Chapter 16: The Traitor's Hunt
"Then, Hidan, your codename will be 'Sanbi' (Three-Tails). Deidara, you will inherit the codename 'Ryūsui' (Green Dragon) from the defected Orochimaru. Any objections?"
Neither of the two new recruits had any issue with this.
The other members reacted to the news of Orochimaru's defection with varied expressions. Kakuzu and Sasori showed surprise. Uchiha Naoki and Uchiha Itachi remained impassive, as if they had expected it. The Deva Path Pain and Konan, however, radiated palpable anger. Zetsu, as ever, displayed little emotion.
"Therefore, a critical task now lies before us," the Deva Path's voice was icy cold. "The pursuit and elimination of Orochimaru. He possesses sensitive intelligence about our organization. He cannot be allowed to live. Furthermore, the Akatsuki does not tolerate traitors."
Uchiha Naoki feigned exaggerated surprise. "Orochimaru defected? How shocking. It seems he never intended to stay with us for long."
Kakuzu grumbled, "But that snake Orochimaru is no weakling. Unless you take action personally, Leader, it seems unlikely any of the rest of us can finish him off."
Sasori snorted coldly upon hearing this, clearly disagreeing. "He's just a slippery serpent, adept at saving his own skin. But killing him is not impossible."
Uchiha Itachi spoke up, his tone flat. "Does this mission require my assistance, Leader?"
Deidara, buzzing with excitement, chimed in, "Take me! Take me! I really want to see what one of the Legendary Sannin can do, yeah!"
Hearing their responses, the Deva Path seemed satisfied. His Rinnegan eyes then settled on Sasori and Uchiha Naoki. "I will entrust this task to the two of you. Your combined strength is currently the most balanced in the organization, second only to myself and Konan, the 'Byakko' (White Tiger). No matter how powerful Orochimaru is, he should be no match for the two of you working together. Does anyone else have an opinion?"
No one voiced an objection. Deidara and Hidan, being new, didn't fully grasp the situation. Though a bit disappointed they couldn't participate in such a high-profile hunt, they didn't complain. Uchiha Itachi was content to not expend his precious visual prowess. Since Itachi didn't speak, his partner, Jūzō Biwa, remained silent as well. As for Kakuzu… he had no desire to confront Orochimaru directly.
"Since that is settled, I will now assign the permanent teams."
Nagato, the mastermind behind the Deva Path, felt a surge of anticipation seeing the organization nearly at full strength. He knew it was time to initiate the next phase of their plans. Such as capturing the Tailed Beasts.
"Sanbi," he said, indicating Hidan, "you will partner with Hokuto," he added, using Kakuzu's codename.
"Ryūsui," he continued, looking at Deidara, "you will partner with Genbu," Zetsu's codename.
His gaze hardened on both new members. "Do you have any objections?"
Deidara just grinned wildly. "Doesn't matter to me, yeah! I can partner with anyone, as long as it doesn't interfere with my Art!"
Upon hearing the word "Art," Sasori's interest was instantly piqued within Hiruko. "Art? Interesting. I didn't expect to find another person in this organization who believes in Art," he mused silently. "It seems I can discuss the nature of true Art with him later. He must surely also believe that Eternal Art is the only true form."
Hidan had no issue with the team assignment but turned a ferocious grin toward Kakuzu. "Alright, partner. Don't hold me back. Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to offer you to Lord Jashin."
This made Kakuzu snort derisively, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "You have quite the mouth on you, junior." His voice dropped to a menacing chill. "Then let me see exactly what qualifications you have to be so arrogant. Well, junior? Care to have a go?"
He hadn't had a chance to test Uchiha Naoki earlier. Now this Hidan fellow wouldn't disappoint him. Besides, from Sasori's account of his recruitment, Hidan, who lost to Uchiha Naoki in two or three moves, was clearly not top-tier.
Hidan's eyes lit up with manic excitement. "Kekeke! That's exactly what I wanted to hear, old-timer! Don't go and die on me too quickly now!"
These words caused a ripple of surprise among the assembled members, even Uchiha Itachi. Kakuzu's strength was formidable; not even Itachi could claim with certainty that he could kill the immortal bounty hunter. He was curious to know what gave Hidan the confidence to make such a bold declaration. Since he had nothing else to do, he might as well watch and be entertained.
Jūzō Biwa thought to himself, dismissively, "*He couldn't even defeat Uchiha Naoki, and Naoki's strength is at best a 60-40 split against Kakuzu's. I wonder where he gets the confidence to talk about killing Lord Kakuzu?*" The world was never short of people who overestimated themselves. In his eyes, Hidan was just such a person.
Uchiha Naoki leaned closer to Hiruko and whispered, "Brother Sasori, the ability you were curious about earlier is about to be revealed."
Sasori responded with a low, intrigued hum. "I'm looking forward to it."
Amegakure - A Designated Training Area
"Come on then, junior!" Kakuzu stood opposite Hidan, his eyes cold and indifferent. "Show me your strength. Let's see if it's enough to back up that big talk of yours."
Hidan simply tightened his grip on his massive scythe, staring at Kakuzu like a hawk sighting its prey.
When the distance between them closed to just a few meters, Hidan's scythe suddenly whipped forward in a silver crescent moon arc, fast enough to challenge a Jonin's reflexes.
But Kakuzu simply leaped back with practiced ease, creating distance once more.
Seeing this, Hidan pressed his attack, the scythe in his hand becoming a blur of deadly silver light, aiming for every vital point on Kakuzu's body.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Facing the relentless assault, Kakuzu continued to dodge with calm, economical movements. No matter how tricky Hidan's angles became, he couldn't even touch the hem of Kakuzu's cloak. Decades of combat experience were on full display, his movements a seamless, almost dance-like flow of minimal effort for maximum effect.
Both Uchiha Naoki and Uchiha Itachi activated their Sharingan simultaneously, watching intently, imprinting Kakuzu's efficient movements into their minds for later analysis and integration into their own styles.
"Hahaha! What's the matter? All you can do is run?!" Hidan taunted arrogantly as Kakuzu continued to evade. "Stop trying to dodge!"
He suddenly leaped high into the air, gripping the scythe with both hands, and brought it down in a powerful, cleaving strike.
Hearing the taunt, Kakuzu finally stopped retreating. His eyes sharpened, and with a flick of his wrist, his right arm shot forward like a rocket, connected by thick, black tendrils, and ruthlessly pierced straight through Hidan's chest.
Thud!
Hidan's eyes went wide with shock before he slumped powerlessly to the ground.
"Is this… it?" some of the onlookers murmured, confused. That was all? This was the guy who claimed he could kill Kakuzu? He was taken out so easily? Killed in a single counterattack?
Sasori, however, who had already witnessed Hidan's immortality once, felt a spark of anticipation. "It seems he's about to reveal the ability Naoki mentioned, the 'Curse Technique,'" he thought. "I wonder what kind of technique it will be? To make someone like Naoki, who can ignore conventional attacks, so wary of it."