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"Hmm?"
Naruto keenly sensed Orochimaru's hostility toward him, and his gaze immediately shifted, meeting Orochimaru's eyes.
From those vertical pupils, Naruto felt undisguised killing intent. But he didn't care—in fact, he was even a little pleased.
Because Naruto could tell that Orochimaru's killing intent had been triggered when the Masked Man mentioned that he was responsible for "eliminating Tsunade."
In other words, Orochimaru reacted this way because he believed Naruto was Tsunade's killer. It seemed that Orochimaru wasn't as cold-blooded and ruthless as everyone claimed.
However, Naruto had no intention of explaining anything right now. He only held Orochimaru's gaze briefly before turning back to Pain—Deva Path. Then, pointing at the Masked Man, he said arrogantly:
"Let me be clear—I didn't join your organization to prove anything. It was that guy who said your organization could help me, so I reluctantly agreed."
"I?"
Pain—Deva Path frowned slightly at Naruto's self-centered tone and arrogance. He then looked toward the Masked Man, silently asking whether Naruto's claim was true.
The Masked Man hesitated for a moment before giving a slight nod.
Originally, his plan had been to provoke a clash between Naruto and Pain—Deva Path, letting Naruto witness the power of the Rinnegan firsthand. Then, he would claim that the Rinnegan had been entrusted to Pain by him, forcing Naruto into submission.
But after seeing Naruto's current attitude, he realized that subduing him would not be easy. So, he temporarily changed his strategy.
Instead of recruiting Naruto, he would use him as a disposable tool.
And for that, he couldn't allow a conflict between Naruto and Pain—Deva Path just yet.
After seeing the Masked Man nod, Pain—Deva Path considered for a moment. Then he took out a ring and tossed it to Naruto.
"In that case, you are now an official member of the Akatsuki Organization. Your codename is 'Vermilion.' This ring is your proof of identity."
Pain—Deva Path did not trust the Masked Man, but they had an agreement not to interfere with each other's recruits.
In truth, Pain had never regarded the Masked Man's recruits as true members of Akatsuki—only as tools. That was why he accepted Naruto so readily after the Masked Man's confirmation.
From his perspective, Naruto already belonged to the Masked Man, and thus was simply another tool to be used.
The Masked Man was similar, though more insidious. On the surface, he appeared uninvolved in Akatsuki affairs, but secretly, he had planted informants around Pain.
"Vermilion?"
Naruto caught the ring and examined it with interest before asking, "Is it just for identification, or does it have other uses?"
"Of course it has other uses."
Pain replied calmly, "You'll understand when all members are summoned."
"All members?"
Naruto grew more curious but didn't press further. Instead, he slipped the ring onto his right ring finger.
Nearby, Orochimaru observed the exchange with growing curiosity.
He had been part of the Akatsuki for some time, yet this was the first time he had seen the Masked Man treated like this.
In his experience, Pain—Deva Path was extremely domineering and rarely sought anyone's opinion.
Yet just now, he had clearly deferred to the Masked Man.
That meant the Masked Man held a position important enough that even the Rinnegan-wielding leader valued his input.
"…Interesting."
Orochimaru had originally planned to complete one final task before leaving the organization. But now, it seemed there were still secrets worth uncovering.
"Naruto."
Tsunade's voice suddenly echoed in his ears.
In a tone only he could hear, she said, "Find a way to give the small spider to Orochimaru. I need to tell him something important."
As she spoke, a tiny spider hidden within Naruto's armor split apart, and an even smaller one began crawling along his arm toward his wrist.
Naruto acknowledged her silently, then looked at Orochimaru.
In the next instant, his body transformed into lightning.
He appeared directly in front of Orochimaru—
—and punched him hard in the face, sending him flying into a distant rock wall.
"What are you doing?!" x2
The Masked Man and Pain—Deva Path shouted simultaneously, appearing beside Naruto in an instant, their crimson and purple eyes fixed on him.
"Relax."
Naruto withdrew his fist casually.
"He showed killing intent toward me, so I gave him a small lesson. I didn't intend to kill him."
