Mastermind of the Akatsuki

After using a space-time ninjutsu to send Jiraiya far away, Byakuya turned his gaze to the distance. At this moment, the Kumogakure's jonin in charge of security, along with Naruto and others who were training, had already noticed the commotion and were rushing toward this location.

Byakuya remained calm, forming hand seals and transforming a wood clone to look exactly like Jiraiya, standing beside him.

A few minutes later, Naruto and Killer Bee arrived.

Seeing the signs of battle nearby, the jonin quickly asked, "What just happened here? Was this an attack by Madara Uchiha's subordinates?"

Byakuya nodded and said, "Some uninvited guests showed up, but Jiraiya-nii-san and I drove them off. Unfortunately, we didn't capture any of them, but through them, we confirmed Madara's location."

Hearing this, the jonin frowned. "You didn't catch them? If Madara finds out the location of Turtle Island, that puts us in great danger. We aren't a match for him."

Then, as if recalling something, the jonin explained, "Byakuya-sama, what I mean is that this place is no longer safe. We might need to relocate."

"You're right, we do need to relocate."

Byakuya glanced at Killer Bee and others nearby and asked, "Killer Bee, has the special training for Naruto and Gaara been completed? If so, we'll proceed with the relocation now."

Killer Bee looked at Byakuya and replied, "The training for Naruto and Gaara is going very well. It seems they reconciled even before I and the Ox Demon did."

Listening to Killer Bee's awkward statement, Naruto and Gaara quickly clarified, "We've completed the training with Senior Killer Bee and can now smoothly harness the power of the Tailed Beasts."

At these words, the 'Jiraiya' clone's eyes brightened, and he smiled, "So that means the Allied Shinobi Forces already have three perfect jinchūriki. Our chances of defeating Madara Uchiha have increased considerably."

"Jiraiya nii-san is right. Our odds of victory are indeed very high this time."

Byakuya glanced at the clone and said, "However, the immediate priority is to relocate. Turtle Island is no longer safe. We need to move to a more secure location."

"A more secure location?"

Killer Bee asked curiously, "Could it be Kumogakure or Amegakure? But hasn't White Zetsu already infiltrated those places like a sieve? Are those places really safe?"

Byakuya shook his head and said, "The safest place is obviously beside me, but I have an important matter to attend to, so I need you to stay close to me. Of course, you may choose to remain on Turtle Island. Though Turtle Island has been discovered, the island can be relocated at any time. It's still relatively safe here."

At this moment, Jiraiya spoke up, "Everyone should listen to Byakuya. There's no safer place in the Shinobi World than by his side. The task Byakuya needs to do is also related to the safety of the Shinobi World."

With both Byakuya and Jiraiya speaking, everyone reluctantly agreed to follow their lead.

While packing, Naruto frowned as he looked at the backs of Byakuya and Jiraiya. He felt that Jiraiya seemed a bit strange today.

After learning to use the Nine-Tails mode and greatly enhancing his sensory abilities, Naruto sensed something was off with Jiraiya's chakra.

But he couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

At this moment, the Nine-Tails in Naruto's spirit realm suddenly spoke, "Naruto brat, you need to be careful about this guy called Byakuya. His chakra is very unusual. You absolutely cannot trust him."

Naruto, puzzled, asked, "But Byakuya-sama has saved me several times. He shouldn't have any ill intentions toward me, right?"

The Nine-Tails snorted coldly and said, "Remember what the chakra that once inhabited you taught you? The shinobi world is brutal. Anyone can betray you. Only interests never betray you. Why would Byakuya repeatedly save you? Isn't it because he covets your identity and my power? Also, I sensed my chakra from him."

"Your chakra?" Naruto laughed. "Nine-Tails, are you hallucinating? You're sealed inside me. How could he have your chakra?"

The Nine-Tails' expression turned cold as it thought for a moment and then said, "Naruto brat, you don't really think you have the whole of me inside you, do you? Thirteen years ago that night, the Fourth Hokage split me in half. One half was sealed inside you; the other half's whereabouts remain unknown."

Back then, Kushina was also present, but she fainted and couldn't provide useful information. However, it's certain that everything is closely related to Byakuya.

After all, Kushina was saved by Byakuya.

---

Inside Orochimaru's base, in the arena.

Sasuke, dressed in a snow-white kimono with a shimenawa sash, was battling a group of experimental subjects. These were the failed bloodline experiments, including clones and beasts, with strength ranging from genin to elite jonin.

After confirming they had lost their experimental value, they were sent here for Sasuke's training.

At first, Sasuke resisted a bit, but gradually got used to the fights. The Uchiha clan was naturally adept at killing; Sasuke was just awakening his bloodline power.

Through each life-or-death battle, Sasuke's strength surged.

He mastered the Heavenly Cursed Seal completely and also trained in the Ryūchi Cave to make the Heavenly Cursed Seal's power approach Sage Mode.

With a sword slash, he danced gracefully inside the arena and defeated all the uncontrollable subjects. He then closed his eyes, reflecting on the battle's details.

After absorbing the experience, Sasuke opened his eyes again and noticed a figure before him.

It wasn't Orochimaru but his subordinate Yakushi Kabuto, the second most feared ninja in Orochimaru's base after Orochimaru himself.

Kabuto had been just an average medical-nin at jonin level. But after being brought to the Ryūchi Cave with Sasuke, Kabuto learned the Sage Mode, gaining a qualitative leap in strength.

According to Orochimaru, Kabuto's power could now rival Itachi Uchiha.

If Sasuke could defeat Kabuto, he could then challenge Itachi Uchiha. However, in their limited clashes, Sasuke was completely outmatched by Kabuto, showing he still had a long way to go before defeating Itachi.

