Land of Rain.
A cave within the mountains.
Yakushi Kabuto awaited Orochimaru's arrival here.
Orochimaru and Red Sand Sasori arrived in a town and, seeing Sasori lost in the allure of purchasing components, seized the opportunity to meet Kabuto.
"Lord Orochimaru."
When Kabuto saw Orochimaru, his demeanor was respectful and sincere: "I apologize, but I must meet with you to discuss something about Kagura."
Kabuto cautiously proposed his idea: "I can find a way to lure Akihara Kagura out, and then Orochimaru-sama, could you ambush and kill Akihara Kagura?"
"Has something happened?"
Orochimaru furrowed his brow.
"Kagura has replaced Danzo to become the Root leader..."
The first piece of information Kabuto revealed immediately made Orochimaru aware that something was amiss. What happened to his ally, Shimura Danzo?
The sky of Konoha...
How did it suddenly change?
How did Akihara Kagura become the Root leader?
Although Orochimaru had predicted that Akihara Kagura was destined to become a top executive of Konoha, he didn't expect that guy to ascend so quickly, leaving the Dark Department only to become the Root leader?
"What about Danzo?"
Orochimaru still thought of continuing to use Danzo!
"Danzo has lost all power."
One sentence from Kabuto left Orochimaru completely disillusioned with Shimura Danzo, and he went on to add: "After Kagura became the Root leader, he once again exploited the financial issues of the orphanage, hoping that both I and Dean Yakushi Nonou would re-enter Root to become spies..."
"Furthermore, Kagura wanted more, for there was no ninja in Root willing to heed his command. Kagura also hoped that Dean Nonou would select a group of children grown up in the orphanage to be sent to Root for training, creating a batch of ninjas loyal to him..."
"..."
Orochimaru's brow furrowed, and he murmured: "It seems like a story of a dragon slayer becoming an evil dragon... How long has it been since that little guy gained power and he's already sprouted ambition from power? What on earth is going on?"
If Akihara Kagura really has become as Kabuto said, a child lost to the pursuit of power and strength, will he really still willingly become Orochimaru's vessel?
A sudden unease arose within Orochimaru.
What exactly has happened here?
How long has it been since Akihara Kagura last met in the Hidden Sand Village, expressing a desire to return and meet with Kabuto and Dean Yakushi Nonou for future arrangements...
How long has it been...
That child has changed, becoming the Root leader, forcing Kabuto and Dean Yakushi Nonou to the brink!
That child's cunning...
Isn't it a bit too much?
Initially, he appeared willing to sacrifice everything for himself, then for Shimura Danzo, and later for Kabuto and Yakushi Nonou, now he's willing to sacrifice everything for himself...
Now Akihara Kagura, for power, is willing to let Kabuto and Yakushi Nonou become spies, and even harm the children of the orphanage. Would that guy really sacrifice for Kabuto and Yakushi Nonou again?
"It wasn't the ambition that sprouted from power."
Kabuto shook his head, looking at Orochimaru as he spoke: "Kagura came for power from the beginning; he never truly thought about saving us!"
"All along, Kagura's goal was to use me and Dean Yakushi Nonou to create a trusted Konoha orphanage child's identity for him!"
"..."
Orochimaru immediately fell silent.
Orochimaru had thought Akihara Kagura was lost to power, but didn't expect Kagura to be even more cunning than he imagined. Kabuto had no reason to lie about something like this to him, as it was a reminder to be wary of Akihara Kagura...
If Kagura truly is like this...
It's not going to be easy to deal with Akihara Kagura...
Orochimaru could only think of some insidious means to resolve him.
He looked at Kabuto standing before him, beginning to contemplate ways to counter Akihara Kagura, undoubtedly needing to use Kabuto to try and deceive him.
"Kabuto."
Orochimaru gazed at Kabuto, inquiring: "For you, Kagura now is no different from Shimura Danzo, is that right?"
"Actually... he's gone even further than Danzo."
Kabuto weakly clenched his fists, lowered them, and continued softly: "Dean Yakushi Nonou is still troubled by it; Kagura exploited her, yet she still feels guilty for losing Kagura back then, but doesn't want to harm other children because of it..."
"So you want to use my hand to kill him?"
Orochimaru looked at Kabuto, staring into his eyes.
"Yes."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and said solemnly: "I'm worried that if it continues like this, Dean Yakushi Nonou might not live long... I hope Lord Orochimaru can find a way to kill Kagura."
"I don't want to kill the vessel I most desire."
Orochimaru shook his head, refusing Kabuto's proposal; it was difficult for him to kill Kagura, nor did he want to, still contemplating seizing Akihara Kagura's body.
"But he doesn't want to be Lord Orochimaru's vessel anymore!"
Kabuto spread his hands, earnestly continuing: "When Kagura heard I was coming to meet Orochimaru, he even wanted to lure him with the temptation of his body, enticing Lord Orochimaru to obtain Uchiha Itachi's pair of Mangekyo Sharingan for him..."
Kabuto had to explain the severity to Orochimaru, wearing a worried expression: "Kagura's strength is already formidable; if he gains the Mangekyo Sharingan, possessing two of the Ninja World's top Kekkeigenkai, neither Konoha nor the Ninja World might be able to stop him!"