Kisame snorted coldly: "But we can't just sit here and do nothing, can we?"
Itachi said: "Wait! Wait until the Kyuubi Jinchuriki comes out, then we'll look for an opportunity to move!"
Kisame felt somewhat dissatisfied, but he also knew that Konoha was currently full of danger. Even if the two of them worked together, entering there might mean never returning.
Trying to seize the Kyuubi Jinchuriki from the hands of the First, Second, and Third Hokage was nothing but a pipe dream. It seemed Itachi's method was the best. They could only wait.
Suddenly, a strange rustling sound came from outside the cave. Both turned simultaneously.
From who knows when, the cave entrance had become filled with snakes. The snakes crawled on the stone walls while flicking their tongues; their numbers were vast and densely packed—quite a terrifying sight.
"Where did all these reptiles come from!" Kisame furrowed his brow.
Itachi stared toward the cave entrance and said flatly: "A guest has arrived."
"Guest?" Kisame was startled. He immediately grabbed Samehada beside him and strode out of the cave.
His sharp shark-like teeth clicked together, showing a fierce expression: "Let me see which guest has come to visit?"
Itachi and the black-robed figure also stood and walked out of the cave.
Outside the cave, the number of gathered snakes was far greater—there was almost no place to step.
From within the dense forest came an even louder sound. Trees toppled with thunderous crashes, and an enormous winding figure appeared before them. It was a giant snake over several dozen meters long, and atop the snake's head stood three people.
They were Orochimaru, Sasuke, and Garou, now looking down at Itachi's group.
"Long time no see... Itachi!" The corners of Orochimaru's mouth lifted into a smile.
Sasuke's expression appeared complicated. Before learning the truth about Itachi, his heart was filled only with hatred. But after learning everything, his heart filled with pain for his brother. Seeing his brother now, he choked up and couldn't speak.
"Manda? Orochimaru!" Itachi was momentarily stunned, immediately recognizing the man's iconic summoning beast.
Although Orochimaru had taken over the Human-Immortal body and his appearance had changed quite a bit, he was still easily identifiable through this.
A moment later, Itachi saw Sasuke. His expression froze.
He hadn't expected to meet his little brother in such a situation at all. Seeing Orochimaru beside him, Itachi's gaze turned cold and filled with anger: "Orochimaru, did you come here to die?"
Although both were Akatsuki organization members, they didn't interact much and weren't on the same team. After learning his brother was taken away by Orochimaru, he'd always wanted to find him but was delayed for various reasons. He'd long harbored murderous intent toward Orochimaru.
Orochimaru glanced at Sasuke beside him and laughed wickedly: "Itachi, I brought your little brother here, why are you still looking at me as if you want to kill me? How excessive!"
"...Brother!" Sasuke leaped down from Manda's head, landing directly in front of Itachi. He stared at his brother in silence for quite some time before finally uttering that word.
Itachi's body trembled violently as he stared at Sasuke in disbelief.
At this moment, Sasuke's eyes held no hatred but rather a glimmer of tears. He just stood there silently without making any movement.
"I already know everything..." Sasuke pointed toward his own eyes.
He had obtained the Gold List reward, and his Sharingan had evolved to an extraordinary level. In terms of talent, he had completely surpassed his brother whom he once thought unreachable, even surpassing the more genius Shisui. Given time, it wasn't impossible for him to become the number one fighter in the Uchiha clan.
Itachi stood frozen in place, his heart surging violently with mixed emotions. The secret he'd hidden for years flashed quickly through his mind like film clips. The suffering in his heart—no one understood; he bore it all alone. Even Shisui had died before the clan massacre occurred.
Originally, he thought his brother would never know the truth until he died, and everything he did was aimed at making his brother hate him, transforming that hatred into strength. But now, it seemed that was no longer necessary. His brother had already entered the Hidden Expert List, and his ranking was even higher than his own; his future was limitless.
"Sasuke..." Itachi's voice sounded hoarse.
"Alright, alright. You brothers have just reunited—there's plenty of time to chat later."
Orochimaru and Garou also jumped down from the snake's head, and Manda disappeared in a puff of white smoke.
Kisame gripped Samehada warily and said coldly: "Orochimaru, what are you doing here? Is your mission complete?"
Orochimaru glanced at him and smiled: "Kisame, you used to be one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—why are you so afraid of me? What mission? I've already left Akatsuki."
"Left?" Itachi turned, and Kisame was also very shocked.
Neither of them had received this news and didn't expect Orochimaru would dare to leave the Akatsuki organization.
"Then what did you come for?" Kisame became even more wary.
He was somewhat frightened of monsters like Orochimaru who had endless tricks.
Orochimaru said: "There's one matter that requires your help." As he said this, he turned toward Itachi: "Don't rush to refuse—this concerns the Uchiha clan. I just want to do a good deed, and this is also fulfilling a promise—a promise to this boy. I don't think you'll refuse."
"The Uchiha clan?"
The black-robed figure behind Itachi suddenly trembled and also turned.
Orochimaru noticed his presence and laughed: "Uchiha Shisui, that's you, isn't it? That Gold List is truly a terrifying existence—even you could be resurrected. Could you let me research that coffin of yours?"
"Uchiha Shisui?" Kisame was stunned and immediately turned toward the black-robed figure with an expression of disbelief.
Until now, he hadn't known the true identity of his new companion. He thought it was reinforcement sent by Akatsuki. He did find it strange; they usually moved in pairs, but several days ago Itachi suddenly brought one more person who always concealed their identity.
Though curious, Itachi wouldn't talk. Unexpectedly, that person was the legendary genius of the Uchiha clan.
Seeing his identity exposed, the black-robed figure fell silent for a moment before removing his hood. He revealed a young face with a pair of red Sharingan that stared sharply at Orochimaru: "How did you know it was me?"
Orochimaru shrugged and laughed wickedly: "Was that hard to guess? Itachi isn't the friendly type; even I feel uncomfortable being near him. Isn't it strange if there's suddenly a new person beside him?"