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Kagaya stared at Koharu Utatane's corpse for a long time without speaking. He wasn't grieving over this person's death—he wouldn't grieve for the death of someone who had indirectly slaughtered his entire clan. He was thinking about Koharu's final words.
'If you were still in Konoha, then perhaps Konoha could enjoy another century of peace.'
By saying that, did it mean this Konoha elder harbored some sliver of regret for what had happened back then?
Thinking this, Kagaya lifted his head, looked up at the sky, and smiled faintly.
A shame. This regret arrived four years too late. If it had come four years earlier, perhaps many things would have been different.
But now, it was too late. No matter what happened, Konoha today was destined to be left with a profound and painful memory.
"Kagaya-kun, would it be possible to ask that Kisame-san over there to hurry up a bit?" Orochimaru suddenly spoke to Kagaya.
Kagaya turned to look at Orochimaru behind him. "What's the matter? Are you in a hurry?"
Orochimaru shook his head. "Not exactly a hurry. It's just..."
He then explained how he had tricked Jiraiya earlier, stating that if they lingered too long at the entrance of the Forest of Death, Jiraiya might catch up and entangle them.
Upon hearing Orochimaru's words, Kagaya couldn't help but frown as well. Jiraiya was indeed a problem. Seeking him out now would be pure foolishness.
Thinking this, Kagaya prepared to step forward to tell Kisame to speed things up.
However, just at that moment, Kisame happened to return.
Kisame came sprinting over, the Samehada sword resting on his shoulder. Homura Mitokado was impaled on the blade, hanging from it. He appeared to be unconscious—or possibly dead.
"He's not dead, is he?"
Thus, upon seeing Kisame return, Kagaya's first question was whether Homura was dead or not.
Kisame gave the Samehada a flick, sending Homura tumbling to the ground. "No. You told me not to kill him, so how could I? This old guy was no fun. His strength was decent, but because of his age, his moves seemed rusty, full of openings."
Kagaya bent down, picked up Koharu's corpse, and pointed at Homura, who had been tossed to the ground by Kisame.
"Bring him. Let's head back to Itachi."
Kisame was taken aback, then spoke with clear dissatisfaction as he used the Samehada to lift Homura again.
"Huh? We're going back already?"
"We've caused enough commotion. While chasing these two, we killed quite a few shinobi along the way. It's time to head back."
Having said that, Kagaya looked at Orochimaru again. "Orochimaru, in your current state, can you keep up with us? Or do you intend to go your own way?"
Instead of answering Kagaya's question, Orochimaru countered with one of his own. "Kagaya-kun, seeing me in this state, aren't you at all curious about the outcome of my battle with the Third Hokage?"
Kagaya was momentarily speechless. Why would he be curious? Having seen the original story, even if Kagaya didn't remember much, a pivotal early battle like Orochimaru vs. the Third Hokage left some impression. The moment he saw Orochimaru's purple hands, Kagaya knew the outcome was likely the same as in the original.
Now Orochimaru was asking why he wasn't curious. Kagaya really didn't know how to answer at first. After thinking for a moment, he could only say, "In your current condition, you must be seriously injured. Yet you managed to escape the Forest of Death like this. That likely means the Third Hokage is either gravely wounded or dead."
Orochimaru smiled. "And if he's gravely wounded? Wouldn't Kagaya-kun consider entering the Forest of Death to finish him off?"
Kagaya was startled. Had history changed? Was the Third Hokage not dead? "Are you serious?"
Orochimaru's smile remained unchanged. "If I were, would Kagaya-kun enter to kill the Third Hokage?"
Kagaya stared at Orochimaru, saying nothing for a while, sinking into silence.
After a moment, Kagaya spoke. "The Third Hokage is already dead."
Orochimaru expressed some surprise. "Oh? How can Kagaya-kun be so sure?"
Kagaya looked at Orochimaru's purple hands. "The Dead Demon Consuming Seal, right? I saw that technique on the Scroll of Seals."
Orochimaru glanced at his own hands and couldn't help but chuckle. "As expected of Kagaya-kun. I was hoping to ask if you'd kill the old man. I didn't expect you to have already figured it out."
Kagaya spoke impatiently. "Get to the point, Orochimaru. Are you going your own way, or are you coming with us?"
Orochimaru's pupils shifted, as if contemplating something. He first looked at Kagaya, then at Kisame, and finally at the Akatsuki cloak Kisame wore. He gave Kagaya a polite smile.
"Kagaya-kun, as for me... I think I'll go my own way."
Kagaya's gaze imperceptibly flicked to the Akatsuki cloak on Kisame.
"Very well. Then we'll be leaving. Kisame, let's go!"
Clearly, Orochimaru had initially intended to go with Kagaya. However, upon seeing Kisame, a member of Akatsuki, present, Orochimaru decided to flee on his own. After all, while Akatsuki might not actively pursue him for his betrayal after all this time, one could never be sure. What if Kisame suddenly attacked him?
Would Kagaya protect Orochimaru? Perhaps, given their agreement. But chances like this were few. Orochimaru didn't want to waste it here.
Kagaya, naturally seeing through Orochimaru's thoughts, said no more and left with Kisame.
Akatsuki's current policy towards Orochimaru was: no active pursuit, but kill him if encountered. Previously, Pain had even told Kagaya to see if he could kill Orochimaru while he was at it. Therefore, if Orochimaru had gone with them and Kisame suddenly attacked him midway, it wouldn't have been strange at all.
On the way, Kagaya raised his left hand and looked at the ring on his little finger—a mark of an Akatsuki member.
But...
Kagaya looked at Koharu and Homura. The purpose for which he had joined Akatsuki seemed to have been accomplished. Did he still have a reason to remain in the organization?
Thinking carefully, did he like this organization? Far from it. Obito and Pain only wanted to use him to weaken Konoha. Kakuzu had mocked him from the moment he joined. Sasori hadn't liked him much either. Deidara was always seeking revenge for that genjutsu incident. Hidan, after spending time with Kakuzu, held little goodwill towards him. Itachi was on good terms with him, but Akatsuki wasn't Itachi's organization; Kagaya had no reason to stay for Itachi's sake. Kisame... this person seemed alright. A shame, but Kisame was Obito's man. Kagaya and he could never be truly aligned.
As for Zetsu and Konan, they were with Pain, nothing worth lingering for.
Yes, from the very beginning, joining Akatsuki had been solely for personal gain. During his four years in Akatsuki, he had completed countless missions for them and even recruited Deidara and Hidan. Now, Akatsuki had sent people to help him invade Konoha. Could that be considered settling the score?
"Heh..."
Kagaya let out a soft laugh, pushed aside further thoughts, and continued on his way.