"You?"
Sasori's hoarse voice echoed, "I heard you were defeated by Ryosuke once, nearly died in Konoha. Heh, better let me go."
"I'm quite interested in the bodies of Ryosuke and Orochimaru... They both have the potential to become excellent puppets."
Uchiha Itachi cast a cold glance at Sasori, unmoved.
There was only one person here who could issue commands, and that was Pain. With Itachi's personality, he naturally had no interest in arguing with others.
Besides, for other matters, Itachi might step back, but this time, he had to go.
In the past, he had merely thought Ryosuke was a ninja with a unique ability. But ever since Ryosuke took Sasuke away from the village, everything had gone beyond his expectations.
Last time was too rushed, too sudden. This time, Itachi wanted to properly witness Ryosuke's power.
And along the way... to see Sasuke again, after so long.
The moment he thought of his little brother, Uchiha Itachi's emotions became complicated.
"As long as he's healthy and safe, that's enough."
"Count Itachi as one of the operatives."
Pain said, "Orochimaru was once your partner. Ryosuke, your former opponent. And now Orochimaru has severely injured your one and only brother, Uchiha Sasuke. This karma, it should be settled by you."
"Sasuke... seriously injured?!"
A towering killing intent surged inside Uchiha Itachi's heart, but not a trace of it appeared on his face.
He silently nodded. "Second operative..."
Pain turned toward Deidara, who had his hands in his pockets.
"Deidara, you go."
Kisame Hoshigaki paused for half a second, "I was Itachi's partner first. Shouldn't I be the one going with him?"
Though Pain was cold, he still gave the Akatsuki members the respect they deserved and explained simply, "Ryosuke has killed three members of the Hidden Mist's Seven Ninja Swordsmen in a row."
"Kisame, you're from the Hidden Mist. Your methods and style, Ryosuke is already too familiar with them. If we're going to deal with Ryosuke, we should assign opponents he's not good at countering."
Kisame nodded in acknowledgment.
All intelligence on Ryosuke emphasized this, within a range of 2–3 meters, Ryosuke held absolute control, and had incredibly strong burst movement abilities.
Uchiha Itachi, skilled in genjutsu. Deidara, skilled in explosive ninjutsu and capable of flight.
Indeed, the most suitable pairing.
Hearing his name, Deidara grinned, "As expected, tough bones like this, should be left to me to chew. I wonder if Ryosuke can understand my art."
"But we're capturing him alive to recruit him into Akatsuki, right?"
Pain nodded.
The strength Ryosuke had displayed in battle, and his attitude toward civilians, it reminded Pain of his former self.
He wanted to recruit Ryosuke into Akatsuki.
To fight for the ideal of "peace."
Deidara said, "Got it then. When I beat Ryosuke, I'll hold back, won't kill him. But why does Orochimaru have to be captured alive too? Isn't he a traitor?"
This time, it was Konan who answered. "Because none of you can be sure that the one you kill is the real Orochimaru, or just another experimental body or clone."
"And we also can't be certain that even after killing him, Orochimaru won't crawl out of some other base. That's why, I'll be the third member of this mission."
Konan looked at Itachi and Deidara, "I'll assist in the fight. Once Orochimaru is defeated, I'll be responsible for sealing and retrieving him, for Pain to deal with."
Uchiha Itachi, Deidara, and Konan.
This three-man team set out to capture Ryosuke and Orochimaru.
Akatsuki was a highly efficient organization.
Once the meeting ended, the three gathered and took off on a clay giant bird made by Deidara, heading toward the Land of Fields.
Deidara's bird was huge. Enough for three people to ride without feeling crowded.
Deidara was lost in his art, scribbling and sketching with pen and paper, occasionally letting out a light chuckle.
Uchiha Itachi sat with his eyes closed, resting.
Konan sat on the other side, observing Itachi's every movement out of the corner of her eye.
This mission of hers wasn't just about helping fight and sealing Orochimaru, she also had a secret task from Pain,
To probe into Uchiha Itachi's depths.
Every member of Akatsuki had some dark, less-than-glorious past, and their own secrets.
Pain didn't care how many secrets they had. As long as they helped him advance his plans, he never pried into personal matters.
A leader usually holds four cards, temptation, emotion, protection, and threat of force.
