Impure World Reincarnation

"You?"

Sasori's raspy voice echoed: "It is said you were defeated by Lin Qing once, nearly dying in Konoha. Heh—let me go instead."

"I am quite interested in Lin Qing and Orochimaru's bodies... they possess the potential to become excellent puppets."

Itachi Uchiha cast a cold glance at Sasori, remaining unmoved.

There was only one person present responsible for issuing orders, and that was Pain. Given Itachi Uchiha's personality, he naturally disdained arguing with others.

Moreover, while Itachi might yield on other matters, this time, he had to go.

In the past, he had merely thought of Lin Qing as a ninja with special abilities, but ever since Lin Qing took Sasuke away from the village, the entire situation had exceeded Itachi's expectations.

The last time had been too hasty, too sudden. This time, Itachi intended to properly witness the extent of Lin Qing's power.

And, while he was at it...

To see Sasuke, after such a long time.

At the mere thought of his younger brother, Itachi Uchiha's emotions became complex.

As long as he is healthy and safe, that is enough.

"Itachi, you are one of the members for this mission."

Pain said: "Orochimaru was once your partner, and Lin Qing was once your opponent. Furthermore, Orochimaru severely wounded your only brother, Sasuke Uchiha. This karma should rightfully be resolved by you."

"Sasuke... severely wounded?!"

A monstrous killing intent surged within Itachi Uchiha's heart, yet he did not reveal a shred of it, nodding silently.

"The second member for the mission—"

Pain looked toward Deidara, who had his hands tucked into his pockets.

"Deidara, you will go."

Kisame Hoshigaki paused for half a second: "I am Itachi-san's partner. Shouldn't I be the one going with him?"

Though Pain was cold, he still showed the necessary respect to the members of Akatsuki, explaining briefly:

"Lin Qing has consecutively killed three members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure. Kisame, you come from Kirigakure; your methods and style are already familiar to him. Since we are dealing with Lin Qing, we must arrange opponents he is not adept at handling."

Kisame Hoshigaki nodded in acknowledgment.

All intelligence regarding Lin Qing mentioned that a range of two to three meters was his absolute domain of dominance, coupled with immense rushing capabilities.

Itachi Uchiha, who excelled in genjutsu.

Deidara, who excelled in explosive ninjutsu and possessed the ability to fly.

It was indeed the most suitable combination.

Hearing his own name, Deidara grinned: "As expected, such a tough nut to crack should be left to me. I wonder if Lin Qing will be able to appreciate my art."

"But, are we capturing Lin Qing alive to recruit him into Akatsuki?"

Pain nodded.

The combat strength Lin Qing had displayed, along with his attitude toward civilians, reminded Pain of his former self.

He wanted Lin Qing to join Akatsuki.

To fight for the ideal of "peace."

Deidara said: "Then I understand. I'll hold back when I'm beating Lin Qing up, so I don't kill him. But why must Orochimaru also be captured alive? Isn't he a traitor?"

This time, it was Konan who provided the explanation.

"Because none of you can confirm whether the one you kill is the real Orochimaru, or merely an experimental subject or a clone."

"Nor can we be certain that after killing him this time, Orochimaru won't just crawl out of some other base. Therefore, I am the third member of this operation."

Konan said to Itachi Uchiha and Deidara: "I will assist you in battle. Once Orochimaru is defeated, I will be responsible for sealing him and bringing him back to be handled by Pain."

Itachi Uchiha, Deidara, and Konan.

These three formed the squad to launch the capture operation against Lin Qing and Orochimaru.

Akatsuki was an efficient organization.

Once the meeting concluded, the three gathered together, boarding a giant clay bird created by Deidara, and flew toward the Land of Fields.

Deidara's bird was massive.

It was large enough for three people to ride without feeling crowded.

Deidara was immersed in his art, holding paper and pen, writing and drawing, occasionally letting out a soft chuckle.

Itachi Uchiha closed his eyes to rest.

Konan sat on the other side, observing every move Itachi Uchiha made from the corner of her eye.

Her mission this time was not only to assist in the battle and seal Orochimaru, but also to carry out a secret task from Pain—

To probe the depths of Itachi Uchiha.

The members of Akatsuki all possessed, to varying degrees, less-than-glorious pasts and secrets of their own.

Pain did not care how many secrets they held; as long as they helped advance his plans, he never inquired into their personal privacy.

A so-called leader usually holds four cards in their hand:

Material temptation, emotional connection, protection, and the threat of force.

Playing different combinations of these cards for different people is exactly what a leader should do, and in this regard, Pain was highly skilled.

With the sole exception of Itachi Uchiha.