At this moment, Kabuto looked at Sasuke and said, "Sasuke, Orochimaru-sama has called for us. Let's go together."

Sasuke asked, "What does he want with us?"

Kabuto shook his head, "I don't know. It might be related to the Shinobi World War. Madara Uchiha and the Masked Man have declared war on the entire shinobi world. A world war is about to break out. No one can stand aside, including us."

"Shinobi World War?"

Sasuke frowned. He had trained with Orochimaru less than a year, and yet the conflicts in the shinobi world had already escalated to a world war?

Suppressing his doubts, Sasuke silently followed Kabuto.

Not long after, the group found Orochimaru inside the laboratory. On the examination table lay a white-haired man riddled with wounds, exuding an aura of death.

Sasuke and Kabuto's first thought was that Orochimaru was conducting human experiments. However, upon recognizing the white-haired man's face, both exclaimed, "Orochimaru-sama, could this be one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya-sama?"

"You've been away for a while. Were you dealing with Jiraiya-sama during that time?"

Orochimaru shook his head lightly and said, "I did not attack Jiraiya. It was Jiraiya who suddenly appeared at the base, badly injured, and was picked up by the Sound ninja."

"Injured all over?"

Sasuke looked at Jiraiya, noticing several severe penetrating wounds clustered on his body. Even someone as strong as Jiraiya would barely survive such injuries.

Kabuto gazed at Jiraiya with some puzzlement and said, "Orochimaru-sama, if I may speak frankly, Jiraiya-sama's wounds seem impossible to survive. Did you save him?"

"I don't have the ability to heal him, but using Edo Tensei (Reanimation Jutsu) is a different matter."

Orochimaru shook his head again, then seemed to recall something, "Though in my memory, there is one person who can do that, but he doesn't properly play the role of the Allied Shinobi Forces' leader. Why did he leave Jiraiya to me? Is he expecting me to deal with Jiraiya? Jiraiya is a comrade of mine for decades. How could I lay a hand on him?"

Kabuto adjusted his glasses and said to Orochimaru, "Since that person brought Jiraiya here, I think he does not intend to kill Jiraiya. Probably, he wants Jiraiya to work with us."

"Work with us?"

Orochimaru fell into thought. He had received no direct orders from Byakuya recently. His contact with Byakuya was only through Shisui in the last few months. Could it be that Byakuya wanted him to find Jiraiya in Konoha?

With this in mind, Orochimaru looked again at Jiraiya. Although he did not understand the exact healing force behind Jiraiya's survival, Jiraiya was about to wake up. For safety reasons, Orochimaru decided to impose some restrictions on him.

Besides, Jiraiya had grown much stronger over the past decade; experimenting on his flesh and blood wasn't unreasonable.

With a plan in mind, Orochimaru began acting. He placed many sealing jutsu on Jiraiya to limit his power.

After preparing everything, Orochimaru looked toward Konoha. This base was only about a hundred kilometers from Konoha, close enough for a ninja to reach within a couple of hours. Perhaps he should go consult with Shisui.

---

In a swaying carriage, Jiraiya awoke from unconsciousness.

He did not immediately open his eyes but first sensed his injuries with chakra and eavesdropped on the surrounding situation.

After sensing around, Jiraiya was slightly stunned.

He thought his injuries were severe, but actually, they were not serious at all. Except for difficulty in chakra control, he barely had any external wounds.

This confused Jiraiya, as he could not understand what had happened.

Recalling the intense battle with Byakuya, Jiraiya felt a chill; he knew Byakuya was strong but did not expect him to be this powerful.

Not only did Byakuya possess Wood Release Bloodline Limit, but he also had the Sharingan. Combined with an almost perfect Sage Mode, Jiraiya suspected Byakuya could stand a chance against even the Five Kage allied forces.

But the thought that Byakuya was cooperating with Madara Uchiha was terrifying. He could never accept such an alliance.

Pulling back his wandering thoughts, Jiraiya began to observe the surroundings.

From the bumps on the carriage and the airflow, he guessed he was riding in a carriage but knew nothing about who was imprisoning him.

Was it Byakuya's subordinates or ninja from other villages?

Just then, Jiraiya felt a venomous snake crawl over him; its slender tongue dripped saliva onto his face. Suddenly, Jiraiya opened his eyes and saw Orochimaru looking at him with a meaningful expression.

Jiraiya's heart jumped, and he said, "Orochimaru, why are you here? Wasn't it you who…"

Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya and snorted coldly, "Jiraiya, that should be my question. Why did you suddenly appear at my base, unconscious? If it weren't for my subordinates recognizing you and telling me, you would already be dead. Besides, who did you encounter? Madara or Byakuya? When I saw you, you were almost dead, covered in wounds caused by spatial distortions."

"Probably some immature space ninjutsu…"

Jiraiya spoke uncertainly but then seemed to realize something. He looked at Sasuke and Kabuto outside the carriage and frowned, "My story is long. But where are you heading? And why are Sasuke and Kabuto here with you?"

Orochimaru smirked and said, "Jiraiya, it seems you don't understand your situation well. The prisoners by your side should be the ones answering questions. But since you asked, I'll tell you. Sasuke and Kabuto came after me for power. I can give them what Konoha cannot."

After a pause, Orochimaru patted Jiraiya's shoulder and continued, "As for our destination, naturally, it's Konoha. I haven't been back in a while."

Jiraiya's face paled and questioned, "Orochimaru, you already killed our master. Are you really going to attack Konoha? Is your hatred for Konoha that great?"

"Who told you I'm attacking Konoha?"

Orochimaru looked odd and said, "I'm also a Konoha shinobi. Why can't I visit my home? I still have many friends there. Aren't you planning to return to Konoha too?"