Infinite Anime [272-273] (Patreon)

Chapter 272: The Seven Swordsmen of Sound?

Sasuke was completely dumbfounded. He never expected to see his brother here.

He should have been thrilled to see his brother, yet his brother's words threw him into confusion.

What did his brother just say? Show more respect to his teacher?
Who's the teacher? That creepy guy named Orochimaru?

Why? Isn't big brother here to rescue me and take me home?

At this moment, not only Sasuke—Naruto, who knew the inside story of Sasuke's "kidnapping," was also confused. He thought, isn't Sasuke's brother an enemy? He fought Brother Gusion so fiercely before, and even used genjutsu to put Orochimaru down.

What's going on now? Why is Sasuke's brother also telling Sasuke to apprentice under Orochimaru?
While Naruto and Sasuke were both bewildered, Gusion walked out of the forest, deliberately late.

"Itachi, you've seen him. Be careful on your way back—don't expose your movements."

Gusion reminded him. The Uchiha clan was in a critical metamorphosis. If people discovered Itachi was frequently visiting Orochimaru to check on Sasuke, that would be a huge problem.

"Don't worry, Gusion-senpai. No one in Konoha can tail me without a trace."

Itachi nodded, then looked at Sasuke. "Sasuke, you may not understand yet, but you have to trust that we're doing this for your own good. Here with Orochimaru, you'll get the best education and quickly become a powerful shinobi…"

He thought for a moment, worried Sasuke might lack motivation, and added, "…a shinobi stronger than me."

Sasuke was a smart kid. Seeing a three-way talk between Calamity, Orochimaru, and his brother, how could he not realize there was something off about the Battle of Konoha? His brother and father were actually in cahoots with Calamity!

He felt a knot in his chest, had no mind to listen to Itachi's persuasion. At his young age, he just wanted to go home, enjoy his brother's warm smile and his mother's gentle embrace.

"Big brother… father and mother…"

Sasuke tried to get his brother to retract this terrifying decision. Training under someone as suspicious as Orochimaru—wouldn't that get him killed?
"Father has already agreed to this. I'll talk to mother."

Before Sasuke could finish, Itachi cut him off. "Train here with peace of mind. Believe me, this place is safer than Konoha right now. I'll come once a month to check your work. If you haven't improved, I'll have Teacher Orochimaru be stricter with you."

Sasuke was choked speechless, aggrieved, but his Uchiha pride wouldn't let him show weakness. Hearing his brother would come check his work each month, he felt slightly reassured.

"Haha, Sasuke, we'll be classmates from now on. Don't fall behind me."

Naruto, full of energy at the side, was thrilled to hear Sasuke would be training with him. He said he hated Sasuke, but it was rare for a peer to be willing to interact with him, so he was genuinely happy.

Plus, he'd witnessed the Uchiha's power. He thought if he could outperform Sasuke, he'd definitely become a great ninja.

"Hmph, big talk. How could you get better grades than me? In a class of just the two of us, you can only be dead last."

Sasuke said smugly. Prodded by Naruto, his competitive spirit flared up, and he stopped thinking about going back.

If he just left like this, wouldn't he be looked down on by that idiot Naruto? No way—he had to make Naruto understand the gap between him and a genius!
Gusion watched Sasuke and Naruto, thinking kids are easy to handle. Even the future edgy king "Second Pillar" didn't have that much on his mind; with a few words from Itachi and some of Naruto's smack talk, Sasuke was staying put.

"Then conversely, if you're not stronger than me, you're the dead last!"

Naruto's simple brain looped back a retort.

Sasuke and Naruto pressed foreheads, looking like they were about to fight. At that distance, if someone gave a push, they'd kiss.

At this point, Orochimaru spoke. "Don't get the wrong idea. There are other kids here. As shinobi, you two are currently the weakest."

Orochimaru never coddled students. He bluntly said Naruto and Sasuke were the bottom of the barrel here.

For a moment, not just Sasuke—even Naruto was unconvinced.

Because Brother Gusion had told him he was the Fourth Hokage's child, and also the Nine-Tails jinchūriki. He believed he definitely had the qualities of an excellent ninja.

In fact, after learning his background, aside from resentment toward the village, Naruto wasn't insecure at all. He felt he should face training positively, with the mindset of a young prodigy.

"Orochimaru is telling the truth. You two little guys, don't overestimate Konoha's teaching standards. In peacetime, each class of academy kids is worse than the last. Not to mention, Sasuke, do you know at what age your brother graduated from the Academy?"

Gusion looked at Naruto and Sasuke, wanting to puncture their overinflated confidence.

"Seven…"

Sasuke of course knew his idolized brother's feats. But as soon as he said it, he realized something was off—he was five now, not much younger than his brother back then, and he hadn't even entered the Academy yet…

"And your teacher, Orochimaru, graduated at six. You may be an Uchiha, but right now you're just a kid who hardly counts as a shinobi. If you followed the original plan and entered Konoha's Academy, at what age could you graduate? Ten? Twelve? Thirteen?"

