Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 87: Orochimaru: "I’m Not a Konoha Spy, Do You Believe Me?" (BONUS)

"At this point..."

"Is there really a need to bring up the past?"

Kakuzu frowned, clearly displeased by the Deva Path's words. He knew that Akatsuki's origins could be traced back to Shigen.

However...

That was the first generation of Akatsuki.

If this current Akatsuki still insisted on acting under Shigen's name, it was starting to feel absurd to him.

Look at the kind of people Akatsuki had now!

Kakuzu was including himself in this criticism, but he understood the reality—Akatsuki was a dangerous organization, and he didn't think it had anything to do with Shigen anymore.

"No."

"Akatsuki has never changed."

The Deva Path didn't argue with Kakuzu but instead responded calmly, "We are still carrying out Lord Shigen's will..."

"Don't make me laugh!"

Kakuzu looked up with dissatisfaction, his voice turning cold. "I'll admit that you three once upheld his ideals, but this current Akatsuki? It has nothing to do with him anymore!"

"Kakuzu-senpai."

Nagato quickly stepped forward to try to ease the tension.

Yet his mind truly seemed to be split in two—while he tried to calm Kakuzu, the Deva Path continued playing its role as Akatsuki's leader.

"There are things you haven't noticed."

The Deva Path's tone grew even colder as he stared at Kakuzu and spoke solemnly, "For the sake of true, everlasting peace in the ninja world, Lord Shigen also left behind another path—a path that gave reason for Akatsuki's rebirth..."

"And even before Akatsuki was formed..."

"There was already someone walking that second path."

"Someone who once assisted Lord Shigen in ending the First Great Ninja War..."

"Uchiha Madara?"

Kakuzu recalled the time he had been defeated by Uchiha Madara while encountering Shigen for the first time—it was an unforgettable humiliation.

"Correct."

The Deva Path nodded and continued, "Madara received Lord Shigen's guidance. Before his death, he passed the second path of peace onto Akatsuki, giving us an alternative choice. We have always carried out Lord Shigen's will..."

"In fact..."

As he spoke, his gaze landed on Orochimaru.

"Because a Konoha ninja used a forbidden jutsu to revive Lord Shigen, we were able to contact him once more and earn his true recognition."

"..."

Orochimaru's heart clenched.

Akatsuki had discovered that he had resurrected Shigen?!

Not only that...

They had already made contact with Shigen?!

When?!

How did they find out?!

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Did Shigen really leave behind a second path?

If Akatsuki had been following Shigen's will all along...

Nagato and Konan had already moved closer to Orochimaru, positioning themselves to strike at any moment.

Clearly...

This was all premeditated.

Shigen wasn't just reclaiming Akatsuki—this was also a setup against Orochimaru.

As someone highly attuned to danger, Orochimaru instantly realized he was in trouble. He could feel the surging chakra around him, ready to attack at any second!

He was...

In deep trouble.

"Has someone desecrated his peace again?"

Kakuzu, still not fully grasping the situation, frowned and muttered regretfully, "Where is Lord Shigen now?"

"What do you mean?"

Sasori tilted his head, his voice heavy with skepticism as he uttered a name that had long been spoken with reverence.

"Pain... are you saying... Shigen has been revived?"

"Yes."

"We have finally restored Akatsuki's true leader."

The Deva Path stepped back slightly, making way as he gestured to the side.

"From this moment on, Lord Shigen will officially take command of Akatsuki. All actions will be carried out under his direct orders.

I assume none of you have any objections..."

"..."

As he spoke, a figure slowly stepped forward, his eyes opening—his calm Rinnegan gaze sweeping over the Akatsuki members below the Gedo Statue.

"It's been a long time, Kakuzu."

"Lord Shigen..."

Kakuzu's fists clenched instinctively.

The moment he saw Shigen, tension coursed through him—but just as quickly, he relaxed.

It was Shigen's words, spoken long ago, that had helped him find purpose in his decades of existence.

He had never expected to see him again after so many years.

"Akatsuki's plan..."

Kakuzu voiced his lingering doubts.

"Yes, Akatsuki's plan originated from me."

