As the small boat arrived at the entrance of the stronghold, Tobi led Itachi inside, where they saw several people sitting around a campfire.
"Oh my, isn't this Itachi? Long time no see," Orochimaru said with a smile.
Orochimaru?
"Oh, I almost forgot, you two are from the same hometown. What a nostalgic reunion!" said Tobi, now wearing Spiral Mask and with a different voice.
A glint of greed flashed in Orochimaru's eyes as he said, "I've heard about the Uchiha too. You really are one of us."
"Same category?"
"A ninja who sees his family, comrades, and village as a burden," Orochimaru explained.
Itachi glanced at Orochimaru but didn't reply. They were simply not on the same Orochimaru.
His gaze quickly swept over the others sitting by the fire, lingering for a moment on Aoki Tsuki and Juzo Biwa, whom he recognized.
Especially Jūzō's Kubikiribōchō, which was clearly broken by Kakashi's Lightning Blade.
'A knife that can repair itself?'
Everyone was also secretly observing this new member. Itachi's reputation was far greater than anyone else's, having annihilated the most renowned Uchiha Clan in the Shinobi World.
However, he was the youngest among those present, only 13 years old.
Aoki Tsuki only glanced at it out of the corner of her eye. Itachi liked to give people hints on the first meeting, even more ruthless than Shisui.
Deva Path Pain and Konan approached and said, "Akatsuki's goal is peace in the Shinobi World. In the future, Akatsuki will replace the Five Great Nations and dominate the world."
"What a grand ambition," Itachi remarked sarcastically, without any attempt to hide his sarcasm.
Pain ignored Itachi's sarcasm and continued, "We are gathering outstanding ninjas, regardless of their background or experience. Itachi of Konoha, welcome to join us."
"We need you to more thoroughly reject Konoha." Konan pointed to her Forehead Protector.
Itachi was a man of principle. He took off his Forehead Protector and placed it on the ground, then used Kunai to draw a deep mark, signifying a break with the past.
This is also a test of obedience in order to demonstrate loyalty.
Is it okay now?
"Yes, from now on you are Itachi of Akatsuki."
Payne was very satisfied with Itachi's performance and handed over a red ring engraved with the word "zhu", and Konan presented a black robe with red clouds.
Itachi accepted the ring, put it on, donned the robe, and officially became a member of Akatsuki. Finally, he found a corner against the wall, closed his eyes, and remained silent.
" Jūzō, from now on you will team up with Itachi."
"Huh? Sigh, alright." Jūzō sighed, surprised that the newcomer was Uchiha Itachi.
He had suffered from the Sharingan before, and partnering with someone like that made him uneasy.
Tobi found an empty spot by the campfire and sat down, looking at Orochimaru and Aoki Tsuki, saying, "It's nice to see you again, my two seniors."
"Hehe..." Orochimaru chuckled, but didn't say anything.
I had a brief encounter with Jue and Tobi during the last capture, so I know this guy is hiding something.
Aoki Tsuki asked, " Tobi, you told me last time you lost something, how's it going, have you found it?"
Not yet!
"If it's something important, you should look carefully; you might be able to find it."
"Yes, I'll find it sooner or later," Tobi said confidently.
Orochimaru turned to look at Aoki Tsuki. He seemed to know what it was, and that it was in Aoki Tsuki's hands.
Itachi witnessed this scene and guessed that Orochimaru and Aoki Tsuki were probably the people Madara had mentioned who were giving him a headache.
These two seem to have had an unpleasant experience with 'Ban'.
Then look at Pain, standing there coldly observing, neither paying attention nor interfering.
How could the holder of the Rinnegan willingly become a puppet? Madara's talk of "his organization" is pure self-delusion.
'It seems the people inside Akatsuki are also fighting amongst themselves, much like in the village.'
Standing beside Pain, Konan was filled with doubt: 'So, there really is a personal grudge between Yue and Madara?'
Once, Madara specifically went to Amegakure to remind Aoki Tsuki that he was too flamboyant and should keep a low profile. At that time, she was already suspicious. But how did the two of them know each other?
In Pain's words, members should settle their own personal grudges; he wouldn't interfere.
Konan was more concerned about was that Madara clearly hadn't dealt with Aoki Tsuki, so Aoki Tsuki must know Madara's abilities and how to deal with them.
'Perhaps Orochimaru wasn't responsible for Yue's embarrassing situation last time at all.'
Once she gets back, she needs to figure out a way to get the specific abilities of 'Madara' out of Aoki Tsuki, just in case she needs them in the future.
Tobi asked, "I heard that you've been active in the Land of Fire, causing Konoha a lot of trouble. You've really done a great service to the organization."
They've come to test him again.
"It's just a minor skirmish. Konoha got to where it is today because its own people stabbed each other in the back. How could I dare to take credit for it?"
