Orochimaru joined the Akatsuki with the intention of seizing Nagato's Rinnegan. However, after witnessing its immense power, he had no choice but to lie low.
He was ambitious, yes, but he wasn't foolish.
Though the Living Corpse Reincarnation was an S-rank forbidden technique, the overwhelming difference in strength made success impossible.
Yet, Orochimaru didn't completely abandon his goal. He patiently waited for a more suitable target.
Now, with Uchiha Itachi's arrival, Orochimaru felt like he had struck gold!
"The one who destroyed the Uchiha clan has come to Akatsuki... My opportunity has finally arrived."
As the rain cleared and the skies brightened, Orochimaru's confidence returned.
Seizing the chance when Itachi was acting alone, Orochimaru launched his attack, using his Hidden Shadow Snake Hands to restrain him.
"You, possessing the precious Sharingan, appeared before me just like this. How lucky I am! Well then, I shall take your body!"
With that, he prepared to use the Living Corpse Reincarnation to seize Itachi's body.
But the moment he acted, he found himself unable to move!
"What? How could this be... a paralysis genjutsu?! Such terrifying ocular power... it's amazing!"
Struggling, Orochimaru tried to lift his trembling hand to dispel the genjutsu.
But Itachi wasn't about to let him succeed.
*Swish!*
With blood splattering everywhere, Orochimaru's left hand, bearing the "Sky" ring, was severed and fell to the ground.
Itachi, holding a kunai, stood with a faint smile.
"Orochimaru, none of your tricks work against my eyes. Now, I don't know whether to kill you immediately... or keep you alive for later use."
He pointed the kunai at Orochimaru's forehead.
"You are... not enough. No, you're too much. Your greed is too great, and for that, you treat lives as meaningless. So now, I shall—"
Before Itachi could finish him off, a sudden noise interrupted.
*Swish, swish, swish!*
Shuriken rained from above, forcing Itachi to retreat. A figure stepped between them.
"Orochimaru-sama!"
It was none other than Kabuto Yakushi, Orochimaru's loyal subordinate.
With the crisis momentarily resolved, Orochimaru breathed a sigh of relief and snarled at Itachi.
"Itachi, I will repay this debt!"
As he spoke, Kabuto threw several exploding tags at Itachi.
*Boom!*
Amid the explosion, Itachi swiftly withdrew.
When the smoke cleared, Orochimaru and Kabuto had vanished without a trace.
Itachi remained unfazed, calmly returning to the Akatsuki hideout to report everything to the group.
Nagato immediately tried to contact Orochimaru through the rings, but his attempts were met with silence.
It became clear to everyone—Orochimaru had betrayed the organization.
As Orochimaru's longtime partner, Sasori was particularly displeased.
"Orochimaru ran away after betraying the organization. Hmph, I always knew that scum couldn't be trusted, putting his personal goals above the group."
Nagato frowned.
"While I don't want to let Orochimaru escape, we're short on manpower right now—"
Before he could finish, Uchiha Obito, wearing his swirl-patterned mask and using his goofy "Tobi" persona, jumped out and shouted in a comical tone.
"Me, me, me! Can I join?"
To most of the Akatsuki, Obito was just "Tobi," a clownish rookie. Only Nagato and Zetsu knew his true identity.
Sasori scoffed at him.
"Get lost!"
"Uh... Yes, sir!" Obito replied weakly, retreating to the side.
Sasori turned back to Nagato.
"I'll handle Orochimaru. His lackey, Kabuto, is no different from one of my puppets. It won't take long to find their hideout."
Indeed, Kabuto had once been controlled by Sasori's Puppet Brainwashing Technique in the Hidden Sand Village, making him effectively a "puppet" of sorts.
But Nagato didn't immediately approve.
"Hold off for now. I've already found a candidate for your new partner. Once they join, we'll discuss the mission."
Sasori fell silent, while Kakuzu, another member, chimed in.
"So what about me? Do I team up with Itachi?"
"You'll operate solo for now. I have someone else in mind for Itachi's partner."
Nagato's expression turned weary as he spoke.
Kakuzu's partners had the highest mortality rate in the organization, often dying due to his "accidental" attacks. Most of them were unrecognizable afterward.
Until a suitable candidate could be found, Nagato decided it was safer for Kakuzu to work alone.
Kakuzu had no objections; he preferred working solo anyway. The only reason he ever had partners was because of the organization's rules.
Meanwhile, Nagato addressed another member squatting in a corner, holding a large sword.
"Jūzō Biwa, you'll partner with Itachi. If there are no objections, the arrangement is set. I'll assign your mission shortly. Meeting dismissed."
As everyone dispersed, Itachi turned to leave. Just as he reached the door, a voice called out to him.
"I didn't expect to see you here, Uchiha Itachi."
"Oh?"
Itachi paused, turning back.
"Your expression tells me you're lying. But I was genuinely surprised to see you. Teacher... or should I call you Shigeo Aburame?"
"Tch... You're as unlikable as ever!"
Shigeo clicked his tongue and adjusted his sunglasses.
"Let's talk somewhere else. We all have our secrets, and airing them here wouldn't be ideal, don't you think?"
With that, he walked ahead.
Itachi frowned but followed him to a secluded spot.
Stopping, Itachi asked, "What do you want to talk about?"
"Your time in the ANBU didn't teach you patience, did it, Itachi?"
Shigeo turned to face him, pushing his glasses up slightly.
"Turn off your Sharingan. I'm not Orochimaru. Unless you use the Mangekyō, your basic genjutsu won't work on me."
"..."
Frowning again, Itachi deactivated his Sharingan, his eyes returning to their normal black.
Seeing this, Shigeo smirked.
"Good. Now we can talk properly. Before we get down to business, I'd like you to tell me about Shino Aburame and Naruto Uzumaki."
He paused, then added:
"This isn't an order or a deal—just a father asking about his children."
"..."
*(End of Chapter)*