Double Agent

The opportunity came quickly.

It was even faster than Shirou Emiya anticipated.

Because someone simply doesn't hide their true intentions.

Rice Country.

Orochimaru's base.

Obito Uchiha was constantly thinking about his Eye of the Moon Plan from Shirou Emiya, while Orochimaru was also constantly thinking about escaping from Shirou Emiya's control.

When it came to working together to deal with Emiya Tsuchihara, the two were in complete agreement.

They both quickly realized what the other was thinking and their important role in the matter.

Orochimaru discovered that Obito Uchiha, the monitor, was not friendly towards Shirou Emiya. He believed that by turning Obito Uchiha to his side, he could help himself break free from the control of the Akatsuki in the future.

Obito Uchiha knew that Orochimaru was the one who used the Impure World Reincarnation technique, and believed that turning Orochimaru against him would help him find a way to kill Shirou Emiya and regain his position.

In the gloomy laboratory.

While Orochimaru was conducting his experiments, he secretly observed Obito Uchiha had recently begun to appear frequently in his laboratory.

Orochimaru had extraordinary patience in this matter.

Because snakes are always waiting for an opportunity to strike and kill.

Even though he had overheard Obito Uchiha's dissatisfaction with Shirou Emiya Uchiha from their daily conversations, he still acted perfectly normal, because he was looking for an opportunity to truly speak out and persuade the other party.

Unfortunately...

Obito Uchiha seemed to have little patience.

No matter the circumstances, Obito Uchiha's patience was far beyond that of a ninja burdened with darkness and pain; he never concealed his true nature.

"Orochimaru— "

"Do you want to escape Shirou Emiya's control?"

Obito Uchiha leaned against the wall and asked the question rather casually, not caring that the question revealed his hostility towards Tsuchihara Emiya.

"I can help you."

This has always been Obito Uchiha's style of doing things.

Just as when he wanted to use Nagato's Rinnegan, and just as when he recruited Itachi Uchiha to join him, he was always able to ask everything so directly.

Orochimaru hadn't expected Obito Uchiha to be so unreserved, but a sinister chuckle had already begun to creep onto his lips, "The arrogant Uchiha really isn't good at hiding his true intentions."

There's no need for us to hide anything from each other.

Obito Uchiha his arms and stated his thoughts. "I want to take back power from Shirou Emiya Akatsuki, and you want to escape Shinobu Emiya's control. Our goals are aligned in this respect—"

That is indeed the case.

Orochimaru nodded slowly, completely understanding Obito Uchiha's thoughts, but what he couldn't understand was Obito Uchiha's bluntness.

But..

It doesn't matter anymore.

After all, it would be difficult for him to find a partner within the Akatsuki.

Other Akatsuki members treated Shirou Emiya with great respect, and it was extremely difficult to find a Shirou Emiya in the world who was hostile to him.

Certainly.

These are never the most troublesome things.

The real problem is Shirou Emiya's power.

"Dealing with Lord Shirou will not be easy."

Orochimaru recalled his brief encounter with Shirou Emiya, a hint of regret on his face. "Even with the Impure World Reincarnation, he can't unleash his full power. Perhaps he's only at less than a tenth of his current strength, so it's unlikely we can handle him—"

Obito Uchiha couldn't help but frown.

Although he was only defeated by Shirou Emiya's Flying Thunder God Technique, if he were to fight Shirou Emiya again...

He could only guarantee that he wouldn't lose so easily again.

As for defeating Shirou Emiya, I'm still not entirely confident.

Unless Obito Uchiha looked at Orochimaru and asked in a deep voice, "You are the caster of the Impure World Reincarnation. You should know perfectly well what the weaknesses of the Impure World Reincarnation dead are, and how to deal with those Impure World Reincarnation."

"Seal."

Orochimaru could only offer a solution that wasn't really a solution.

"Theoretically speaking."

"The body Impure World Reincarnation possesses an immortal body. No matter how many times his body is broken, it will recover. However, once it is broken, there will be a period of time during which he cannot move. During this time, you can try to seal him away."

"But-"

"Even this opportunity—"

Orochimaru couldn't help but smile, "It would be extremely difficult for us to get it from Lord Shirou, at least I don't think I have that chance."

"Certainly-"

"If we had more help, that would be enough—"

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes narrowed, and he stuck out his tongue to lick his lips. "Using the immortal Impure World Reincarnation to fight against Impure World Reincarnation—."

"Only"

"This will take some time."

"My Impure World Reincarnation is not perfect, and I don't have enough reanimated bodies at hand. Even if I want to deal with Lord Shirou, I need a comprehensive plan—"

"This will definitely take enough time."

