Feeling the chill against his neck, Orochimaru's expression became somewhat grim.
The Flying Thunder God Technique...
As a rogue ninja of Konoha, Orochimaru naturally knew that Hyuga Shinichi possessed the Flying Thunder God Technique. Still, he hadn't expected this young man to have mastered the jutsu to such an extent.
There is no truly invincible Ninjutsu in this world. Even a spatial jutsu like the Flying Thunder God Technique has significant drawbacks.
To achieve a space-time jump, one must first prepare a "marker." This is the greatest and most obvious weakness of the Flying Thunder God jutsu.
During his battle with Jiraiya, Orochimaru had actually focused some of his attention on Hyuga Shin'ichi. He had naturally observed the latter's fighting with the First and Second Hokage.
From Orochimaru's perspective, Hyuga Shin'ichi didn't have many opportunities to set up Flying Thunder God markers across the battlefield. However, Orochimaru himself never thought that, even with all his precautions, he failed to guess that Shin'ichi would leave a Flying Thunder God mark on Kabuto, whom Orochimaru had just struck away.
It was precisely by utilizing the Flying Thunder God mark on Kabuto that Orochimaru was cornered into this unfavorable situation.
After a brief silence, Orochimaru gently licked his lips, and a smile suddenly appeared on his face.
Hyuga Shin'ichi had seized such a good opportunity, yet he didn't deliver a fatal blow?!
With his wisdom, Orochimaru instantly guessed that Hyuga Shin'ichi likely had another motive. Otherwise, there was no way to explain Shin'ichi's current actions.
The Hidden Villages in the Ninja World would never go easy on rogue ninjas, and Orochimaru didn't believe he was so different from other rogue ninjas as to warrant special leniency from the village.
Even Jiraiya likely doesn't have the influence to sway the village to spare Orochimaru.
As for capture?!
The people in the village knew of his strength and would never issue such an absurd order to the ninjas pursuing him on the front lines. Because in front of a strong person like Orochimaru, not giving your all is being irresponsible with your own life.
Even if the rulers of the village seemed dim-witted in Orochimaru's eyes, they wouldn't give such an outrageous command.
Considering this, Hyuga Shin'ichi's actions were very telling...
Orochimaru saw through this point and actually relaxed at that moment:
"What do you want to do?"
"Capture me alive? Bring me back to the village for execution?"
"Or...?"
Orochimaru's voice was hoarse, speaking with an indescribable calmness, as if the sharp kunai held to his throat posed no threat to him at all.
As he spoke, Orochimaru even adopted a tone of mockery, completely unconcerned about his current predicament.
"Hoh..."
"As expected of Lord Orochimaru. Even at a time like this, you can still be so calm."
"Are you confident?"
Hyuga Shin'ichi slightly raised the kunai in his hand. The sharp edge easily sliced through the skin on Orochimaru's neck. Threads of fresh blood flowed from the wound, staining the blade.
The wound was very small, only three or four centimeters long, and very shallow, only piercing the surface layer of skin. However, such a threat did not affect Orochimaru. While pondering Hyuga Shin'ichi's intentions, Orochimaru slowly spoke:
"You came here with that Jiraiya guy to find me, not just simply to pursue a rogue ninja, right?"
"If the village had that intention, they would have taken action long ago, and I wouldn't have been able to operate freely in the Ninja World for so many years."
"Let me guess..."
"Did Danzo send you to find me?"
Orochimaru rubbed his chin, voicing his guess. He naturally divided Jiraiya and Hyuga Shin'ichi into two camps. He didn't believe that the objective of Shin'ichi and his team was the same as Jiraiya's.
And in the current village, only Danzo and a few others knew Orochimaru's true value. Hyuga Shin'ichi and his team clearly had another mission. Perhaps... they were after his research results!
Orochimaru let out bursts of light laughter, as if everything was within his grasp.
"As expected of Lord Orochimaru. Although the guess is incorrect, the direction is not far off."
"We did come to see you for something else; it's not just simply to bring you back to Konoha."
"Dealing with rogue ninjas is not our main mission."
As he spoke, Hyuga Shin'ichi lowered his gaze and quickly swept his left hand over Orochimaru's. A ring with the character "Empty" engraved on its face was taken by Shin'ichi, who then slowly presented it before Orochimaru, asking:
"Lord Orochimaru, you should be very familiar with this ring, shouldn't you?"
"Could you tell us the information about the owner of this type of ring?"
Gently pinching the ring in his hand, Hyuga Shin'ichi asked directly.
