"Huh... eh?"
Kyo was momentarily stunned, and subconsciously said:
"What's going on, Orochimaru became a traitor again?!"
"Yes."
Konan ignored the word "again" in Kyo's mouth, but nodded, then calmly and flatly said:
"Just yesterday,"
"He arbitrarily attacked Uchiha Itachi, who had not yet recovered from his injuries, seemingly trying to seize his Mangekyo Sharingan."
"However, he was instead suppressed by Uchiha Itachi's Genjutsu, who severed his arm."
"Afterwards, perhaps fearing we would settle the matter, he directly fled overnight, leaving Amegakure."
"..."
After hearing this,
Kyo, who had been confused just moments ago, immediately understood.
'No wonder there was this mission...'
Then, he couldn't help but find it amusing inside.
'This Orochimaru guy, truly worthy of being called a loyal enthusiast of the Sharingan...'
'Despite Pain repeatedly emphasizing Akatsuki's prohibition, he still couldn't restrain his desire and made a move on Itachi.'
'Did he think that because Itachi was injured, he could take advantage of the situation?'
'Too naive.'
Although Itachi's body was injured, his Dojutsu was genuinely strong.
If it weren't for the Hollow soul within Kyo's body, given his current Spiritual Pressure level, he would also have been inevitably affected by the Genjutsu. This shows just how strong Itachi's Dojutsu is.
Just as Kyo was thinking, Konan spoke again flatly:
"Kyo, the mission to annihilate Akatsuki's enemies is entrusted to you."
"Orochimaru has been in Akatsuki for a while now. His defection this time could potentially leak Akatsuki's intelligence to the outside."
"If you find him,"
"Just eliminate him... without hesitation."
Konan spoke with slightly lowered eyes, without any emotional fluctuation, as cold as an iceberg.
Kyo nodded thoughtfully and said:
"Understood."
Regarding Orochimaru's defection, Kyo naturally didn't care much about it.
After all, he also knew that Orochimaru was a smart guy.
Without obtaining absolute benefit, he would definitely not actively target Akatsuki or Kyo.
However, this didn't mean there was no need to pursue him.
After all, besides the mission to annihilate Akatsuki's enemies, Kyo also had some personal reasons.
That was the system's side missions.
Undoubtedly, on this scientist of the Shinobi World, there were many side missions to complete.
Kyo certainly wouldn't foolishly miss these opportunities to earn Spiritual Power and points.
Orochimaru, he would definitely pursue.
However,
He naturally also knew that this Orochimaru, this slippery character, was always cunning and adept at concealing himself.
It was naturally impossible to catch him immediately in a short time.
This mission would have to be taken slowly.
...
However, at this moment.
Outside Amegakure.
In a country called the Land of Birds, located between the territories of the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth.
On a mountaintop, two figures stood.
The one in front was Orochimaru.
Behind him was a glasses-wearing young man with a ponytail, kneeling on one knee, respectfully saying:
"Orochimaru-sama... you called me here this time, what are your orders?"
Orochimaru turned his head and chuckled lightly:
"Kabuto, how is your infiltration of Sunagakure progressing?"
Hearing this, Kabuto was momentarily stunned, then immediately said:
"Ever since you discovered the body of the Missing-nin Sasori of the Red Sand and had me deliver it to Sunagakure to complete the mission, I have been disguising my identity and staying within."
"Currently, it's very smoothly..."
"And, I already have a perfect opportunity to approach the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Orochimaru revealed a somewhat surprised look.
Then, he slightly grinned and chuckled lightly:
"Well then..."
"It seems the time has come for us to start manipulating the Shinobi World War, hasn't it—"
"Huh?" Kabuto's expression shifted slightly, "What do you mean?"
"Heh heh..."
Orochimaru chuckled lightly, grinned, looking in some unknown direction, and smiled:
"I hear the Kazekage of Sunagakure has always wanted to expand his territory, is that right?"
"Well then, why don't you give him a suggestion—"
"A·me·ga·ku·re."
"?!"
As the words fell, Kabuto's expression changed instantly, and he said in surprise:
"Orochimaru-sama,"
"You, didn't you tell me... that Amegakure had already become the base of the Akatsuki?"
"That's right."
Orochimaru laughed and said:
"But I've now left Akatsuki."
"And, barring unforeseen circumstances, they will probably soon send that golden-eyed Kyo to hunt me down."
"?!"
"So, we need to quickly provoke Sunagakure's territorial aggression war against Amegakure..."
"Thus making them temporarily ignore my existence."
"This way,"
"We can smoothly complete the subsequent series of subversion plans,"
"Don't you think?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, a sinister smile appearing on his face.
After hearing this, Kabuto's back was instantly covered in cold sweat. After being shocked for a long while, he deeply lowered his head and said respectfully:
"Truly worthy of you!"
"You easily thought of a perfect plan that I couldn't imagine!"
"I'll go right now and find a way to pass false intelligence about Amegakure to the Kazekage!"