Aoki Tsuki waved his hand and said, "After the Uchiha incident, the Third Hokage was determined to deal with the source of the chaos. Konoha will be tough from now on!"
Whether Konoha was in chaos or not was Danzo's decision. Now Danzo has been dismissed and imprisoned, and Root has been disbanded and rejoined the Anbu.
Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse; when the power of those families is truly revealed, the Jashin Cult will soon be unable to survive.
With its Byakugan scanning, it catches the noses of insects flying in the sky and dogs running on the ground, leaving no place to hide.
That's a real shame.
Tobi sighed, then came up with a terrible idea, "If only we could kill the Third."
"Haha... I haven't lived enough yet, but you can give it a try."
"Well, I was just kidding."
Shinobi of Darkness Danzo is this difficult to deal with, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who can suppress him for a lifetime, will only be more troublesome.
Only those who truly understand Konoha know just how terrifying the village can be once it's mobilized; Tobi thought he didn't know.
The night passed quickly, and everyone gradually dispersed. Itachi then began his mission with Juzo Biwa.
As Konan left, she glanced at Aoki Tsuki, who immediately received instructions to return to the village.
Just as he was about to follow them back, Orochimaru stopped him.
"Moon, we're going the same way, let's go together," Orochimaru suggested.
"OK."
The reason he specifically mentioned that Tobi had lost something was to send a trade request to Orochimaru, Orochimaru quickly received his signal.
The two exchanged a smile and left together.
'Those two guys...'
Tobi stared at the two figures as they walked away. He had lured Itachi in to deal with Aoki Tsuki and Orochimaru.
The people in this organization must not be united; otherwise, how can he possibly command them?
"Name your price," Orochimaru readily.
Aoki Tsuki nodded. " Lord Orochimaru, this is a treasure I captured by chance; it's not something you can get through normal means."
It can traverse mountains and valleys as if walking on flat ground, blending seamlessly into the vegetation and rocks, unnoticed by anyone.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up as he listened. He had clearly been captured by Orochimaru's trap in his own base, yet now he was claiming that he had caught him.
But there's no point in worrying about these things now.
"So what do you want? Ninjutsu, Sealing Jutsu, Kinjutsu, or something else..."
"I've heard that the Second Hokage once developed a technique that can summon the dead to fight. I'm very interested in it, but of course, if Lord Orochimaru finds it difficult..."
"Never mind what I said, I would gladly give you this treasure."
"Hehe... Yue, I've discovered you're far more interesting than you seem. I wouldn't have given this technique to anyone else."
But since you've asked, it's hard to refuse."
vomit...
Orochimaru opened his mouth and spat out a scroll from his throat.
Aoki Tsuki also took out a scroll from his person, and the two completed the transaction.
"I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."
Watching Aoki Tsuki's excited departure, Orochimaru smiled. The Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu itself wasn't difficult; the difficulty lay in obtaining the summoner's genetic material.
The ninja's corpses hold secrets and are kept strictly guarded by each village, so that others cannot find them even if they want to.
Moreover, this technique has a backdoor; otherwise, the spirits summoned from the dead would be stiff, uncontrollable, and utterly worthless.
Aoki Tsuki also sabotaged the deal by killing the White Zetsu Clone, knowing that a living White Zetsu is worth far more than a corpse.
After returning to Amegakure, he began researching the ' Impure World Reincarnation ' technique, feeling about 30% confident he could perform it.
However, that was not his purpose.
The true value of this technique lies in summoning souls, which is what he cares about most.
"Using the deceased's genetic material as a medium for summoning, the soul is drawn from the Pure Land World and projected onto a pre-prepared container."
They took out the Thunder God Mask, which also serves as a medium, but the price to pay is unknown.
None of the gods are good; don't expect them to help you for free.
Orochimaru found an opening and escaped using his special abilities, not only making the Shinigami's efforts futile but also leaving him with a net worth.
"Digging and digging and digging in the little garden..."
In the office, Aoki Tsuki was reporting to Konan. Due to the loss of the cipher book last time, Akatsuki's intelligence in the Land of Fire had been delayed.
After a period of recovery, it has been re-established.
After discussing work, Konan couldn't wait to start asking for information, seemingly casually.
"You had a past conflict with Tobi?"
Aoki Tsuki had anticipated this. "Yes, it happened when I was monitoring Orochimaru. He insisted that I had stolen his things and started causing me trouble, so we fought."
Konan was secretly delighted upon hearing this, as it was just as she had predicted. " Tobi is only an outer member; he shouldn't be a match for you."
"Haha... of course, his abilities are a bit strange, but that's about it."
His arrogant tone seemed to completely disregard Tobi, as he said, "In this world, you rely on absolute strength. Taking shortcuts won't get you anywhere."
"What exactly is this ability...?" Konan asked eagerly.