"Beep-beep-one"
A faint beeping sound suddenly rang out, exceptionally clear in the tall tower-top room.
Pain's Rinnegan followed the direction of the sound, gazing at the stooped, small, yet remarkably stout figure.
Sasori of the Red Sand, completely cloaked in a black-and-red cloud robe, seemed to have been roused from his silence by the alert. He looked up and remained silent for a while, seemingly in communication with someone.
After a moment, he finally spoke to the leader in front of him: "It's a contact from Orochimaru's side."
"How is it?"
Pain's voice remained cold and calm, without the slightest fluctuation in tone. Just looking at his unchanging expression and his aloof, distant demeanor, one would inadvertently develop a sense of his inhumanity.
Perhaps this was one of the reasons he was called a "god."
"He said he would accept our invitation."
"But he wants me to do him a favor."
Pain's brow furrowed slightly, seemingly displeased with this condition.
The Akatsuki at present was not the complete organization it would be ten years later in the original story. Although they had gathered a large number of rogue Ninja from various countries who had nowhere to go through Obito and Pain's channels over the years, and had also confirmed the primary mission of collecting the nine Tailed Beasts, for the most part, they had been earning money from various countries as mercenaries.
The higher the rank of the Ninja, the stronger their ability to earn money in a short period, so naturally, they had to search for high-ranking rogue Ninja everywhere.
Orochimaru was the one who had proactively appeared before them a while ago.
Seemingly believing that the "favor" Orochimaru spoke of had a high probability of directly confronting Konoha Village, Pain's tone was slightly displeased as he said coldly, "I should have already told him that the Akatsuki is not yet suitable to appear before the world."
Let alone directly confronting Konoha, one of the top Ninja forces in the entire Ninja World.
This would delay their efforts to earn money and rebuild Amegakure.
Pain, or more accurately, Nagato behind him, was clearly displeased—it was evident that Amegakure was far more important to him than that masked man's troublesome plan.
"It's not related to Konoha."
Sasori of the Red Sand calmly explained, "In his letter to me, he said he wants to deal with a Konoha rookie."
"And it's while the target is on a mission outside the village—it looks like there's no risk."
"Is that so?"
Pain was startled by this and relaxed a bit: "If you are confident, then do as you wish."
"As long as it doesn't delay our main objective."
"I understand."
Sasori of the Red Sand was noncommittal about the leader's attitude, clearly not too concerned.
The so-called Akatsuki, or this Amegakure, was merely a barely acceptable hiding place for powerful individuals like them, who were at the pinnacle of the entire Ninja World.
The loose internal structure was naturally to be expected.
If it weren't for the fact that the reward Orochimaru offered truly tempted him, he probably wouldn't even bother to move?
Sasori of the Red Sand thought to himself.
Then, his gaze gradually settled on the virtual map transmitted by Orochimaru via Chakra radio signal.
"Rendezvous point... Rouran Country?"
He looked at this land, closely adjacent to his homeland, his gaze somewhat deep.
It had truly been a long time since he had returned.
Dusk settled, and sand swirled like woven fabric.
Beneath this boundless sky, the rolling sand dunes rose and fell like solidified waves, and the setting sun melted every curve of the desert into flowing gold leaf.
In the dazzling light, a few tiny figures were dotted in the dry crevices between the wind and sand.
"Ptooey, ptooey."
Yakushi Kabuto spat out the sand blown into his mouth, wiped the dust from his eyes, his expression slightly contorted.
After a period of comfortable living, he found himself increasingly unable to adapt to the harsh life he once endured as a spy circulating in various countries.
He looked at the sky, trying to discern direction through the changes in sunlight and shadow, while also looking down at the map in his hand, diligently searching for the pre-planned route.
After looking for a while, he finally raised his head helplessly and raised his voice to the man behind him, trying to cut through the roaring wind: "Mr. Aizen!"
"Does such a vast energy source as you mentioned truly exist in a place like this?"
Clearly, this was the reason they had come to this deserted desert.
This was their first mission outside through Root channels, officially to investigate anomalies in the Rouran Country Dragon Vein seal.
All relevant supplies and data for this journey were naturally provided by Root, making it significantly more convenient than independent team travel.