"!!!"
Orochimaru hadn't expected that Hyuga Shin'ichi and his team were after the Akatsuki organization! They were investigating the Akatsuki organization and its associates?!
Had this mercenary organization actually caught the attention of Konoha?
Thinking this, Orochimaru scanned the area, looked at the ninjas sent by the village, analyzed the combat strength configuration of the team, and suddenly looked enlightened.
Realizing that the opponent's target was not himself, but the deeply hidden Akatsuki organization, Orochimaru couldn't help but laugh out loud happily.
The relationship between Orochimaru and Akatsuki was one of mutual exploitation. In recent years, Orochimaru had his own ideas and pursuits and had very little interaction with the highly restrictive Akatsuki.
Although he still wore the Akatsuki ring and clothes, Orochimaru never considered those people as partners in his heart. Orochimaru's attitude had actually attracted the displeasure of Akatsuki's leadership, and the relationship between the two sides was already very tense.
Orochimaru was very familiar with Akatsuki's way of doing things. Before joining, he had secretly investigated the organization's background, and he was also very interested in the leader's Rinnegan, thinking of joining Akatsuki to seek an opportunity to seize the Rinnegan.
However, the leader of Akatsuki was shrouded in mystery, and communication among members always used the "Shapeshifting Technique" space-time projection, so Orochimaru never figured out the exact location of Akatsuki's leader, and naturally, the thought of stealing the Rinnegan was out of the question.
It was precisely because Orochimaru felt he had no chance of getting the Rinnegan that he became negative and lazy in some missions, causing the relationship with Akatsuki to drop to a freezing point.
If someone were to break this barrier, he, Orochimaru, would inevitably be hunted down by Akatsuki members.
Orochimaru didn't want to break the barrier at this stage, but the organization was also becoming increasingly distrustful and impatient with him.
It just so happened... Konoha had now noticed the Akatsuki organization. For Orochimaru, it would be best to lead these two sides into a major conflict. In this way, he could become the biggest beneficiary.
His mind spinning rapidly, Orochimaru instantly figured out the key point. Facing Hyuga Shin'ichi's question, Orochimaru responded with a chuckle:
"What do you want to know?"
Hearing this, Hyuga Shin'ichi was not polite and questioned him in front of Jiraiya and the others:
"Who are the organization's members? How many people are there, and what is their strength? What jutsus have they mastered, and what is their goal?"
"I have too many questions to list, but please, Lord Orochimaru, give us a good account of the organization you joined."
"As for compensation... I'll take the lives of you and your subordinates as my reward."
Hyuga Shin'ichi's words made a gleam flash in Orochimaru's eyes, and he feigned anger:
"In your eyes, am I someone who gives in so easily?"
However, Hyuga Shin'ichi's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this, and he calmly said: "I'm helping you, am I not?"
Hyuga Shin'ichi knew Orochimaru's background. The information disparity between the two meant that this negotiation was not on the same level from the very beginning.
Moreover...
As he spoke, Hyuga Shin'ichi gently patted Orochimaru's shoulder and then slowly put down the kunai in his hand.
Feeling the coldness on his neck disappear, Orochimaru's face did not soften; instead, it became even uglier.
No need to think about it, that Hyuga Shin'ichi guy had probably left a Flying Thunder God mark on him, hadn't he?!
"You little brat..."
Even with Orochimaru's deep composure, anger surged up at this moment, and he almost lost control of his emotions.
But soon, Orochimaru collected himself. Clapping his hands together, he actually took the initiative to release the Impure World Reincarnation jutsu. At the same time as releasing the forbidden jutsu, Orochimaru also answered Shin'ichi's question.
"The organization I'm in is called Akatsuki."
"In my opinion, it's just a mercenary organization."
"Akatsuki's leader is very mysterious. I have never seen him, but... that guy's eyes are the legendary Rinnegan!"
Orochimaru seemed to yield. Not only did he release the Impure World Reincarnation forbidden jutsu, but he also dismissed the summoning of Manda. At the same time, he gestured to Kimimaro, who was fighting Guy in the distance, indicating that he should stop.
While Orochimaru detailed the information about Akatsuki to Shin'ichi, two coffins rose from the ground. Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju both walked into the coffins one after another, then sank into the ground and disappeared.
Having done all this, Orochimaru beckoned and walked towards the direction of his underground lair.
Seeing this, Shin'ichi was not afraid of Orochimaru having any hidden moves or traps, and followed suit.
