WEEKLY POWER GOALS 💎🔥 30→2ch | 60→5ch | 100→8ch | 200→15ch | 400→25ch⏰ Resets Monday!
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Inside the cottage on Pale Moon Island.
Sasuke placed a cup of hot tea in front of Karin.
"Don't be afraid. You're safe now."
"Thank you." Karin took the cup. The warmth in her palms instantly melted her into a fragile mess.
Tears fell in streams. She set the cup down. Then, right there in front of Orochimaru and Kabuto, she wrapped her arms around Sasuke.
"Waaaaah… I was so scared…"
"Hey, don't—" Sasuke stiffened, awkward.
"Sasuke, I swear I'll never leave your side again!!!" Karin declared.
Sasuke thought: Weird. At this point in time, she shouldn't even know me.
Back in the Forest of Death during the Chunin Exams, he'd saved her once. She'd never forgotten his face.
For Sasuke, that was a distant past, barely a memory. For Karin, it had only been half a year.
And now, seeing that same back in the northern forest stronghold, she'd decided. Her life was his.
Sasuke finally, with great difficulty, calmed her down. He wiped the lipstick mark from his cheek. His expression turned serious.
"Tell me what happened."
Karin took her teacup again, hands trembling as she recounted last night's terror. "Before the enemies reached the northern stronghold, I sensed their chakra. It was… huge. I told Suigetsu right away. Told him to take Jugo and run. He didn't want to. He just wanted to run for it himself…"
"I knew Jugo was too important an experiment to Orochimaru-sama. So I threatened Suigetsu. I said if Jugo died, even if we escaped the enemy, Orochimaru-sama would have our heads. Then he reluctantly took Jugo and fled."
"We split up. The bomber came after me. The masked guy with him went after Suigetsu and Jugo. Later… I felt their chakra signatures vanish. The masked man got them. I was terrified. Knew I was next. I ran deeper into the woods, suppressed my chakra… then the rest, you know."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "Not direct explosive death? Then perhaps…"
Orochimaru and Sasuke exchanged a look.
Orochimaru spoke. "Kabuto. There are… backups of Suigetsu and Jugo's life materials. Bring them. We will confirm."
Kabuto nodded. "Understood. The Impure World Reincarnation. I'll bring the living sacrifices as well."
Orochimaru: "No sacrifices needed."
Kabuto paused, but asked no questions.
Half an hour later, Kabuto returned with the life materials. The four went outside.
Only now did Karin see the pale blue moonlight above. A girlish sigh escaped her. "So beautiful… It's good to be alive. I'd love to live here with Sasuke forever…"
Kabuto placed Jugo and Suigetsu's life materials on the ground and stepped back.
WHOOSH.
Orochimaru's long hair billowed. He shifted into Death Seal Release mode!
Karin's eyes widened. What… what is that form?! Orochimaru's chakra… it felt completely different from before! What happened to him after he disappeared from the failed Konoha invasion?!
Orochimaru tossed the prayer beads—the Shinigami's ritual tool. It encircled the life materials.
"These prayer beads can call back a soul using the deceased's physical remnants…"
The materials sizzled, burned to ash. But no souls appeared.
Orochimaru: "Failed. Then we can conclude. Suigetsu and Jugo are still among the living."
A collective sigh of relief.
Sasuke: "Only one explanation. Obito pulled them into his Kamui dimension."
Orochimaru retrieved the prayer beads, reverting from his form. "Indeed. We cannot retrieve them at this stage. Their survival depends on their own wits. Fortunately… neither is particularly loyal to me. They are unlikely to die for a pointless cause."
Karin's mind raced. Not just his chakra. His entire personality is different. The old Orochimaru would never tolerate betrayal. Now? Not only does he not blame me for the failure, he even hopes Suigetsu and Jugo would betray him to survive. My god… is the world ending?
With Jugo and Suigetsu confirmed alive, Sasuke's tension eased. He rubbed his eyes, the dull ache finally demanding attention.
"My eyes are bothering me. I need to rest."
"Sasuke…" Karin made to follow, but glanced nervously at Orochimaru. He gave a slight, permissive nod. She hurried after him.
Orochimaru turned to Kabuto. "To prevent another incident like the northern stronghold, dissolve all our other bases. Every one. And dismiss all peripheral personnel. Your intelligence network remains. Everything else goes."