Gusion smiled. "At thirteen your brother had already awakened the Mangekyō and become Kage level."

Sasuke fell silent. He did a rough calculation—if he trained normally, he really might only graduate in his early teens.

And he'd just be a genin. A twelve-year-old genin didn't sound cool at all—no comparison to his brother.

"Then… if I follow Teacher Orochimaru, will I become strong?"

Sasuke asked hesitantly. He looked at Gusion with a hint of fear. Mainly, Gusion had left him with a grim reaper impression during the Battle of Konoha.

Plus, his brother seemed respectful toward Gusion, which made Gusion feel even more oppressive.

"Talking only goes so far. Orochimaru, how about showing them some teaching results?"

Gusion smiled at Orochimaru.

In his hoarse voice, Orochimaru said, "Kimimaro, bring them out."

It seemed he'd already signaled the kids in the Sound Village. Kimimaro had been on standby in the house just outside the woods, and came out with the others when he heard.

The future combat power of Sound Village all walked out behind Kimimaro: Jūgo, Karin, Suigetsu Hōzuki, and Haku. A veritable luxury seed squad.

Naruto and Sasuke looked at the five kids around their age. Even though neither had officially become a shinobi, they could feel how strong the five were.

Watching this, Gusion rubbed his chin, wondering what to call this lineup in the future. The Seven Swordsmen of Sound?
No, that sounds a bit uncouth.

"Orochimaru-sama, are these the disciples you're taking in? They look weak."

Kimimaro said flatly, revealing his true thoughts. His gaze at Naruto and Sasuke held a hint of jealousy and wariness.

He had long decided to dedicate his life to Orochimaru. Even with his loyalty and talent, he hadn't been accepted as Orochimaru's disciple. He didn't dare dream of that status—he only hoped to contribute under Orochimaru.

But these two new kids looked like pushovers, yet could be taken as Orochimaru's disciples—an honor beyond measure in his eyes.

"They look easy to kill. If I punch them, won't they die?"

Jūgo followed close behind Kimimaro, face full of concern.

"These are Konoha ninja? They look weak."

Suigetsu snarked, then glanced at the older Haku. "Right, big sis Haku?"

Haku's cute, delicate face turned cold. "How many times have I told you—I'm a boy. Don't call me big sis. Suigetsu, do you want to be frozen again?"

As Suigetsu shrank his neck, Haku looked back at Sasuke and Naruto. "But you're not wrong—they do seem weak."

"Oh no… is he kinda handsome?"

Karin yawned, acting nonchalant, sneaking a couple glances at Sasuke.

Naruto could take it, but Sasuke—who'd always seen himself as a proud prodigy—couldn't stand the insult. His little face darkened.

"Hmph. Enough talk. How about we spar?"

Sasuke said. He hadn't entered the Academy, but he'd practiced some ninja training daily, and was decent with shuriken.

"Hey, don't get cocky. I'll get strong soon and surpass you!"

Naruto shouted, unwilling to accept it.

"Looks like the newbies aren't convinced. Fine—let's show you Orochimaru's teaching results."

Gusion smiled, then looked at Suigetsu.

"Suigetsu, educate them."

Suigetsu first looked at Orochimaru. Seeing him nod, he stepped out.

He grinned, revealing shark-like teeth. "You two can come at me together."

Sasuke, cultured in the art of acting cool since childhood, stuck one hand in his pocket and lifted his other arm to block Naruto. "Naruto, don't interfere. Let me educate him."

Suigetsu kept quiet, just watching Sasuke like a clown.

Ten seconds later…

Well, Sasuke on the ground looked pathetic, but he did look cool a moment ago.

"Sasuke!"

Naruto charged in—only to fare worse. He was dropped in an instant.

Watching, even Itachi was a bit surprised. From a layman's perspective, it was just a bunch of five- or six-year-old kids fighting. But Itachi could see Suigetsu's shinobi fundamentals.

Purely on basics, Suigetsu was already elite genin level—and he was only five or six.

What's more, Itachi believed Orochimaru wouldn't train kids at random. This child likely had a kekkei genkai or a secret technique tied to a special bloodline.

He could only say Sasuke's education had been too gentle so far—also due to the Uchiha's situation these years; he and his father hadn't taught Sasuke properly.

"Kimimaro, we have other matters. Take them to their rooms and teach them some basics."

Orochimaru ordered. The wording made Kimimaro's spirit surge.

Kimimaro stepped up, helped them to their feet, and dragged them off one on each side. "Come on, let's get you to your room."

Seeing the expectation and worry in Itachi's eyes, Gusion spoke to reassure him. "Don't worry, Itachi. Sasuke's tougher than you think. He'll grow strong. If anything happens, I'll contact you."