However, even so, the harshness of this desert environment far exceeded Yakushi Kabuto's initial imagination.
According to Mr. Aizen, the "concept" he had previously refined could only be integrated into this entire world through a massive energy input.
Although Yakushi Kabuto, as a researcher, couldn't fully imagine how such a thing would be accomplished, since it was Mr. Aizen's command, he naturally couldn't disobey it.
It was just that they had been wandering in this desert for three days now, and they still hadn't found any traces.
"We're almost there."
Aizen Sōsuke, however, did not possess the youthful impatience. Even standing in the center of the sandstorm, he maintained his usual calm and composed demeanor.
If one looked closely, they would notice that unlike Yakushi Kabuto and Uchiha Itachi on the other side, who were covered in sand and dust, looking disheveled.
His clothes and vest were not stained with even a speck of dust; the surrounding wind, upon contact with him, was immediately parted by some invisible force, never directly touching him.
At this moment, Aizen Sōsuke stood at the top of a sand dune, quietly looking towards the distant horizon.
Vaguely, a shadowy reflection of ruins could already be seen.
Uchiha Itachi stood beside him and asked, "Mr. Aizen, is that the Dragon Vein that Fourth-Kage sealed in the past?"
"Yes."
"It's right there."
Aizen Sōsuke's face revealed a gentle smile.
The Dragon Vein, the planet's lifeline hidden beneath the earth, is often simply referred to as an extremely vast and special Chakra.
But Aizen knew very well that this thing had nothing to do with Chakra.
To be precise, it should be a special form of natural energy, merely lying dormant beneath the earth in the form of a network, having a very peculiar influence on life.
The more abundant this energy, the more intense the life reactions in the surrounding area, and the more lush the plant growth.
Conversely.
In the area where the Dragon Vein energy was consumed and utilized by the Rouran Country clan for many years, the natural environment deteriorated more severely.
However, less quantity also had its advantages.
At least, it was easier to control than in other places.
Having determined the target direction, Aizen and his two companions quickened their pace again, heading swiftly towards the ruined tower forest.
Soon, they arrived nearby.
The sandstorm also gradually subsided.
"Truly remarkable."
Upon arriving near the ruins, Uchiha Itachi looked up slightly, gazing at the tall tower base, which alone was over thirty meters, and instinctively exclaimed, "The Rouran Country of yesteryear was able to construct such magnificent buildings in such a harsh environment."
"I really don't know how they did it."
Aizen Sōsuke also looked at the ruins, explaining patiently like a true teacher:
"This is only part of the Rouran Country ruins from back then."
"During the Rouran Country's heyday, they were known to the outside world as the 'Land of a Thousand Towers,' and the number of magnificent tall towers like these far exceeded a thousand."
"Besides the surface parts, there were many more in the underground spaces. It is said that the passages crisscrossed, extending in all directions, and hundreds of thousands of people lived on this dry land, using trade as a basis to exchange goods with all four directions."
"It was an important transit station on the trade routes of the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind."
Hearing this, Yakushi Kabuto also became somewhat interested and asked, "Then how did they build such tall structures?"
"Even with Earth Release, it would probably be very difficult to construct such a massive complex of buildings, wouldn't it?"
Aizen Sōsuke shook his head slightly: "According to historical documents, the Rouran Country in earlier times was not a desert at all, but rather a humid grassland, also covered with forests."
"Most of the buildings were erected during that humid climate period."
"Until the Rouran Country clan mastered the use of the Dragon Vein, the environment here became increasingly worse... This can also be considered the price of power."
"It is said that the Rouran Country clan from back then is now reduced to a single caravan, numbering about a hundred people."
"If you are interested, you can follow their migration routes to track and visit them."
"But now..."
Aizen Sōsuke said, suddenly stopping in front of the ruins and turning to look at a shadow to one side, speaking gently: "I'm afraid we first have to greet an unexpected guest."
Almost at the instant his words fell, Yakushi Kabuto and Uchiha Itachi both looked sharply in the direction he was gazing.
"You found me, then."
Slowly, a stooped yet stout figure snaked out from the shadows, stepping before the three of them.
