Nagato chose to let Orochimaru test Shenyue Yuan—
For two reasons.
First—
To prevent Orochimaru from idling within the organization.
Second—
To use this test…
To expose the truth.
If Orochimaru held back—
Then both he and Yuan were suspicious.
If he didn't—
Then Orochimaru was clean.
Simple.
Efficient.
Cold.
…
But—
What neither Nagato nor Konan expected—
Was this.
This man—
Pointed directly at Pain.
And asked him to test him.
…
Ignorant.
Arrogant.
Absurd.
How could a mortal—
Challenge a god?
Yes—
Most Akatsuki members had been personally subdued by Pain.
But—
They were all S-rank rogue ninja.
Names that shook the world.
Monsters whose reputations alone—
Could terrify entire nations.
And Shenyue Yuan?
Unknown.
Unproven.
Compared to them—
He didn't even belong in the same category.
Pain—
Had no reason to act.
…
Konan shook her head slowly.
She didn't even bother speaking.
Instead—
She stepped back.
Into the tower.
Avoiding the battlefield entirely.
In her eyes—
From the moment he said those words—
He was already dead.
…
The air froze.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Shenyue Yuan smiled faintly.
"Go on."
"Don't waste time."
He was eager.
To join.
To bring his "talent" into the organization.
…
Silence.
Even Pain paused.
This—
Made it seem as if they were hesitating.
Pain looked at him coldly.
"Foolish mortal."
A man seeking death—
He had seen many.
But one who requested it?
Rare.
Still—
Pain made a decision.
If this boy demonstrated strength—
Equal to Akatsuki members—
He would spare him.
As for his identity—
Under absolute power—
It didn't matter.
If he was weak?
Then—
He would simply disappear.
Completely.
…
The tension thickened—
Like a storm before it broke.
Then—
A voice cut through it.
"I'm here."
A figure appeared—
At the far end of the street.
Orochimaru.
He stepped into the dry zone.
Closed his umbrella.
Flicked away the rain.
He disliked Amegakure.
Too cold.
Too damp.
Even snakes—
Would rather hibernate here.
…
And yet—
No one paid him any attention.
He didn't mind.
Since leaving Konoha—
Since abandoning the title of Sannin—
He no longer needed attention.
Or recognition.
…
His gaze swept across the scene.
Sharp.
Calculating.
Then—
It stopped.
On Shenyue Yuan.
That scratched Konoha headband—
Stood out immediately.
A declaration.
A signal.
…
Orochimaru moved to Konan's side.
"Shenyue Yuan."
She spoke directly.
"No need to hide it."
"He came here on his own."
"He wants to join Akatsuki."
"…I see."
Orochimaru's expression darkened slightly.
"So I was summoned to test him?"
Now he understood.
This wasn't a test of Yuan—
It was a test of him.
"…Not anymore."
Konan replied coldly.
"When he heard you would test him—"
"He chose the Leader instead."
"…What?"
Even Orochimaru paused.
Testing him—
Was already dangerous.
He couldn't hold back.
If he did—
He might die.
But this boy—
Chose Pain?
…
A memory surfaced.
Fear.
Pure.
Absolute.
The first time he faced Pain—
He had coveted those eyes.
The Rinnegan.
Irresistible.
But what he received in return—
Was despair.
One move.
Just one—
And he was crushed completely.
That day—
He understood.
The gap.
Between man—
And god.
Even now—
He did not dare covet those eyes again.
…
Orochimaru let out a dry, quiet laugh.
"This fool…"
Either ignorant—
Or suicidal.
…
Then—
A thought struck him.
Sudden.
Sharp.
Everything—
Clicked into place.
…
Konoha.
Two prodigies.
Itachi Uchiha.AndShenyue Yuan.
Itachi—
Had already joined Akatsuki.
So what would Konoha do?
Let him roam freely?
Impossible.
They would send—
Another.
To watch him.
To monitor him.
To control him.
…
Orochimaru's eyes lit up.
Of course.
That old man—
Hiruzen Sarutobi—
Would absolutely do something like this.
Sacrifice another genius—
For the sake of the village.
It fit perfectly.
Even the so-called "Root massacre"—
Could have been staged.
A cover.
To solidify Yuan's identity as a rogue ninja.
Everything—
Aligned.
…
Orochimaru smiled.
Cold.
Sharp.
"So that's it…"
And if Konoha knew—
He was also within Akatsuki—
Then this boy—
Wasn't just here for Itachi.
He was here—
For him as well.
…
That settled it.
He could not remain here any longer.
And more importantly—
This boy—
Could not be allowed to join.
…
A flicker of killing intent passed through Orochimaru's eyes.
Then—
He spoke.
Without hesitation.
"Leader."
His voice cut through the silence.
"This Shenyue Yuan—"
"…is a spy."
"A Konoha infiltrator."