Pain stared coldly at the smug-looking Sasuke, his heart filled with contempt.
'This Danzo was as short-sighted as ever.'
'He only cared about his own position as Hokage, completely disregarding the immense damage I could inflict upon Konoha once I obtained the Kyubi.'
'Or perhaps,'
'He had already anticipated my plan but simply didn't care.'
'No matter what, that man was precisely that kind of sinister and cold-blooded individual.'
"Your proposal for cooperation is accepted."
"However, if I detect even a hint of deception or omission from you, I will kill you immediately." Pain's Rinnegan bore into Sasuke as he issued his cold threat.
"Danzo-sama's sincerity is absolute. He has already taken the initiative to relocate the Kyubi's Jinchuriki to a place beyond the reach of Konoha, without you needing to lift a finger."
"Where?"
"The Land of Rice Fields, Otogakure!" Sasuke declared with a cold smirk.
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Naruto, using his Transformation Senjutsu to disguise himself as Tenzo, slowly approached Orochimaru's hideout.
According to the intelligence provided by the Group Owner, Tenzo was the sole survivor of Orochimaru's Hashirama's cells' implantation experiments.
He was later selected by Danzo and became a member of the Root.
In a sense, he was living proof of the collaboration between Danzo and Orochimaru.
Using his appearance to deliver intelligence about Pain would carry the highest credibility.
Knock, knock.
Standing before the door made of unknown metal, Naruto knocked gently.
Creak... creak...
There was no response from anyone, yet the door eerily opened on its own.
Naruto wasn't surprised by this and stepped inside calmly.
The Group Owner had said that Orochimaru's research into technology and genetics was the most advanced in the entire Shinobi World.
It was no cause for alarm if he came up with some strange inventions.
"Why have you come here?" A soft, magnetic voice came from all directions after Naruto had walked for about three minutes.
It was unmistakably that pervert Orochimaru's voice.
"By order of Danzo-sama, I have urgent matters to discuss." Naruto, disguised as Tenzo and wearing a Root's mask, replied calmly.
"Oh? Something new has happened on his end?" Orochimaru's tone held a hint of surprise.
'Usually, it was I who sought out Danzo, requesting certain channels or access to people.'
'But this time, he had actually sent someone to seek me out.'
'Something was definitely unusual.'
"Yes. Please lead me to a secure room, Orochimaru-sama. This information must not be leaked." Naruto maintained his calm and composed demeanor.
"Come this way." A small white snake emerged from a corner of the hideout.
Naruto followed the serpent to a hidden chamber.
Seated inside was a man with deathly pale skin, unnaturally soft features, and a serpentine aura.
His appearance alone identified him as Orochimaru.
"Well? I never expected Danzo to send you. It seems this matter is truly significant, isn't it... Kinoe?" Orochimaru curled his lips into a strange smile, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"The situation is indeed serious. Danzo-sama has been planning this for a long time to achieve today's result. You are the most crucial piece. He does not want any mishaps." Naruto removed his mask, his voice low.
"What exactly is this about?"
"Have you heard of the Akatsuki from Amegakure?" 'Tenzo' glanced at Orochimaru indifferently.
"I've heard of them. Their leader seems to possess an interesting Kekkei Genkai. I've studied them for a while. Why?" Orochimaru's eyebrow twitched slightly, his tongue flicking out strangely.
"In the shortest, one month, at the longest, three months, Akatsuki will attack Otogakure."
"What?!" Orochimaru shot to his feet, his expression instantly contorting.
While confident in his own abilities, he absolutely could not afford to lose too much combat strength before his 'Grand Plan' commenced.
From his understanding, the Akatsuki had no fewer than five S-Rank Missing-nin.
Itachi, Sasori, Deidara, Kisame... powerful Missing-nin from various villages were all part of this organization.
Not to mention legendary existences like the Immortal Duo.
"Don't panic. Since Danzo-sama sent me with this information, he naturally has a countermeasure." Naruto waved his hand dismissively, appearing utterly composed.
"This is intelligence on the Akatsuki's members, obtained at great cost by the Root and Anbu. Orochimaru, with your abilities, you should know what to do." A thick scroll flew from Naruto's hand, landing squarely in Orochimaru's palm.
"Intelligence? What is Danzo's true purpose in giving me this?" Orochimaru opened the scroll and skimmed through it briefly.
He was shocked.
The intelligence recorded was exhaustive, almost completely exposing the Akatsuki.
It wasn't just him, Orochimaru.
Any Elite Jonin, upon obtaining this intelligence, could at the very least escape from Pain.
"The Akatsuki disrupts the order of the great nations and recklessly accepts Missing-nin. They have long violated Konoha's taboos."
"Coupled with the recent defection of the Kyubi, Sandaime's reputation is damaged, and his position is precarious. If Danzo-sama can take this opportunity to dismantle Akatsuki..." Orochimaru's eyes lit up as he followed Naruto's reasoning.
"He can replace Sandaime and ascend to the Hokage's seat!"
"Precisely." A sinister smile spread across Naruto's lips.
"All of this... is Danzo-sama's grand scheme."
"Once this is accomplished, you obtain the Akatsuki leader's Kekkei Genkai, and Danzo-sama secures the Hokage's position. It's a win-win situation. What reason is there to refuse?"