Orochimaru broke out in a cold sweat, but he continued to smirk stubbornly.
From the bottom of his heart, he looked down on Itachi as a 'tool', merely a naive child manipulated by Danzo, whereas he himself could match Danzo and easily handle such juniors.
"Hmph, it seems this is your limit, Orochimaru. It's truly pathetic that even a Sannin is so weak in the face of Uchiha's power."
Itachi picked up a kunai and walked towards Orochimaru, and for the first time, killing intent flickered in his cold eyes.
"Originally, in the organization, you weren't allowed to attack comrades. But since you made the first move against me, even if I kill you now, I doubt the Leader would have much to say."
If Orochimaru could be dealt with here, Konoha's situation would undoubtedly become much safer.
The renegade ninja group from the Land of Demons had already placed significant pressure on Konoha.
A crisis also loomed over the Akatsuki; Nagato and Madara were not yet entities he could handle, but Orochimaru wasn't necessary.
Such reckless, hazardous renegade ninja would only jeopardize the Ninja Realm's safety.
Standing firmly before Orochimaru, within his slightly fearful gaze, he mercilessly swung the kunai he held.
Blood splattered, scattering on the ground.
An arm remained there, along with a shriveled human skin, while Orochimaru himself was nowhere to be seen.
Itachi frowned slightly, preparing to pursue and completely eradicate Orochimaru.
Suddenly, a white butterfly fluttered by, halting Itachi's pursuit of Orochimaru.
Numerous white butterflies gathered mid-air, forming into a young woman with short blue hair, wearing a black robe with red clouds identical to Itachi's, a ring etched with 'White' on her finger—she was Konan.
Itachi's gaze sharpened; he recognized Konan as a companion beside Nagato, the organization's Leader.
Her abilities were unknown, her ninja techniques associated with paper. From Sasori's occasional comments, it's said she could immune to physical attacks and excelled in certain areas of reconnaissance, even better than White Zetsu.
"Nagato wants you to return to the Hidden Rain quickly and meet up with Kisame. There's a new mission for you; I'll handle things on Orochimaru's side."
Rather than discussing, Konan was more like delivering Nagato's orders, her face calm without a ripple.
Itachi said nothing, silently storing away the kunai, turning to leave.
Once Itachi had entirely disappeared from sight, Konan descended lightly, picked up Orochimaru's severed arm, and flew in the direction opposite to Itachi.
…
"That damn Uchiha brat… how dare he look down upon me like this!"
Orochimaru's face was filled with resentment, twisted and terrifyingly menacing in anger.
Why could a mere child, toyed by Danzo, so easily counter him using Illusion Technique, a significant humiliation for Orochimaru?
Even when facing Hanzo of the Salamander, he was never this embarrassed.
While running through the forest, Orochimaru ignored the pain of his severed arm, such injuries could quickly recover with slight rest, and he had plenty replacement parts for severed arms.
Compared to physical injuries, the mental blow was key.
Something suddenly dropped from the sky amidst his run in the forest, making Orochimaru pause in astonishment.
A severed arm fell in front, blocking his path.
Orochimaru recognized this severed arm—it was the one just cut away by Itachi.
Following this, Konan, with wings forming behind, descended slowly from the sky, gazing down at Orochimaru from above.
Orochimaru frowned, eyeing Konan.
Was she here to hunt him?
Orochimaru quickly dismissed this thought.
He and Itachi had just clashed, yet Konan's true self had arrived directly, an obvious abnormality.
As Orochimaru prepared to ask, rainbow-colored illusions condensed from air, standing before him.
"Nagato…"
Orochimaru stared at Nagato, who suddenly appeared as a clone, filled with questions.
Nagato glanced at the arm on the ground, and Orochimaru's severed shoulder, speaking, "Quite a sorry state, Sir Orochimaru."
Orochimaru licked his tongue, smirking, "Why, have you come to eliminate me?"
Saying so, he instinctively retreated slowly.
Orochimaru harbored a deep-seated dread for Nagato.
Itachi compared to Nagato was like an infant, harmless.
Nagato said nothing, while Konan took out a scroll, throwing it to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru suspiciously caught the scroll, scanning Nagato's face, seeking any hint of intent.
"I can disregard what happened earlier, but I hope Sir Orochimaru remembers not to repeat this. What happens when leaving the Akatsuki, Sir Orochimaru knows well."
It wasn't a threat, Nagato merely stated a fact.
"Understood."
Orochimaru's tense nerves eased, as long as Nagato didn't pursue, there was no need to take flight.
Should Nagato decide to chase, with his current capability, he could never escape from Nagato's hunt.
He knew too much about Akatsuki's secrets, unless death, no other way out existed.
Orochimaru opened the scroll thrown by Konan, glancing briefly, astonished by the contents, shock in his eyes.
"How long might this take?"
No question about feasibility, Nagato trusted Orochimaru's research capabilities, thus asking time to accomplish what was on the scroll.
More than skills, Nagato trusted Orochimaru's research and exploration talent.
Orochimaru did not immediately respond, considering briefly before slowly answering, "I've never thought about this matter. There's a severe lack of research material for this, and collecting materials…"
Sensing Orochimaru's predicament, Nagato said, "Rest assured, I've gathered all materials."
Orochimaru, startled, looked deep into Nagato's eyes, "I see, it seems you're quite guarded against Madara and Zetsu, doing such things secretly."
"I refuse to be Madara's puppet, more preparation is essential. Also, to counter Chiba Hakushi in the future, this power is necessary."
Nagato responded thusly.
Orochimaru seemed puzzled, become Madara's puppet?
If he recalled correctly, Madara appeared wary of Nagato, their cooperation seemingly Nagato-led, so why mention fear of becoming Madara's puppet?
"Specifics will be elucidated later. Once the tail beast captures are complete, Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan will be yours, Sir Orochimaru."
"There's no need for you to act personally; self-effort brings more joy."
Orochimaru declined Nagato's assistance.
Nagato nodded gently; since Orochimaru required no help, it must go according to Orochimaru's own methods.
"Konan, escort Sir Orochimaru to secret location two. I'll explain things to Sasori."
After Nagato finished speaking, the rainbow-hued illusion clone vanished, leaving Konan and Orochimaru alone.