[Earth Grudge Fear]. At your level, do you still need to learn this secret jutsu?" Orochimaru asked curiously, watching the black thread in Anya's hand.
Anya replied, "This technique lets you continually replace your heart with fresh ones, prolonging life and even achieving a certain degree of immortality. Kakuzu, aren't you tempted?"
"Don't think this technique has no drawbacks," Orochimaru sneered. "Do you know why Kakuzu is so obsessed with money?"
"Oh, why is that?" Anya was genuinely curious.
"Because he's afraid of losing himself," Orochimaru explained. "The brain controls thought, but emotions come from the heart. Replacing your heart too often changes your emotions, which then affects your thinking. So Kakuzu poured all his emotions into money, using it to preserve his identity, turning into someone who only trusts wealth. Honestly, I never imagined he would hold you in such high regard—enough to entrust you with this technique."
"I see," Anya tightened his grip on the black thread, guilt stirring in his chest. Kakuzu trusted me, yet I'm plotting to steal his treasure. How despicable I am!
Thinking this, Anya said to Orochimaru, "After I finish extracting these black threads formed from blood vessels, I'll find him a heart that won't weaken, so he won't have to keep replacing it anymore."
"Oh, so you think he'll die then?" Orochimaru suddenly realized Anya's true purpose in obtaining Earth Grudge Fear from Kakuzu.
Anya sighed helplessly, "Even if he doesn't die, I'll make sure he does."
Orochimaru asked in surprise, "I want to know why."
"I'm broke, and he's loaded," Anya didn't hide anything, frankly saying, "If he stays alive and I try to steal his private treasury, we'll definitely fall out—maybe even end up fighting. Once he's dead, none of that happens. The me who calls him uncle inherits everything. Perfectly reasonable."
Hearing Anya's shameless words, Orochimaru couldn't help but exclaim, "Who else have you called uncle?"
When he noticed Anya giving him a strange look, Orochimaru suddenly realized—he really was in a situation similar to Kakuzu's. He too had been taken advantage of without putting up any resistance. That guy must have started scheming against him long ago.
Orochimaru gritted his teeth, "Do you have a third one like Kakuzu and Orochimaru?"
"Well, no. Good uncles like you two are just too hard to find," Anya sighed, his voice sounding genuinely regretful.
Unable to contain himself any longer, Orochimaru opened his serpent mouth and lunged toward Anya's neck.
Anya saw it coming and casually flicked his finger to block the attack, then patted the serpent's head, saying, "Kakuzu, don't be naughty. You're running low on chakra—you won't be able to use the Cursed Seal of Heaven."
"I'm done cooperating."
"Serpent Master is starting to act spoiled. That won't do at all..."
Anya intervened, saying, "Once the chakra of all nine Tailed Beasts gathers and fuses into the Ten-Tails via the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, you'll become the first to produce the Sage of Six Paths through your own power. This is far greater than your previous ambition—it's the ultimate individual, unmatched in the world. Are you sure you want to give up?"
Orochimaru remained silent for a moment before asking, "Then who should we look for now—the Tailed Beast?"
Anya smiled brightly and said, "Let's find Deidara. He's Iwagakure's Tailed Beast container. He's the perfect one for the job."
"He's on your side too?"
"Yes."
Upon hearing Anya's confirmation, Orochimaru fell silent again. After a long pause, he sneered inwardly: Akatsuki? More like there never was one—there's only ever been *Zero*.
In a forest, Deidara, having a new partner now, walked forward with obvious annoyance on his face.
His new partner was none other than Obito Uchiha, wearing an orange vortex-patterned mask. He kept chatting energetically: "Senior, I just joined Akatsuki and suddenly I've been given such a big responsibility. That must mean I seem quite capable, right? Right? And by the way, what exactly is our mission today?"
"The Three-Tails!" Deidara finally snapped. "That's what this is about."
"Oh, that sounds impressive."
Deidara snorted coldly and replied, "No matter how powerful, it will still fall beneath my art."
"Is that so?"
When he heard Deidara's doubt, Deidara angrily retorted, "My explosive art is absolutely unique—no one can compare! And Tobi, now that you're part of Akatsuki, you should talk less and act cooler. To put it simply, being cool is itself a kind of art. Real art starts cold and silent, then BOOM! It explodes with passion..."
Tobi, listening to Deidara's theory, looked completely stunned. He couldn't help but blurt out honestly, "If you ask me, you're the real chatterbox here."
Deidara's eyes turned icy cold as he hurled a flying bird-shaped clay bomb straight at Tobi.
Tobi quickly ran away, yelling frantically while running, "Ah, senior! I was just kidding!"
The resulting explosion soon attracted Anya, who had been searching nearby, and he swiftly followed the sound. However, upon noticing Obito's presence, his expression darkened.
"He's someone worth this much of your attention?" Orochimaru clearly sensed Anya's aura shift instantly.
"The one behind Akatsuki."
"Could it really be him?" Orochimaru exclaimed in surprise. "Since you already know about his existence, you surely also know what lies beneath that mask."
Anya didn't hide it and simply answered, "Yes. He's Muiz's student, Obito Uchiha. He's awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and wields an extremely troublesome space-based ninjutsu."
"Heh heh... Who'd have thought back then that a failure like him could rise to such heights after unlocking the Mangekyō," Orochimaru commented with admiration in his eyes.
"With him around, it's hard for me to maintain contact with Deidara," said Anya. "Since I've already told you the truth, Orochimaru, you can probably tell I have my own reasons."
Orochimaru caught on immediately and readily agreed, "Fine, I'll help."
"Who's this now?" Deidara suddenly noticed an extra figure ahead while walking forward, his eyes narrowing. "You again—Orochimaru? Still alive, huh? Guess those rumors were full of crap after all."
Tobi hurried to Deidara's side and muttered, "Hey boss, wasn't he one of your old targets too?"
Deidara grinned proudly. "Bingo. And since you're still breathing, Orochimaru, even better. So let's make this quick—"
"Wait," Orochimaru interrupted calmly. "Don't you two have any sensing abilities at all? It's just a Shadow Clone—easily disposable. Is it really worth fighting over?"
"Well then, no chakra at all," Deidara said disinterestedly, clearly not up for a fight anymore. "Scram. Just don't show yourself before me again."
"Don't flatter yourself," Orochimaru replied coolly. "I'm not here for you." He pointed a finger directly at Tobi.
Underneath his mask, one of Tobi's eyes turned cold and dark.
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