I am the new Hokage of Konoha.

Now that Hidan, that idiot, has been captured by Konoha, we can probably get a lot of information about Akatsuki from him using the latter's methods.

In this way, the fact that he was still alive could no longer be hidden.

Pity!

If only it had happened a few years earlier.

She still regrets not sending a gift to Tsunade's wedding.

Thinking of this, Orochimaru's lips curled into a meaningful smile.

Soon, having returned to normal, he looked around thoughtfully, wondering if he should run away.

As one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha, no one knew better than him the terrifying power that would erupt once the internal forces of Konoha were no longer entangled.

The deaths of Kakuzu and Hidan were clearly a premeditated ambush by Konoha.

This also shows that Konoha's attention has turned to the increasingly restless Akatsuki.

Although Orochimaru had been a member of the Akatsuki organization for many years, it doesn't mean he was completely loyal to it.

The reason he stayed in Akatsuki for so long, apart from the fact that his original hideout in the Land of Fields, Momo, was targeted by Konoha and had to be abandoned, leaving him temporarily in this relatively good place, was mainly because he couldn't forget the Rinnegan.

Even under the light of the projectiles, Orochimaru saw that Pain, the leader of Akatsuki, still possessed lifelike Rinnegan eyes. He licked his lips excitedly, a deep greed and desire flashing in his eyes.

Based on his experiences and intelligence gathered during his time with Akatsuki, combined with his analysis of the events of his battle with Pain, he has made considerable deductions about the abilities of the Rinnegan.

If we were to fight again, it would never be as humiliating as before.

However, there is still some uncertainty about whether one can truly obtain the Rinnegan.

We must wait for the right opportunity.

perhaps......

The clash between Konoha and Akatsuki was the opportunity he had been waiting for for many years.

Orochimaru, who had this thought in mind, immediately suppressed the idea of ​​slipping away.

Now that he has completed his resurrection, the thing he has no shortage of is patience.

Next, like a snake, lie in wait in the shadows, patiently watching your prey for years until it weakens.

......

the other side.

Just as Orochimaru was habitually lost in his own thoughts, and most of the Konoha ninjas were surprised to hear Zetsu recount the names of the group that defeated Kakuzu and Hidan, Biwa Juzo, carrying the Executioner's Blade, fell into deep thought.

After a short while, after Hiruko finished his exclamation, he asked Zetsu with an extremely serious expression, "Does that Konoha ninja named Might Guy like to wear green bodysuits?"

White Zetsu replied, "Young Juzo, how did you know? Do you also like green bodysuits? Come to think of it, I quite like them too. If that guy named Might Guy weren't a Konoha ninja, I think we would have become very good friends. Of course, it would be even better if the green bodysuit were white!"

Pipa Juzo ignored him and muttered to himself, "Just as I thought. I never imagined that the little brat from back then would grow up to be this big."

As the culprit who kicked the Seven Ninja Swordsmen into a trio, and who narrowly escaped with his life, Juzo Biwa naturally had a deep impression of the man named Might Guy.

In the years that followed, he inquired about everything about this person and eventually learned that the terrifying attack he had received was the forbidden Eight Gates Technique!

No wonder Kakuzu and Hidan suffered the consequences.

After all, it's a matter of the son following in his father's footsteps!

At the same time, upon hearing his partner suddenly mutter to himself, Oniko asked curiously, "Senior Juzo, what are you muttering to yourself all of a sudden?"

Upon hearing this, Juzo Biwa looked up at Kijo and said without any hesitation, "Do you know how the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist became the Trinity? It was Might Guy's father, Might Dai, who did it. The latter was ridiculously strong, so his son, who inherited his mantle, was naturally not weak either. It's no wonder that Kakuzu and Hidan were defeated."

"Oh?"

The shark's face showed a look of great interest.

He had heard a lot about the culprit who destroyed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist from his old superior, Suigetsu Hozuki, and even sensed a hint of fear in the other's words.

How could a dead man still have lingering feelings?

It's a waste to put such a powerful weapon as the symphysis in the hands of this coward.

It was precisely because of this factor that Kiko later chose to kill Suigetsu Hobutsuki and become the new master of Kiko.

"Matt Kai, is that it? I'd love to have a go at this guy if I get the chance!" Ghost Touch rubbed his back muscles and said with a smile.

He was eager to see just how powerful the technique that had defeated the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was.

Upon hearing such words from a junior member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Juzo Biwa merely smiled coldly and refrained from further discussion.

After that, with the leader Payne finally speaking, the noisy scene finally returned to calm.

"I have summoned you here today not only to inform you of the matter of Kakuzu and Hidan that Zetsu has already mentioned, but also to announce that the bounty missions are hereby terminated."

Pain's Rinnegan swept over the group, finally withdrawing from Orochimaru, whom he could sense no matter how hard he tried to conceal it, and who craved his eyes greedily. He calmly said...

"This mission to destroy the railway project is undoubtedly a trap. It is clear that the major ninja villages have become wary of Akatsuki's power and have begun to react."