Obito Uchiha nodded in agreement, then suddenly said, "However, if our plan doesn't have enough time to be implemented, even if you obtain more Impure World Reincarnation users in the future, you still won't be his match—"

Black Zetsu lacks patience.

Ever since Shirou Emiya was Impure World Reincarnation using Edo Tensei, Black Zetsu has been instigating him to accelerate the Akatsuki 'Shirou Emiya plans. They have even begun searching for manpower while simultaneously gathering information on the Tailed Beast in the Shinobi World.

Once the plan begins, given Shirou Emiya and the Akatsuki's current strength, they should be able to quickly capture the Tailed Beast and revive the Ten-Tails. At that time, Shirou Emiya will be truly resurrected and become the most powerful Ten-Tails Jinchuriki in the world.

For Obito Uchiha, it was already too late.

Obito Uchiha did not trust Emiya Tsuchihara, nor did he trust Madara Uchiha; he only wanted to believe in the Infinite Tsukuyomi world that he had created with his own hands.

Looking at Orochimaru, who was still conducting experiments, Obito Uchiha said in a deep voice, "I will send Uchiha back to the Rain Country to investigate the Akatsuki's internal movements and see how much time we have left. I hope the situation isn't too bad."

"That would be perfect."

Orochimaru smiled again.

For him, having just one person within the Akatsuki willing to cooperate is enough.

Orochimaru didn't care about the time; he even hoped the turning against him would come later because he wanted to get something more from Shirou Emiya.

However, such opportunities are ultimately rare.

With Obito Uchiha so much effort, he wouldn't miss this opportunity.

Itachi Uchiha stood outside the laboratory door, his expression calm and composed.

The Uchiha were ordered to guard this place and prevent Anko Mitarashi from approaching, in order to create a quiet environment for Obito Uchiha and Orochimaru to communicate.

Obito Uchiha ordered him to return to the Rain Country to gather intelligence, which also gave him the opportunity to report information about Obito Uchiha.

Double Agent.

This kind of life seems like it will never change.

Before his defection from Konoha, he was Double Agent for both the Konoha High Command and the Uchiha Clan; after his Konoha, he became Double Agent for both Obito Uchiha and Shirou Emiya.

It doesn't matter anymore.

Anyway, this kind of life makes no difference to him.

The Rain Country.

The Akatsuki's underground base.

Shirou Emiya always seemed to be busy writing and drawing on scrolls.

After returning from Konoha, Emiya Tsuchihara stayed at the Akatsuki's base, spending his days either occasionally checking on Nagato's health or writing scrolls to pass the time.

Itachi Uchiha had arrived and was standing in front of Shirou Emiya, calmly reporting the information he had received.

"Obito Uchiha and Orochimaru's relationship is growing closer, and the two of them have been secretly plotting to deal with Lord Shirou. Shouldn't we take some action—?"

"There's no need for that."

"Once Akatsuki's plan begins to be implemented, no amount of trickery will have a chance to survive in the face of absolute power."

Shirou Emiya's thoughts were somewhat arrogant. While writing something with a pen, he casually remarked, "I just happened to go to Konoha recently and secretly met the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Konoha. Before the strongest Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's power has fully grown, it's a good time to start the Akatsuki's plan, and avoid any troublesome problems in the future."

"·..."

Itachi Uchiha unconsciously clenched his fingers into his palm.

"The Akatsuki's plan is about to begin."

Shirou Emiya seemed oblivious to Itachi Uchiha's expression, continuing to explain his plans with nonchalant indifference, "As long as our plan succeeds, all our efforts will be in vain, and the order of this world will be utterly shattered—regardless of whose petty actions—"

When Shirou Emiya sat at the table, he spoke as if making a pointed remark, "Nothing can stop the dawn that will eventually come to this world."

Uchiha lowered his head and inquired about his mission: "Should I go back and continue monitoring Obito Uchiha's every move?"

"It doesn't matter."

Shirou Emiya's attitude towards Itachi Uchiha didn't seem very close, or perhaps he never cared about this spy who had defected to him. "For now, you can do whatever you want. Once Black Zetsu returns, I will gather all the Akatsuki Uchiha, including you and Obito."

"Yes."

Itachi Uchiha's figure slowly retreated.

However, after Itachi Uchiha left, Shirou Emiya slowly put down his paintbrush. He looked up at the departing figure of the Uchiha, his face still calm and undisturbed.

Uchiha Itachi was never loyal.

Whenever Konoha is involved, Itachi Uchiha will almost always try to get involved.

"Don't let me down—"

Shirou Emiya gently tapped the scroll's handle with his paintbrush.