Chapter 92: The Second Konoha Collapse Plan

In Otogakure, Deidara had returned, though this time alone. Kurotsuchi had been sent back to Amegakure with one of his clay clones.

"Orochimaru, what's the rush?" Deidara asked curiously.

"I need you to pay the price for summoning Namikaze Minato," Orochimaru replied, arms crossed. For once, he wasn't in his lab conducting experiments but stood quietly outside Otogakure.

"No problem. Who's the target this time? Konoha?"

"Exactly," Orochimaru nodded. "I call it the Second Konoha Crush Plan."

Again? Did you even ask Konoha how they feel about this? Wasn't one crush enough? Now you're planning a second?

"What did Danzo do to provoke you this time? Does this have to do with the joint Chunin Exams?" Deidara asked, his curiosity piqued.

Orochimaru didn't answer directly but instead glanced to the side. A figure emerged from one of the small buildings nearby.

Deidara recognized her—Shizune. She was injured, her wounds severe enough to still be visible despite being a medical ninja. If she hadn't been able to heal herself, the damage must have been truly grave.

"Tsunade's in trouble?" Deidara asked, his gaze shifting to Shizune.

Shizune also recognized Deidara. He was the man who had caused a scene with Lady Tsunade that day.

No, focus! Now's not the time to think about that.

Based on his actions that day, she knew this man was powerful. With his help, the plan to rescue Tsunade was bound to succeed. She hurriedly recounted the events that had transpired.

Deidara's expression shifted into one of understanding. So, Danzo had used Kotoamatsukami on Tsunade. That explained half the mystery surrounding her behavior.

"I'm taking advantage of the upcoming Chunin Exams to break Tsunade free from the genjutsu and kill Danzo," Orochimaru declared, his voice cold and filled with murderous intent. Danzo's actions had clearly crossed a line Orochimaru could not tolerate.

"No problem," Deidara agreed without hesitation. After all, Konoha and Danzo were becoming increasingly irrelevant to the Akatsuki's plans. It was time to deal with them.

Still, this had to be done carefully. Underestimating an opponent's strength, like they had with Minato, was not an option.

Konoha, as the focal point of the shinobi world's balance, was bound to be full of unexpected variables.

Leaving aside the raw strength of Jiraiya, Tsunade, and that Mokuton user, involving Naruto and Sasuke required extreme caution. The Sage of Six Paths wasn't one to let his descendants suffer lightly.

And then there was the hidden trump card—Might Guy. Deidara wasn't eager to experience a full-powered Evening Elephant or Night Guy firsthand.

The strategy from before, pressuring from the outside while dismantling from within, remained the best approach. They could repeat what they had done with Kirigakure.

"I'll head back to the organization and rally some people. But their fees are going on your tab," Deidara said to Orochimaru.

The joint Chunin Exams were still a month away, leaving plenty of time. This schedule was, after all, set to accommodate the smaller villages and give them enough time to prepare.

"Fine by me," Orochimaru replied with a nod.

After Deidara departed, Orochimaru returned to his underground base, ready to resume his experiments.

Suddenly, a figure appeared from the shadows.

She was a striking woman with long green hair tied elegantly and a golden crown resting on her head. If it weren't for her sharp teeth and unusually long tongue, she could have passed as a serene beauty.

"You've left Ryuchi Cave to come here?" Orochimaru asked, surprised.

The snake from Ryuchi Cave regarded Orochimaru with an air of superiority, issuing her instructions with a tone of command.

"Orochimaru, you're planning to head to Konoha, correct?"

"Indeed," Orochimaru replied.

"There's a boy there, Uchiha Sasuke. Bring him back with you and make him your disciple," she ordered.

Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "I have no interest in taking him as a disciple, but his body... that's another matter entirely."

The snake shrugged. "Do as you please. If you intend to take over his body, you'll still need to cultivate his power first. As long as that brat grows stronger, your methods don't concern me."

With that, she left, and Orochimaru's lips curled into a cryptic smile.

"Uchiha Sasuke... it seems you're hiding some extraordinary secrets."

...

Amegakure's Underground Base

The long-dormant Akatsuki meeting was convened once again. On the fingers of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, each member stood in their assigned positions.

While Kakashi, participating for the first time, found the experience novel, the others remained unfazed.

"What's with the sudden meeting?" Hidan asked curiously.

"Idiot, the leader already explained it's about the joint Chūnin Exams," Kakuzu replied.

"Hey! Kakuzu!"

"Don't speak to your teammate like that in such a nasty tone!" Hidan retorted angrily.

"I was praying to Jashin-sama during the announcement, so I didn't hear it clearly!"

Their bickering was ignored by Nagato, who, as usual, let their arguments go unaddressed. Instead, he turned to the rest of the group.

"What are your thoughts on this matter?"

All eyes turned to Deidara. Having interacted with Orochimaru, he undoubtedly had more information to share.

"One of the Sannin, Tsunade, has been placed under genjutsu by Danzo. Orochimaru wants to hire us to attack Konoha. The goal is to free Tsunade and, if possible, eliminate Danzo, the current Hokage."

"Genjutsu again?"

"Is it the same mysterious genjutsu from last time?" After the Yagura incident, everyone was aware of Tobi's genjutsu on the Fourth Mizukage.

"I'm not sure," Deidara lied. He couldn't afford to reveal Kotoamatsukami. Mentioning it, especially in front of Itachi, would undoubtedly arouse suspicion.

"Is such genjutsu even possible?" Kisame asked, directing his curiosity at Itachi. "You're from the Uchiha Clan. Even you can't perform genjutsu at that level, can you?"

Itachi's eyes flickered as he scanned the group. Finally, he sighed softly.

"It's likely Shisui's Kotoamatsukami."

"Kotoamatsukami?"

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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