86 Chapter 86: Kusanagi Sword

Uchiha Obito left with an unsightly expression on his face.

As for this White Zetzu called Awei, he desperately hinted, wanting to implant spores within Akihara Kagura's body, which was ruthlessly rejected by Uchiha Obito.

Akihara Kagura glanced at this White Zetzu named Awei, and unexpectedly felt a bit of rapport, determined to make its life create more value in the future.

"Young man…"

This White Zetzu looked at Akihara Kagura, its tone becoming very reserved, yet its words were profound: "What do I need to help you with?"

"Help me monitor Uchiha Obito."

Akihara Kagura's words almost choked it.

"This task conflicts with my primary duties…"

The White Zetzu called Awei hesitated, shaking its head, about to say something when its body suddenly sank towards the ground, opening its mouth to warn, "Be careful, there's something unusual, I've sensed the presence of chakra."

"Hmm?"

Akihara Kagura had also just sensed the approach of a sinister chakra, somewhat surprised at White Zetzu's chakra sensing abilities, "This guy has good perception abilities!"

A small white snake appeared, swimming up to Akihara Kagura and stopped, opening its mouth to slowly spit out a slender sword.

What was strange...

There was no saliva on the sword's handle.

"Orochimaru…"

Akihara Kagura's eyes flickered slightly.

It was unexpected to see a small white snake sent by Orochimaru, especially when Uchiha Obito's White Zetzu was monitoring him.

Never mind.

He hadn't planned to hide this matter anyway.

Because these two superiors would sooner or later converge, Orochimaru, ever curious, would definitely try to investigate the Akatsuki organization's secrets.

Uchiha Obito, as a superior, never expected his loyalty, and wouldn't care whom he had sided with, since he had made his stance clear in front of Uchiha Obito, ready to kill White Zetzu and betray them if he ever felt displeased.

When Akihara Kagura received the sword spat out by the small white snake, he saw a small red seal attached to the scabbard, with a line of words written on the red seal.

It was a handwritten message from Orochimaru.

[Happy New Year]

This was a hardy Kusanagi Sword.

It was a New Year's gift sent to him by Orochimaru's white snake clone.

Akihara Kagura had always known Orochimaru harbored ill intentions towards him, receiving this gift on the New Year of the ninja world, he couldn't help but feel touched.

In the future, Orochimaru would gather many children, most of whom were unwilling to leave his side. Which subordinate wouldn't want to stay by such a superior?

On the occasion of the New Year…

Just when one feels the most alone, Orochimaru still does not forget to send a bit of warmth. Who would be willing to refuse someone who keeps them in their heart?

"Please thank Lord Orochimaru for me."

A sincere touch of emotion appeared on Akihara Kagura's face as he softly said, "I am now undercover in Konoha's Anbu, becoming an Anbu ninja. Shimura Danzo has not betrayed the covenant and even helped me arrange an identity within the Konoha Orphanage."

While monitoring the one called Awei, the White Zetzu clone, with the characteristics of the [Ninja in the Shadow], Akihara Kagura continued speaking to the little white snake.

"In some time, I may pass through the Land of Grass and hope to find an opportunity to meet with Lord Orochimaru then. Please ask Orochimaru if there is time to meet."

"..."

The little white snake nodded and quietly disappeared into the grass.

Akihara Kagura stood still, knowing that the White Zetzu called Awei was still here eavesdropping: "Stop hiding underground, come out!"

"Are you one of Orochimaru's?"

The head of the White Zetzu slowly emerged from the ground.

"Isn't that normal?"

Akihara Kagura raised an eyebrow, counter-asking, "Where else would my Wood Release Kekkei Genkai come from if not from Lord Orochimaru?"

"That makes sense."

The one called Awei slowly nodded, earnestly asking, "Then, can I go tell Uchiha Obito about you being with Orochimaru, and about Orochimaru's whereabouts?"

"Not convenient at the moment?"

Akihara Kagura frowned, pondering for a while before asking, "What if Lord Orochimaru does not want you guys to know?"

"This…"

The one called Awei was somewhat perplexed.

So if Orochimaru does not want us to know, do we just not invade his privacy?

"I was planning to visit the Rock Village and sneak a visit to the Akatsuki's base to observe their strength, then consider whether to invite Lord Orochimaru to join the Akatsuki…"

"If Lord Orochimaru is willing, you report to Uchiha Obito; if he is not willing, you still report to Uchiha Obito, wouldn't that just be getting his hopes up for nothing?"

Akihara Kagura slowly said, "When Lord Orochimaru decides to join the Akatsuki, there's no rush to tell Uchiha Obito then. You would definitely want a powerful ninja like Orochimaru to join us in the Akatsuki, right?"

"That is also true…"

White Zetzu Awei nodded slightly, expressing some doubt, "However, would Orochimaru join the Akatsuki?"

"As long as the Akatsuki's power is strong enough, Lord Orochimaru would definitely be willing."