The key is to play the right card for the right person.
And Pain was good at this.
But only Uchiha Itachi...
On one hand, Itachi had no desires, focused entirely on missions, and always performed exceptionally. A perfect teammate.
On the other hand, he had once wiped out his entire clan without reason. A total madman.
Pain's command to Konan was, observe Itachi's choices when he faces Ryosuke, Sasuke, and Orochimaru.
If anything seems wrong, kill him on the spot!
———
[Konoha Village, Anbu Medical Room]
A massive "water bubble" floated in the air.
This was the Purification Water jointly created by Fukasaku and Shima, the sages of Mount Myoboku, capable of maximally blocking out external natural energy.
Sasuke was immersed in the center of this water.
Since everything in this world contained natural energy, Sasuke's body was nearly nude, just a cloth wrapped around his waist, the Thorned Crown on his head. No other clothing.
Jiraiya sat cross-legged in front of the Purification Water.
It had been a week since the battle with Orochimaru. This whole week, Jiraiya hadn't slept, watching over Sasuke the entire time.
Originally, Jiraiya wanted to leave Sasuke in Mount Myoboku. No outside interference, much safer.
But the natural energy in Mount Myoboku was too dense. The Purification Water couldn't be maintained for long. So, they had to move the treatment back to Konoha.
Jiraiya gazed at the floating Sasuke, arms slightly spread, wearing the Thorned Crown, his body growing thinner…
And he suddenly felt an urge to kneel and bow.
Jiraiya rubbed his cheeks hard, thinking he must be too exhausted.
"If you're too tired, then rest." A familiar, aged voice came from behind.
Jiraiya turned, locking eyes with the casually dressed, grandfatherly figure of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Rest? And then wait for Danzo to make another move on Sasuke?"
Hiruzen silently walked to Jiraiya's side, staring quietly at Sasuke inside the water sphere. After a long pause, he finally spoke again, "The Uchiha matter... I couldn't make a better choice."
Did Hiruzen not know that the Uchiha massacre was wrong? Did he not know it would weaken the village?
He knew.
But with his political skill and cunning, he couldn't make a better decision. So, he remained silent.
Jiraiya turned his head, glanced at Hiruzen.
When he first heard about the Uchiha Massacre, Jiraiya had been furious, wanting to storm back and curse Hiruzen out.
But now...
Jiraiya sighed, "Sensei, we really are master and disciple, huh?"
He, Jiraiya, who failed to make the right decision in battle and let Orochimaru escape, and his teacher...
Were they really any different?
In fact, both of their mistakes… had hurt Sasuke.
"But I won't hesitate anymore."
Jiraiya said, "Sensei, you always refuse to let go of what should be abandoned. That's why the things you were supposed to protect, were taken away."
Whether it was the Uchiha clan, Minato, Orochimaru... or the Will of Fire that once illuminated the ninja world as Konoha's pride.
"Then what do you think I should do?" Hiruzen asked.
Jiraiya shook his head, "I don't know. But there is one person... he probably does."
"Ryosuke?"
"Yes."
Hiruzen heard the trust in Jiraiya's voice. "The last time I heard you talk about someone like that, it was Minato. But if Ryosuke is coming back, it means Orochimaru is dead."
Jiraiya nodded. "He… died long ago."
"Ever since he stubbornly chased immortality, the soul called 'Orochimaru' has already rotted."
———
[Otogakure (Sound Village)]
Orochimaru looked at the thirty people standing before him.
Kabuto stepped forward. "Lord Orochimaru, these are the volunteers who offered to become 'materials' for this session."
"Did you tell them the cost?"
"We did. Certain death."
Orochimaru nodded and pointed at two volunteers.
Though they were chosen to die as materials, the two people smiled joyfully. The others looked on enviously.
Because once you volunteered for Orochimaru, your family, friends, even neighbors, would receive generous treatment. Your parents and children would be given a massive death benefit, enough to live comfortably for life.
In this wretched world, that was essentially a godsend.
The price? Just your life.
The two stepped forward. Orochimaru personally straightened their collars and smiled, "Thank you both."
The two were moved to tears, choking with emotion.
Orochimaru patted their shoulders, then said to Kabuto, "Since we're ready, let's begin. Forbidden jutsu..."
"Edo Tensei."
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