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Kagaya shook his head. "Change that requirement."
"Oh? Does Kagaya-kun still have attachments to the Akatsuki organization?"
Orochimaru was somewhat surprised. He had thought Kagaya, like himself, didn't particularly care about being in the Akatsuki.
In Orochimaru's original expectations, this third requirement should have been the easiest to agree to; it was the first two that he thought Kagaya would find more difficult to accept.
Kagaya closed his eyes and offered a simple explanation.
"I will require the Akatsuki's assistance in the future. Therefore, if possible, I'd prefer not to leave it."
"Is that so? Very well then, I'll change the requirement. I hope Kagaya-kun will maintain long-term cooperation with me."
"Cooperation? What kind of cooperation? Be more specific. Something so vague, I cannot agree to it."
Orochimaru smiled. "Cooperation is just cooperation. For example, in a few years, I might plan an invasion of Konoha, who knows? I think Kagaya-kun would be quite interested in such a plan, no?"
Kagaya fell silent, then a slight smile touched the corner of his mouth. "That does sound like an excellent cooperation."
"This is just one example. If there are other collaborations, I will inform Kagaya-kun."
"Let's be clear first; I might not agree to those other cooperations."
"Of course, Kagaya-kun only needs to consider them. If you find them unsuitable, you are free to refuse."
"Then, I have agreed to all three requirements. Can you deliver your part of the bargain now?"
"Certainly." As he spoke, Orochimaru handed a scroll to Kagaya.
"This contains all my knowledge regarding the Impure World Reincarnation, including the hand seals, activation conditions, and so on. Kagaya-kun can study it himself later. However, I must point out that even I have not yet fully mastered this technique. As you saw earlier, that Third Kazekage broke free from my control and dissipated on his own."
Kagaya stored the scroll away. "I don't need to control others."
Orochimaru thought for a moment.
"Well, that's true. If Kagaya-kun is reviving that person, then control is indeed unnecessary."
Kagaya looked at Orochimaru impassively.
"If you have nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
"Of course, Kagaya-kun, take care."
As his words fell, Kagaya vanished from Orochimaru's sight along with Haku.
*****
A short while later, a young man with glasses appeared beside Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-sama, the agreement between that Uchiha Kagaya and you... is it truly trustworthy?"
"For the sake of that person, I believe he will keep his word. After all, right now, he is like a drowning man who has finally managed to grab hold of a hand. He won't let go. And the one who offered him that hand is me."
*****
Akatsuki Base
The full Akatsuki membership had once again received Pain's summons to assemble.
Colorful projections appeared in the room.
"I searched through the rubble thoroughly but couldn't find his body. I can't guarantee I killed him. That guy Kagaya took it upon himself to give chase; I don't know if he caught up or not."
Sasori was the first to speak.
"If he's still alive, I will definitely kill him!" Deidara spoke next, still furious at the thought that his art failed to kill that person.
Pain looked at Kagaya.
"Kagaya, what is your report?"
Kagaya spoke calmly. "I pursued him and caught up with Orochimaru. I engaged him, but he escaped."
Sasori snorted coldly.
"Knew it would be like this." Deidara grumbled.
"Speaking of which, what was the deal with that far-fetched technique?"
Deidara was naturally referring to the Impure World Reincarnation. Their observations and experiences had already been relayed to the other Akatsuki members earlier.
Pain looked at Itachi.
"Do you have any insight?" Itachi replied.
"It is likely the Impure World Reincarnation technique, developed by the Second Hokage. It can revive the dead and control them at will. Moreover, they cannot be killed. The only options are to use sealing techniques or use force to restrain their movements."
Deidara: "Wouldn't killing Orochimaru work?"
Itachi: "Even so, the Impure World Reincarnation would not cease its actions."
Deidara: "What kind of nonsense is that?"
Pain: "From now on, be mindful of Orochimaru's activities. As long as he lives, he will undoubtedly make a move."
Kagaya: "Should we continue the pursuit?"
Pain: "If you have spare capacity, you may do so. But normally, missions take priority."
Deidara: "Under normal circumstances, no one could escape an explosion like that, right?"
Sasori: "Is anyone who comes here 'normal'?"
Konan, unusually, picked up the conversation.
"Speaking of immortal bodies, there's another one here."
Kagaya glanced slightly at Konan. Most of the time during Akatsuki assemblies, she remained silent. He hadn't expected her to speak up proactively this time.
Pain explained.
"It's a request from the Land of Hot Water. They report the appearance of a serial killer and want us to eliminate him."
Kakuzu: "Don't they have shinobi in the Land of Hot Water?"
Konan: "They cannot kill him."
Kagaya's eyes narrowed slightly. He realized who they were talking about.
'Hidan...'
Thinking this, Kagaya spoke.
"Possesses an immortal body?"
Pain: "Do you know of him?"
Kagaya shook his head. "No, just confirming."
Deidara chimed in from the side.
"So, is this person also like Orochimaru's 'Impure Something-or-other'?"
Kagaya denied it. "I don't think so."
Pain spoke directly.
"We need to temporarily change the team assignments before sending people this time. Kagaya, Itachi, since you both possess the Sharingan, one of you needs to go."
Kagaya said indifferently. "Either is fine with me."
While he had been interested in pursuing Orochimaru, Kagaya had little interest in finding Hidan. If Pain sent him, he would go, but if not, he wouldn't mind, and would actually appreciate the leisure.
Itachi also spoke. "Like Kagaya, either is fine."
Pain looked at Konan, indicating for her to make the decision. It seemed Konan was leading this operation.
Konan looked at Itachi and Kagaya. "Then, it will be Kagaya."
Kagaya rolled his eyes.
Pain ignored Kagaya and looked at Kakuzu.
"Kakuzu, you will go with Konan and Kagaya. This immortal individual might be recruited into the Akatsuki to become your partner."
Kakuzu: "Understood."