Nagato chose to let Orochimaru test Shenyue Yuan—
For two reasons.
First—
To stop Orochimaru from slacking off inside the organization.
Second—
To use this test…
To expose the truth.
If Orochimaru held back—
Then both he and Yuan were suspicious.
If he didn't—
Then Orochimaru was clean.
Simple.
Efficient.
Cold.
…
But—
What neither Nagato nor Konan expected—
Was this.
This guy—
Pointed directly at Pain.
And asked him to test him.
…
Ignorant.
Arrogant.
Absurd.
How could a mortal—
Challenge a god?
Yes—
Most Akatsuki members had been personally subdued by Pain.
But—
They were all S-rank rogue ninja.
Names that shook the world.
Monsters whose reputations alone—
Could terrify children.
And Shenyue Yuan?
Unknown.
Unproven.
Compared to them—
He didn't even belong in the same category.
Pain—
Had no reason to act.
…
Konan shook her head slowly.
She didn't even bother speaking.
Instead—
She stepped back.
Into the tower.
Avoiding the battlefield.
In her eyes—
From the moment he said those words—
He was already dead.
…
The air froze.
Heavy.
Yuan smiled faintly.
"Go on."
"Don't waste time."
He was eager.
To join.
To bring his "talent" into the organization.
…
Silence.
Even Pain paused.
This—
Made it look like they were hesitating.
Pain glanced at him coldly.
"Foolish mortal."
A man seeking death—
He had seen many.
But one who requested it?
Rare.
Still—
Pain made a decision.
If this boy showed strength—
Equal to Akatsuki members—
He would spare him.
As for his identity—
With absolute power—
It didn't matter.
If he was weak?
Then—
He would disappear.
Completely.
…
The tension—
Thickened.
Then—
A voice broke it.
"I'm here."
A figure appeared—
From the far end of the street.
Orochimaru.
He stepped into the dry zone.
Closed his umbrella.
Flicked away the rain.
He disliked Amegakure.
Too cold.
Too damp.
Even snakes—
Would want to hibernate here.
…
Yet—
No one paid him attention.
He didn't mind.
Since leaving Konoha—
Since abandoning the title of Sannin—
He no longer needed—
Attention.
Or recognition.
…
He scanned the scene.
Sharp.
Calculating.
Then—
His eyes stopped.
On Yuan.
That Konoha headband—
Scratched.
Broken.
It stood out.
Painfully.
…
Orochimaru walked over to Konan.
"Shenyue Yuan."
She spoke directly.
"No need to hide it."
"He came here on his own."
"He wants to join Akatsuki."
"…I see."
Orochimaru's expression darkened.
"So I'm here to test him?"
Now he understood.
This was a test.
Not of Yuan—
But of him.
"…Not anymore."
Konan replied coldly.
"When he heard you'd be testing him—"
"He chose the Leader instead."
"…What?"
Even Orochimaru paused.
Testing him—
Already dangerous.
He couldn't hold back.
If he did—
He might die.
But this boy—
Chose Pain?
…
A memory surfaced.
Fear.
Pure.
Cold.
When he first met Pain—
He had tried to take those eyes.
The Rinnegan.
Irresistible.
But—
What he received in return—
Was despair.
One move.
Just one—
And he was crushed.
That day—
He understood.
The gap.
Between man—
And god.
Even now—
He dared not covet those eyes again.
…
Orochimaru let out a quiet, dry laugh.
"This fool…"
Either ignorant—
Or suicidal.
…
Then—
A thought struck him.
Suddenly.
Sharp.
Clear.
Something—
Clicked.
…
Konoha.
Two prodigies.
Itachi Uchiha
And
Shenyue Yuan.
Itachi—
Already joined Akatsuki.
So what would Konoha do?
Let him roam free?
Impossible.
They would send—
Another.
To watch him.
To monitor him.
To control him.
…
Orochimaru's eyes lit up.
Of course.
That old man—
Hiruzen Sarutobi—
Would absolutely do something like this.
Sacrifice another genius.
For the sake of the village.
It fit perfectly.
Even the "Root massacre"—
Could be fabricated.
A cover.
To establish Yuan's identity as a rogue ninja.
Everything—
Made sense.
…
Orochimaru smiled.
Cold.
Sharp.
"So that's it…"
And if Konoha knew—
He was also in Akatsuki—
Then this boy—
Wasn't just here for Itachi.
He was here—
For him too.
…
That settled it.
He couldn't stay here any longer.
And more importantly—
This boy—
Could not be allowed to join.
…
Orochimaru's killing intent flickered.
Then—
He spoke.
Without hesitation.
"Leader."
His voice cut through the air.
"This Shenyue Yuan—"
"…is a spy."
"A Konoha infiltrator."
patreon.comPh4nt0mTL