Hearing this, Itachi settled down a lot. He thought, true, Gusion is sitting right here with Orochimaru—nothing will go wrong.

After all, even Konoha—the strongest village in the shinobi world—was pierced through by Gusion. Likely only that Rinnegan leader of Akatsuki, whom the senior mentioned, could defeat him.

Thinking that, he stopped worrying about Sasuke's safety here. As for Orochimaru, with the deal made with the Uchiha, he shouldn't do anything to a child who hasn't awakened his eyes.

"Gusion-senpai, I'll return to Konoha. About rebuilding the village and the new Hokage election, we'll be in touch."

With that, Itachi didn't linger and vanished with Body Flicker.

Chapter 273: Turning the Tables

In a dim underground cavern, Gusion's phantom figure appeared atop a finger of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

As soon as he connected, he felt the dubious gaze of Pain.

So, before Pain could attack, Gusion preempted him and went on the offensive. "Leader, I think I deserve an explanation."

Pain swallowed his words. He'd intended to question Gusion for launching an attack on Konoha when he had recently told him to keep a low profile.

Pain set aside his displeasure for now, ready to hear Gusion out.

"I went to the Land of Fire based on intel, for the organization's mission, putting aside personal grudges to trade with Danzō. And the result?"

Gusion's voice was low and his face angry. "There never was a trade—it was a trap set to ambush me!"

Nagato was taken aback. "A trap?"

He looked toward Zetsu. This wasn't how Zetsu had reported it.

"Danzō never intended to trade. When I arrived at the location, I found a prepared forbidden jutsu array that suppressed my chakra. If my taijutsu weren't solid and I hadn't reacted instantly, I'd be dead."

Gusion put on the wounded look of someone betrayed. "Since joining the organization, when have I not given my all? Why would we collude with Danzō to harm me?"

Nagato fell silent. If what Gusion said was true, they had a serious problem.

Thinking back to how Danzō had also ruined him—turning him into this half-alive state, getting Yahiko killed—he could sympathize with Gusion's feelings.

Facing his old nemesis, the fact that Gusion had gone to execute the mission at all was commendable. Only to discover the "trade" was a trap targeted at him—how could he not feel chilled?
"But… why did you then attack Konoha? And why did Orochimaru go too? I never ordered him."

Nagato's tone had softened, shifting from interrogation to inquiry.

"Leader, are you serious?"

Gusion was speechless. "I was ambushed by Konoha shinobi. The battle was massive—the Hokage came with elites. Running forever isn't my style. With old and new grudges together, right at Konoha's doorstep, of course I fought it out."

He glanced at Orochimaru, who wore a subtle smile. "As for Orochimaru, he came after receiving my distress signal. Without him helping outside, I might not have made it out alive."

Nagato mulled it over. Gusion had a point. He couldn't demand Gusion take a beating without hitting back. Old and new grudges, exploding into a full war at Konoha's gates—it would be hard not to escalate.

But…

Pain looked dubiously toward Zetsu. "Zetsu, that's not what you told me."

Zetsu felt awkward. He hadn't expected Gusion to be so forceful and articulate—turning the tables with a seemingly well-reasoned account—making Zetsu's prior "testimony" less credible.

"The array might have been for insurance. The organization's fearsome reputation precedes us. Maybe Gusion couldn't hold back facing his old enemy, exchanged words, then started fighting?"

Zetsu sounded unsure. "I investigated afterward—the array was there, but it probably wasn't enough to threaten Gusion's life."

Gusion snorted. "Zetsu, I'll let your tailing slide, but everything you said is speculation without basis. That forbidden array—you think it's harmless? Go inside and let me cut you. See if you die."

Zetsu was left speechless. He wasn't good at arguing, used to scheming in the shadows. Facing Gusion head-on, he couldn't win.

Seeing Zetsu falter, Gusion looked to Pain. "Leader, I was ready to cut ties with the organization because I thought you wanted me dead. But I sensed the ring's summons and realized something was off. If you wanted to kill me, you wouldn't bother calling me to confront me now."

Pain was a bit dazed, but nodded reflexively. "Of course I never meant to kill you. Your contributions are clear to everyone. I only want the truth."

He sensed something was wrong. If Gusion had been set up, he needed to steady this powerful subordinate and find out what happened.

"Exactly. So when I got the summons, I knew someone else framed me."

Gusion stared into the Rinnegan. "Leader, whose commission was this mission originally?"

Nagato was at a loss. He wasn't stupid. He now realized the mission had been issued at the masked man's request—meaning it was the masked man's will.

In short, the masked man sold out Gusion. Nagato couldn't understand why. Gusion was arguably the organization's number two in open strength.

And more troubling than the betrayal itself was the likelihood the masked man had long had dealings with Danzō—possibly a long-term partnership!

