Chapter 136 (Patreon)

Amegakure was shrouded in its usual rain.

A steady downpour blanketed the entire village.

Atop one of the strange towers in the heart of the Land of Rain, a man stood silently on a narrow platform. His expression remained indifferent as he gazed into the curtain of rain before him.

After a long while, the space beside him twisted into a swirling vortex, and Uchiha Obito emerged.

“Hidan and the others have returned,” Obito said. “Prepare for the meeting.”

“Understood.”

The Deva Path gave a slight nod before following Obito to the Akatsuki’s secret meeting chamber.

By the time they arrived, every member of the organization had already gathered.

Pain wasted no time. He walked to the head of the table and took his seat.

“Hidan, Kakuzu—did you complete your investigation?”

“We did,” Kakuzu answered in a low voice. “Konoha’s defenses are extremely tight. No matter which direction we attack from, their forces will discover us immediately.”

“However, there is one area on Konoha’s western side where the terrain is too steep to guard effectively. If we launch our attack from there, we can reach the village much faster.”

Kakuzu calmly relayed the information he had obtained from Yujiro.

In truth, the entire region surrounding Konoha was already heavily guarded. Sneaking into the village without being noticed was practically impossible.

However, the defenses along its western side were slightly weaker.

That area was filled with steep cliffs, deep ravines, sandy hills, and a massive river.

Under normal circumstances, very few people were willing to take such a dangerous route.

“Very well.”

Pain did not doubt Kakuzu’s report.

After all, Kakuzu had survived since the Warring States Period. He was experienced, cautious, and knew how to keep his composure. There was little reason to question his judgment.

Fortunately, Kakuzu had been the one to deliver the report. If Hidan had been responsible for explaining everything, he might have exposed the truth the moment he opened his mouth.

From one side of the room, Black Zetsu produced a map of the Land of Fire.

Konoha’s location was marked near the center.

“Kakuzu is correct. Attacking through the dangerous terrain west of Konoha would be the fastest and most effective approach,” Black Zetsu said slowly.

It appeared that Kakuzu and Hidan were not the only ones gathering intelligence. Black Zetsu had also been conducting his own investigation in secret.

“Have you all forgotten someone?”

Orochimaru, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke with a hoarse chuckle.

“Yujiro?”

Obito’s visible Sharingan gleamed eerily beneath his mask.

After a brief silence, he spoke in a solemn voice.

“When the time comes, Pain will serve as our main force and seize the Two-Tails and Nine-Tails directly.”

“The Rinnegan and the Gedo Statue are capable of suppressing Tailed Beasts. As for Yujiro, I will deal with him myself.”

Everyone nodded and began preparing for the coming operation.

Before long, the Akatsuki members left the meeting chamber one after another.

However, Orochimaru remained behind.

Only Konan, Pain, Black Zetsu, Obito, and Orochimaru were left in the room.

“Orochimaru, go and prepare for the operation,” Obito said with a frown.

“There is no need to rush.” Orochimaru stared at the masked man with his snake-like eyes. “There is something I would like to ask Madara-sama.”

“Of course, if Madara-sama does not mind, I can ask right now.”

Obito stared at Orochimaru’s faint, knowing smile. Beneath his mask, his expression darkened.

“We’ll discuss it at your underground base.”

Obito rose to his feet and activated Kamui, causing his body to slowly disappear into a swirling distortion.

Orochimaru let out a hoarse chuckle.

His suspicions had just been confirmed.

Ten minutes later, Orochimaru entered a secret chamber inside his underground base in the Land of Rain.

Obito was already waiting for him.

“Orochimaru, ask whatever you want,” Obito said in a low voice.

“I want to know whether you are truly Uchiha Madara.”

Orochimaru licked his lips as his snake-like eyes remained fixed on Obito.

Obito’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

For a long time, he had used Uchiha Madara’s name within the Akatsuki.

After a moment of silence, his expression hardened beneath the mask.

“You already knew the answer before asking that question, didn’t you?”

“As expected.”

Orochimaru gave another hoarse laugh.

“I do not know what grudge you hold against Konoha, nor do I intend to stop you.”

His smile gradually faded.

“But can you truly defeat Yujiro?”

“I only need to hold him back for a while,” Obito replied with a frown. “Once the Tailed Beasts are in our hands, we will retreat immediately.”

“Too naive.”

Orochimaru’s voice turned indifferent.

“Yujiro is the most terrifying genius I have ever encountered.”

“Your abilities may be unusual, but I am certain that Yujiro possesses methods even stranger than yours.”

“Orochimaru, what exactly are you trying to say?” Obito asked coldly.

“Only by joining forces can we create power far beyond what either of us currently possesses!”

A trace of madness appeared in Orochimaru’s eyes.

“We could even create power capable of rivaling the First Hokage himself!”

“What do you mean?”

Obito’s expression changed.

Orochimaru grinned and clapped his hands.

The door to an adjoining room slowly opened.

“Orochimaru-sama.”

Yakushi Kabuto stepped out and approached Orochimaru.

“The preparations for the cell-enhancement surgery are complete.”

“Well, Madara-sama?”

Orochimaru smiled faintly.

“Would you like to obtain power far beyond what you possess now?”

“You truly are a madman.”

Obito took a deep breath.

Orochimaru spread his hands, completely unconcerned by the remark.

“I have spent two years researching this project. The procedure is safe, but there will be certain side effects.”

“If your will is not strong enough, the enhanced cells will overwhelm your mind and turn you into a madman who knows nothing but killing.”

“However, if you endure the process, your strength could increase tenfold.”

Orochimaru had explained both the potential consequences and the power the surgery could provide.

The final decision now rested with Obito.

After a long silence, Obito spoke in his usual cold tone.

“As expected of Orochimaru. You truly did not disappoint me.”

In truth, Obito had valued Orochimaru’s talent for research from the moment he recruited him into the Akatsuki.

Throughout all this time, Obito had never interfered with Orochimaru’s research.

Orochimaru had continued working without rest, and now his efforts had finally produced results.

Although Orochimaru had uncovered his true identity, Obito was not particularly concerned.

Nor was he overly worried about the enhanced cells Orochimaru intended to implant into him.

If the surgery failed, the worst possible outcome would be losing part of his body. He could simply fuse with another White Zetsu to replace it.

“Kabuto, prepare to begin the operation!” Orochimaru ordered excitedly.

“Yes, Orochimaru-sama!”

Kabuto immediately nodded.

The three of them then disappeared into the secret passage.