Naruto: Konoha’s Kanpu

Chapter 792: Orochimaru Betrays Akatsuki

As Aoi led the Kirigakure’s group frantically on the road, in a jungle not far away, Taki slowly closed his Byakugan.

“How is it?” On his side, Orochimaru asked hoarsely.

Taki shook his head: “No sign of Terumi Mei. It seems she is still in Konoha.”

Orochimaru squinted his golden vertical pupils, his expression showing impatience. Even though he was just a clone, being stuck in Konoha for a year wasn't pleasant.

From the time Mei entered Konoha until now, it had been a year!

“Orochimaru, could it be that Terumi Mei meet someone she likes in Konoha, so she she's reluctant to leave?” Taki asked with a falsely serious expression.

Orochimaru remained silent, and didn’t bother to answer Taki’s question.

‘I am most afraid of the sudden silence of the air…’ Taki then suggested: “Orochimaru, I have a plan that can provoke the relationship between Konoha and Kirigakure, and force Terumi Mei to leave Konoha!”

Orochimaru’s thoughts raced after hearing this: “Are you planning to attack Ao?”

“No!” Orochimaru flatly rejected him.

Although their mission can be completed by attacking Ao and his group, the consequences of doing so will affect Orochimaru’s Konoha Crush Plan!

It must be known that Ao’s group came to Konoha to participate in the Joint Chunin Exam. Once they suffered heavy casualties after being attacked on their way back, the news will inevitably affect Konoha’s reputation. If they decided not to hold the next Joint Chunin Exam, wouldn’t his Konoha Crush Plan die in its infancy?

Compared with his own plan, Akatsuki's mission to stir up trouble seemed insignificant.

‘It seemed that Akatsuki's mission to create discord was no longer feasible.

Taki, with a smile, asked: “Why not?”

Orochimaru didn’t want to explain, and coldly stated: “Are you questioning my decision?”

“Is your decision always correct?” Taki was unwilling to accept it, but he knew in his heart that Orochimaru refused to attack Ao’s group because he was concerned about the next Joint Chunin Exam.

‘This guy has really formulated the Konoha Crush Plan like in the original work!’

‘However…’

Taki can’t figure it out.

Compared to the Orochimaru in original work, the Orochimaru in the current time and space is too miserable!

He lost Kimimaro, lost Kabuto, lost Jugo, lost Karin, lost Danzo, and lost more than a little bit of his strength.

In contrast, in Konoha, Minato is still alive, Shisui is still there, Uchiha Clan is also there, and there is also Kanpū, the abnormality. Taki wondered what gave Orochimaru the confidence that his Konoha Crush Plan would succeed?

‘Perhaps he had some other cards up his sleeve?’

‘In addition to Sunagakure…

At this moment, Taki had a sudden realization: ‘Is Orochimaru trying to win over Kirigakure?’

‘This probability is quite high.’

‘For Kirigakure, their Yondaime Mizukage died under Gentle Fist, and Sanbi’s disappearance is also unclear. In addition, the progress bar of Mei’s mission in Konoha has been steadily stuck on zero. In this case, with Orochimaru’s flexible tongue, there is a high probability that he could convince Kirigakure’s Elder Genji.’

‘So, this is the real reason why Orochimaru refused to attack Ao’s group?’

‘I thought Orochimaru was on the first floor and I was on the second floor. But I didn’t expect Orochimaru to be on the third floor!’

Taki raised his head slightly, squinting his eyes at Orochimaru.

“Your gaze makes me uncomfortable.” Orochimaru stared at the strangely behaving Taki emotionlessly.

“I don’t care, I will attack Kirigakure’s group!” Taki unreasonably made trouble.

Orochimaru stared at him in silence, and after a moment, slowly closed his eyes: “It seems that it's time to leave Akatsuki.”

Taki was taken aback upon hearing this, ‘Leave Akatsuki?’

Before he could react, Orochimaru suddenly opened his eyes, and his golden vertical pupils flashed with fierce glint.

“Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!” Orochimaru didn't waste any words and directly swung his sleeve, throwing several large snakes toward Taki’s big sunglasses.

Taki reacted quickly. Seeing a few large thick and long snakes pounced towards his face, he immediately waved his palms!

Plak plak plak, plak plak plak…

Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams – Sixteen Palms!

After a set of combined strikes, the several large and sturdy snakes were directly slapped into minced meat.

