Orochimaru never cares about small sacrifices.
For Orochimaru, giving a birthday gift is just a trivial matter; for some children, it may be a rare warmth in their life, guiding them through difficult days.
Orochimaru knows well that Akihara Kagura might no longer yearn for it, but this child has developed a habit of relying on him, which is perfect for Orochimaru. If he can win someone's loyalty with gentler methods, why use extreme ones?
"Akatsuki."
After placing another pawn in Konoha, Orochimaru began to investigate something he was recently interested in: "This organization can even complete nation-destroying missions with such ease. There seems to be many like-minded individuals among them…"
Indeed, the Akatsuki Organization is extraordinary.
Perhaps due to Uchiha Obito's guidance, Akatsuki tracks Orochimaru faster than Orochimaru tracks them.
While Orochimaru was still trying to lure out Akatsuki, an invitation letter hoping to meet appeared in his base.
Moreover…
When this invitation letter appeared, Orochimaru had no warning, not even the numerous small white snakes in the base noticed anything unusual.
One must admit, the effectiveness of this move is indeed startling.
This implies that in the future Orochimaru might be attacked by Akatsuki even in his sleep.
However, the organization did not attack Orochimaru; instead, they invited him to meet, evidently confident in their own strength. Naturally, Orochimaru would not be intimidated.
Then…
Orochimaru encountered a power beyond his comprehension.
A man with orange hair, possessing a pair of Rinnegan, lifted his hand and completely defeated Orochimaru, arrogantly asking if he was willing to join Akatsuki!
"One of the three children I met back then…"
Orochimaru was somewhat surprised, recognizing the orange-haired man with the Rinnegan!
Judging by appearance, Orochimaru had met this orange-haired man during the Second Shinobi World War, but at that time he wasn't the owner of the Rinnegan!
The true owner of the Rinnegan…
Should be someone with red hair…
Faced with the unknown doubts and the temptation of the Rinnegan, Orochimaru could only choose to agree, hoping to gain the power of the Rinnegan in the future.
Orochimaru had no idea.
Because his joining Akatsuki would cause such a great upheaval in the Ninja World.
In Konoha Village.
Yakushi Nonou returned to the Konoha Orphanage, receiving a fund granted by Sarutobi Hiruzen as compensation; Yao Shidou also became a glorious Konoha Genin, going to team up with Orochimaru's low-level spies planted in Konoha.
Akihara Kagura had just settled his bonds, unpacked a gift from Orochimaru, acquired a beautiful Shuriken, only to discover some major issues, as his system suddenly continuously notified him of having gained two strange new superiors.
[System Notification]: [You have a new superior (Deva Path Pain), rewarded with a new hire gift package, unlocking new traits!]
[Rinnegan (Lin): The legendary eyes of the Six Paths Sage, possessing mysterious and unfathomable power, capable of mastering Yin-Yang Release, creating Six Paths Puppets, summoning the legendary Ten-tails body Gedo Statue, and wielding immensely powerful dojutsu!
When the host truly gains their own Rinnegan, the pupil power will merge into one, with a chance to awaken the truly terrifying power of the Rinnegan!]
[System Notification]: [You have a new superior (Nagato), rewarded with a new hire gift package, unlocking new traits!]
[Ten-tails (Shell): The legendary body of the Ten-tails, the trunk of the Divine Tree, also known as Gedo Statue, capable of easily performing the sealing jutsu suppressing Tailed Beasts!
The Ten-tails body is sealed inside the host, the Wood Release Kekkeigenkai will be enhanced, usable to cultivate White Zetsu, yet also extremely draining on the host's chakra when using the Ten-tails body!
The host can utilize the Wood Release to absorb chakra to supply the Ten-tails shell, allowing its resurrection into the Ten-tailed Divine Tree, truly becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, mastering the power of the Ten-tails!]
"..."
This… what is going on?
Akihara Kagura looked somewhat dumbfoundedly at his new traits.
Akihara Kagura recognized all these terms when put together, even sensing a sealed dead silent monster within him, feeling he had another pair of switchable eyes, realizing his Wood Release had become entirely seamless...
This is…
I leveled up?
Akihara Kagura swiftly used [Dark Side of the Ninja World] to probe into the information of his two new superiors, witnessing the scene of his first superior Orochimaru defecting to Akatsuki.
This is…
My first company was acquired by someone else!
Akihara Kagura couldn't help but speculate about the system's determination of superiors. By siding with Shimura Danzo, it's equivalent to passively siding with Sarutobi Hiruzen; Orochimaru siding with Akatsuki, makes him considered a subordinate of Akatsuki too?
On the other hand.
Nagato is his highest superior, Deva Path Pain is merely Nagato's puppet, yet they are listed as two superiors by the system's determination.
However.
This event brought Akihara Kagura substantial benefits.
Although the Rinnegan suddenly gained by Akihara Kagura couldn't unleash all its abilities, just creating the Six Paths Puppets and Yin-Yang Release was quite a considerable assistance to him!