Black-and-red clouds, masked, bald.
It was Sasori of the Red Sand, who had traveled a long distance.
Standing quietly below the ruins, he brazenly sized up Aizen with his gaze and said coolly, "One adult and two children... and you're actually a Squad Leader Jonin?"
"You don't look like much."
"I really don't know how someone as troublesome as him ended up targeting you."
"Forget it. Consider yourself unlucky."
"Oh?"
Aizen Sōsuke, conversely, looked at him with great interest, his gaze playful.
However, Sasori seemed to have no intention of continuing the conversation.
The moment his voice fell silent, the long steel tail hidden beneath the black cloak shot out like an arrow, creating a sharp, whistling sound as it cut through the air.
Simultaneously, two puppet bodies also shot out from beneath his robes; one, controlled by Chakra threads, flew straight toward the sky, while the other plunged with a soft thud into the thick sand underfoot, silently burrowing toward the three figures.
Judging by this comprehensive attack, he clearly intended to capture them all in one go.
Yet, Aizen remained standing quietly in place, unmoving.
Sasori felt a slight confusion.
Before he could react, the young man beside Aizen suddenly flashed out from the side with astonishing speed, his short blade held reversed as he swept past, his entire body transforming into a shooting star-like afterimage.
"Clack, clack, clack—"
The Crow puppet spinning in mid-air, controlled by its master, seemed to suddenly sense danger. Its four arms simultaneously rotated, each arm deploying poisoned blades along its edge, spinning like a top, attempting to shred the shadow rushing toward the sky.
Uchiha Itachi's figure, however, was a step faster than its rotation, blurring for an instant as he broke through the air.
Immediately following was a sharp shout: "Uchiha Style: Sword Leap Flame!"
The burst of flames instantly blossomed like a flower, and the sound of the blade breaking the sound barrier produced a deafening sonic boom.
The Crow, which had been spinning like a top, couldn't block the attack for even a moment, violently shattering into a cluster of explosive fragments.
"Boom—"
Uchiha Itachi's steps did not pause in the slightest because of this; his target was Sasori.
"Clang!"
The winding tail blade and the Ninja sword collided, generating large patches of bright sparks near Uchiha Itachi, who maintained his forward momentum, rapidly closing the distance between himself and Sasori.
However, before the flaming blade in Uchiha Itachi's hand could strike the figure in front of him.
A shadowy figure with a gaping maw suddenly burst out from the previously flat ground.
"Puppet Technique: Black Ant."
Yet, the instant the puppet, which opened its mouth from its abdomen, was about to swallow Uchiha Itachi, the young man reacted with incredible speed, stomping mid-air directly onto the Black Ant puppet's head, forcefully boosting his body upwards by a segment.
He flipped over Sasori's head.
Before his feet could stabilize, Uchiha Itachi abruptly spun around, the scarlet in his eyes reflecting the scene as if in slow motion.
In his vision, Sasori had already extended an arm toward him in that brief instant.
The moment he saw the arm emerging from beneath the cloak, even Uchiha Itachi was momentarily stunned.
It was an arm composed entirely of puppet mechanisms.
"Hiruko: Gishu Senbon."
The moment the arm extended, its outer casing suddenly opened up, revealing scattered blocks of material, all of which simultaneously exposed holes aimed directly at Uchiha Itachi.
In an instant, countless poisoned senbon needles were fired at him simultaneously, like a sudden rain of pear blossoms.
"Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang—!"
In this short reaction time, Uchiha Itachi had no time to dodge. His short blade suddenly flipped open, spinning into a smooth fan shape, deflecting countless poisoned needles at extreme speed, while simultaneously forming a hand sign with his free hand.
"Substitution Jutsu."
Using the momentary obstruction of the log standing in front of him, the young man suddenly leaped backward a large step, putting distance between himself and the strange puppet user.
Sasori and Itachi stood facing each other.
However, when they looked at each other again, their gazes unconsciously carried a hint of wariness.
The other party's strength was slightly beyond expectation.
They both thought this simultaneously.
Sasori's gaze subconsciously flicked toward Aizen Sōsuke, who remained composed on the other side, and he said coolly, "So he's not your student."
