As a companion for many years, Jiraiya knew very well that Orochimaru was a clear person.
If Orochimaru wanted to leave the village, he could just submit an application. There was no need for all this extra trouble.
Would the old man or others really refuse?
Jiraiya didn't think Orochimaru couldn't see this point, so the purpose of him taking this mission was worth thinking about.
Jiraiya strongly suspected that Orochimaru didn't want him to get involved in this matter.
"About the Akatsuki organization, do you know anything?"
Jiraiya stared at Orochimaru, his eyes questioning.
As soon as these words came out, everyone present was shocked. There were no fools present. Perhaps they could be blinded by huge profits, but if someone reminded them, they could quickly come back to their senses.
Orochimaru was stunned for a moment, wondering why Jiraiya had seen through him, but after a slight pause, he smiled and said,
"Indeed, I am not completely ignorant about the Akatsuki organization."
The others hadn't reacted yet, but Danzo's brow furrowed. Did Orochimaru also know?
Meeting everyone's gaze, Orochimaru's lips slightly curved, "The reason I know about the Akatsuki organization is because not long ago, Yakushi Kabuto joined them."
"Even that Kabuto guy..."
The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe, his face sinking.
However, he wasn't surprised in his heart. He knew before this that the Akatsuki organization was gathering rogue ninja, and his vigilance toward the Akatsuki organization had only increased.
After all, Yakushi Kabuto's strength was very strong, and adding Sasori and Kakuzu, that was at least three powerhouses who were no weaker than Kage level.
"Yakushi Kabuto is in the Akatsuki organization, so I want to personally explore their background."
Meeting everyone's gaze, Orochimaru smiled and said directly.
He wasn't afraid of others suspecting that he had a connection with Yakushi Kabuto.
Being open and aboveboard would instead make others half believe and half doubt.
After all, in everyone's eyes, Orochimaru absolutely couldn't be equated with 'fool.'
"..."
Orochimaru had already said this, and given his ability to personally take on this mission, even the Third Hokage couldn't say anything more.
After this matter was decided, the meeting came to an end.
If Orochimaru hadn't interfered, this meeting would have ended a long time ago.
After leaving the Hokage's office, Jiraiya approached Orochimaru, and after a long silence, he only said, 'Be careful.'
He knew very well that if Orochimaru didn't want to say, he wouldn't be able to get anything out of him.
"Tsk... he's really sharp."
Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya's departing figure and clicked his tongue. "Did this guy really see something?"
...
Underneath the former Root base.
Danzo sat behind his desk, lost in thought, not speaking for a long time.
Like Jiraiya, Danzo also felt that Orochimaru's behavior was a little strange, no matter how reasonable it seemed on the surface.
Because he was different from others, the so-called physical enhancement surgery had nothing to do with Root's ninja, and without being blinded by profit, his mind would be much clearer.
"...That Kabuto guy, really has nothing to do with Orochimaru?"
Danzo's eyes flashed sharply, "I don't believe it!
"
Even without any evidence, his hatred and malice toward the two were the best support.
He looked forward to, longed for, and wanted to see both of them unlucky, preferably killed by someone else.
And to make this happen, he naturally couldn't do it alone.
"Having reached this point, I really have to take the Akatsuki organization's power in the ninja world seriously..."
Danzo's expression was gloomy, and he said in a cold voice, "Let me see, just how strong are you, can you... kill Orochimaru."
The trade route in cooperation with Kusagakure was a way for both sides to have stable talks, and passing a message was simple.
Danzo quickly prepared a document, describing the content of the previous meeting in great detail.
Of course, there was a lot of personal feeling in it, but overall it was quite subtle.
Because he didn't need to say much about reality, the Third Hokage's determination and Orochimaru's threat were obvious.
Summoning a trusted subordinate, Danzo handed the document out and said in a deep voice, "Give these things to the Kusagakure Ninja."
"Yes!" The Root ninja acted according to orders, without asking any further questions, because there was a way to die called 'knowing too much.'
Watching his subordinate disappear through the door, Danzo sank into deep thought.
The best situation, of course, would be for the Akatsuki organization to first solve the hidden danger, eliminate Yakushi Kabuto, and then gather their forces to solve Orochimaru.
Neither Yakushi Kabuto nor Orochimaru were easy to deal with, and perhaps both sides would be badly hurt.
And with Orochimaru, that annoying guy, gone, Konoha... hehehe, could return to normal.
...
Grass Country, inside Hozuki Castle.
Mui looked at the message Danzo sent, and a smile appeared on his stern face.
"Supporting Danzo was indeed the right decision. This guy doesn't care about Konoha's losses at all in order to get rid of his opponents."
For Kusagakure, making money was just a small matter. Completing resource and information exchanges with Danzo was the key.
Mui naturally wouldn't completely believe the information Danzo gave. He only believed what he needed.
Whether Yakushi Kabuto was Orochimaru's secret agent or not was completely unimportant.
Currently, the fact that he could be in a semi-cooperative state with the Akatsuki organization was entirely thanks to Yakushi Kabuto's power. He naturally wouldn't do anything to cut off his own arm.
Mui pondered for a moment and said, "Muku, invite your teacher and Akatsuki's Sasori over. I have important matters to discuss."
Inside the room, a handsome black-haired, black-eyed youth nodded, got up and left. Soon, he returned with two people.
After the two viewed the information, Mui got straight to the point and said, "News has come from Konoha that in the next few days, Orochimaru will personally take action to investigate the connections between Kusagakure and the Akatsuki organization. I wonder what you two think?"
Hearing this, Yakushi Kabuto pushed up his glasses and smiled, "This is really quite troublesome..."
As he spoke, his gaze turned to Sasori, "What does the organization plan to do? Let me say this first, even if the two of us are added to Kakuzu, we won't be a match for Orochimaru-sama."
"After betraying him for so long, you still call him 'sama'?"
Inside Hiruko, Sasori said in a cold voice, "I strongly suspect that you still have connections with him. Orochimaru's recent action was provoked by you."
He had fought Orochimaru many times and had a long-standing feud with him. His most prized creation, the 'Third Kazekage Puppet,' was destroyed by the other party. The feud could be said to be very great.
And that Yakushi Kabuto guy was still unclear with Orochimaru after defecting from Konoha, which made him even more disgusted.
You're not even willing to say a bad word about Orochimaru. Why should anyone believe your loyalty to the organization?
Although, Sasori couldn't be said to have any loyalty to the Akatsuki organization either.
"I've explained this matter before."
Yakushi Kabuto lowered his head slightly, and a flash of light passed through his glasses.
"Betrayal was a last resort, but that doesn't mean Orochimaru-sama's kindness can be erased."
---
You can read 50 Chapters ahead on my
pat reon.com/GMadman
Free member can read 3 chapters ahead