Chapter 158: In Itachi's Genjutsu, Orochimaru found what Eternal Life is and... Eternal Suffering

The Land of Rain.

A cave in the mountains.

Yakushi Kabuto waited here for the arrival of Orochimaru.

After Orochimaru and Sasori of the Red Sand arrived in a town, seeing Sasori engrossed in buying parts uncontrollably, Orochimaru took the opportunity to come here and meet with Yakushi Kabuto.

"Lord Orochimaru."

When Yakushi Kabuto saw Orochimaru, his attitude was respectful and sincere: "I'm sorry, I must meet with you to discuss something about Kagura."

Yakushi Kabuto cautiously put forward his idea: "I can find a way to lure out Akihara Kagura. Could Lord Orochimaru possibly ambush and kill Akihara Kagura?"

"What happened?"

Orochimaru frowned.

"Kagura replaced Danzo as the head of the Root..."

The first piece of information Yakushi Kabuto shared immediately made Orochimaru realize something was amiss. What happened to his ally, Shimura Danzo?

The heavens of Konoha...

How did it suddenly change?

How did Akihara Kagura become the head of the Root?

Although Orochimaru had guessed that Akihara Kagura was destined to become a high-ranking official in Konoha, he did not expect the man to move so fast, not staying in the Anbu but becoming the head of the Root?

"What about Danzo?"

Orochimaru was still thinking about continuing to use Danzo!

"Danzo has lost all his power."

Yakushi Kabuto's words made Orochimaru completely disappointed in Shimura Danzo, then he continued: "After Kagura became the head of the Root, he again used the funding issues of the orphanage, hoping that I and the Dean could re-enter the Root as spies..."

"Besides, Kagura wants more, because the Root lacks ninjas willing to follow his orders. Kagura hopes the Dean can select a group of children grown up in the orphanage to send to the Root for training, to train a group of ninjas loyal to him..."

"..."

Orochimaru's brow furrowed and he said in a low voice, "It seems like a story of a dragon slayer becoming a wicked dragon... How long has that kid had power, and already ambition sprouts from it? What exactly is going on?"

If Akihara Kagura really became as Yakushi Kabuto said, becoming a child lost for power and strength, would he really willingly become his vessel?

Orochimaru's heart suddenly throbbed.

What exactly happened here?

How much time has passed, the last time Akihara Kagura met in the Sand Village, he even proposed wanting to go back and see Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono to arrange for the aftermath...

How long has it been...

That child changed, became the head of the Root, and forced Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono into a dead end!

The scheming of that child...

Isn't it a bit too heavy?

Initially pretending to sacrifice everything for himself, then sacrificing everything for Shimura Danzo, and later for Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono, but now for his own sake, he can sacrifice everything...

Can Akihara Kagura now, for the sake of power, not hesitate to make Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono spies, and even harm the children of the orphanage, could that guy really sacrifice for Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono anymore?

"It's not because ambition sprouted from power."

Yakushi Kabuto shook his head, looking at Orochimaru and said, "Kagura came for power from the beginning, he never really thought about saving us!"

"All along, Kagura's purpose has been to use me and the Dean to create a trustworthy identity for him as a child from the Konoha orphanage!"

"..."

Orochimaru immediately fell silent.

Orochimaru originally thought that Akihara Kagura had lost his way due to power, but it turned out that what Kagura did was even more scheming than he had imagined. There was no need for Kabuto to lie to himself about such matters, as it served as a reminder to be wary of Kagura...

Once Kagura really was like that...

It would not be easy to deal with Akihara Kagura...

Orochimaru could only think of using some underhanded tactics to deal with him.

Orochimaru looked towards Kabuto in front of him, beginning to ponder the methods to counter Kagura. Undoubtedly, he must use Kabuto to try and deceive Kagura.

"Kabuto."

Orochimaru gazed at Kabuto, asking, "To you, is the current Kagura no different from Shimura Danzo?"

"In fact... he has gone even further than Danzo."

Kabuto weakly clenched his fist and lowered his head, continuing in a low voice, "The Dean is still troubled by this matter. Kagura used her, and yet she feels guilty for having lost Kagura in the past. However, she does not want to harm other children because of it..."

"So, you want my help to kill him?"

Orochimaru looked at Kabuto, focusing on his eyes.

"Correct."

Kabuto pushed up his glasses, speaking solemnly, "I'm worried that if this continues, the Dean might not live much longer... I hope Lord Orochimaru can find a way to kill Kagura."

"I don't want to kill the vessel I most desire."