Thinking back to their own ambush by Danzō and Hanzō, the disastrous outcome, and how the masked man appeared afterward to suggest forming a new Akatsuki…

To this day he didn't know who leaked intel back then or who brought Danzō and Hanzō together.

Connecting the dots, Nagato had reason to suspect there was a hidden instigator—and that instigator might well be the masked man!

Because what followed benefited him. He gained Nagato's help—a Rinnegan wielder—to found the new Akatsuki and push his plan.

That thought stirred anger in Nagato. If true, he would not let the masked man go—even if he was Uchiha Madara!

"Right, leader, one more report. In the battle at Konoha, at a critical moment, a masked man ambushed me. He had a Mangekyō Sharingan. I've been out of the world for years and never heard of such a strong figure, but I don't think he's from Konoha—he was killing Konoha shinobi too."

Gusion, seeing Nagato lost in thought, prompted him. "Do you know who he is?"

"Oh? Another Mangekyō?"

Orochimaru looked intrigued.

Hearing this, Nagato's heart sank. No guessing needed—this was the masked man colluding with Danzō. Failing to kill Gusion, the masked man tried to silence him to prevent him from reporting here.

But Gusion's strength exceeded expectations, so the kill failed—leading to the current situation.

As leader, Nagato found this hard to handle. If mishandled, Akatsuki could fall apart.

Who would follow a leader who sells out his subordinates—especially missing-nin who already lack a sense of security? Even his strength couldn't bind their hearts.

While Nagato wrestled with how to handle this and soothe Gusion, Konan spoke first from his side.

"Gusion-kun, the organization owes you an apology. About the masked man—we know him. He's a hidden member of Akatsuki. This mission was issued by Pain at his request."

Konan explained. She'd long disliked the masked man. Now that he was "exposed," she felt it was a good chance for Nagato to cut ties.

Even without him, their plan could proceed. Over the years, she didn't feel the sneaky man contributed much to Akatsuki's goals.

And her woman's intuition said the masked man was plotting something else with the tailed beasts—not world peace.

"Oh? The organization has this kind of inside player? Why does he get to lurk in the shadows while we bleed outside? He spends the money we earn, never lifts a finger, and at a critical moment sells us out?"

Gusion elevated it to a collective grievance, then glanced at Kakuzu. "Kakuzu, can you accept your hard-earned money being blown by a rat in the sewer?"

Kakuzu's face was dark. "Leader, I want an explanation."

Indeed, Akatsuki's missing-nin had tempers. Even if Pain could suppress them with overwhelming power, he couldn't command their hearts.

Learning there was an unknown person spending the funds he risked his life to earn, Kakuzu was livid.

He wasn't stupid. Anyone whose identity the leader kept hidden, who could "direct" the leader to assign missions, must have great status—maybe even a "partner."

But as treasurer—how could his hard-earned money be spent by some unknown guy?

Moreover, that guy would betray members. Even if he didn't like Gusion, he couldn't tolerate internal betrayal.

"We didn't know. We only cooperated with him. Now that he's sold out a member, he's a traitor to the organization."

Konan glanced at Pain. "We should issue a kill order."

Seeing Konan go that far, Nagato knew there was only one way to steady morale. "He's mysterious, wears a mask, and claims to be Uchiha Madara. He comes and goes like a ghost. Since he's betrayed us, I'll handle it personally."

He looked at Gusion. "Gusion, after you finish your current business, come to the Rain Country. I'll give you an answer."

Gusion could feel Nagato's resolve—meaning he'd personally kill the masked man and present the corpse to him. That showed sincerity.

Since Nagato had gone that far, Gusion couldn't keep pushing or it would be excessive. He relaxed his expression. "You're too kind, leader. I'll head to Rain after I settle the Nine-Tails jinchūriki."

"The Nine-Tails jinchūriki?"

Surprise colored Pain's voice. He glanced at Zetsu, thinking, how did you miss this?

Zetsu was embarrassed. He'd been focused on framing Gusion, and since Akatsuki had paused tailed-beast collection, he'd set that aside.

"I figured since we cracked Konoha, it'd be a waste not to take the Nine-Tails—so I just brought him."

Gusion looked innocent. "Leader, did I cause trouble?"

Nagato was truly stunned. He knew Gusion was capable, but not this capable.

Good grief—he had planned to capture the Nine-Tails himself, and Gusion just… brought him.

"No problem. Gusion, you did well. Settle him. We'll need him in a few years when the plan resumes."

Pain sounded encouraging.

He was genuinely pleased. Gusion had a broad mind and big-picture sense. Even after being betrayed, he didn't forget to contribute—capturing the Nine-Tails under those circumstances. A model member.

He even felt guilty for wanting to question Gusion before.

If only Akatsuki had a few more like Gusion—strength, character, perspective, and heart—how could the grand plan fail?