Land of Rice, Orochimaru's Hideout,
Tsunade and Jiraiya stared at Orochimaru with skeptical expressions. "Orochimaru," Jiraiya began, "You're not really going to become that... disgusting thing... in the future, are you?"
"The person shown in that image is not me," Orochimaru replied smoothly, a flicker of amusement in his snake-like eyes.
"And how can you be so sure?" Tsunade pressed, crossing her arms.
Orochimaru smirked, his pride evident. "If it were me, I would know it. I would feel it."
Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged glances. They had to admit, they were somewhat convinced. Knowing Orochimaru, his inherent pride as one of the Legendary Sannin likely wouldn't allow him to shroud himself completely in robes, hiding his true form like that.
Nearby, however, Yakushi Kabuto flinched almost imperceptibly. A chilling premonition washed over him – he had a vague, unsettling feeling that the mysterious 'white snake man' was, in fact, him. He couldn't fathom why he would end up like that, let alone become a master of the Edo Tensei (Impure World Reincarnation).
"Kabuto," Orochimaru's voice cut through his thoughts. "Go to Laboratory Two. Fetch me the black scroll from the fifth cabinet drawer."
"Y-Yes, Lord Orochimaru!" Kabuto bowed quickly and hurried away.
Orochimaru watched him go, a faint, calculating smile playing on his lips. He already had a strong suspicion about the white snake man's identity. But he wouldn't reveal it to the rest of the shinobi world just yet. No, he wanted to see how this interesting future would unfold.
Laboratory Two,
Kabuto's heart hammered against his ribs. This lab housed Orochimaru's collection of forbidden and rare ninjutsu; entry was strictly forbidden under normal circumstances. For Lord Orochimaru to specifically send him here... Has his master discovered something? Was this a test?
He shook his head, trying to clear his anxious thoughts, and quickly located the fifth cabinet. Upon opening the designated drawer, his eyes widened in shock. Inside lay not one, but three scrolls.
One was the black scroll Lord Orochimaru had requested. The other two were labeled: White Snake Sage Art and Edo Tensei.
Seeing them laid out before him, Kabuto's legs gave way. He slumped to the floor, paralyzed by a mixture of fear and confusion. What is Lord Orochimaru trying to tell me? What is he suggesting?
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Hideout Training Grounds,
Sasuke Uchiha stood frozen, his Sword of Kusanagi slipping from his grasp and clattering onto the dusty ground. His entire world seemed to tilt.
"Itachi... is dead?"
"So... does that mean I succeed? I finally get my revenge?"
"Or... was he killed by someone else?!"
"Damn it! His life belongs to ME! Only I have the right to take it!"
Countless variations of the same burning question echoed in his mind, swirling around the image of his brother. He couldn't focus, couldn't concentrate on his training.
But the paralysis lasted only moments. With renewed, almost frantic determination, Sasuke snatched up the Sword of Kusanagi. He launched back into his ninjutsu and taijutsu practice with an even greater, more frenzied intensity than before.
He had to get stronger. Faster.
He had to kill Uchiha Itachi himself, and he had to do it soon.
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Meanwhile...
The revelation of the potential future Edo Tensei users – these 'Reanimated Akatsuki' – sent shockwaves through the shinobi world.
The Five Great Shinobi Villages immediately convened an emergency summit via secure communication lines.
Fourth Raikage (A): "That white snake bastard... I bet he's the one who controlled my father during that previous incident! I swear, I'll tear him limb from limb!"
Third Tsuchikage (Onoki): "Hmph. So even Deidara falls... Unexpected. Still, the brat becoming a reanimated threat to the world... It cannot be tolerated."
Fifth Mizukage (Terumi Mei): "We were fortunate that the Second Mizukage retained his senses and chose not to harm the Allied Forces excessively. We cannot expect such... gentleness... from other reanimated Akatsuki members. They will be our enemies, pure and simple."
Sixth Hokage (Kakashi Hatake): "While the circumstances of Nagato's death remain unknown to us, it's undeniable that his power in a reanimated state, free from a failing body, would likely surpass his living capabilities. We must exercise extreme caution."
Fifth Kazekage (Gaara): "The battles ahead will be arduous. The images we've seen shouldn't instill fear, but rather steel our resolve. We know what we might face, and we must gather our courage to confront it head-on."
Gaara's words resonated with the other Kage. It was true. The previously reanimated Kage, despite their immense power, largely retained their honor and spirit, showing restraint or even aiding the younger generation, as the Second Mizukage had.
But the next wave of Edo Tensei puppets... who knew how many powerful, deceased shinobi would be brought back? Their objective was clear.
Protect the resting places of the powerful. Prevent their bodies from falling into enemy hands.
At that moment, the highest priority orders were issued across the Five Great Nations:"All recoverable bodies of significantly powerful shinobi are to be located and disposed of immediately, preferably by cremation! Secure all known Kage tombs and burial sites under maximum security! We cannot give grave robbers any opportunities!""Conduct thorough searches for the remains of powerful shinobi lost in the field. If found, dispose of them securely at once!"
