Orochimaru spread his hands and spoke lightly.
"Besides, whether the Akatsuki will even exist in the future is still an open question.
"Minamoto has already appeared here, while Obito Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Juzo Biwa are all absent.
"Doesn't that tell you something?"
With Obito Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Juzo Biwa all lost at once, three members were gone.
The Akatsuki now had only six full members left.
Moreover, Uchiha Minamoto had just listened to the Akatsuki's entire plan to capture Sunagakure's One-Tail Jinchuriki.
Orochimaru did not believe this Fifth Hokage, who had risen to power through his military achievements, would let this opportunity slip.
The Akatsuki's Tailed Beast capture plan would most likely never get off the ground!
Even conceding every possible point-
even if Uchiha Minamoto had no intention of doing anything to the Akatsuki for now-
Orochimaru no longer wanted to stay aboard the Akatsuki's sinking ship...
Obito Uchiha had already been captured by Uchiha Minamoto.
Orochimaru did not think he had any chance of snatching Obito Uchiha's corpse from the Fifth Hokage's hands.
As for Pain's [Rinnegan]...
Orochimaru had tried, and he had nearly died.
With no way to obtain either the [Mangekyō Sharingan] or the [Rinnegan]...
what was Orochimaru still doing in the Akatsuki?
He had already struck a deal with Black Zetsu anyway.
He might as well leave the Akatsuki!
Thus, after saying his piece, Orochimaru nodded to Uchiha Minamoto again.
"Lord Fifth, I look forward to our next meeting... heh heh."
With that, Orochimaru released the [Magic Lantern Body Technique], withdrawing his consciousness from this space.
He was also the first full member of the Akatsuki to leave of his own accord.
Watching this unfold, Kakuzu and Sasori of the Red Sands both felt an urge to act.
But neither was as firm