"But a protector?"
"A member of the Uchiha clan... No wonder even that guy finds him troublesome."
"The one who should truly be surprised is me."
Facing Sasori's calm words, Aizen Sōsuke responded with a smile, "Sasori of the Red Sand, if I recall correctly, that would be you, wouldn't it?"
"Before today, I hadn't revealed our purpose for coming here or the exact location to anyone."
"Can you tell me how exactly you found out?"
"Also, who exactly do you represent?"
His voice was so calm that not a hint of annoyance could be detected, only pure curiosity.
It seemed as though nothing in the world could truly shake his composure.
"Heh."
Hearing this, Sasori merely gave a faint smile.
"He represents me."
"Mr. Aizen."
Following that hoarse, calm voice, everyone looked toward the top of the ruins, seeing the familiar figure.
Orochimaru stood with one foot resting on a fragment of the ruined wall at the top, looking down at the man whom he could not let go of, slowly licking the corner of his mouth with his tongue, revealing a smile of unknown meaning.
Aizen Sōsuke looked toward him, a flash of understanding passing through his eyes beneath his thick glasses; he seemed to realize something.
"Lord Orochimaru."
"I originally thought you would choose a more cautious timing for meeting me again."
"No."
As if realizing something, Aizen Sōsuke shook his head slightly, "Rather, should I say, do you believe you are prepared now?"
Yakushi Kabuto, upon seeing that figure, froze, his expression unconsciously stiffening slightly.
However, Orochimaru never spared him a glance, only staring intently at the figure in the center of the desert, chuckling softly, "When dealing with someone like you, how could I ever feel that I was adequately prepared?"
"This time, the one dealing with you isn't me."
Almost the instant his voice fell silent.
"Vwoom."
The ground beneath their feet suddenly began to emit subtle tremors; the loose sand started to tremble, and tiny grains of gravel floated and swayed.
Faintly, it felt as if some colossal entity was constantly writhing beneath them, radiating unimaginable, terrifying power.
Aizen Sōsuke narrowed his eyes, as if understanding something: "No wonder you so quickly found the courage to face me again."
Countless streams of light gradually overflowed from the ruins in front of them, floating into the air and turning into heavy fragments, as if to obscure the entire sky.
The moment he witnessed this scene, Sasori felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of dread and instinctively wanted to flee.
This was not what they had agreed upon earlier.
Uchiha Itachi, conversely, immediately moved closer to Aizen Sōsuke, attempting to draw near his side.
Only Orochimaru and Aizen Sōsuke remained standing still, staring intently at each other.
"In that sense, you are correct."
Orochimaru showed no sign of being provoked; instead, he laughed even more heartily: "But even a monster like you probably hasn't fully realized this, have you?"
"In this world, there have always been 'spectators' that we mortals cannot reach."
"Whether it is you or me, our every move is being watched by them."
The trembling beneath their feet intensified, and the light bursting from the ruins behind Orochimaru surged upward relentlessly, forming a stream of light that gradually pierced both heaven and earth.
"Lord Aizen!"
Uchiha Itachi spoke urgently.
Yakushi Kabuto also looked at him with a nervous expression.
Aizen Sōsuke remained motionless, merely giving a somewhat helpless smile and saying gently, "Is that all you wanted to say?"
The moment he heard that sentence, Orochimaru's expression seemed to freeze for an instant, and his gaze toward the young man carried a subtle strangeness.
After a long pause, he finally lowered his voice, looking down at Aizen's figure.
"Aizen, you are too arrogant."
"The truly arrogant one is you, Orochimaru."
Aizen Sōsuke's voice was without fluctuation; even amidst the streams of light gradually spreading in all directions, he maintained his initial gentle calmness: "From the very beginning, I have walked the path leading to the summit of the heavens."
"Those powerless mortals and gods standing on the ground, even if they give their all, what can they truly change?"
"You underestimated me."
"Orochimaru."
That calm, gentle voice clearly and accurately entered Orochimaru's ears, causing his golden vertical pupils to suddenly contract.
The next moment.
Everyone's figures were simultaneously consumed and obliterated by the activated Ryūmyaku pillar of light.
Turning into nothingness.