Shigen nodded, his voice steady. "When I first heard about Akatsuki's actions, I was surprised that people were still following the second path..."

"But now..."

"Everything has proven that the second path is the right one."

"The medical ninja system I created failed to prevent the rise of the Warring States Era. The peace I left behind could not stop the Great Ninja Wars."

"..."

Kakuzu fell silent.

He knew Shigen was telling the truth.

He had witnessed the chaos of the Warring States Era and the three Great Ninja Wars firsthand.

It dawned on him—if the ninja world remained this broken, then perhaps it wasn't so shocking that Shigen had guided Madara and Akatsuki onto a different path.

But...

This was still an earth-shattering revelation.

The world's greatest medical ninja, once a revered figure standing in the light, had now chosen to walk the dark path.

A path...

That the world would never understand.

Even for Kakuzu, it was difficult to accept.

He didn't want to see Shigen become this way.

But at the same time...

It made sense.

And that was precisely why...

He couldn't find the words to object.

Kakuzu lowered his head, hiding the turmoil within him, as he recalled the gentle healer who had once treated his wounds.

"This kind of life... is too painful."

"This shouldn't have been your choice, Lord Shigen..."

"It doesn't matter anymore."

Shigen's voice was eerily calm, as if he had long come to terms with his decision.

"Someone has to do it."

"I've seen the endless battles of the ninja world, and I've met countless restless souls trapped in limbo because of war..."

"In that moment, I made my decision.

During my last resurrection, I learned something from the ninjas of that era..."

"That in the pursuit of eternal peace, one must be willing to use any means necessary.

Even if it means being misunderstood by the world."

"I know..."

"What I'm doing is right."

"..."

Kakuzu remained silent.

He had never known this side of Shigen.

He had only ever seen him as a beacon of light—never as someone who had suffered in the darkness.

Shigen's gaze shifted, falling on another individual.

His voice was composed.

"We meet again, Orochimaru.

I must apologize—I won't be able to use my power to help Konoha destroy Akatsuki after all."

"..."

Orochimaru's nerves were already stretched thin.

That one lie...

Had come back to haunt him like a kunai thrown in a perfect arc!

He had revived Akatsuki's true leader.

And on top of that...

He had personally told this leader that he wanted to destroy Akatsuki!

In an effort to gain Shigen's trust, Orochimaru had assumed he was still the kind-hearted man of legend. He had spun a tale of being a Konoha agent on a mission to infiltrate and dismantle Akatsuki...

But now...

Shigen's ideals had changed!

Listening to his conversation with Kakuzu, Orochimaru realized the truth—Shigen was no longer the idealistic healer of the past.

He had transformed into a ruthless force, willing to do anything for his version of peace.

And now...

He had fully taken control of Akatsuki.

Orochimaru...

Was in serious danger.

Nagato and Konan were slowly closing in, their chakra surging ominously. The tension in the air was suffocating.

Clearly...

Shigen had labeled him a Konoha spy.

And now, Konan and Nagato were ready to eliminate him.

The worst part was...

This base housed three pairs of Rinnegan.

Nagato, the Deva Path, and Shigen—each wielding a pair of those unfathomable eyes.

And Orochimaru...

Had experienced the terrifying power of the Rinnegan firsthand.

If that wasn't bad enough...

The others were reacting just as aggressively.

"Orochimaru is a Konoha spy?"

Sasori sounded incredulous. His fingers twitched, summoning a scroll—ready to unleash his puppets.

"..."

Kakuzu's muscles tensed.

Of all the villages, he had the least favorable opinion of Konoha.

"Was it Danzo who sent you?"

Konan's voice was cold, her hands folding into paper, forming explosive tags hidden within.

"..."

Nagato remained silent but lifted a finger.

"If I said..."

Orochimaru smirked and looked up at Shigen.

"If I told you I was never a Konoha spy, only a rogue ninja...

Would you believe me?"

The moment those words left his mouth...

Orochimaru turned and bolted toward the cave entrance.

Honestly... even he wouldn't believe himself at this point.

After all...

That "spy" story had come straight from his own mouth.

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