"How do I feel about it? I'll just sit back and watch."
Natsuhane responded nonchalantly and continued inspecting the scroll in his hand.
"...?" Orochimaru was momentarily stunned by Natsuhane's indifferent reaction.
"You're not planning to do anything? Aren't you worried that their plans might affect the Uchiha population blueprint you've painstakingly crafted?"
Natsuhane rolled up the scroll, looked up, and smiled.
"Not worried. In fact, I'm not only not stopping them, but I'm also helping them. Let me tell you, I helped them capture three Jinchuriki. Don't go spreading that around; I'm only telling you."
"You helped them capture Jinchuriki?!" Orochimaru was utterly shocked. He couldn't comprehend Natsuhane's actions.
Having been part of the Akatsuki, Orochimaru understood their purpose—to conquer the world.
He also knew of Natsuhane's close ties with Uchiha Itachi. Natsuhane should be well aware of the Akatsuki's true motives.
"What? Do you want to join them too?" Natsuhane asked.
"No..." Orochimaru shook his head. "I'm not interested in a windmill I didn't set into motion, nor do I want to be involved..."
"But you... why are you helping them?"
Orochimaru was genuinely curious and eagerly awaited Natsuhane's explanation.
"Relax. I have my own plans. Besides, it's not that easy for them to conquer the world. Trust me, I know what I'm doing."
Looking at Natsuhane's confident expression, Orochimaru sneered.
"I don't know where you get your confidence from. Don't forget, the Akatsuki has someone with the Rinnegan..."
"Hahaha..." Natsuhane laughed loudly, raising his hand to point at his own eyes. "My Sharingan isn't too shabby either, is it?"
"..."
Natsuhane's words left Orochimaru speechless.
After a long pause, she spoke in a low voice, "In any case, be careful. Those people aren't easy to deal with. Don't get too overconfident."
"Oh?" Natsuhane tilted his head in surprise. "Are you... worried about me?"
"Hmph! Don't flatter yourself..."
Orochimaru's face turned slightly red as she replied irritably. Then, she transformed into a gust of wind and disappeared.
A Few Days Later
At the Akatsuki's base, in front of the Gedo Statue, the grueling process of extracting a Tailed Beast finally came to an end as the lifeless body of Killer Bee collapsed to the ground.
"Phew..."
Hidan stretched and rubbed his stiff shoulders, complaining, "Finally done with this miserable job. Next, I'm off to kill people and spread the faith. Don't stop me!"
Kakuzu shot him a sharp look. "Didn't you hear the organization's orders? We've got more important tasks ahead."
Hidan groaned, "What?! Not even a break? This organization squeezes us dry!"
Black Zetsu chuckled darkly. "Tsk, tsk... Hidan, once the grand plan is complete, you can shape this world however you want. No need to spread your faith anymore."
Sasori snorted. "Hmph, I still doubt all of this."
Deidara grinned. "Who cares, Sasori-senpai? Don't you think a world like that would be fun? Hmm!"
Sasori replied coldly, "You're too naive, Deidara."
Kisame chuckled. "Doubt it or not, we'll find out once it's done. Sasori, we're not losing anything by doing this. And what if it works? I, for one, look forward to it..."
With that, Kisame turned to Itachi.
"What about you, Itachi-san?"
Itachi said nothing, merely closing his eyes slightly.
Deidara rolled his eyes at him. "Hmph! Always playing the silent, mysterious type!"
...
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