Chapter 88: Meeting Orochimaru

The next day.

At the break of dawn.

The squad gathered at the entrance of the Konoha Village.

Uchiha Itachi, worried about his younger brother being petulant at their farewell, left home early and was even the first to arrive at the rendezvous point.

"Which route shall we take to the Land of Earth?"

After asking, Akihara Kagura then suggested, "How about we go through the Land of Rain? I heard there's still a civil war going on there, and we might even kill some people who are seeking death on our way..."

"Let's go through the Land of Grass!"

Hatake Kakashi quickly made the decision.

Even though Kakashi originally considered the route through the Land of Rain, hearing Akihara Kagura's suggestion, he immediately changed to the peaceful route through the Land of Grass.

In the past, Kakashi might have felt sad when passing by the Kannabi Bridge in the Land of Grass because it was the final resting place of Uchiha Obito;

Now, with Uchiha Obito still alive, Kakashi wouldn't feel sad, and it might even motivate him to work harder to bring Uchiha Obito back to Konoha!

"Actually, going through the Land of Rain is also an option..."

Uchiha Itachi actually agreed with Akihara Kagura's suggestion.

Perhaps because he had received orders from Shimura Danzo yesterday to monitor Akihara Kagura, Itachi felt somewhat guilty towards his teammate. Even his actions when looking at Akihara Kagura were somewhat cautious.

This is what a novice in espionage looks like.

Even feeling a bit of shame and guilt while surveilling.

"Why would you agree with Kagura's suggestion?"

Hatake Kakashi looked at Uchiha Itachi with some surprise: "Itachi, with your sensibilities, you should know that the Land of Grass is the most suitable route for us..."

"I..."

Uchiha Itachi pondered how to respond.

"Hehe..."

Akihara Kagura sneered, stepping in to help Itachi out of the awkward situation: "Perhaps he feels guilty for stealing my life? Did Lord Danzo promise you yesterday that he would hand over the Root to you in the future?"

"..."

Uchiha Itachi's expression immediately became strange.

What is all this mess!

Shimura Danzo had no such intention at all; he just wanted me to be a spy!

"It's not... there's nothing..."

Uchiha Itachi helplessly shook his head, continuing, "I just asked Lord Danzo yesterday, and Lord Danzo did not show any intention of letting you return to the Root..."

"There's no need to hide it from me."

Akihara Kagura sneered mockingly and said, "If you feel sorry for me, then when you take over Lord Danzo's position in the future, give me the position of the leader of the Root"

"Behave yourself!"

Hatake Kakashi reached out and knocked on the back of Akihara Kagura's head, then turned to Uchiha Itachi and said, "Don't listen to this guy's nonsense. When you become the leader of the Root in the future, just allowing Yakushi Nono and Yakushi Kabuto to leave the Root will be enough…"

"Ah…"

Uchiha Itachi widened his eyes in surprise.

He had only heard these two names last night; they were the two intelligence department members he needed to contact in the Rock Village!

Last night, Shimura Danzo gave him three scrolls, two of which were to be delivered to Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono, the two intelligence department members. What is their relationship with Akihara Kagura?

"They are…"

Uchiha Itachi was curious about the relationship between these two and Akihara Kagura.

Hatake Kakashi glanced at Akihara Kagura, who was silent, and seeing that he seemed to have no objection, continued, "One is the Dean of the orphanage that took in Akihara Kagura, and the other is a friend of Akihara Kagura in the orphanage."

"Yakushi Kabuto and I are not friends!"

"It's almost as I said…"

Hatake Kakashi shrugged indifferently, somewhat pleased that Akihara Kagura no longer mentioned killing Yakushi Kabuto, and continued, "So, when you take over Danzo's position in the future, you can allow them to leave the Root…"

"Ah... No..."

Uchiha Itachi hurriedly waved his hands to clarify, "Lord Danzo has never intended to hand over the position of the Root's leader to me; he just entrusted me with the task of contacting the intelligence members…"

There was nothing secret about this matter.

Because Hatake Kakashi and Akihara Kagura both knew that Shimura Danzo had definitely taught Uchiha Itachi how to contact the intelligence department members, as this was an order directly given by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

As for the assessment he secretly received, it could not be disclosed.

Uchiha Itachi recalled the assessment content he saw on the last scroll last night, which was to kill a person who would appear in the Land of Earth at a certain time and place, guessing that he might have to kill an enemy affecting the undercover intelligence members.

"Sooner or later..."

Akihara Kagura shook his head indifferently and sincerely advised, "I really don't understand where Lord Danzo thinks you excel, your strength is not even as strong as mine. You'd better wise up and leave the Root sooner rather than later, and it's best to stay away from Lord Danzo…"

"I will do my best."

Uchiha Itachi rejected his advice.

This teammate would never understand the situation he was facing.

Uchiha Itachi would never leave the Root; he was looking for a hope to maintain peace between the Uchiha and Konoha.

"Alright, it's time to set off."

Hatake Kakashi felt that Akihara Kagura's words were somewhat sarcastic.