They were all clever people. A simple conversation should have made them understand each other's goals. Since they could cooperate, there was no need for fighting.
Neither Orochimaru nor Hyuga Shin'ichi was the type to fight to the death just to save face.
These people's target was Akatsuki, which perfectly suited Orochimaru's intentions!
Shisui, Kakashi, and Guy reunited one after another. Seeing Shin'ichi talking with Orochimaru and walking towards the direction of the underground lair, they immediately followed.
Jiraiya had anticipated Shin'ichi's thoughts. He walked silently to Orochimaru's side, listening quietly to the various pieces of information Orochimaru spoke.
However, when he heard that Akatsuki's leader actually possessed a pair of Rinnegan, his expression clearly changed, but Jiraiya did not interrupt, continuing to listen quietly.
Hyuga Shin'ichi glanced sideways at Jiraiya, remaining silent.
Orochimaru clearly noticed the change in Jiraiya's expression and suddenly said:
"Jiraiya, the Rinnegan, you should be very familiar with it, shouldn't you?"
"Hmph hmph hmph hmph..."
Orochimaru's chilling laughter made Jiraiya frown deeply. The other party's implication was clear, and Jiraiya naturally sensed it.
Speaking of which...
When he encountered those three children in the Hidden Rain Village all those years ago, wasn't Orochimaru right there?
Evidently, when Orochimaru noticed that Akatsuki's leader possessed the Rinnegan, he had already realized something.
"....."
"It couldn't be him."
After a brief silence, Jiraiya spoke to deny it, but even he lacked confidence as he said the words.
Orochimaru remained noncommittal and continued:
"Besides the leader who possesses the Rinnegan, Akatsuki's members also include the rogue ninja from Kirigakure, Kisame Hoshigaki. That guy killed Fuguki Suikazan, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and stole the blade Samehada."
"There's also the owner of the Kubikiribocho, Jūzō Biwa."
"And the rogue ninja from Sunagakure, Sasori, and the rogue ninja from Takigakure, Kakuzu."
"Adding me, these people are Akatsuki's total current combat strength."
The scale of the Akatsuki organization was still small. When Hyuga Shin'ichi heard that Jūzō Biwa had also become an Akatsuki member, his lips unconsciously curled into a smile.
That guy... was a pawn he could remotely control. Before Akatsuki's membership expanded, Jūzō Biwa could play a huge role!
The current Akatsuki naturally hadn't reached its so-called "peak period." In the list recited by Orochimaru, Hyuga Shin'ichi did not hear those familiar names.
Itachi Uchiha, of course, was still in Konoha's Anbu at this time.
Not only him, but the immortal Hidan and the explosive artist Deidara had not yet joined Akatsuki.
This rogue ninja organization that would stir up the Ninja World now only consisted of a handful of people. This was the best time to strike at Akatsuki.
Now, Sasori was dead, and Orochimaru was peripheral to the organization. The other members were either not yet "involved" or were on missions outside. Perhaps, attacking the Land of Rain at this time would be the best opportunity?
However, as soon as this thought arose, Hyuga Shin'ichi shook his head.
Shisui, Itachi, and Kakashi Hatake had not yet awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. The Konoha side, unless Minato and Kushina went out together and brought Jiraiya along, might have a chance to defeat the Six Paths of Pain and Konan.
But...
Before the enemy's strength was exposed, Shin'ichi absolutely could not persuade Minato and the "Jinchuriki" to leave Konoha to fight in the Land of Rain.
How could the Hokage easily leave the village? One must know that even during the worst part of the Third Great Shinobi War, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not leave the village by a single step.
To want the strong individuals to attack together now was wishful thinking...
As they spoke, the group arrived at the entrance of the underground lair. Orochimaru formed a hand seal, and the lair's door slowly opened.
Led by Orochimaru, the group walked into the dark underground lair.
Shin'ichi was fearless, and Jiraiya and the others naturally had even less to fear. Even if Orochimaru made a move, they could just use the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave with everyone.
Orochimaru was too smart to make any rash moves at this time.
In the gloomy underground lair, Orochimaru continued:
"Akatsuki's ultimate goal is to capture all the Tailed Beasts."
"As for what they plan to do after capturing the Tailed Beasts... it's nothing more than world domination..."
"I have no interest in such things, so I have remained outside the organization."
"Akatsuki is currently accumulating strength. Once they have enough power, they will immediately act."
"For Konoha, now is a good time to strike at Akatsuki."
"If you decide to do so, I can provide some assistance."
........
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