A grim, unprecedented operation swept the Ninja World: a large-scale mission of tomb protection, grave excavation, and corpse disposal. The sheer scale and urgency were unlike anything seen before.
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Akatsuki Hideout,
While the villages scrambled, the atmosphere within the Akatsuki's current base was thick with tension and disbelief.
Deidara: "Everyone's out there protecting graves, yeah, and I don't even know how I'm supposed to die! If I knew how, I could prepare! Art is eternal, hn!"
Sasori: "Hmph. I find it hard to believe my puppet mastery would fail me in such a way."
Kakuzu: "Perhaps these images are merely illusions or fabrications designed to sow discord."
Hidan: "Look at you three, trembling like cowards! Pathetic! Why not embrace Lord Jashin? He grants immortality! I'll protect you from death... by sacrificing you!"
Pain (Deva Path): "Enough, Hidan. Some of what these images have shown holds truth."
Behind Pain, Nagato stared intently at the viewing medium, his Rinnegan focused. He needed to see it – the battle where he supposedly falls to Naruto Uzumaki. How?
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[The Image Continues]
[On screen, Deidara and his partner Tobi are seen standing together. Their opponent is revealed – Uchiha Sasuke.]
Deidara practically exploded. "WHAT?! You're telling me I die fighting Uchiha Sasuke?! Impossible, yeah! How could that little Uchiha brat possibly kill ME?!"
Sasori, ever the pragmatist, commented dryly from the side, "If he's the one who kills you, Deidara, then I might actually start believing these images. Remember how easily Itachi's Sharingan controlled you before?"
"Don't you underestimate me too, Master Sasori, hm!" Deidara retorted angrily. "I've developed countermeasures for genjutsu! The Sharingan is useless against my art now!"
Itachi remained silent nearby, his expression unreadable. However, there was no hint of worry for his younger brother; rather, a quiet confidence seemed to emanate from him, suggesting he fully believed Sasuke could defeat Deidara.
Deidara glared furiously at the image, refusing to accept that he, a master artist of explosions, could be taken down by a fledgling Uchiha.
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[In the video, the moment the confrontation begins, Deidara launches a C1 Dragon-shaped clay bomb towards Sasuke.]
[Unexpectedly, Sasuke summons a massive white snake which easily intercepts and tanks the explosion.]
[Tobi : "Whoa! Nice one, Senpai! Really showing him who's boss!" (His tone dripping with sarcasm).
Deidara : "Shut up, Tobi!"
Tobi : "But seriously, he's pretty good, this kid!"
Deidara : "To think a brat like him supposedly killed Orochimaru... I still find that hard to believe, hnn." Deidara grumbled, clearly irritated.]
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Land of Rice - Orochimaru's Hideout,
Jiraiya and Tsunade glanced at each other, then back at Orochimaru.
"Wait," Jiraiya said slowly, "Did he just say you were killed by Sasuke?"
Orochimaru merely gave a non-committal hiss. "I cannot truly die. If I could, how would I assist Sasuke in summoning the previous Hokage later on?"
Jiraiya frowned. "What if you were killed after the summoning?"
In a flash, Orochimaru expelled the Sword of Kusanagi from his mouth, the tip hovering less than a centimeter from Jiraiya's throat. A cold threat laced his voice, "Say one more word, Jiraiya, and I will end you right now."
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[The Image Continues]
[Deidara scatters smaller clay bombs towards Sasuke, preparing for what he deems an artistic masterpiece of destruction.]
[However, Sasuke counters instantly, piercing the airborne bombs with lightning-fast projectiles infused with Lightning Release – likely Chidori Senbon. He uses the openings to press his attack.]
[Forced onto the defensive, Deidara spits out another small clay bomb at close range to block Sasuke's swift advance.]
[BOOM! A large explosion erupts, engulfing both Sasuke and Deidara in thick smoke, obscuring them from view.]
[Tobi dramatically throws himself onto the ground, wailing]
[Tobi : "SENPAIIII~! Waaah! He could be strict, but he was a good Senpai! A great artist! I'll never forget Deidara-senpai! Sob sob!"]
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Akatsuki Hideout,
Hidan burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. "Ahaha! That's rich! So Deidara blows himself up! What an idiot!"
Sasori frowned slightly. "Deidara shouldn't be that careless..."
Kisame chuckled dryly. "Well, hearing Tobi carry on like that, it certainly sounds like Deidara managed to get caught in his own blast."
Deidara: "..." (Seething silently, fists clenched).
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[Suddenly, emerging from the dissipating smoke completely unharmed – adhering perfectly to the unwritten shinobi law of surviving point-blank explosions – Deidara reappears before Tobi.]
[Deidara : "You're so damn noisy, Tobi!"
Tobi : "Huh? Senpai? You're not dead?" He said , genuinely, comically surprised. ]
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Akatsuki Hideout,
Deidara whirled around, fuming. "Leader! You need to do something about Tobi, yeah! He's always cursing me, hoping I'll die!"
Obito, hidden beneath the Tobi mask and persona, thought privately, 'This must be White Zetsu controlling the body. His antics are certainly... convincing.'
...
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