Akihara Kagura thought for a moment and offered a solution: "I just happen to have a smuggling case that needs handling. Orochimaru-sama might as well get involved. I'll arrange for it to seem like a Hidden Mist Village ninja is colluding with Orochimaru-sama and report this to the Third Hokage-sama. This way, we can demand that the Hidden Mist Village hand over the ninja involved in the smuggling, forcing them to resist Konoha..."
"..."
Shimura Danzo couldn't help but be surprised.
Akihara Kagura's level in political intrigue has improved quite a bit these past few years! In such a short time, he came up with such a proper move!
"This idea works."
Shimura Danzo agreed with Akihara Kagura's strategy and looked at Orochimaru: "Then let's establish this as a fact, forcing the Hidden Mist Village to get involved..."
"When the elder from the Hidden Mist Village comes to Konoha, we can use the meeting as an opportunity to kill that stubborn old man. I'll replace him to prevent the Hidden Mist Village's ninjas from hesitating at the crucial moment..."
"Alright."
Orochimaru nodded lightly.
"Let's do it."
Akihara Kagura looked at Orochimaru with satisfaction and presented his plan: "Kakashi Hatake, leading Team 7, is coincidentally here as well. Orochimaru-sama can play the mastermind this time, teaching them a lesson, and letting them report to the Third Hokage-sama..."
"Kill Kakashi Hatake..."
Shimura Danzo had his own unique thought, as he touched his eye socket: "Help me obtain Kakashi Hatake's Sharingan, or Uchiha Sasuke's Sharingan..."
"That might not work."
Akihara Kagura expressed his difficulty: "Kakashi Hatake and Team 7 already know I'm in the Land of Waves. If they meet with an accident, the Third Hokage-sama will surely suspect me. It's better to stick to the plan for now..."
Akihara Kagura looked at Orochimaru and said softly: "When they encounter danger, I'll play the role of the savior and come out, allowing me to test Orochimaru-sama's strength, so that our Konoha collapse plan doesn't turn into a joke..."
"I won't disappoint you, Kagura-kun."
Orochimaru, half-cupping his hand, squinted and laughed lightly: "Perhaps you might lose instead..."
This is an opportunity!
Orochimaru immediately realized how rare this opportunity was!
This is a chance to probe Akihara Kagura's strength. If the Reanimation Jutsu user he controls can resolve Akihara Kagura, it would mean Akihara Kagura is no longer a threat to him, and he can calmly plan to take his body in the future!
Akihara Kagura seemed unaware of Orochimaru's sinister thoughts and continued to conspire with the snake, talking about the result of the plan: "If Orochimaru-sama can defeat me, it means our strength is formidable enough, and no accidents will occur in the plan..."
"If Orochimaru-sama loses to me, it would also make Konoha less vigilant, thinking that as long as I'm present, nothing will go wrong..."
"It also allows us to understand..."
Orochimaru laughed lightly at Akihara Kagura: "Without your coordination, we couldn't achieve anything, right, Kagura-kun?"
"Orochimaru-sama, it's better not to interpret my ideas with malice..."
Akihara Kagura smiled somewhat sheepishly and quickly waved his hand modestly: "We are allies on the same line, and without you, there are many things I can't accomplish. Saying such things only makes me feel..."
However...
In an instant...
Akihara Kagura's smile vanished after the moment of humility.
Akihara Kagura's expression turned cold and ruthless, as if the two allies in front of him were just dispensable tools, finishing what he wanted to say with one final sentence.
"You're very clever."