On one hand, Itachi was devoid of desire, focused on his missions, and completed them with excellence—a perfect teammate.

On the other hand, he had wiped out his entire clan in an instant for no apparent reason, making him an out-and-out madman.

The task Pain gave to Konan was to observe the various choices Itachi Uchiha made when facing Lin Qing, Sasuke, and Orochimaru.

If there was truly anything amiss, then when Itachi returned...

Execute him on the spot!

Konoha.

Anbu Medical Room.

A massive "bubble" of water hung suspended in the air.

This was Purified Water, created jointly by the two Sages of Mount Myoboku, Fukasaku and Shijian, capable of isolating external natural energy to the greatest extent possible.

Sasuke was submerged in the center of the Purified Water.

Because all things in the world contain a certain amount of natural power, he was now almost entirely naked, with only a cloth wrapped around his waist and the Crown of Thorns upon his head; other than that, he wore nothing.

Jiraiya sat cross-legged before the Purified Water.

A week had passed since the battle with Orochimaru, and for this entire week, he had remained sleepless, guarding Sasuke's side.

Originally, Jiraiya had wanted to place Sasuke at Mount Myoboku, where he would be safer without others to disturb him.

However, the natural energy of Mount Myoboku was too dense, and the Purified Water could not be maintained there for long, so he had been forced to set the treatment site in Konoha.

Jiraiya gazed at Sasuke, who floated in the water with his arms slightly spread, wearing the Crown of Thorns, his body growing increasingly gaunt...

He felt an inexplicable urge to kneel and kowtow.

Jiraiya rubbed his cheeks vigorously, telling himself he must simply be too tired.

"If you are too tired, go and rest."

An aged, familiar voice came from behind him.

Jiraiya turned his head to meet the gaze of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who walked over in casual attire, looking like an elderly man from the neighborhood.

"Go and rest, and then wait for Danzo to make another move on Sasuke?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen walked silently to Jiraiya's side and stared quietly at Sasuke inside the water sphere. After a long while, he spoke again:

"Regarding the Uchiha... I could not make a better choice."

Did Sarutobi Hiruzen not know that the Uchiha massacre was wrong? Did he not know that it would damage the village's strength?

He knew.

It was simply that his political acumen and statecraft were not enough to make a more excellent decision.

Therefore, he could only remain silent.

Jiraiya turned his head to look at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

When he first heard of the Uchiha massacre, Jiraiya had been filled with rage, wishing he could rush back and berate Sarutobi Hiruzen thoroughly.

But now...

Jiraiya sighed softly: "Teacher, we are truly master and apprentice, aren't we?"

Because he could not make a better choice during the battle, he had ultimately remained silent and let Orochimaru go; how was Jiraiya any different from his teacher?

In fact, both of these incidents had harmed Sasuke.

"But I will not be lost anymore."

Jiraiya said: "Teacher, you are always unable to discard what should be discarded, which is why things that you should have protected have been taken away from you."

Whether it was the Uchiha, Minato, Orochimaru, or the glory that once belonged to Konoha, the Will of Fire that shone over the ninja world.

"What do you think I should do?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked.

Jiraiya shook his head: "I do not know, but there is one person... he should know."

"Lin Qing?"

"Correct."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sensed the trust in Jiraiya's tone. "The last time I heard you describe someone with such a tone, it was Minato. But if Lin Qing returns, it means Orochimaru is dead."

Jiraiya nodded.

"He... died a long time ago."

"From the moment he stubbornly indulged in the pursuit of eternal life, the soul known as Orochimaru had already rotted away."

Meanwhile, in Otogakure, Land of Fields.

Orochimaru looked at the thirty people standing before him.

Kabuto Yakushi walked over: "Lord Orochimaru, these are the people who volunteered to become 'materials' this time."

"Did you tell them the cost?"

"I did. Certain death."

Orochimaru nodded and pointed at the volunteers, selecting two of them.

Even though they were to become expendable materials destined for death, those two showed expressions of joy, while the others cast envious glances their way.

Because once they became volunteers for Orochimaru, their families, friends, and even neighbors would receive preferential treatment; their parents and children would receive a large pension, enough to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.

In such a wretched world, this was nothing short of a godsend.

And the cost was merely their own lives.

It was simply too good a deal!

The two stepped forward, and Orochimaru personally straightened their collars, smiling as he said:

"Thank you."

The two were moved to tears, so emotional they choked up.

Orochimaru patted their shoulders and said to Kabuto Yakushi:

"Since the preparations are complete, let us begin. Forbidden Jutsu—"

"Impure World Reincarnation."