"Fortunately, thanks to everyone's efforts over the years, the organization's funds have become quite sufficient, so stopping the mission earlier than planned will not have any impact."

"In that case, let's go with the flow. It's time for Akatsuki's real plan to officially begin!"

Upon hearing this, the Akatsuki members reacted with varying expressions.

"Young...is it finally starting?" Hiruko asked excitedly.

He originally thought that his development of the Ghost Sprout Technique was already quite impressive.

However, when he heard that Akatsuki's goal was to capture the Tailed Beasts and create the most powerful Ten-Tails weapon, he realized that there was something beyond his reach.

This made him especially excited.

The Ten-Tails, I wonder what it will look like!

"It's really audacious to capture such a terrifying being as a Jinchuriki!" On the other side, despite saying this, Kijo's face clearly showed an eager look.

Orochimaru's expression shifted, and his gaze unconsciously lingered on Pain's Rinnegan once more.

Those rogue ninjas who were able to join Akatsuki were all lawless individuals.

Perhaps some of them do not agree with or care about Akatsuki's plans at all.

However, when it comes to the Tailed Beasts, those who are confident in their strength and arrogant are quite willing to try such difficult tasks.

Looking at Pain, he nodded slightly and said, "Also, we need to be very careful about Konoha. It's undeniable that Konoha has a thorough understanding of Kakuzu and Hidan's abilities, which is why they were able to defeat them so easily. Clearly, Konoha has been studying the Akatsuki for a long time."

"The Nine-Tails is crucial to the plan, and Konoha is now far stronger than the other four great ninja villages. Therefore, Zetsu!"

"Yes!" Bai Jue immediately raised his hand obediently.

Payne said, "Increase intelligence infiltration into Konoha."

"Understood!" Bai Jue patted his chest and assured him.

Black Zetsu, standing to the side, also felt a slight surge of excitement.

The long-awaited plan is finally about to begin!

But then he thought of the huge threat posed by the talented Konoha. Having witnessed too much, he, who did not have the same confidence as Pain, became somewhat hesitant and uncertain.

After scrutinizing Pain several times, Black Zetsu let White Zetsu speak while he himself fell into deep thought.

Just after Pain finished explaining the information to Zetsu, Sasori, who had remained silent after his initial taunt, suddenly spoke up: "If you need to gather intelligence on Konoha, I can help. I have a mole who has been lurking in Konoha for a long time. He holds a high position in Konoha and has access to many of the village's secrets. If you need any information about Konoha, I can contact him."

"In that case, Scorpion, you should do it."

Payne did not refuse. After nodding to Scorpion, he said to everyone, "The meeting is now adjourned. Dismissed."

In an instant, the colorful lights, like slides, vanished one after another.

In the end, only Pain and Konan remained, along with the Gedo Mazo, which stood there quietly, its giant eye occasionally opening slightly.

"Are we about to take action?" Konan, who knew her companion well, asked expressionlessly.

Pain nodded, his face cold, and said, "Capture the Five-Tails Jinchuriki of Iwagakure. If the Iwagakure ninja want to use someone else to do their dirty work, they still need to ask for my consent."

He naturally guessed afterward that the Iwa ninja had ulterior motives in this mission.

The more the former wanted Akatsuki to clash with Konoha, the less he did what the other party wanted.

This is not due to anger stemming from the deaths of Kakuzu and Hidan.

Instead, he was angry that a "god" was being manipulated like a clown by a mere mortal.

As for the incident where he happened to encounter the Four-Tails Jinchuriki and casually absorbed him into the Gedo Mazo, he naturally ignored it.

“I understand!” Xiao Nan nodded.

Since Payne has chosen to take action personally, his physical body must also be moved.

As a protector, Xiao Nan also needs to accompany her.

Thus, the Akatsuki's plan to capture the Tailed Beasts was launched ahead of schedule due to an unexpected event.

After the Four-Tails, their first target was the Five-Tails of Iwagakure.

......

On the other hand, Onoki was in a good mood after learning that the Akatsuki had suffered heavy losses in an ambush by Konoha. Although the mission was not completed, he was relieved that the reward would not be paid and that he had taken the fall for the Iwa ninja.

Regardless, the fact that the Akatsuki organization, an unstable force, was pushed onto Konoha is a matter of course.

It would be best for the two sides to fight like dogs for the rest of the time.

However, he was unaware that the leader of the Akatsuki organization thought differently from ordinary people.

Just as a dead person no longer has value.

Not only did he show no intention of avenging his subordinates, he also set his sights on the Iwa ninja.

At this moment, Ōnoki, completely unaware of the impending disaster that awaits Iwagakure, is humming a tune while planning the Four Kage meeting.

Given Konoha's deployment in the Land of Grass, it would be difficult to drive them away unless war breaks out.

If that's the case, then let's put it aside for now.

While Konoha is currently distracted by the Akatsuki, we should expedite the formal establishment of the Four Nations Alliance.

At that time, facing attacks from all sides, what can Konoha do even if they control the railway right at their doorstep?

Chapter 188 Scorpion and Kabuto