Kabuto couldn't hide his regret. "But… we built that over so much time. It's such a waste…"
Orochimaru's gaze was distant. "They served their purpose in a bygone era. Now, we travel light."
Kabuto bowed. "Understood. I'll see to it."
"Good. While you're at it, handle another matter. I have determined Sasuke's opponents for his second battle."
"So soon? I thought it depended on his absorption rate of the White Cursed Seal?"
"Regardless of his absorption level, those two are the ideal opponents. And given the current climate… they are the perfect first targets."
Kabuto pushed his glasses up, his expression grave. "Those two… you don't mean…"
Orochimaru's smile was thin. "Correct. The so-called 'Immortal Duo' of the Akatsuki. Hidan. Kakuzu."
"Kakuzu is the core of the Akatsuki's financial operations. He controls wealth rivaling nations. The advanced equipment I need for the ĹŚtsutsuki Project requires immense funding. Hidan is a disciple of Jashin, one of the Four Deities of Earth, alongside the Shinigami. He is also crucial material for my other project, the Four Pillar Gods Plan. Better to acquire them now, while they're still running loose."
Understanding the stakes, Kabuto felt the weight of the task.
"Understood, Orochimaru-sama. I will ensure everything proceeds flawlessly."
In a cavern studded with stalactites, the Akatsuki gathered once more.
Kakuzu grumbled. "Huh? Meetings are getting way too frequent these days. What, we got nothing better to do?"
"Woooooooooh…"
Tobi was draped over Deidara's shoulder, sobbing hysterically. Beside them lay Deidara's severed hand, tongue lolling out.
"Deidara-senpai! I failed to protect you! Senpai, you died so horribly!!"
Pain spoke. "Tobi. Stop crying. Report."
Tobi choked back tears, his voice a dramatic warble. "Deidara-senpai completed the northern stronghold bombing mission flawlessly! Un! But afterward… he was ambushed by the vicious, hateful Uchiha Sasuke! The brat summoned a terrifying chakra giant! Shot a black arrow! Deidara-senpai was too careless to dodge! His great bird was blown to pieces! Un! I fought with everything I had… but all I managed to save was… was my senior's body! Waaaaah! Deidara-senpai was strict, but he was a good senior!!"
"Gah, damn it, that hurts! My right arm's got no feeling! Where's that bastard Sasuke?!"
Suddenly, the 'dead' Deidara opened his eyes and sat up.
Tobi shrieked behind his mask, leaping back. "De—Deidara-senpai's a zombie!! Help!!!"
"Calm down, Tobi," Pain said. "Deidara was never dead."
Tobi tilted his head. "Ara? Still alive? Just a cripple now!"
Pain continued. "Deidara. Tobi saved you."
Deidara's mind cleared. "Tch! That Sasuke bastard… next time I see him, he's dead! Itachi! Your little brother's something else, huh? Just so you know, his life is mine!"
"…" Itachi's Sharingan gleamed in the darkness. He said nothing.
Pain: "Deidara, rest and recover from your injuries. Kakuzu, rendezvous with Deidara. Reattach his arm."
Kakuzu's voice dripped with irritation. "That's a trip. How much money will I lose? Who's paying for this?"
Deidara snapped. "Hn! We'll settle it with that Uchiha Sasuke's head! Kakuzu, I'll wring that brat's neck off myself and hand it to you!"
Kakuzu sighed, reluctantly accepting. "Fine. But if you fail, I'm taking your head for the bounty."
Tobi chimed in. "Though, Deidara-senpai's head probably isn't worth much, yeah~?"
Deidara's eye twitched. "Hey! Tobi! Don't think saving my life once lets you get cocky! Leader, you need to discipline him!!"
Pain glanced sideways. "Tobi. Respect your seniors. At all times."
Tobi snapped to attention. "Yes, sir~! I will carry on the will of the late Sasori-senpai and reunite him with Deidara-senpai as soon as possible!"
Deidara: "HEY#…!!!"
Pain continued. "Tobi. Your assistance in protecting Deidara was valuable. Effective immediately, you inherit the title of Jade. You are now a full member of the Akatsuki."
Tobi bounced with joy. "Yay~! Yay~!"
Kisame chuckled. "Hahaha… where'd you dig up this clown?"
Pain's Rinnegan swept over the assembly. "That is all. Everyone, lay low for now. I do not wish to convene another meeting before our tailed beast hunting operation in three years."
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