Naruto: Menma Exiting Infinite Tsukuyomi

Chapter 151: Yakushi Kabuto: Even I Get Angry, You Know

"You've worked hard, Sasori, Kakuzu, and A Fei."

Pain stood at the highest position, looking down at Kakuzu's group of three who had brought Kisame and Hidan.

These five who had just returned, plus the five stationed in Amegakure – Pain, Konan, Zetsu, Uchiha Itachi, and Yakushi Kabuto.

This was the first time the ten members of the Akatsuki, led by Pain, had gathered here in their true forms.

"You rushed us so much, how would we dare to delay?"

Kakuzu's tone held no reverence: "But these two pieces of news from you were indeed worth us rushing back for."

The two announcements Pain made were each more explosive than the last.

"Heh, if Orochimaru had fled after failing to snatch the Rinnegan, I might have thought more highly of him."

Sasori couldn't help but sneer: "In the end, that guy tried to snatch a junior's eyes, yet was actually defeated by the junior and fled in a wretched state?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the other members also became very strange.

Most held an attitude of schadenfreude, mockery, and ridicule.

After all, Orochimaru usually acted all mysterious, constantly talking about eternal life.

Now, to be miserably defeated while sneak-attacking a teenager... the thought itself was laughable.

However...

"Senior Itachi is so strong~"

Obito, disguised as A Fei, said in a cheerful and strange tone: "As expected of the genius who destroyed the Uchiha clan with just one person! Even stronger than Senior Kisame, who killed over a dozen Kiri ANBU!"

With that, he seemed to have a sudden realization, twisting his body exaggeratedly to look at Hoshigaki Kisame.

"Oh dear! By saying that, Senior Kisame won't make things difficult for me, will he? I'm so scared~"

Watching Obito's flamboyant performance, so different from before, the wariness in Uchiha Itachi's heart towards Akatsuki deepened.

This man, claiming to be Uchiha Madara, could actually put on such a natural disguise.

In a way, this organization was full of terrifying fellows.

"Hehe, it's fine."

Kisame grinned, showing his sharp teeth, and chuckled in a muffled voice: "On the way here, I heard from A Fei that Itachi-san, who destroyed the Uchiha clan, is also a member of Akatsuki. I couldn't quite believe it at the time, but I didn't expect it to be true."

Hoshigaki Kisame looked at Itachi as if looking at something interesting.

No, that gaze was more like seeing one of his own kind.

This made Itachi feel a sense of disgust from the bottom of his heart.

But whether this feeling of disgust was because of Hoshigaki Kisame's gaze, or for some other reason...

Even Uchiha Itachi himself couldn't say for sure.

"Less idle talk. The most pressing matter now is to launch a pursuit of Orochimaru."

Pain interrupted their conversation, his tone icy: "Orochimaru's Ring of the Void is key to the Tailed Beast Capture Plan."

With that, he looked towards Kakuzu and Sasori.

"This mission is assigned to you. Any problems?"

Although the tone was a question, there was absolutely no room for refusal.

Kakuzu and Sasori nonchalantly nodded, indicating there was no problem.

Next, Pain reassigned the current ten members.

Because Biwa Jūzō died during a mission, Hoshigaki Kisame, who inherited the "Ring of the South," was paired with Uchiha Itachi, whose codename was "Vermilion."

"Truly delightful news. I've heard no small number of rumors about Itachi-san."

Kisame looked at Uchiha Itachi, smiling with great interest: "I am Hoshigaki Kisame. Please take good care of me from now on. Let's pray we don't end up as enemies, Itachi-san."

"...I hope so."

Reserve members A Fei and Yakushi Kabuto were promoted to official members.

A Fei's codename was "Blue/Green," and he was paired with Zetsu, whose codename was "Boar."

Yakushi Kabuto's codename was "Void," and he was paired with Hidan, whose codename was "Three."

However, the "Ring of the Void" was still in Orochimaru's hands; it would need to be given to Yakushi Kabuto after Kakuzu's duo retrieved it.

"Wait a moment. Make Yakushi Kabuto an official member?"

Kakuzu frowned deeply, scanning Yakushi Kabuto: "With this guy's strength, he probably can't even beat Hidan. Might as well dig out his heart to replace the one I lost."

Yakushi Kabuto and Uchiha Itachi were about the same age.

But his strength and ninjutsu were unremarkable, probably Jōnin level at best, perhaps even inferior to the deceased Biwa Jūzō.

The only things worth praising were that large summoned beast and his medical ninjutsu.

To be mentioned in the same breath as them with this level of strength was a bit too much of a stretch.

"Speaking of official members of the organization, I actually know a more suitable candidate."

Kisame insinuated slyly: "I heard there's a brat in Iwagakure called Deidara, who possesses a Kekkei Genkai called Explosion Release, and is also a disciple of the Third Tsuchikage."

"I know this Deidara too~"

White Zetsu also suddenly raised his right hand, adding fuel to the fire: "His Explosion Release ninjutsu combined with clay is very powerful, truly suitable for dealing with Tailed Beasts. His strength and potential are also very good."

"And he likes the art of explosion, which is very similar to Sasori."

It's just that one is a momentary art, and the other is an eternal art.

"Hey hey hey! Are you trying to bully my partner?!"

Hidan shouldered his Triple-Bladed Scythe, shouting loudly: "I want to be in a group with Kabuto! A mischievous little brat or whatever, I don't want it!"

"You're very weak too. Why don't you two just go die together."

"I'm weak? You're saying I'm weak?"

Hearing Kakuzu's mockery, Hidan's face instantly flushed red: "You damn bastard, looks like you want to experience what pain and fear are again!"

The voices of the few arguing intertwined, making the dim underground space even more noisy and clamorous.

But no matter how they argued, Yakushi Kabuto showed no awareness of being the center of the topic, the smile on his face never changing from beginning to end.

Just quietly watching the crowd before him, as if appreciating a clumsy comedy performance.

It seemed he might start applauding at any moment.

Just then.

"Enough!"

Hearing the familiar cold voice, the few people present instantly quieted down.

They then turned their strange gazes towards Pain above.

"I am informing you, not soliciting your opinions."

Pain looked down at everyone: "Yakushi Kabuto's abilities have already gained my recognition. So are you now questioning my choice?"

As soon as these words were spoken,

Everyone showed varied expressions, their gazes sweeping back and forth between Pain and Yakushi Kabuto.

Why would Pain favor Yakushi Kabuto so much?

"Could there be some secret relationship or deal between these two?"

This thought popped into everyone's minds in unison.

Yakushi Kabuto, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.

"Oh my~ Mr. Kakuzu, I admit my own strength is indeed very weak."

Yakushi Kabuto said with smiling eyes: "But since you have never witnessed my skills, what basis do you have to say I am the weakest one?"

As he spoke, he lowered his head, slowly taking off his round-rimmed glasses.

On his handsome, androgynous face, a few white scales suddenly appeared.

"In that case, even I..."

"...will get angry, you know~"

When he raised his head again,

The pupils in his eyes had already changed to vertical slits like a snake's, and strange patterns like eyeshadow had also appeared at the corners of his eyes.

Everyone, including Kakuzu, felt a bone-chilling, sinister aura.

-- It was as if being watched by a cold-blooded poisonous snake, having already become the prey it was determined to get.

(End of Chapter)

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