However, Hatake Kakashi also believed that Uchiha Itachi really should consider keeping a distance from Shimura Danzo, but unfortunately, such matters were not for him, a mere Anbu squad leader, to decide.

Throughout their journey, the Land of Fire seemed incredibly peaceful.

What was odd, though, was that they occasionally saw more and more pedestrians on the road.

The closer this squad got to the Land of Grass, the more pedestrians they encountered.

Among these pedestrians, there were even families with children.

"What's happening?"

"The Land of Grass has been invaded!"

After some investigation, Uchiha Itachi found the answer.

The Land of Grass had invaded a small Village, which, unable to withstand the Land of Grass, hired the Taketori clan to counterattack the Land of Grass, plunging the entire Land of Grass into war.

The Taketori clan has always been belligerent, lacking wisdom from top to bottom, liking to wander in the ninja world, occasionally acting as mercenaries, never caring about any major village's stance, not even taking orders from the Mist Village seriously.

"Another war..."

Hatake Kakashi shook his head and sighed, "I thought we could avoid the war in the Land of Rain, but it seems we can't escape the flames of war after all..."

Hatake Kakashi did not want to be involved in the war, and instructed softly, "Let's be careful to pass through, hiding by day and moving by night, to avoid attracting more attention."

"This is not something we can decide..."

Akihara Kagura shrugged, believing that their journey through the Land of Grass might not be peaceful, especially since he was planning to stay in the Land of Grass for a while.

To avoid detection, Hatake Kakashi decided to have the squad hide by day and move by night, taking routes through secluded forests as much as possible, to avoid being discovered by the Taketori clan or the Grass ninjas.

Morning.

The sun had just risen.

Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi rested at their camp.

Akihara Kagura was in good spirits, insisting on going fishing by the river, which did not arouse suspicion from the two because this teammate really liked fishing.

Fortunately, they did not suspect anything.

Otherwise, Akihara Kagura might have had to resort to some means to have Orochimaru kidnap Uchiha Itachi and lead Hatake Kakashi away directly.

According to White Zetzu Awei's reconnaissance, Orochimaru was nearby.

By the river.

A small white snake emerged.

These small white snakes, possibly originating from the legendary Ryuchi Cave with strong sensory abilities, quickly sensed Akihara Kagura's chakra.

"Sssss..."

The small white snake, having seen Akihara Kagura, quietly slithered into the bushes.

At noon.

A strange ripple suddenly appeared on the water surface.

The appearance of a long-haired man suddenly emerged on the surface of the water, his body slowly walking out from the water as if he was a creature of the water itself.

"Kagura."

The long-haired man's lips curved into a slight smile as he gazed at the stunned Akihara Kagura, greeting him warmly, "How have you been recently? Did you like the New Year's gift I gave you? Why aren't you speaking? Are you too excited to see me?"

"Lord Orochimaru!"

Akihara Kagura almost instantly excitedly put down the fishing rod in his hands!

"There, there, no need to get excited."

Orochimaru gently patted his head, his affectionate smile always carrying a hint of sinister terror: "I was wondering when to contact you, the nearby white snakes sensed your chakra, it seems there's someone else's chakra here..."

"Those two are Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi."

Akihara Kagura mentioned two names that brightened Orochimaru's eyes.

"Kakashi... and Uchiha Itachi..."

Orochimaru's tongue slowly crept out, greedily licking his lips: "Are they the experimental materials you brought me?"

"..."

Months had passed...

Orochimaru really hasn't changed at all...

Always think of people as experimental materials, sooner or later it will bring disaster to you!

"However, let it be."

After saying that, Orochimaru continued on his own: "Although I've been in need of some Sharingan recently, using those two as experimental materials would be too wasteful. Their death here would also cause you to arouse suspicion in Konoha."

"Yes."

Akihara Kagura slowly nodded, speaking like a wanderer far from home: "I've only entered Konoha not long ago and was sent to the Anbu. Danzo abandoned me, and I've been trying to find a way to return to Root to monitor him, but Danzo won't allow me to go back..."

"Hehehe..."

Orochimaru was already aware of this, his gaze revealing a hint of mockery: "Danzo wouldn't want to give up your power."

"It's probably not that Danzo won't let you go back, but rather your talent caught the attention of my teacher, Hiruzen, who forcefully transferred you from Root to the Anbu."

Speaking of his teacher, Orochimaru couldn't help but fall back into his old habit of always mentioning his teacher during conversations, beginning to criticize his own teacher with a sneer: "Wanting to possess great power, yet stubbornly clinging to the honor of the Hokage, unwilling to make sacrifices, only choosing to plunder the achievements of others, yet casting the sins upon others."

Akihara Kagura could only listen quietly and cautiously spoke, "But I have not completed the surveillance task Lord Orochimaru entrusted to me..."

"No."

Orochimaru reached out, caressing Akihara Kagura, and said with a smile, "You have done better than I imagined. I already know about it, like the incident in the Mist Village. That technique is very powerful."

This was something Orochimaru had not anticipated.

Although Orochimaru believed in Akihara Kagura's extraordinary talent in Wood Release, he did not expect this kid to be strong enough to use the Wood Dragon Technique, which was said to be used only by the First Hokage!