The words of Akihara Kagura seemed sincere as he continued, "Before I came to Konoha, Lord Orochimaru was being pursued, so I have been helping Lord Orochimaru find a suitable organization for protection, to at least shield him from being hunted."

"Who is hunting Orochimaru?"

This White Zetzu was very curious, even starting to ponder, "Orochimaru is one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha. Anyone capable of hunting Orochimaru must be at least a Kage of a village..."

"It seems to be someone named Jiraiya..."

Akihara Kagura mentioned a name.

"Another of the Legendary Sannin..."

This White Zetzu shook his head and sighed, "Such things always happen in Konoha. Jiraiya hunting Orochimaru, Hatake Kakashi tracking Uchiha Obito. It's uncertain if such things will continue to happen in the future..."

Such incidents will always exist.

As long as there is darkness within Konoha, as long as people harbor greed, there will always be ninjas who defect, and there will always be those who wish to bring the defectors back.

"Alright."

Akihara Kagura pacified this White Zetzu, saying, "After I meet Lord Orochimaru, I'll ask if he is willing to join the Akatsuki!"

"Okay!"

After agreeing, this White Zetzu named Awei then realized and asked a critical question, "If Lord Orochimaru is unwilling to join the Akatsuki with you, will you choose him, or will you choose us, the Akatsuki?"

"Of course, you."

Akihara Kagura then raised a potential concern, "If Lord Orochimaru refuses to join the Akatsuki in the future, you guys might need to use force to persuade him, to coerce him into joining. You wouldn't be unable to deal with Lord Orochimaru, would you?"

Akihara Kagura's attitude towards Uchiha Obito and the Akatsuki was always very genuine, "If you can't even defeat Lord Orochimaru, then why would I choose him over you? Why should I choose the weaker as my comrades?"

"Moreover,"

"Lord Orochimaru, after not seeing him for a long time, still remembers to send me a New Year's gift. When Uchiha Obito came, he didn't even offer a New Year's greeting."

When Akihara Kagura reached this point, his words inevitably carried a hint of resentment: "A leader with such a narrow mind, if his abilities are also lacking, what is there for me to follow him for?"

"You're right."

This creature named Awei, a White Zetzu clone, was convinced and its body slowly sank into the ground.

Just as the body of the White Zetzu began to sink halfway into the ground, it seemed to remember something, and its face strained to show a friendly smile.

"Young man, happy New Year…"

"Happy New Year."

In Akihara Kagura's smile, there was a bit less loneliness.

The beginning of the New Year.

The village of Konoha was adorned with festive Fu plaques.

The entire village was immersed in the joyous atmosphere of the New Year.

Even the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, forced to live in Konoha, was cordially invited by Sarutobi Hiruzen to join the New Year celebrations in Konoha.

The Anbu ninjas were not among them.

This was a busy working time for the Anbu ninjas.

During the New Year celebrations, many tourists from other places would come to visit Konoha. The Anbu and the Konoha Police Force were the two busiest departments during this period, needing to patrol all over Konoha to prevent spies from mingling with the tourists and sneaking into Konoha to steal information.

In the Anbu changing room.

Akihara Kagura and Hatake Kakashi had finished their day's patrol and returned to the changing room to change into casual clothes when they found a small box in their locker.

There was a line of writing on the box.

"Wishing you a peaceful spring."

Akihara Kagura opened the small box to find a beautifully crafted kunai, clearly not an ordinary item, certainly better than anything found in the Konoha weapon shop.

It was a gift from Hatake Kakashi.

"Didn't you learn the Flying Thunder God Technique?"

Hatake Kakashi stood by Akihara Kagura's side and said leisurely, "My teacher would leave a mark on the kunai, throw it at the enemy with the mark, and instantly get close to the enemy. Just so happens I have a kunai of good quality…"

"Ah, the differences between people…"

Akihara Kagura shook his head, took the kunai, and sighed, "I haven't prepared anything, this makes me seem very rude. I should really give you a grand gift in return when I have the chance…"

"If you feel ashamed…"

Hatake Kakashi patted the little guy on the shoulder and proposed his request with a smile, "Then treat me to a bowl of ramen, please!"

"..."

Akihara Kagura shook his head, displaying a generous attitude, "Ramen is too simple, I'll treat you to grilled salted saury today!"

"That's even better."

Hatake Kakashi's smile brightened.

Akihara Kagura, this kid, always had an offending attitude in the Anbu, but he remembered his superior's favorite food.

Midnight diner.

After Hatake Kakashi and Akihara Kagura left the scene.

A creature named Awei slowly emerged halfway from the ground and complained, "Hatake Kakashi, this guy, actually wanted to win you over with such a small trick of giving gifts..."

"Yeah..."

Akihara Kagura toyed with the beautiful kunai in his hand, a black leaf mark stamped on the kunai, seemingly reminding nonchalantly, "But we saw, Uchiha Obito didn't even want to use such a small trick."

"You're right."

This creature named Awei solemnly nodded.