"By the way," Tobi asked, "do you think that red-haired kid died in Deidara-senpai's explosion?"
Sasori shook his head. "Who knows? But I don't think he would die that easily…"
"Yeah," Tobi agreed, his voice unusually serious. "I feel the same."
---
Meanwhile — Amegakure.
Rain poured endlessly from the gray sky, as it had ever since Jiraiya entered the village. The rain wasn't natural — it was chakra-induced surveillance by Pain himself.
Inside a modest dance hall, Jiraiya lounged with a beautiful blonde, cheeks flushed from drinking.
"Tsunade… your curves are just like the real Tsunade," he mumbled, clearly tipsy.
"You flatter me, sir," the woman giggled, her laughter vibrating with amusement.
As he poured another drink, Jiraiya casually asked, "Say… why does it always rain here?"
"That's Lord Pain's chakra technique," she replied. "He uses it to monitor the entire village."
"I see," Jiraiya muttered, suddenly more alert. "So… Pain's been watching me since I got here."
He stood, excusing himself and walking toward the exit.
Outside, in the rain, he glanced at the stormy sky.
Croak.
A small toad leapt out from the alleyway.
Jiraiya knelt, scooping it up. Hidden in its mouth was a scroll. He unfolded it quickly, reading in silence.
[Pain – Rinnegan user]
His eyes widened. Shock froze him in place.
The scroll had come from Konoha — it had to be accurate.
Years ago, Jiraiya had trained three war orphans — Yahiko, Konan, and a mysterious red-haired boy with hidden eyes.
That boy had possessed the Rinnegan — the eye of the Sage of Six Paths. Jiraiya had thought he might be the prophesied savior spoken of by the Great Toad Sage.
He'd raised them, trained them, believed in them.
And later, he'd heard they all died.
But now? The possibility that Nagato — his own student — was leading Akatsuki as the god of Rain was a devastating revelation.
"It's hard to tell what's real anymore," Jiraiya murmured.
He lit the letter with a flame from his fingertip and watched it burn.
"It's time to find out the truth for myself," he whispered, stepping into the rain.
---
Inside Orochimaru's hideout.
Kabuto gave a detailed report on the failed attempt to capture the Three Tails.
After he finished, Orochimaru covered his face in frustration. "That fool Guren tried to fight that child head-on… what a waste of another reincarnation candidate."
Just then, a subordinate burst in with an update.
"Guren and Yukimaru are confirmed dead. Three Tails was sealed by Morkel. Also… Deidara of the Akatsuki self-destructed during the fight with Morkel."
Orochimaru's expression shifted. "Self-detonation… So that's what caused the tremor earlier."
"Any word on Morkel's condition?" he asked.
"None yet."
"Dismissed."
As the messenger left, Kabuto offered some comfort. "Lord Orochimaru, there's no need to worry. Morkel's power is recognized by the entire ninja world."
Orochimaru nodded slowly. "I know… Still, Deidara's final attack wasn't something to take lightly."
He took a breath. "Enough. The more urgent matter is my body."
He turned to Kabuto. "Now that Guren is gone, Sasuke is the only suitable vessel left."
Kabuto's face tightened. "Understood. I'll begin preparations for the reincarnation ceremony."
"I wanted to wait until he awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan…" Orochimaru sighed. "But I can't afford to wait anymore."
---
Elsewhere — Sasuke's Room
Sasuke stood at the door, eyes glowing red with Sharingan. Sparks crackled in his palm. The Kusanagi sword, a gift from Orochimaru, sat on his back.
"My time has come," he murmured. "You can't control me anymore, Orochimaru."
He opened the door to the medical chamber where Orochimaru lay.
"You've come," the pale man said.
Sasuke didn't respond. Instead, he raised his palm.
"Chidori Sharp Spear!"
A blade of lightning extended from his hand, thrusting straight into Orochimaru's body.
"I knew you'd resist being my vessel," Orochimaru said with a sinister smile.
"You're weak, Orochimaru. I'm stronger now. I won't be your host."
Sasuke stepped closer. "You only ever wanted Morkel's body. I was your backup plan, wasn't I?"
Orochimaru's face twitched.
Sasuke continued, "Even so, I'm still a true Uchiha. And you… you're just a failed genius chasing immortality from inside a jar."
"You're dying today."
He yanked the spear back — just as Orochimaru's mouth opened unnaturally wide.
A massive, white-scaled snake with a human face erupted from within — Orochimaru's true form.
Every one of its scales was made up of tiny writhing snakes.
"Ugly," Sasuke muttered.
"Come, Sasuke! Your body is mine!" Orochimaru roared.
They clashed. A fierce, bloody battle erupted.
---
Meanwhile — in the Land of Water
Morkel and Naruto strolled through a village.
