Leaving Otogakure, Yagami Light headed towards the Fire Temple.
His main body had sent word earlier, telling him to investigate the Fire Temple's 'Talent of the Immortal Clan' secret technique, as it likely involved the application of energy.
Take Chiriku's move—Raigo: Thousand-Hand Strike—for example. Even Asuma could perform it. This wasn't just a simple secret technique of the Fire Temple; it hid a method of energy application different from conventional Ninjutsu.
The main body had recently thought that if he faced something like Senju Hashirama's 'Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands: Summit Enlightened Buddha', he would seemingly only be able to defend passively.
He wanted to see if he could find any inspiration in the application of Senjutsu.
According to what he had gathered, the Fire Temple had existed for thousands of years, possibly even before the Six Paths Sage.
In that era, the Ninja World undoubtedly relied primarily on using Natural Energy.
Therefore, this set of secret techniques might contain the usage of Natural Energy. Although quite different from Sage Mode, it had been modified so that most people could use it.
After all, the number of monks in the Fire Temple who could use this move was at least far greater than those who could use Sage Mode.
Their application of Natural Energy undoubtedly had its own unique methods, and might even be combined with the power of incense and faith.
Furthermore, since the incense had remained lit for thousands of years, was their Buddha a deity born from the Ninja World, and did it still exist in the world?
If it had been wiped out by the Ōtsutsuki Clan, would thousands of years of incense offerings allow it to reshape its golden body?
All of this made the main body very curious, but after suffering a setback once, he no longer dared to lightly pry into these gods of the Ninja World.
It just so happened that Yagami Light's Evil God Cult had already gotten on track, but he was still clueless regarding the aspect of faith. Going to the Fire Temple was a perfect chance to see if he could find any inspiration.
...
In a dark space, there wasn't a single ray of light around, only a giant statue floating in mid-air.
At this moment, translucent consciousness bodies began to appear one after another on the ten giant fingers of the statue.
"The frequency of our gatherings has been a bit high lately. I remember the last time was because Uchiha Itachi and Kisame's mission failed," a voice full of mechanical resonance said.
"Oh my, Kisame-san, how are you better? Didn't Itachi say last time that you lost an arm and were on the verge of death? Did Kakuzu help you reattach that arm?"
"Hmph! I didn't reattach Kisame's arm. Kisame, you should have called me to do it. I would have definitely charged you less than others. What a pity, I missed out on a profit."
At this time, Uchiha Itachi, standing at the Vermillion Bird position, turned his head to look at Pain at the head. "Leader, is there something you've summoned us for? Isn't the operation scheduled for two years from now?"
The others also looked towards Pain. They were currently in a period of silence; the leader wouldn't summon them unless necessary.
Pain, standing at the head, saw the field quiet down. "Zetsu has sent word. He has discovered Orochimaru's tracks."
"Zetsu, tell everyone what you found."
Everyone immediately looked over. They were all very curious about Zetsu, this pitcher plant-like figure. He didn't seem human, but like an artificial creation; he was too eerie.
"I'm sure no one can guess where Orochimaru is. He is in Otogakure in the Land of Rice Fields."
"I'm sure you wouldn't expect that Otogakure was established by Orochimaru. That snake really knows how to hide in plain sight. We all thought he was hiding in some dark corner, but he's actually right under our noses in the open."
"None of us would go looking inside the various hidden villages."
"Oh! So he's there. He really made me search for a long time. He is my prey; I will take his life shortly."
Sasori, hiding inside his puppet, marveled at how well Orochimaru played it. Hunting Orochimaru was his team's mission, but they just couldn't find the man. After all, no one would have thought in that direction.
"Going there now is already too late. Otogakure has been destroyed, and that fellow Orochimaru has disappeared again. Who knows where he's hiding now?"
Hearing this news, everyone was stunned. Aside from the Five Great Ninja Villages, who else in the Ninja World had such power?
"Oh! Who did it? Orochimaru was this great me's target. I didn't expect someone to beat me to it, hm!"
Deidara showed a disappointed expression. He had wanted to let Sasori-danna witness his latest art during the crusade against Orochimaru!
At this moment, Zetsu looked at Hidan and gave an ambiguous smile. "That guy calls himself a god of evil, Evil God Yagami Light."
"What? Zetsu, what did you say? That guy dares to desecrate the Great Lord Jashin? Lord Jashin will punish him!"
Hidan instantly exploded in the field—someone actually dared to impersonate the Evil God. This was a blatant desecration of his faith and a direct provocation!
As the self-proclaimed earthly messenger appointed by Lord Jashin, he had the obligation to send that blasphemer to Lord Jashin for atonement.
"Zetsu, tell me quickly where he is. I want to send him to meet Lord Jashin."
"Don't say that, Hidan. Maybe he really is your Evil God. When the time comes, won't you have to kneel at his feet?"
"What did you say, Kakuzu? Careful, or I'll send you down to meet Lord Jashin right now."
"Alright, you two, be quiet."
Pain stopped the two from arguing. "Since he could defeat Orochimaru, his strength is decent. Zetsu, find him and recruit him."
"After Orochimaru defected, the organization has been short one person. He can just fill the gap."
"If he refuses, then there is no need for him to stay alive."
At this time, Hidan took the initiative to volunteer. "Leader, leave it to me. I want to tear that blasphemer apart with my own hands. What kind of low-tier player dares to call himself an Evil God?"
"Then I'll leave it to you two, Hidan and Kakuzu."
Pain's voice carried no ripple of emotion. In his view, if the opponent couldn't even evade Hidan's pursuit, they weren't qualified to join the Akatsuki.
Then, Sasori spoke up: "Leader, speaking of experts, I did encounter someone in the Land of Waves. It was the S-rank rogue Ninja from the Hidden Mist Village, the new wielder of the kubikiribocho, Zabuza Momochi."
But his strength was a bit lacking, only at the level of an Elite Jonin. If it weren't for an Ice Release Ninja by his side, he and that blade would have become my collectibles."
"It's all because you wouldn't let me help, Sasori-danna. Otherwise, how could they have escaped, hm!"
"Shut up, Deidara. If your bombs blow them all to smithereens, what use is that!"
"Enough. While his strength is somewhat deficient, together with that Ice Release Ninja, it is sufficient. If that 'Evil God' doesn't work out, it won't be too late to seek them out."
At this moment, Zetsu suddenly looked at Uchiha Itachi, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness: "By the way, there's one more thing. It's related to you, Itachi!"
"Your younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke, has defected from Konoha. He is now following Orochimaru."
Upon hearing this, the others all looked at Uchiha Itachi, their eyes filled with amusement and scrutiny. Everyone knew Orochimaru harbored ill intentions.
Uchiha Itachi said expressionlessly, "It doesn't matter, as long as it doesn't affect my plans."
The others showed disappointed expressions upon hearing this, as there was no drama to watch, while also marveling in their hearts, 'As expected of the ruthless man who wiped out his entire clan.'
However, they didn't notice that under his wide sleeves, Itachi's fists were tightly clenched and trembling, revealing the turmoil in his heart.
Pain looked at the silent crowd.
"Then that is all for now. For the next two years, the policy remains unchanged: accumulate funds first to prepare for subsequent operations."
Then, his figure vanished.
Seeing this, the others also left one after another.
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100 POWER STONE = BONUS CHAPTER
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