Taking out a sealing scroll, Uchiha Fugaku prepared to store the body of the man with the hideous scar on his face.
However, his eyes landed on the ring adorning the man's finger, and he paused.
Every official member of the Akatsuki organization possesses a unique ring that signifies their membership. These rings are more than symbols—they serve various functions, including long-distance communication.
"If I seal the body with the ring intact, Akatsuki might track it," Fugaku muttered to himself.
He carefully removed the ring, inspecting the engraved character on it: "北" ("North").
"Kakuzu's replacement," he mused, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "It seems Akatsuki recruited this one to fill Kakuzu's spot. And just like his predecessor, he died by my hand."
Fugaku chuckled softly. It was an amusing coincidence that two successive bearers of the "North" ring had fallen to him.
However, he quickly dismissed the thought. The man with the scar, though powerful, was no match for Kakuzu's strength. It was no surprise Akatsuki had failed to find a comparable replacement.
With precise movements, Fugaku sealed the body of the scarred man into the scroll. He then turned his attention to the weathered middle-aged man, still trapped in the ice prison.
The middle-aged man's body was pierced with ice thorns, making for a gruesome sight.
"No special bloodline or unique abilities," Fugaku muttered after a brief inspection. "This one is of no use to me."
He decided there was no reason to keep the body. However, leaving it behind could expose his involvement if someone stumbled upon it.
Tossing the "North" ring onto the corpse, Fugaku retreated a safe distance. Forming a sequence of seals, he exhaled a torrent of flames.
"Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!"
The area erupted into an inferno, with the man's body consumed by the searing flames. The intense heat reduced the corpse and surrounding ice to ash, leaving behind a charred expanse of scorched earth.
Satisfied that no traces remained, Fugaku turned and swiftly moved to rejoin Uchiha Asami and the others.
Half an hour later, a pale figure emerged from the ground at the charred site.
It was a White Zetsu clone.
The clone scanned the area, its gaze falling on the deformed and burnt remains of the rings.
"The mission failed, and they lost their lives," the clone muttered, a flicker of surprise crossing its face.
Both Akatsuki members, elite jonin with formidable abilities, had been killed. The scarred man, in particular, possessed the powerful Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, making his defeat all the more shocking.
"It seems we underestimated Uchiha Fugaku," the clone said, frowning. "His strength must be far beyond our initial assessment—perhaps even Kage-level."
The clone picked up the two rings, noting the damage.
"Another loss for Akatsuki. Repairing these will cost a fortune," it sighed before sinking back into the earth and disappearing.
In the Land of Rivers, beside a tranquil forest lake, Orochimaru stood, his serpentine gaze fixed on the figure before him.
The figure wore Akatsuki's signature black cloak adorned with red clouds. His orange hair stood out, and black chakra receivers pierced his body.
But what truly captivated Orochimaru were the man's eyes.
The Rinnegan.
"The Rinnegan..." Orochimaru whispered, his golden eyes gleaming with unrestrained greed.
These eyes, once rumored to belong to the Sage of Six Paths, were the stuff of legend. They held unparalleled power, and seeing them in person made Orochimaru's heart race.
"I must have them," he hissed, his voice trembling with excitement.
Without hesitation, he struck.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Dozens of venomous snakes erupted from Orochimaru's hand, lunging at the figure with deadly precision.
Nagato's Deva Path clone, standing by the lake, remained unmoved. His face was devoid of emotion, even as the snakes closed in.
When the snakes were mere inches away, a sudden, overwhelming repulsive force exploded from his body.
"Shinra Tensei."
Boom!
The snakes were obliterated mid-air, their remains scattering in all directions. The force struck Orochimaru, sending him hurtling backward.
He landed hard, his body sprawled across the ground. Despite the impact, his lips curled into a smile.
"Impressive," Orochimaru muttered, his eyes burning with desire. "The legends were true. The Rinnegan's power is extraordinary."
He stood, unshaken.
"Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!"
Opening his mouth wide, Orochimaru summoned a seemingly endless torrent of snakes. They poured forth, writhing and hissing as they surged toward Nagato.
The river of serpents surrounded the Rinnegan user, closing in on all sides.
But Nagato's Deva Path clone remained calm. He raised one hand, his voice cold and commanding.
"Shinra Tensei."
This time, the repulsive force was far stronger, radiating out like a devastating shockwave.
Boom!
The river of snakes exploded into a crimson rain, their remains scattering like debris in a hurricane.
The forest around them was devastated. Trees were uprooted, the ground carved into a deep, barren trench that stretched for hundreds of meters.
Orochimaru's body, despite its unnatural resilience, was caught in the blast. When the dust settled, only a fragmented shell of his form remained.
(End of this chapter)
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