Two figures entered the dark, secluded chamber, one after the other.
The boulder fell, and five sealing talismans separated the inside from the outside. White Zetsu chuckled and Hand Seals.
The next second, phantom figures appeared one after another. The Phantom Clone with snake-like eyes looked around and a hint of surprise appeared in their eyes.
"Itachi? You're the newbie that guy was talking about, interesting..."
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and a series of Phantom Clone appeared, instantly surrounding Uchiha Itachi.
"Now, the witnessing ceremony begins. Welcome to the organization, Uchiha Itachi."
The indifferent yet authoritative tone echoed around, and those pale purple eyes with spiral patterns startled Uchiha Itachi, who was already prepared.
' The Rinnegan, the legendary Sage's Eye —I can't believe someone actually possesses it!'
" The Itachi the Clan Killer, that's an interesting title. It's worth having as a collectible. How about I hand over your corpse after you die?"
Not far away, Scorpion, curled up in the Hiruko, murmured in a hoarse voice.
"In the current underground black market, your head is worth about 40 million taels. After all, you are one of the very few Uchiha, so you are quite valuable."
Kakuzu was only interested in money, commented loudly, and Orochimaru gave a meaningful smile.
"How about I team up with Itachi and show him around the organization? Hehehe..."
"Members of the organization always act alone, and are only summoned from various places when a mission is being carried out. This is for the sake of secrecy and will never be changed."
Nagato's eyes were indifferent, and he immediately gestured for White Zetsu to take out the item.
"From this day forward, you are Vermilion Bird of Akatsuki. No other member is allowed to interfere with you, and no one is allowed to kill each other within the organization. Anyone who violates this rule will be hunted down by all members."
After speaking, his majestic eyes swept across the surroundings, his expression indifferent and aloof.
"That's all. You're free to move around as you see fit. We'll call you back when there are missions. Disperse."
As his figure vanished, a series of phantoms followed. Orochimaru glanced longingly at the Rinnegan and Sharingan before disappearing into the air.
"That's how it is. If there's a mission, the leader will contact you through the ring and go ahead first."
After the White Zetsu disappeared underground, the disguised seal on the boulder was also removed, as if the secret conversation and witnessing had never happened.
'Members operate independently, only being summoned at the start of a mission. While this increases the risks of solo operations, it ensures that no one over-exposes classified information.'
With a furrowed brow, he realized that obtaining intelligence on this organization was proving to be far more difficult than he had anticipated. Troublesome.
Aside from the ring on his hand and the organization's uniform, he basically didn't get any useful information.
However, some of my suspicions were confirmed as a result; I never imagined that the rumors that had been circulating were actually true.
The surrounding area was silent and desolate. Itachi turned his head and looked towards Konoha, lost in thought.
Did Sasuke proceed in the intended direction and walk the path he had described? If he knew the truth, would he forgive himself?
Forget it, burying the truth in the Pure Land and letting him wholeheartedly serve Konoha is the resolve I've already made.
' Sasuke, how are you doing these days? I really want to say sorry to you.'
The figure disappeared into the secret room, wandering aimlessly along the border, waiting for the next opportunity to spy.
Konoha, at the Hokage Office Building.
The accompanying Anbu Ninja handed the top-secret information to Sarutobi Hiruzen before quietly leaving.
After quickly scanning the top-secret information, Sarutobi Hiruzen in satisfaction, but his worries grew like dark clouds.
"Unbelievable, the legendary Sage's Eye actually exist! The eye techniques of the Sage of Six Paths, the power of the God of Shinobi... what is this era truly like...?"
He exhaled a long plume of smoke and paced back and forth in the office, feeling extremely uncomfortable.
The undercurrents affecting Konoha's peace disappeared, but a much larger time bomb was planted, and the entire power of the Land of Fire was powerless to stop it.
Ninjas are already elite assassins, and the time bomb itself also possesses excellent Medical Ninjutsu, making it extremely difficult to succeed by relying on poisoning for assassination.
Even the Aburame Clan, who are experts in toxins and Kikaichū, cannot escape the detection of the Sharingan Sharingan, Omnipotence the smallest poisonous insects down to the nanometer level.
As the Third Hokage, he was utterly helpless against the village's time bomb; Hokage was truly a humiliating experience.
"How long will this peace last? When will this volatile time bomb detonate...?"
The memory of that night involuntarily Sarutobi Hiruzen Uchiha Huayue's incredibly mocking sneer. Hiruzen felt a sense of unease, as if he had overlooked something important.
'I hope that when the time comes for you to sacrifice yourselves, you will also be willing to risk your lives for Konoha, hehehe...'
What exactly does this statement mean? Does he possess some dangerous evidence against the village?
Completely baffled, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed deeply, packed his belongings, and left the Hokage Office Building, wandering aimlessly through the streets.
Within Konoha, a peaceful and prosperous scene unfolded, with smiles and a tranquil atmosphere everywhere. This resonated deeply with him, the Hokage, filling him with immense pride from the bottom of his heart.
The Hyuga Main House family, the Yamanaka Clan, the Nara Clan, the Akimichi Clan...
Before he knew it, the sun was gradually setting. When Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived at the Uchiha Clan, the seals and desolation all around him made him sigh inwardly.
As the head of Konoha, allowing things to develop to this point is truly a testament to the incompetence of the Third Hokage.
Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen in self-pity, a loud explosion came from a distant lake, which caught his attention.
"How can there be such powerful chakra?"
Hurriedly heading towards the distant lake, Sarutobi Hiruzen, standing on the uphill slope, gazed into the distance, finding it hard to believe.
" Shadow Clone Technique!"
" Shadow Clone Technique!"
Amidst swirling White Mist, two groups of Shadow Clone were training their chakra manipulation abilities, while two other figures were conducting weight training on a lake.
"How about it? This method is pretty good, isn't it? The experience points accumulated by the Shadow Clone can be quickly transferred to the main body without interfering with the weight training."
"Don't mention it, we're friends."
"Damn it, how could I possibly master such a cultivation method that only monsters can use!"
On the lake, Naruto and Sasuke repeatedly squatted and stood up, performing frog jumps. The weighted rings on their arms and ankles caused their faces to flush red.
" Naruto, you have a friend now, but why is it Uchiha Sasuke?"
The weathered Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned, unable to understand why two unrelated children with vastly different pasts would become friends.