Itachi had actually spent some time at the Akatsuki base before, but aside from Pain, Konan, and Biwa Juzo, everyone else had been out on missions at the time.
So this meeting held outside the shrine was actually the first time the group met in person instead of through the illusion projection jutsu.
"There's a missing-nin from Kirigakure who's been on the run. Someone will bring him here soon."
"When he arrives, Itachi, you'll be paired with the new guy."
Pain's face was mostly hidden behind his cloak.
Since there weren't many members, it was best to pair up each new person with someone more experienced.
Also, Kakuzu's last partner was basically killed by Kakuzu himself, so pairing him with someone again needed careful thought.
Itachi and Kakuzu had only been named temporary partners a few days ago. They hadn't even met until now, so Itachi naturally had no objections.
"Besides Itachi getting a new teammate, are there any other changes to the pairings?"
"I think I should get a new partner too."
Orochimaru made a soft hissing sound from his throat, his tone strange and a bit mocking.
"When the new recruit comes, you two will be separated anyway."
Pain glanced coldly at Orochimaru.
"There's a tricky kid from Iwagakure—Deidara."
"He's Oonoki's student, knows explosive release, and is considered dangerous. He's lived away from the village since he was young, so we might be able to win him over."
"When the time comes, Itachi, you and Sasori will go together to bring him back."
Pain went on to explain a few things to watch out for, and talked a bit about future plans.
It all sounded a lot like some kind of pyramid scheme trying to get people to recruit more members. The "big goal" was collecting tailed beasts and achieving world peace.
Itachi didn't care much about these vague plans—world peace or not, it didn't matter to him.
He was already a rogue ninja at this point. As long as he didn't lay a hand on his brother, whatever the leader said was fine.
Once the meeting ended, almost everyone vanished right away.
For these rogue ninjas used to freedom, being called to one place like this felt just like being dragged to work on a day off.
Itachi walked alone down from the red torii gate. The shrine steps twisted and stretched downward in layers.
Orochimaru was walking up the steps, running right into Itachi.
Itachi instantly became alert, though his face stayed calm as always.
His red Sharingan started spinning slightly.
Their relationship was more like a fan obsessively chasing a celebrity who didn't want to be bothered.
As they passed each other, Orochimaru's lips curled up just a little.
Suddenly, a large brown snake shot out from Orochimaru's sleeve and wrapped tightly around Itachi.
He didn't want to wait anymore. Pain had clearly been keeping him from getting too close to Itachi.
Waiting any longer was pointless—he had to make a move himself.
"Do you know what eternal life is, Itachi~?"
"I don't. That's why I need a new body."
"A perfect body that will let me live forever."
As Orochimaru spoke, the snake continued to tighten around Itachi, lifting him off the ground, leaving him unable to move.
Orochimaru could almost picture Itachi's struggling face, even though Itachi's back was to him.
"In the end, this is all because of your desires."
Itachi's calm voice suddenly came from above, and Orochimaru blinked in surprise.
In that same moment, their positions suddenly flipped.
Orochimaru was frozen mid-step on the stairs, while Itachi stood higher up, looking down at him with his red Sharingan.
"A binding jutsu…?!"
"What powerful eyes, how amazing!"
Orochimaru felt as though he had been nailed down by giant iron spikes, unable to move at all. Even moving a finger was an incredibly difficult task.
His pupils narrowed slightly in hesitation; this sudden change was completely unexpected.
He had always prided himself on his skill in Genjutsu, but in that moment, he genuinely didn't realize he was already trapped in a Genjutsu!
Then, a fervent passion ignited in Orochimaru's golden eyes.
So, this is the Genjutsu of the Sharingan?
This is the eye he had always sought, and now, after experiencing it firsthand, he truly understood the strength of this eye technique.
For Itachi, though, this situation was just an annoying pressure.
After Danzo, Orochimaru was next. If Orochimaru really wanted the Sharingan that badly, he should just hurry up and die.
Maybe in the next life, he'd be born into the Uchiha clan.
Itachi saw Orochimaru struggling to lift his hands. Without hesitation, he drew a Kunai and swiftly chopped off Orochimaru's left hand.
He had to be cautious with this guy. If Orochimaru was given the chance to fight back, the only one who'd end up in trouble would be himself.
Itachi's mind clearly recalled the warning from Hatake Satoru.
"Whatever you do, it won't have any effect in front of my eyes."
In the crimson Sharingan, Orochimaru's face flashed for a brief moment, showing his shock.
"Such confidence."
Orochimaru said hoarsely, forcing the words out.
Losing that hand had clearly caught him off guard. Had he underestimated Uchiha Itachi after all?
Orochimaru hadn't expected Itachi to be this strong. Charging in recklessly to confront him had been a careless mistake.
He still had to lure Itachi to where he wanted him before he could strike.
"I don't know what to do with you... Should I kill you here and now, or use you for something else?"
"Your desires have already grown too much..."
Itachi stepped down from the stairs, holding the Kunai straight at Orochimaru.
Interested in his eyes? Keeping someone like that around would only cause trouble. It might actually be better to kill him now.
Just as the sharp tip of the Kunai was about to pierce Orochimaru's forehead, a spinning Shuriken suddenly fell from above.
Itachi quickly jumped back, and Kabuto appeared out of nowhere, directly blocking Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-sama!"
Before Itachi could react, Kabuto stood in front of Orochimaru and swung his arm, launching an attack.
Then, a series of Explosive Tags shot up, exploding violently around Itachi.
"I will definitely repay this favor."
With Orochimaru's hoarse voice, a loud explosion followed.
"Boom, boom, boom!!!"
After a series of loud bangs, smoke and dust filled the air.
Itachi had already moved from his previous position the moment the Explosive Tags went off. As the smoke cleared, Orochimaru and Kabuto were nowhere to be seen.
Itachi, deep in thought, looked down at the dense, winding staircase.
Orochimaru had defected from the Akatsuki and fled to the Land of Wind.
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