Mastermind of the Akatsuki

Upon learning of Byakuya's ambitions and the true goal of the Akatsuki, Orochimaru licked his dry lips.

If it were any other rogue ninja in the Shinobi World, they might be terrified of Akatsuki's goals. After all, in a way, Akatsuki was setting itself up to oppose the Five Great Nations, ultimately becoming an organization that everyone would want to destroy.

However, Orochimaru understood that, given Byakuya's planning and Akatsuki's current power, there was indeed a chance they might someday overthrow the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Even if they couldn't entirely topple the Five Great Shinobi Villages, they could still plunge the Shinobi World into chaos.

And chaos often serves as a ladder. Those once-high and mighty Kage-level figures might eventually fall, becoming nothing more than material for experiments.

As Orochimaru began envisioning the future, Byakuya suddenly heard a crisp, electronic notification in his mind.

[Orochimaru has joined Akatsuki. You have acquired a special talent: Scientist of the Shinobi World.]

[Scientist of the Shinobi World: You possess an extraordinary ability to learn and modify a vast array of jutsu in the Shinobi World.]

Hearing the system notification, Byakuya was slightly stunned. It was his first time receiving a talent-based reward, and it was this kind of monstrous ability.

It seemed Orochimaru indeed had the potential to yield great rewards. As expected, he was the Shinobi World's most brilliant scientist.

After claiming the reward, Byakuya felt that all those previously complex and obscure jutsu techniques in his mind suddenly became much clearer. He could even analyze the underlying principles and perform certain modifications.

With this newfound ability, he might not need Orochimaru's help to modify the Reanimation Jutsu on his own.

However, instead of investing his energy in research, he preferred to have others do the work.

Refocusing his wandering thoughts, Byakuya looked at Orochimaru again and took a ring from his pocket, handing it to him.

"Orochimaru, this ring is for communication within the organization. It'll also assign you tasks periodically."

After infusing the ring with chakra, Orochimaru felt a slight warmth in his finger, and a message appeared before his eyes.

Orochimaru looked at the ring and then at Byakuya in the distance.

The ring appeared to be technologically advanced, suggesting that there were indeed some cutting-edge scientists within Akatsuki. Perhaps he could even find like-minded researchers there.

Noticing Orochimaru's expression, Byakuya said casually, "You'll have plenty of time to study the ring later. For now, I have a mission for you—it can also serve to repay some of the favors you owe me."

"What mission?"

Orochimaru was curious about what kind of mission Byakuya would give him.

From his understanding of Akatsuki, it was usually missions involving rogue ninja hunts or aiding the Five Great Shinobi Villages. But since Byakuya was the leader, his orders were bound to be special.

Without any hesitation, Byakuya explained, "Do you know Otogakure (Hidden Sound Village) in the Land of Rice Fields? Your mission is to take over Otogakure, clearing obstacles to connect the trade route between Hidden Rain Village and Hidden Hot Water Village."

Hearing this, Orochimaru was momentarily stunned and looked at Byakuya suspiciously.

Taking over Otogakure wasn't a difficult task for him, but the strange part was that he had already planned on taking control of Otogakure himself. Byakuya's assignment was almost identical to his own goal.

Was this mere coincidence?

Ignoring Orochimaru's doubts, Byakuya continued, "Orochimaru, after taking over Otogakure, do not reveal your identity. If you encounter other Akatsuki members, do not expose them as members of the organization. If they wish for you to join Akatsuki, simply accept without revealing our connection."

Orochimaru did not object to Byakuya's request and agreed without hesitation.

At the same time, Orochimaru quietly wondered what Byakuya was up to. Could it be that the Akatsuki wasn't as unified as it seemed, and that Byakuya's position as the leader was unstable? Did he have a strained relationship with Yahiko, Nagato, and the others?

But after some thought, Orochimaru felt it made sense. Amegakure had a good rapport with Konoha, and if they openly accepted him—a rogue ninja from Konoha—it could rapidly damage relations between the two villages.

Byakuya noticed the expression on Orochimaru's face and smirked to himself in contempt.

Keeping this hidden from Yahiko and the others was only part of it. The real reason was that he didn't want Tobi or Black Zetsu to know. Those two, with their own hidden agendas, were his true rivals.

After recruiting Orochimaru, Byakuya didn't linger any longer.

The commotion from their earlier fight had been significant, likely drawing attention from Konoha soon. While Byakuya was confident he could handle any Konoha ninja who came to investigate, he didn't want White Zetsu to find out about his dealings with Orochimaru.

Half an hour later, Jiraiya arrived at the spot where Byakuya and Orochimaru had been talking.

Initially, Jiraiya hadn't planned on pursuing Orochimaru; Orochimaru had just spared him, and Jiraiya didn't have it in him to chase after him again so soon.

But after sensing distant tremors in the ground, Jiraiya couldn't shake the worry that Orochimaru might be in danger. If he managed to save Orochimaru this time, it would even the score between them.

Upon reaching the location, Jiraiya saw the forest had been leveled, and his heart sank.

Could Orochimaru really be in trouble? If so, what should he do?

After searching the area, Jiraiya turned to Gamabunta and asked, "Bunta, you think Orochimaru could really be in trouble?"

Gamabunta, holding his pipe, replied, "And wouldn't that be for the best? Orochimaru is a wanted rogue ninja, after all. You feeling sympathy for a traitor?"

Jiraiya fell silent, caught in the complexity of his feelings toward Orochimaru.

Seeing this, Gamabunta sighed. The bond between Jiraiya and Orochimaru was truly complicated; just hours ago, they were fighting tooth and nail, and now Jiraiya was worried about him again.

Gamabunta thought to himself that things were simpler in Mount Myoboku; apart from fending off invasions from Ryuchi Cave, they had few troubles.

Noticing Jiraiya's increasingly troubled expression, Gamabunta tried to comfort him, saying, "Jiraiya, don't worry about Orochimaru. You know how he is—he's too stubborn to die, even if you did. These destruction marks could have been left intentionally to throw you off."

"Bunta, that does make a lot of sense…"

Jiraiya scratched his head, and after thinking it over, he added, "But next time, don't jinx me. This Toad Sage is far from done for."

"I've never been good with words," Gamabunta replied flatly. "If there's nothing else, I'll return to Mount Myoboku. Fukasaku's been waiting for me."

"Fukasaku…" Jiraiya seemed to remember something and asked, "By the way, has the Great Toad Sage made any new prophecies?"

Gamabunta shook his head. "The Great Sage has been in a deep sleep for quite a while. When he does wake up, he usually communicates directly with Fukasaku and Shima, and they'll let you know."

"I see…" Jiraiya sighed, then chose a random direction and walked away.