"Heh…"
A familiar, eerie laugh echoed as Orochimaru emerged from the rubble—completely unharmed.
His cold eyes locked onto Naruto.
"You speak as if killing me would be easy."
As he spoke, his hidden hand opened slightly. A tiny spider crawled along his wrist and latched onto his arm—the one Naruto had planted earlier.
"That's right."
Naruto nodded seriously.
"Because you look weak."
Orochimaru's smile grew even more unsettling.
"…It seems I've been underestimated."
He raised a kunai, his vertical pupils gleaming coldly.
"If you're so confident—come and try."
Although he didn't know Naruto's identity, he knew the spider came from him—meaning Naruto was connected to Tsunade.
Which meant…
She might not be dead.
But that didn't lessen his irritation.
Naruto turned to the Masked Man and Pain.
"Is this allowed?"
"..."
The Masked Man remained silent, leaving the decision to Pain.
Pain's Rinnegan flickered with pressure.
"Enough."
"Internal conflict is forbidden. If you want to fight, wait until our goal is achieved. After that, kill each other as you please."
"But before that—anyone who causes internal strife…"
"I will kill you myself."
"Alright."
Naruto spread his hands toward Orochimaru.
"You'd better hope that goal is achieved soon—so you can live a little longer."
"Heh."
Orochimaru put away his kunai.
"I'd appreciate that."
"Enough."
Pain interrupted again.
"This ends here. Prepare yourselves. Our plan will begin ahead of schedule."
"A plan?"
Naruto tilted his head.
"What plan?"
Pain looked at him expressionlessly.
"Collecting the Tailed Beasts."
"…What?"
Naruto was visibly surprised.
"Why collect something that dangerous? Don't tell me you want everyone to become Jinchūriki. If that's the case, I'm not interested."
"Me neither," Orochimaru added immediately.
From their perspective, the only way to control Tailed Beast power was to become a Jinchūriki.
And neither of them wanted that.
"It's not for that."
Pain shook his head.
"I have a better way to use their power."
"What way?" x2
They asked at the same time.
Pain glanced at them briefly.
"You'll understand when the time comes."
He didn't elaborate—not because he was hiding it, but because the technique wasn't ready yet.
More precisely—
He didn't have enough people.
And ironically, that was partly Naruto's fault.
After all, Naruto had already eliminated two Akatsuki members.
Now, replacements had to be found.
Neither Naruto nor Orochimaru knew this.
So they didn't press further.
Soon after, Pain dismissed them, and everyone went their separate ways.
"Tsunade… is that you?"
After leaving, Orochimaru immediately grabbed the spider on his arm, his voice carrying rare urgency.
"I need confirmation."
"It's me."
Tsunade's voice came through clearly.
"Orochimaru, I want Jiraiya to become the Fifth Hokage. I need your help."
"…Jiraiya?"
Orochimaru blinked, then chuckled.
"If that fool becomes Hokage, he'll suffer endlessly. So that's why you faked your death?"
He paused, then added:
"And that armored man—who is he to you?"
"I can't tell you that yet."
Tsunade's voice was firm.
"Just answer me—will you help?"
"…Of course."
Orochimaru agreed immediately.
"But if it's just making Jiraiya Hokage, you wouldn't need me. So what do you really want?"
He knew Tsunade well.
If she had gone as far as faking her death, she had already arranged everything.
So his role had to be something else.
"That's right."
Her tone hardened.
"I want you to eliminate Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado before Jiraiya takes the position."
"…I see."
Orochimaru smiled faintly, a trace of jealousy flashing in his eyes.
"You really do take care of him."
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Tsunade snapped.
"Are you doing it or not?"
"…Heh."
Orochimaru chuckled.
"I wonder what the village will become under Jiraiya."
"…I'm almost jealous."
Meanwhile—
Naruto, in lightning form, followed Pain—Deva Path deeper into Amegakure.
Originally, he intended to persuade the Akatsuki leader to use the Rinnegan to revive his parents.
But instead—
He had just discovered a massive secret.