The Konoha Destruction Plan!
At the mention of the plan, even someone as composed as Orochimaru couldn't help but reveal a moment of distraction. His life up until now flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.
Although born a commoner, he was taken in as a disciple by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, at a young age. In his childhood, Hiruzen seemed like a loving teacher, a hero who protected the village, and in some ways, a father figure.
As he grew older and entered the brutal battlefield, he began to see the darker sides of human nature and politics. In his youth, he regarded Hiruzen as an outstanding commander, a respectable elder, and a Hokage who maintained a pure heart even amidst the mud.
But as he approached middle age, that former teacher, the Third Hokage with a pure heart, began to change.
He allowed Danzo to grow unchecked, ignored the suicide of Sakumo Hatake, supported Minato Namikaze as a puppet Fourth Hokage to maintain his own power, showed weakness in the Hyūga incident, and silently permitted the Uchiha clan's annihilation.
All these things showed that the heroic father figure he once admired had started to follow in the footsteps of Hanzō the Salamander, whose once-glorious name ended in disgrace.
Perhaps aging and the approach of death make all humans foolish?
This was one of the reasons Orochimaru sought immortality, a reason he had never shared with anyone.
He was determined to ensure that the man who was like a father to him would die as a hero, writing a perfect final chapter, rather than ending up like Hanzō, whose name was cursed and mocked by those who once revered him.
Of course, he had originally planned to act on this a few years later. However, the recent failure of the joint military operation between Konoha and Sunagakure prompted him to move his plan forward.
He was well aware of Akatsuki's strength. If Konoha were to face Akatsuki head-on, the current Konoha would stand no chance. If Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in power, his final chapter would undoubtedly end in tragedy, leaving an indelible stain on his life story.
That simply wouldn't do!
And while he was at it, Orochimaru thought, he might as well use this storm to set Konoha's windmill spinning again. The village had been immersed in peace for far too long. If it didn't awaken from its dream as the "First Ninja Village," how could it survive the impending upheavals in the ninja world?
After all, the Rinnegan had already appeared, and there was that mysterious figure from the night of the Uchiha massacre, as well as Akatsuki's Zetsu—unknown dangers lurking everywhere.
The more he delved into it, the more Orochimaru realized how deep the waters of the ninja world truly ran.
"Tch!"
Was this what Jiraiya, that fool, kept rambling about—bonds? Even someone as cold-blooded as Orochimaru couldn't escape their influence.
On the other side, Deidara and Sasori were equally astonished.
The Konoha Destruction Plan!
Deidara had been about to propose this himself, expecting Orochimaru to extort him in return. But now, it turned out to be an advance payment for services rendered. What a deal—he'd profited big time!
"Alright!" Deidara nodded.
"But I have one small request."
"Oh? What is it?" Orochimaru snapped out of his reverie, returning to his usual sinister and composed demeanor.
"I hope this Konoha Destruction Plan will elevate Danzo, allowing him to smoothly take over as the Fifth Hokage."
When Deidara made this request, Orochimaru immediately realized he had been too hasty. What should have been a favor sought by the other party had instead cost him a significant concession.
But since the words had already been spoken, there was no turning back. Orochimaru wasn't the type to go back on his word.
"Fine!" He licked his lips with interest. It seemed Akatsuki was planning another major move.
Was the wind about to stir in the ninja world? Orochimaru hated stagnation more than anything.
"So, how do we get close to the Third Hokage?" Deidara asked curiously.
If they couldn't execute a decapitation strategy and had to resort to brute force, they could barely manage it. But that would defeat Deidara's goal of cozying up to Konoha.
If Konoha were left in ruins, how could he cozy up to anyone?
Moreover, the other four Great Ninja Villages would likely form an allied force to suppress their so-called "terrorist organization" immediately.
"In a few days, a delegation from the daimyo will visit Konoha to address the recent war's failure and discuss the allocation of additional reconstruction funds."
"When the time comes, we'll take their place!"
"Alright, I'll return to the Hidden Sound Village in three days. For this operation, I'll have Kakuzu and Hidan act as the main combatants."
With that, Deidara and Sasori departed.
Why Kakuzu and Hidan?
Because Deidara was counting on a post-war alliance between Amegakure and Konoha. If anyone from Amegakure openly participated in the Konoha Destruction Plan, it would make such an alliance impossible.
Even if Danzo wanted an alliance, public opinion would make it impossible for him to risk defying the world.
As for Akatsuki, Deidara, Sasori, and Konan had already been exposed in the last battle. Itachi Uchiha was a spy for Konoha, which indirectly exposed Kisame as well. Zetsu wouldn't act, and Nagato was in no condition to move.
That left only Kakuzu and Hidan.
To prevent Itachi from leaking information, Deidara didn't ask Nagato to convene a meeting. Instead, he personally sought out Kakuzu and Hidan, who happened to be wandering in the Land of Fire.
When Deidara found them, they were at a bounty exchange office, trading in a bounty.
"Mr. Kakuzu, here's ten million." After verifying the corpse Kakuzu brought, the exchange office manager retrieved a suitcase from the safe and handed it to him. Kakuzu didn't leave immediately. Instead, he opened the suitcase and meticulously counted the money, bill by bill.
"Damn Kakuzu!" Hiruko's tail twitched impatiently in midair. Clearly, Sasori was reaching the limits of his patience after waiting so long.
"There's nothing I can do!" Hidan said helplessly.
"Kakuzu insists on counting every single bill whenever he cashes in a bounty."
"You'd better hope he doesn't decide to count it a second time. Sometimes, when he's in the mood, he'll count it a second or even a third time."
"So annoying," Hidan grumbled. To him, money was useless. If he wanted something, he'd just take it. His only real interest was killing people—he was that simple and happy-go-lucky.
"Hey, Hidan."
"Hmm? What?" Hidan saw Deidara leaning in conspiratorially, as if about to share a secret, and curiously whispered back.
"Does Kakuzu know that all his money was taken by Konan to buy explosive tags?"
"What?! Are you serious?!" Hidan's voice involuntarily rose.
He imagined Kakuzu, that money-obsessed maniac, finding out about this someday. He'd probably be so furious he'd spit blood!
Given how fragile elderly blood vessels were, he might even suffer a brain hemorrhage and drop dead on the spot!
"Probably not. But if that's the case, doesn't that make Kakuzu the ultimate sucker?" Hidan couldn't help but laugh.
No! He couldn't laugh! If he kept laughing, Kakuzu would notice something was up!
Despite his efforts to suppress it, the commotion caught Kakuzu's attention. He shot a glance over with his emerald-green eyes.
"Hidan, keep it down."
"Don't disturb my counting."
"Of course! My bad! I'll step outside right away!" Hidan quickly covered his mouth and ran out, afraid he might accidentally let something slip.
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