"I should've stopped Deidara's explosion," Morkel muttered. "His bounty alone was worth 50 million."
"This mission was a total loss. I didn't make a single ryo. All I got was a giant turtle."
Naruto blinked. "It's a tailed beast…"
"And you can't even make soup out of it," Morkel grumbled.
Naruto suggested, "Want to go to a bounty station?"
"No rush."
Morkel's gaze drifted toward a nearby bathhouse.
"First, we need to study how to spend money."
---
A Few Minutes Later — The Bathhouse
Steam filled the air. Morkel and Naruto leaned back in the water, relaxing.
"Nothing in this world can't be fixed by a hot spring," Morkel sighed in bliss.
A familiar voice beside him said, "Really? Because I don't think this bath will fix my traumatic childhood."
Morkel turned, wide-eyed. "Sai?!"
Sai shrugged and pointed to the other side of the bath.
Morkel looked — and saw Kakashi, Kiba, and Shino.
"Well, well. Small world," Naruto laughed and waved.
Kakashi, eyes squinting in contentment, said, "After a mission, you have to relax."
Kiba grumbled, "Too bad we didn't find Orochimaru. Would've been nice to drag him in."
Naruto smiled. "You all did your best."
Suddenly, Morkel squinted. "Wait… does Kakashi-sensei wear a mask even in the hot spring?"
Kakashi pointed at Shino. "What's wrong with that? Shino wears sunglasses."
Morkel chuckled. "That's different. Shino wears them for clan reasons. You — you're just hiding something."
Shino nodded. "I'm afraid I'd scare people if I took them off."
Naruto chimed in. "I've known Kakashi-sensei for years. Still never seen his full face."
"Same," Kiba and Morkel echoed.
Sai teased, "Maybe he's got buck teeth or a weird nose."
Kakashi sighed. "Fine. You all want to see?"
He slowly reached for his mask—
Only to reveal…
Another mask.
"YOU'RE KIDDING!"
Morkel rolled his eyes.
"Wood Style: Binding Vines!"
Whoosh!
Vines erupted from the bathhouse floor, racing toward Kakashi!
Instinct kicked in — Kakashi dodged backward without hesitation.
But he forgot one important thing…
He was completely naked.
In the confusion, one particular part of him collided with a vine.
SMACK!
Kakashi froze, his face turning the color of raw liver.
He collapsed dramatically.
"Teacher! Are you okay?!" Morkel and Naruto rushed over.
"No... don't touch me... it's safer this way," Kakashi gasped, barely coherent.
Morkel, full of guilt, quickly wrapped healing vines around Kakashi's legs.
The expression on Kakashi's face shifted through all five stages of emotional trauma.
Thus ended their chaotic bathhouse trip.
They did finally see Kakashi's true face.
Worth it?
Maybe.
---
Later — Outside the Bathhouse
Kakashi walked silently, deep in thought.
That… healing technique had been far too stimulating.
"Teacher Kakashi, watch your step!" Naruto called.
Kakashi snapped out of it — just in time to meet Morkel's gaze.
His face turned bright red.
"Anyway," he coughed. "Morkel, Naruto — what are your next plans?"
"You ask that every time," Naruto teased.
Kakashi smiled. "I worry about you. You're still Konoha's children."
Morkel replied, "I'm heading to the Rain Village. I heard it's the Akatsuki HQ. If possible, I want to wipe them all out in one go."
Everyone fell silent.
Only Morkel could say something that bold — and maybe make it come true.
Before leaving, Morkel added, "I noticed something strange about one Akatsuki member."
"Oh?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"He wears a mask, and his right eye's chakra feels exactly like your Sharingan, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi blinked. "Are you sure?"
Morkel nodded. "I trust my chakra sense."
"You use your left eye, he uses the right… Could they be a pair?"
Kakashi froze.
No. It couldn't be…
Obito was gone.
But… his body was never recovered…
Could someone have stolen it? Used it?
Damn Akatsuki…
---
After giving Kakashi the intel, Morkel and Naruto headed out once again.
This time — toward Rain.
But on the way, Morkel remained alert. He expanded his chakra perception over several kilometers.
No Orochimaru detected.
But—
"Sasuke," he said suddenly.
"I found his chakra. He's nearby."
He tried to teleport using the Flying Thunder God mark, but failed.
"Guess he tore off the seal after I smacked him last time."
Naruto clenched his fists. "So what now?"
Morkel's eyes narrowed. "We go find him."
---
Elsewhere — In the Forest
Sasuke stood beside a man with shark-like teeth and pale skin.
Suigetsu.
After defeating Orochimaru, Sasuke had begun forming his own team.
A team to help him destroy Itachi.
Suigetsu Hozuki — the second member of Team Hebi — had just joined.
---
To be continued…