Orochimaru shook his head, rejecting Kabuto's suggestion. He found it difficult to kill Kagura and did not want to, still thinking about taking over Akihara Kagura's body.

"But he doesn't want to become your vessel anymore!"

Kabuto spread his hands, earnestly continuing, "When Kagura heard that I came to see Lord Orochimaru, he even wanted to tempt Lord Orochimaru with his body, luring Lord Orochimaru to obtain Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyou Sharingan for him..."

Kabuto must explain the seriousness of the situation to Orochimaru, with a worried expression, "Kagura's strength is already very powerful. Once he obtains the Mangekyou Sharingan, having the two most top-tier Kekkei Genkai in the ninja world, there might be no one in Konoha or even the ninja world who can stop him!"

"At that time..."

"Kagura will definitely not want to become Lord Orochimaru's vessel, and might even harm Lord Orochimaru, trading Lord Orochimaru's life for the position of Hokage! He is now using me and the Dean to secure his position as the leader of the Root Division!"

"Stop talking!"

In fact, Orochimaru understood the seriousness of the issue better than Kabuto.

Is this something he doesn't want to stop?

Is this something he can stop?

However, Orochimaru is more aware of Akihara Kagura's strength; the child's progress is too fast. If he were to confront Kagura now, he could almost be certain of defeat...

This is not something that can be resolved with a surprise attack.

Akihara Kagura's power has surpassed the limits reachable by ordinary ninjas. Even Pain is far from his match. Orochimaru does not believe he can deal with Kagura through a surprise attack; this requires more methods.

Actually...

Orochimaru has always thought of keeping a backup plan.

The lives of Kabuto and Nono are his backup plan.

Unexpectedly to Orochimaru, once Kagura gained power, he immediately turned against him. Even the backup plan Orochimaru had for threatening Kagura now requires Orochimaru's help to deal with Kagura, with the hostages asking the kidnapper for help...

This is truly...

Something Orochimaru had never expected.

However...

Orochimaru still wants to see Akihara Kagura in person, to think about how to deal with Kagura based on how Kagura treats him.

"Go back first, continue to stay hidden."

Orochimaru looked at Kabuto, with a profound gaze, "I will find a way to deal with Kagura, stay hidden by his side, and wait for me to meet Kagura first..."

"Okay."

Kabuto immediately nodded, continuing, "But Kagura told me, he needs Lord Orochimaru's help to obtain Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyou Sharingan..."

"..."

Orochimaru's eyebrows furrowed tightly, then suddenly relaxed as he chuckled, "I know, I will help him obtain those Mangekyo Sharingan..."

"Isn't Akihara Kagura being a bit too greedy?"

However, for Orochimaru, this was just perfect, as he too desired Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan eyes, even planning to use the Mangekyo Sharingan to set a trap!

First, he would obtain Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan eyes, then set a cursed seal trap on them. As soon as Akihara Kagura transplanted those Sharingan eyes, he would fall into the trap, allowing Orochimaru to take over his body…

At that time…

He could kill two birds with one stone!

Not only could he obtain Akihara Kagura's body, but also the Mangekyo Sharingan eyes!

"Wait here for me, don't move."

Orochimaru looked at Yakushi Kabuto, smiling as he continued, "I will personally take down Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan eyes and give them to him... I hope that after the transplantation, he will hand over his body to me!"

"But..."

Yakushi Kabuto was still worried and wanted to persuade Orochimaru.

"No need to say more."

Orochimaru waved his hand, comforting Yakushi Kabuto, "Just wait here for my news. I will rush back to the Akatsuki organization immediately, trying to take Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan eyes. You bring them back to help Akihara Kagura with the transplantation."

After speaking, Orochimaru had no intention of continuing the conversation with Yakushi Kabuto, waved his hand, and left the cave.

Orochimaru had finally thought of a plan to obtain Akihara Kagura's body and immediately planned to call Sasori of the Red Sand back to the Akatsuki base to implement this plan as soon as possible.

After Orochimaru left.

Yakushi Kabuto wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Despite being a spy, deceiving Orochimaru was not easy, and for this, he had indeed slandered Akihara Kagura quite a bit...

"You've thrown quite a bit of mud on Akihara Kagura's body..."

A hoarse and old voice appeared in Yakushi Kabuto's ear.

"Who's there!"

Yakushi Kabuto's face immediately turned ugly as he saw a figure clad in the same cloud black robe as Orochimaru crawling out!

"Just call me Sasori."

It was Sasori of the Red Sand's Hiruko!

"Lord Sasori..."

Yakushi Kabuto quickly bowed his head.

This guy, is he Sasori of the Red Sand?

