[Note: Someone reminded me today that the Patreon membership fees I set were too high for most readers. I'm really sorry about that—this is my first time doing something like this. I've now adjusted the prices accordingly. (●●)
So, if you'd like to read over 60 chapters in advance, check it out: patreon.com/Levianth86]
Chapter 52: Orochimaru, a Secret Admirer of Uchiha Yusuke?!
"It's him?"
Hearing Yusuke's name from Pain's mouth, Orochimaru couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Instantly, all the members' projections turned their gazes toward Orochimaru.
"Since he's a Konoha ninja, I assume you have quite a bit of intel on him, Orochimaru?" Kakuzu asked, his interest piqued by the hefty bounty attached to the mission.
Orochimaru let out a sinister chuckle. "Yusuke-kun, hm? He's certainly no easy opponent. Unfortunately, I don't know of any obvious weaknesses, so I can't offer much advice to the organization."
"Oh? Then what kind of ninja is he exactly?" Kakuzu pressed, clearly dissatisfied with such a vague answer.
"Ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu—Yusuke-kun excels in all fields. You could call him an all-rounder," Orochimaru said slowly.
"Come on, you're hyping him up way too much just because he's from your own village," Hidan scoffed, obviously not buying it.
Ignoring Hidan's comment, Orochimaru continued, "He's proficient in a wide range of ninjutsu, but his most formidable specialty is Fire Style techniques."
"As for taijutsu, he uses a flame-based kenjutsu style. Given his nickname 'Blazing Blade,' it's not hard to guess that's his strongest asset."
"And regarding genjutsu—well, he's a Uchiha, after all," Orochimaru added with a sly smile.
"Also, regarding the members being deployed for this mission... I would advise against sending Sasori," Orochimaru said. "His puppets are too fragile. A few blasts of Yusuke-kun's fire, and they'll be reduced to ash."
Hearing himself being singled out, Sasori let out a cold snort. "Are you looking down on me, Orochimaru?"
Orochimaru chuckled. "Not at all. But every shinobi has natural strengths and weaknesses. It's just that your style happens to be restrained by Yusuke-kun's."
Despite the explanation, Sasori was clearly offended. "Sounds like an excuse to belittle me. Fine then—I'm definitely going on this mission. I'll turn your precious Yusuke into a human puppet myself."
Meanwhile, Kakuzu also stepped forward, insisting that he too must join the mission. With 150 million ryo on the line, there was no way he would leave something this lucrative to others.
Seeing their enthusiasm, Pain made his decision: "Very well. The mission will be entrusted to the teams of Kakuzu and Sasori."
However, Orochimaru, Sasori's current partner, refused outright. "My apologies, Leader. I must decline this mission. Yusuke-kun and I are long-time friends. It would be… inconvenient for me to make a move against him."
Since Akatsuki operated on a two-person team structure, Orochimaru had been paired with Sasori for some time. To Orochimaru, this mission was a perfect chance to temporarily free himself from Sasori's surveillance. In fact, that was part of the reason why he had instigated Sasori into participating.
Pain approved Orochimaru's withdrawal and reassigned his slot to Jūzō Biwa, the rogue ninja swordsman from Kirigakure.
Still, considering Orochimaru's past ties with the target, Pain sternly warned him not to leak any mission details.
This assassination mission targeting Yusuke was, of course, a critical part of Danzo's "Uchiha Extermination Plan." After forming a secret alliance with Obito following the Nine-Tails incident over three years ago, Danzo hadn't forgotten the value of this powerful partner.
Upon hearing Danzo's plan, Obito readily agreed to cooperate, under the condition that he could claim half of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan eyes. After some deliberation, Danzo accepted this term.
Both Obito and Danzo were wary of Yusuke's formidable strength. Therefore, Obito proposed outsourcing the assassination to Akatsuki under a commission.
To ensure success, Akatsuki demanded a high price and the deployment of two elite teams, to which Danzo agreed without hesitation.
Thus, an intricate trap was set—though the target, Yusuke, remained blissfully unaware.
At that very moment, Yusuke was at the Hokage Tower, receiving a mission assignment.
"Yusuke, this is a reconnaissance mission. Recently, our scouts reported unusual activities near the border of the Land of Fire, originating from the Land of Rain."
"The enemy's strength is unknown, so I need a highly capable jonin to investigate. You're the perfect choice," said the Third Hokage.
Yusuke nodded calmly. "Understood. When do I depart?"
Although he appeared composed, Yusuke couldn't help but feel a pang of suspicion inside.
Could it be that Konoha has already noticed Akatsuki's movements? he wondered.
In the original timeline, Konoha only caught wind of Akatsuki years later, after Itachi defected and shared the organization's secrets with the Third Hokage.
Yusuke assumed Hiruzen had somehow received earlier intel and now intended to probe Akatsuki's operations. Little did he realize he was actually walking into a trap designed specifically for him.
"The mission begins tomorrow. You have time to make preparations. Also, you'll be accompanied by a reconnaissance ninja," the Third Hokage added with a neutral expression.
At that moment, a shinobi who had been waiting silently by the side stepped forward and introduced himself as Inada Shin, a reconnaissance specialist and the one who had initially discovered the mysterious group's movements.
For this mission, Inada Shin would serve as Yusuke's assistant, helping him gather more information.
After receiving the mission, Yusuke made some brief preparations. The next morning, he met up with Inada Shin at Konoha's main gate, and the two set off toward the Land of Rain.
The journey to the border of the Land of Fire would take several days. Along the way, Yusuke casually inquired more about the mission details.
Yet the more he heard, the more seemed off—Inada Shin's descriptions didn't quite match what Yusuke knew about Akatsuki.
Could there be another unknown group active near the Land of Rain? Yusuke mused.
While the idea was strange, he didn't dwell on it too much. After all, the shinobi world was vast, and there were surely organizations he had yet to hear of.
Several days later, they arrived at the border, preparing to infiltrate the Land of Rain.
As they approached a dense forest that marked the boundary, Inada Shin turned and smiled at Yusuke. "Once we pass through here, we'll be in Rain Country. Time to put on some disguises."
On the surface, his smile seemed harmless. But to Yusuke, it felt disturbingly artificial—eerily similar to the fake smiles he remembered from Root operatives like Sai.
Over the past few days, Yusuke had already sensed something amiss. It wasn't that Inada Shin made any overt mistakes; rather, it was that he was too perfect—too emotionless, almost mechanical.
Root!
A chill ran down Yusuke's spine.
The pieces clicked into place.
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