The next day, Orochimaru and his group welcomed a new member.
A ninja slowly approached the Akatsuki's base.
Orochimaru and Pain were already waiting at the gate, and when he saw that familiar figure, a strange smile appeared on his face.
The newcomer slowly removed the fox-face mask, revealing a pair of scarlet Three Tomoe Sharingan.
Many people were drawn to those blood-red, eerie eyes.
"As expected of the Uchiha Clan, renowned Ninja World!"
They were all people I'd only ever heard of, but today I finally got to see them in person.
"Welcome to us! Uchiha Itachi!"
Pain took a step forward, his imposing Rinnegan Itachi's Sharingan.
After scanning everyone's faces, Itachi's heart was also stirred.
The menacing aura emanating from them suggests they're not good people!
These people may be familiar or unfamiliar; the most famous are Orochimaru and Sasori of the Red Sands.
Those who are unknown are naturally like Zetsu, Pain who is temporarily lying low.
The fact that these people were willing to be subordinate to Pain speaks volumes.
Despite feeling the pressure emanating from those legendary Sage Eye, Itachi showed no unusual reaction.
When Orochimaru saw that there was a new scratch on his ninja Forehead Protector, he knew that the plot was similar to that in the Original Work.
It seems that Orochimaru's destruction of the Hokage Residence last night didn't affect him much.
"Um!"
Itachi was not afraid of the pack of hungry wolves who were eyeing him covetously, and slowly approached Pain.
"Wear this!"
As he approached, Pain tossed him a ring with the character "Zhu" engraved on it, which would become his code name in the organization.
Other members also have such rings: Zero is Pain, Haku is Konan, Gen is Zetsu, Sora is Orochimaru, and Tama is Sasori of the Red Sands. Konan, which originally belonged to Kisame, is still in the hands of Jūzō Biwa.
After Itachi accepted the ring, Pain gave Konan a look, Konan, understanding the signal, said:
"Come with me!"
Itachi heard this but didn't say anything, and slowly followed Konan's footsteps.
Newcomers naturally go down to do their makeup and change clothes, apply nail polish, put on rings, and put on work clothes, etc. This is the process for every ninja who has just joined the organization.
"What a cold-hearted person!"
No sooner had Itachi disappeared Jūzō Biwa couldn't help but speak up.
The others agreed wholeheartedly. Although news of the Uchiha Clan Massacre hadn't spread here so quickly, they could all tell that the people were not to be trifled with.
Obito and Nagato did know about the Uchiha, but there was no need for them to explain it to others.
"From now on Jūzō Biwa will be his partner!"
Jūzō Biwa had no say in this arrangement.
Orochimaru and Sasori of the Red Sands are now on the same team, and they occasionally go out on missions.
"Chief, isn't someone else coming over later?"
Despite seeming reluctant to team up with Itachi, Jūzō Biwa still spoke up. He thought it would be a bit boring for someone as easygoing as him to team up with a cold and aloof person. He wondered if he could try to persuade Itachi to join him.
"I have my own plans for that person. Just do your job!"
Without even glancing at Jūzō Biwa, Pain gave his conclusion.
A short while later, Itachi came out after changing his equipment.
Wearing the same black robe with red clouds, but with a mesh protective suit underneath, one hand was dangling at his chest.
Orochimaru's eyes flashed with a strange light when he saw it. Yes, that familiar feeling was back.
This outfit is exactly how he remembers Itachi.
Before anyone could speak again, Orochimaru suddenly sensed someone approaching.
At the same time, Pain and Obito in the shadows, also noticed it.
"Hmph... I'm not late, am I!"
Before they saw him, they heard his voice; a deep, resonant voice echoed in everyone's ears.
As soon as the words were spoken, a figure dressed in white appeared before everyone's eyes.
This person was thin, and apart from his defiant eyes, his exposed mouth and arms were wrapped in bandages.
Orochimaru, still reeling from Itachi's disguise, also had his pupils shrink when he saw this figure.
"Hiruko! It's actually this guy!"
Orochimaru's words drew the attention of the others, even Pain, who had always disliked Orochimaru, turned his gaze to him.
"I didn't expect you to know this person!"
The usually low-profile Zetsu slowly spoke up, saying, "As expected of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's son, he's lived a long time and knows a lot."
"This guy is also from Konoha, and strictly speaking, he's in the same year as me!"
Suppressing his killing intent slightly, Orochimaru slowly explained to everyone.
In the original Trails series, this guy only appeared in the theatrical version, or rather, in a parallel world, but he didn't appear in the main storyline. This doesn't prove that some people don't exist.
The reason I felt a slight murderous intent towards him was that this guy had absorbed Pakura in the original timeline to obtain the Swift Release).
"It seems Konoha is truly full of talented people!"
Sasori of the Red Sands also chimed in with a sarcastic remark, noting that his parents had died in Konoha and he had no good impression of the Konoha either.
"Yo yo yo, isn't this Orochimaru? I didn't expect to run into an old friend here!"
Hiruko also saw Orochimaru in the crowd and spoke in a rather unfriendly tone.
Or rather, Tsunade and Jiraiya didn't get along well with Orochimaru.
Even as a child, he was left far behind by the three of them, and he defected much earlier than Orochimaru.
Having disappeared for decades, anyone who didn't know better would have thought he was long dead. Now, his sudden reappearance and recruitment by the Akatsuki has truly surprised Orochimaru.
"After all these years, it seems only your mouth has improved a lot!"
The slightly hoarse voice mocked mercilessly, saying that although he was in the same class as Orochimaru, that was before he transmigrated, so there was no real affection between them!
"Hmph... I can teach you a lesson in no time!"
He was jealous of the Sannin's talent back then, and decades later he still wants to get revenge. I have to say, he's petty.
"Shut up! Since you've joined the organization, you must obey orders!"
The two exchanged Yakumi, completely disregarding everyone else. As the leader of the Akatsuki, how could he tolerate that!
Such scenes often occur within the organization, where everyone is unruly and rebellious, but no one dares to disobey Pain's orders.
With so many people around, Orochimaru knew when to stop. He figured he could test this guy's strength later and there was no need to rush.
Hiruko didn't want to waste any more words with Orochimaru, but he paused when his gaze fell on Itachi.
On one hand, there's the Konoha Forehead Protector on his forehead, and on the other hand, there are his scarlet Sharingan.
After taking a deep look, he looked away.
This scene naturally did not escape the notice of those present; others, perhaps also out of curiosity from Konoha, took a few more glances.
However, Orochimaru knew that this guy seemed to have taken an interest in Itachi, or rather, in his Kekkei Genkai.
I wonder how far he's progressed with his Chimera Technique. It would be interesting to see him clash with Itachi!
Thinking of this, Orochimaru couldn't help but raise the Kakuzu of his mouth.