask on his right shoulder opened its mouth.
Fire Style: Searing Migraine!
Flames swept out, burning all the venomous snakes to ash.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.
That fire jutsu was ridiculously powerful.
And Kakuzu's shadowy puppet—he'd never seen such ninjutsu.
Interesting.
Orochimaru was still confident.
He opened his mouth, spat out a little snake, which then spat out a sword.
The Kusanagi Sword shot out at blinding speed.
Kakuzu sent out black tendrils to block it.
But they were sliced clean in half.
"Nice sword!"
Kakuzu's eyes lit up. A sword that could cut his Earth Grudge Fear threads was top-tier—definitely worth a fortune.
Earth Style: Earth Spear!
Both arms turned black, and to Orochimaru's shock, he caught the Kusanagi Sword between his hands.
"Impressive fire and earth jutsu," Orochimaru thought, shifting tactics.
Kusanagi Sword: Sky Blade!
The sword extended infinitely.
Kakuzu's face changed; he let go and leapt back, then used Body Flicker to dodge.
As soon as he landed, the lightning mask opened.
Lightning Style: False Darkness!
A massive lightning spear blasted through Orochimaru, triggering an explosion.
"Is he dead?"
Kakuzu watched the smoke.
Suddenly, he looked down—venomous snakes had wrapped around his waist.
Orochimaru stood behind him, swinging the forty-meter-long Kusanagi Sword.
Kakuzu's body turned to water.
His real body reappeared nearby, and the wind mask shot out a wind sphere.
Wind Style: Pressure Damage!
An unremarkable sphere suddenly spun, grew, and exploded, engulfing Orochimaru.
"Did he dodge again?"
Kakuzu frowned—this guy was tough.
His jutsu were almost forbidden-level.
Most people would be dead by now.
Orochimaru exhaled—after several near misses, he wasn't having an easy time either.
This was his toughest fight since Hanzo the Salamander.
And Sasori hadn't even joined in yet.
He eyed Kakuzu, desperately trying to guess his identity but drawing blanks.
A ninja skilled in earth, water, lightning, fire, and wind… Where did he come from?
"Too slow," Sasori suddenly said, raising his arm and firing his cannon.
Last time, he'd only fired one cylinder at the Grass ninja. This time, it was more than a dozen.
Kakuzu quickly backed off.
"A puppet master?" Orochimaru paused, eyeing Sasori's right arm.
The cylinders exploded, filling the air with poison needles.
The area was too wide.
Normal substitution or teleportation wouldn't work.
Great Snake Substitution!
The needles pierced Orochimaru's body.
But the next second, he shed his skin and emerged unscathed.
"Such deadly poison," he muttered, glancing at his now-liquefied skin.
Orochimaru himself was a poison expert, but Sasori was just as skilled.
He looked grimly at the pair, having given up on victory.
Now, he wondered: how many members did this organization have? Was every member this terrifying? And what about their leader, the Wood Style user?