"Kirito, I'll leave this to you and Pakura. After the Konoha Crush Plan, both Sunagakure and Konoha will be weakened, which benefits our organization's future plans. During the Chunin Exams, focus on gathering intelligence on Konoha's Jinchuriki," Pain finally instructed.
"Only intelligence gathering?" Kirito questioned.
"Yes, it's not yet time to capture the Tailed Beasts," Pain replied before ending the Astral Projection technique.
The other Akatsuki members began to exit as well.
"Brother Kirito, I'm really jealous of you. Destroying Konoha is such an art form! Tell me more about that mutual destruction ninjutsu sometime. Art is fleeting beauty, and mutual destruction—now that's art!" Deidara exclaimed before vanishing.
In the end, only Kirito and Itachi remained in the vast room, surrounded by dimly lit lanterns.
"Kirito, what exactly is your aim?" Itachi asked, breaking the silence.
Kirito responded, "I've made it clear—I'm here to support Orochimaru with Pakura. Beyond that, I'll only observe as the Third Hokage is taken down by his beloved student. What else would you expect me to do?"
Itachi stared at him in silence before disappearing, choosing not to press further.
Opening his eyes, Kirito turned to Pakura. "The leader approved our cooperation with Orochimaru."
"Thank you, Master Kirito," Pakura replied, her composure breaking into visible excitement.
Kirito smiled, rising from his seat. "I'm going out for a bit. Seems we have an unexpected visitor."
They had been staying in a manor provided by Orochimaru, as Kirito preferred to avoid cramped, secretive spaces. Late at night, he sensed someone approaching—the loyal Kimimaro. No doubt, Kimimaro intended to remove the perceived threat to his beloved Lord Orochimaru.
As Kirito stepped outside, Kimimaro arrived, clearly surprised to see him.
"You knew I'd come?" Kimimaro asked, regaining his composure, confident in the power of his Shikotsumyaku.
"More or less. Though you and Haku have different personalities, you're quite similar," Kirito replied.
"Haku?" Kimimaro echoed, confused.
"A child from the Hidden Mist Village who once followed a man carrying a beheading sword," Kirito clarified.
Recognition dawned on Kimimaro, and he murmured, "So, you also know why I'm here?"
"Of course. You're here to eliminate what you see as an obstacle to Orochimaru. But I doubt you'll succeed where even he cannot," Kirito responded, shrugging.
"Let's see about that," Kimimaro replied, determination hardening his gaze. Removing his shirt, he readied his bones for a long-range attack, intent on testing his opponent.
But before he could fire his Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets, a massive tree erupted from the ground, entwining him in an instant. Only his head remained visible.
"What is this?" Kimimaro realized with a start that Kirito had vanished, leaving only cherry blossom petals drifting in the air.
"It's an illusion. If you can break free, I'll give you a fair fight. For the record, even your beloved Orochimaru can't break it," Kirito's voice echoed from all directions.
Kimimaro took a breath, regaining his calm. "So, you truly are the God of Illusions, able to trap people in illusions without them noticing. But illusions are still just illusions. Whether this tree is real or not, I'll break through it."
A confident smile returned to Kimimaro's face as the cursed seal spread across his skin, transforming him into a monstrous form with spiked bones and a massive tail. With brute strength, he shattered the tree trapping him. But in an instant, another tree grew to restrain him again.
Over and over, Kimimaro broke free, only to be captured once more, eventually exhausting himself.
On a nearby rooftop, Orochimaru and Kabuto watched quietly.
"Lord Orochimaru, are you truly going to let Kimimaro continue this? His opponent is Kirito. If he's not careful, he might lose his life," Kabuto remarked, not particularly inclined to interfere.
Orochimaru remained composed, though his brow creased slightly.
"Don't worry, I wouldn't harm my favorite disciple," Kirito's voice sounded unexpectedly close. Without warning, he appeared behind them, resting his hands on their shoulders.
"Kirito," Kabuto gasped, jumping back and putting distance between them. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he instinctively braced himself.
Orochimaru, though equally surprised, maintained his calm. Folding his arms, he spoke with feigned ease. "Kirito-kun, still as elusive as ever. What did you do to Kimimaro?"
"Nothing much. Kimimaro felt I was hindering you, so he challenged me. I merely placed him in an illusion and offered him a fair fight if he could break it. He's trying his best," Kirito replied nonchalantly.
Orochimaru sighed, reluctantly setting aside his pride. "I apologize on behalf of Kimimaro's recklessness. Kirito-kun, would you be so kind as to release him from your illusion?"
Orochimaru understood the strength of Kirito's illusions, which could only be broken by those with greater mental energy, the power to resist illusions, or abilities to avoid them altogether.
Satisfied with the response, Kirito smiled and released the illusion. Instantly, the cherry blossoms dispersed, leaving the area silent once more.
"Kimimaro is safe now," Kirito remarked.
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