Orochimaru tip-toed and leaped back quickly. At the same time, he formed hand seals in the air, then expelled a gust of wind from his mouth: “Wind Release: Breakthrough!”

Taki’s figure flickered quickly and appeared below Orochimaru. Then, with a double-palm strike, he fiercely slapped Orochimaru's buttocks.

Orochimaru’s lithe body twisted in an S-shape like a snake, exaggeratedly avoided Taki’s palm strike. Then, he entwined his flexible body around Taki’s waist, rubbing and encircling, while his hands rhythmically slapped at Taki’s head.

Remaining calm under pressure, Taki was about to unleash another combo, but at a crucial moment, he realized something important.

‘If I blow up Orochimaru here, don’t I have to attack the entire Kirigakure’s group alone?’

‘If I attack them, won't it tarnish Konoha's reputation? ‘

‘If I don’t attack, considering Orochimaru’s suspicious character, he'll surely doubt this and that. In case he uncovers something… Forget it, I’ll just let him go.’

With this in mind, Taki made a careless move, and his head was blown off by Orochimaru.

Bang!

Taki dissipated into smoke, leaving behind the black windbreaker with red cloud pattern and a ring.

…

Meanwhile.

Konoha, Gekko Mansion.

Kanpū, who was staying in the backyard and basking in the sun, suddenly opened his eyes.

That’s right, Kanpū’s main body has always been in Konoha. As for those who took escort missions and left Konoha, they were all his shadow clones.

Kanpū strolled down the wooden corridor, walking barefoot on the grass. The fuzzy green blades tickling his soles, and it was a little itchy.

However, there was no smile on Kanpū’s face at this time.

He just received Taki’s memory. And according to Taki’s speculation, it is very likely that Orochimaru will be colluding with Kirigakure.

‘If Kirigakure is really involved in the Konoha Crush Plan three years later, then my marriage with Mei…’

‘Bah, the plan hasn't even started, the wedding hasn't been scheduled, what marriage?’

‘But… I must do something!’

Kanpū thought for a moment, then created a shadow clone, whispered a few words in its ear, and then punched it to obliteration.

……

In the depth of a forest in the Land of Rivers.

Hyōketsu, Hidan, and Akatsuki’s ‘outer disciple’, Deidara were enjoying grilled fish by the river.

After finishing two fish, Hyōketsu has something to announce to Deidara: “Deidara, congratulations.”

‘Congratulations?’

‘Are you finally agreeing to let me join the Abyss?’

Deidara, the veteran actor, pretended to look puzzled.

“I just received the information, Orochimaru assassinated Hyuga Taki, he has betrayed Akatsuki.” Hyōketsu said, “Akatsuki’s ten slots have one vacancy now, and as a reserve member, you can officially join.”

“Officially… join?” Deidara showed a polite yet awkward smile, pretending to be delighted.

“Orochimaru betrayed us? This is big news!” Hidan said excitedly, “What's Akatsuki's stance on traitors? Should I send Orochimaru directly to meet Jashin-sama?”

Smiling, Hyōketsu rubbed his ring and infused his Chakra into it.

After a while, a strange fluctuation emanated from the ring, carrying his Chakra and thoughts into the void.

In the pitch-black underground space, Hyōketsu’s thought projection suddenly appeared.

“What’s the matter?” Deva Path Pain slowly opened his eyes. In the darkness, only his Rinnegan, emitting a faint glow, could be seen.

“Orochimaru attacked Hyuga Taki and has betrayed us.” Yuki said.

“Hmm?” Deva Path Pain immediately contacted Orochimaru, but unfortunately, the fluctuation sent to Orochimaru's ring received no response.

Then, he tried contacting Taki, but it was the same.

“Tell me what happened.” Deva Path Pain pondered before asking.

Hyōketsu briefly explained: “The Joint Chunin Exam jointly organized by Konoha, Sunagakure, Kirigakure, Kusagakure, and Takigakure have concluded. The Kirigakure’s Jonin, Ao, led his team away from Konoha. Taki wanted to attack them and ruin the relationship between Kirigakure and Konoha, but he didn’t expect Orochimaru to not only rejected his idea, but also brazenly ambushed Taki. Afterward, Orochimaru's whereabouts became unknown. That's the situation.”

“I see.” Deva Path Pain nodded, “I will verify it.”

“How long will it take?” Hyōketsu said, “Taki is quite enraged about the situation.”

“Three days.”

With that, Deva Path Pain disbanded Hyōketsu’s thought projection.