As a spy who had contact with Orochimaru, Yakushi Kabuto knew a bit about Sasori of the Red Sand's identity, only learning from Akihara Kagura before leaving Konoha that Sasori was his man.

However...

Yakushi Kabuto was still unsure of the relationship between Sasori of the Red Sand and Akihara Kagura.

"Kagura asked me to protect you."

Sasori of the Red Sand looked at Yakushi Kabuto, continuing, "As soon as you are exposed by Orochimaru, I will appear immediately to interrupt your conversation..."

"Thank you."

Yakushi Kabuto bowed his head in thanks.

"Is there anything you need me to do?"

Sasori of the Red Sand looked at Yakushi Kabuto, actively asking, "As long as it's about Orochimaru's intelligence in the Akatsuki organization, I can help you convey it. Even helping you deal with Orochimaru is not impossible, it's just that killing that guy might be a bit troublesome…"

Yakushi Kabuto carefully lowered his head: "When I came, Kagura told me, I need to appear at Lord Orochimaru's most difficult moment…"

"Then let's wait here for a few days."

Sasori of the Red Sand nodded, giving an answer: "I'll go find Orochimaru to rendezvous. Orochimaru is definitely going to seek trouble with Uchiha Itachi, but he's certainly no match for Uchiha Itachi. I'll report him to the leader of the Akatsuki for harming a colleague…"

"Pain will surely expel him from the Akatsuki."

"At that time, I will ask Pain to pursue and kill Orochimaru, and soon Orochimaru will be in the most difficult situation…"

Silence fell upon Yakushi Kabuto.

Why does this seem a bit too easy?

In fact.

Things were even easier than Sasori had described to Yakushi Kabuto.

Orochimaru, impatient in the town, finally found Sasori and immediately dragged him back to the Akatsuki base, looking for trouble with Uchiha Itachi.

It was somewhat coincidental.

Fortunately, they came back in time.

Uchiha Itachi had not yet had the chance to follow Juzo Biwa on a mission when Orochimaru came looking for him to catch up, seemingly wanting to talk about something in private.

"Hey, newbie."

Juzo Biwa glanced at Uchiha Itachi, then at Orochimaru, and warned his partner: "Orochimaru is very dangerous, it's best not to go see him!"

"It's okay."

Uchiha Itachi shook his head, not heeding his advice.

Because...

Uchiha Itachi also wanted to talk with Orochimaru in private.

Uchiha Itachi planned to teach Orochimaru a lesson he would never forget, lest Kagura refuse to acknowledge it in the future.

On the lakeshore of the Akatsuki base.

Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Itachi who had followed, a smug triumph flashed in his eyes, he didn't even intend to hide it, suddenly turned his head, and from his sleeve, a long snake swiftly wrapped around Uchiha Itachi's body!

"Do you know what eternal life is, Itachi?"

Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Itachi, whispering with a slight smile: "Unfortunately, I don't know yet, so I need a body that can live longer, a body that can lead me to eternity. Your Mangekyō Sharingan is the key to obtaining that body!"

"After all... this is a matter of your desire..."

Uchiha Itachi's eyes turned deep red, as if he wasn't concerned about Orochimaru's threat or the long snake binding his body.

Orochimaru furrowed his brow.

Orochimaru immediately realized he couldn't move his body at all!

Nothing had happened!

Orochimaru quickly realized the issue, he thought he had directly ambushed and wrapped Uchiha Itachi's body, but it was just Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan genjutsu!

However...

This was just the beginning.

Uchiha Itachi looked at Orochimaru before him, one of his eyes slowly turned into the Mangekyō Sharingan, whispering: "The brevity of life, compared to the vast expanse of time, is in itself a great fortune. If you feel your life is too short, then give it a try…"

The next moment!

Orochimaru felt he entered a black and white world!

Orochimaru looked up at this black and white world, no, this place was not purely colorless black and white, because there was a blood-red moon in the sky!

Orochimaru looked at his body and found himself tied to a cross, then looked around, all around were Orochimarus tied to crosses, which suddenly brought a surge of fear in Orochimaru's heart!

"What kind of genjutsu is this?"

"This is the power you wanted to obtain."

Uchiha Itachi's figure appeared beside Orochimaru, softly explaining: "This is my Tsukuyomi world. In the world of Tsukuyomi, all factors such as time, location, and mass are under my control…"

After saying this, Uchiha Itachi raised his ninja sword and directly stabbed into Orochimaru's body, splashing blood: "I hope you remember this moment, feel the length of life, and will no longer fantasize about so-called eternity…"

~~~

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