41. Betrayed Again

"Ding! Congratulations to the host! Side mission accomplished!"

"Successfully appeared on the Ninja World's bounty list once (1/1), completed! Reward: One lottery draw!"

"Bounty amount successfully broke through thirty million ryo (1/1), completed! Reward: One lottery draw!"

"Bounty amount successfully broke through one hundred million ryo (0/1), not yet completed, reward unknown."

"Bounty amount successfully broke through three hundred million ryo (0/1), not yet completed, reward: one S-Rank Grand Gift Package!"

After hearing the series of notification sounds, Chen Xiaoxi's heart stirred.

He hadn't expected there to be missions in the system to increase his bounty amount?

Moreover, upon completing the final three hundred million mission, there was an S-Rank Grand Gift Package he had never heard of?

These missions...

Wasn't this deliberately making him use the masked form of Hollowfication to cause trouble?

Chen Xiaoxi felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"Start lottery draw."

"Congratulations, you've drawn Reiatsu +10, Mall points +1!"

"Congratulations: Reiatsu +25, Mall points +2!"

These were the usual rewards.

However, just then, He heard Konan, who was beside him, suddenly speak:

"Since you haven't seen it before, let's put this bounty order aside for now."

"Actually, I'm here this time to give you another mission."

"Huh?"

Chen Xiaoxi immediately looked up, asking in surprise:

"What mission?"

Konan lowered her gaze, looking at Chen Xiaoxi with a calm expression, and slowly said:

"Hunt down the first traitor of the Akatsuki—"

"Orochimaru."

"Huh... what?"

Chen Xiaoxi was stunned and instinctively asked:

"What's going on? Orochimaru is a traitor again?"

"Mhm."

Konan ignored the word "again" in Chen Xiaoxi's question, nodded, and then calmly and indifferently stated:

"Just yesterday,"

"He attacked Itachi Uchiha, who was still recovering from his injuries, without authorization, seemingly wanting to seize his Mangekyou Sharingan."

"However, he was suppressed by Itachi Uchiha's genjutsu instead, and his arm was severed."

"Afterward, perhaps fearing our retribution for this matter, he fled overnight and left Amegakure."

"..."

After hearing this, Chen Xiaoxi, who had been in a daze, suddenly understood.

No wonder there was this mission...

Then, he couldn't help but find it amusing.

Orochimaru, that guy, truly lived up to his reputation as a devoted admirer of the Sharingan...

Despite Pain's repeated emphasis on the Akatsuki's prohibitions, he still couldn't suppress his desire and attacked Itachi Uchiha.

Did he think he could take advantage of Itachi's weakened state?

Too naive.

Although Yi Da Qi was injured, his pupil power was undeniably strong.

If it weren't for the presence of the Hollow Soul within Chen Xiaoxi, with his current Reiatsu, he would have inevitably been affected by the genjutsu, which showed the strength of his pupil power.

As Chen Xiaoxi was contemplating, Konan spoke again faintly:

"Chen Xiaoxi, the mission to eliminate the enemy of the Akatsuki is yours."

"Orochimaru has been with the Akatsuki for some time. This今回の叛逃 (this今回の叛逃) is highly likely to lead to the leakage of Akatsuki information."

"If you find him,"

"There's no need to hesitate... eliminate him."

Konan spoke with her eyes downcast, her voice devoid of emotion, like an iceberg.

Chen Xiaoxi nodded thoughtfully and said:

"Understood."

Chen Xiaoxi wasn't particularly concerned about Orochimaru's defection.

After all, he knew the Snake Sannin was a smart man.

Without absolute benefit, he certainly wouldn't target Akatsuki or Chen Xiaoxi.

However, that didn't mean he didn't need to pursue him.

Besides the mission to eliminate enemies for Akatsuki, Chen Xiaoxi also had some personal reasons.

That was the system's side quests.

Undoubtedly, there were many side quests that could be completed on this lead scientist of the Ninja World.

Chen Xiaoxi certainly wouldn't miss these opportunities to earn Reiatsu and points.

Orochimaru, he was determined to chase.

However, He also knew that Orochimaru, that snake-skinned freak, was always cunning and good at hiding.

It was naturally impossible to catch him immediately in a short period.

This mission would have to be a slow burn.

But at this moment.

Just outside Amegakure.

In a country called Bird Country, situated between the territories of the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth.

On a mountaintop, two figures stood.

The former was Orochimaru.

Behind him was a young man with a ponytail and glasses, kneeling on one knee and respectfully saying:

"Lord Orochimaru... Do you have any orders for calling me here?"

Orochimaru turned his head and chuckled:

"Kabuto, how is your infiltration of Sunagakure progressing?"

Hearing this, Kabuto was stunned for a moment, then immediately said:

"Ever since you discovered the body of the rogue ninja Sasori of the Red Sand and had me deliver it to Sunagakure as proof of my mission, I've been disguised and staying there."

"Currently, it's going very smoothly..."

"And I've had the perfect opportunity to get close to the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's eyes showed a hint of surprise.

Then, he slightly curled his lips and chuckled:

"Then it seems..."

"It's time for us to start manipulating the Ninja World War--"

"Hmm?"

Kabuto's expression changed slightly, "You mean?"

"Heh heh..."

Orochimaru chuckled, baring his teeth, and looking in an unknown direction, he smiled:

"I heard the Kazekage of Sunagakure has always wanted to expand his territory, right?"

"Then, why don't you give him a suggestion--"

"Ame."

"?"

As soon as the words fell, Kabuto's face changed, and he exclaimed in shock:

"Lord Orochimaru,"

"You, didn't you tell me... that Amegakure had become Akatsuki's base?"

"That's right."

Orochimaru laughed and said:

"But I've already left Akatsuki."

"And if nothing unexpected happens, they'll probably send that Golden Eyes, Chen Xiaoxi, to hunt me down soon."

"?"

"That's why we need to quickly provoke a territorial invasion war between Sand and Amegakure..."

"And make them temporarily ignore my existence."

"This way,"

"we can smoothly complete the subsequent series of subversion plans,"

"can't we?"

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, a sinister smile appearing on his face.

After listening, Kabuto's back was instantly covered in cold sweat. He was stunned for a long time before deeply lowering his head and respectfully saying:

"As expected of you!"

"You easily came up with a perfect plan that I couldn't think of!"

"I'll go find a way to deliver false intelligence about Amegakure to the Kazekage, Rasa, right away!"

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