"As for Shimura Danzo, his matter is of no importance."

"That greedy coward wouldn't dare to betray my alliance."

Orochimaru looked at Akihara Kagura and continued, "The purpose of sending you to Konoha was merely to allow you to learn more Wood Release ninjutsu. Unexpectedly, you learned powerful Wood Release techniques and even infiltrated the Konoha Anbu."

"Since you have entered the Anbu, stay there."

Orochimaru said with a smile, "After all, I cannot change bodies yet. If you stay undercover, you can help me gather more information..."

Orochimaru spread his hands, somewhat indulged in his own masterpiece: "My teacher would never imagine that a genius ninja seen as the future of Konoha is actually a perfect creation from my hands."

"Yes."

Akihara Kagura nodded, first glancing at his reward and new mission.

[System Prompt]: [Go to Konoha to find Orochimaru's ally Shimura Danzo, learn Wood Release ninjutsu, and monitor the alliance between Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo. Completed, reward: Orochimaru-Style Sword Technique.]

[Orochimaru-Style Sword Technique (Originating from Orochimaru's swordsmanship, known for its sinister and tricky reputation, ranks among the top in the ninja world's swordsmanship, capable of competing with masters of the sword!)]

[System Prompt]: [New task, infiltrate Konoha's Anbu and gather information for Orochimaru.]

This sword technique reward is somewhat inconvenient to use.

After all, Orochimaru is no ordinary person, and many can recognize his swordsmanship.

Akihara Kagura is very satisfied with his reward and begins to present some of the difficulties he has encountered.

"If I can do more for Lord Orochimaru in the future, I am willing to continue staying undercover in the Anbu, but it's very inconvenient in the Konoha Anbu, it's always hard to act alone, even trying to contact Lord Orochimaru is inconvenient..."

Akihara Kagura was saying this, intending to signal White Zetzu Awei to come out and introduce the Akatsuki organization to Orochimaru, but Orochimaru suddenly interrupted him.

"I have already considered this point."

Orochimaru couldn't help but laugh, feeling somewhat proud of his foresight: "I had noticed a young man from the Root long ago, initially planning to use him as a spy hidden within Konoha to help me unearth the talents of Konoha. I never expected you to outperform him..."

"Just right."

"In the future, he can help you convey intelligence."

Orochimaru mentioned the person's name with a smile, "That young one is called Yakushi Kabuto, who might still be dreaming that hard work will someday free him and his foster mother from the Root..."

"These ignorant people, they simply do not understand the despicableness of Shimura Danzo. That guy would never let any spy live, even going as far as to end the lives of that young man and the poor woman in a cruel manner..."

Orochimaru slowly clenched his fist, his smile gradually turning proud, seemingly believing that Yakushi Kabuto couldn't escape his grasp: "Once Shimura Danzo makes a move, and the young man discovers the cruel truth, I will take him away from Shimura Danzo's hands, then have him infiltrate Konoha again to help you transmit intelligence..."

"Actually..."

Akihara Kagura felt somewhat embarrassed, whispering: "When I was transferred to the Anbu, Shimura Danzo arranged an identity for me, that of a child from the Konoha orphanage."

"That's not surprising."

"Shimura Danzo probably wouldn't arrange any other identity."

Orochimaru nodded with a smile, seeming very satisfied with Akihara Kagura's identity: "It's a wonderful coincidence. When I eventually recruit that young one, Yakushi Kabuto, I can have him solidify that identity for you."

"I have met Yakushi Kabuto."

Akihara Kagura seemed even more embarrassed, continuing in a low voice: "Yakushi Kabuto should... probably believe that I am a child from the orphanage now, right?"

"Yakushi Kabuto believes you're a child from the orphanage?"

Orochimaru frowned, starting to ponder: "Could it be that this identity arranged by Shimura Danzo is flawless... If even Yakushi Kabuto hasn't spotted any flaws, it's unlikely anyone else in Konoha will, it seems Shimura Danzo has some use after all."

"Yes."

Akihara Kagura breathed a sigh of relief, first casting this blame onto Shimura Danzo, before continuing: "I interacted with Yakushi Kabuto according to the identity he arranged for me, and so far, there haven't been any flaws. Shimura Danzo plans to find an opportunity in the future to kill both Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono, thinking that would eliminate any future trouble..."

This wasn't really a lie by Akihara Kagura.

After all, Shimura Danzo had mentioned before that Yakushi Nono and Yakushi Kabuto were still useful for the time being and couldn't be killed, which means Shimura Danzo definitely had a plan to kill them, perhaps the plan was already being prepared...

"Shimura Danzo is a bit too extreme."

Orochimaru shook his head, disdainful of Shimura Danzo's philosophy: "A person's life is only once, some people are more useful alive than dead, Yakushi Kabuto is a clever medical ninja, even his learning ability is quite remarkable..."

"Shimura Danzo failed to recognize Yakushi Kabuto's strengths and did not pay attention to how to utilize people, always believing that killing could solve all problems, Kagura, do not pick up his faults..."

"..."

Akihara Kagura slowly nodded.