At this time, Shinno asked Shinichi, "She is?"
Shinichi obviously knew that he must introduce Tsukihi to the other members of Akatsuki, otherwise it would be impossible to bring her to the ritual site.
Shinichi said, "She is a subordinate and informant of mine, who has been staying in Konohagakure as my spy to pass on the critical information that I need."
Shinno nodded as he looked at the supposed spy, Uchiha Tsukihi. Shinichi's explanation wasn't strange, and Shinno did not doubt those words, for Akatsuki to function properly there is an obvious need for spies infiltrated in the major shinobi villages, moreover, even after defection, Shinichi has shown that he is deeply informed of the events taking place in Konohagakure and Land of Fire. This can only be achieved when he has some spies responding to him.
But Shinno was really surprised by the appearance of 'Uchiha Tsukihi.' Although Shinno has seen many beauties throughout his life as a Shinobi, the Kunoichi standing behind Shinichi seem to have a very eye-catching appearance, as such even Shinno can't help but take extra glances at her.
Not caring about Shinno's looks, Shinichi glanced at the Kunoichi standing behind Shinno and asked, "And who is she? Why have I never seen her before?"
Shinno turned his gaze towards Shinichi and said with a smile, "Oh, she? She is my newly recruited assistant, to help me in the experiments and tests."
As soon as he heard Shinno mention the 'tests' and 'experiments,' Shinichi can't help but frown.
A few months ago, Shinichi happened to have observed one of Shinno and Hiruko's experiments, out of curiosity he decided to see just what they were doing, it was at the time when Hiruko's Chimera Technique was far from being perfect, and the bloody experiments were still ongoing. After he watched one of the experiments, even Shinichi who has been long accustomed to seeing life and death was grossed out and disgusted.
Therefore, when Shinno mentioned 'experiments' and 'tests,' Shinichi felt his stomach-churning, he was feeling sick of remembering that sight.
Controlling himself to get rid of nausea, Shinichi looked at Tsukihi and nodded.
Both Shinichi and Shinno don't have any deep friendship so after just a casual greeting, Shinichi did not say anything more, walked forward, directly bypassed Shinno and his 'assistant', and moved towards the inner parts of the temporary secret base.
Tsukihi followed Shinichi, and as she went past Shinno's 'assistant' the other party smiled towards her and asked politely, "What is your name?"
Tsukihi was surprised, stopped for a moment to take a close look at the other party, and politely said, "I am Uchiha Tsukihi, how about you lady?"
The woman licked her lips and said with a soft giggle, "Uchiha-san can call me Oto Yumie."
Tsukihi nodded and then walked past Yumie, following Shinichi.
After both Shinichi and Tsukihi were far away from Shinno and Yumie, Shinichi whispered, "That person Shinno is Hiruko's partner, so I think he is at least worthy of attention if you are looking for Hiruko's ritual."
Tsukihi nodded and asked, "Have you never seen that woman named 'Oto Yumie'?"
Shinichi nodded, "Yes, this is the first time I have seen her." – After a pause, Shinichi asked, "To be honest I don't really care about who Shinno brings as his assistant and whatnot, the only reason I even asked who she was because I felt strong malice and greed directed towards me, and she was also looking at us strangely, so I just wanted to confirm if I have ever known her or did something to offend her, but I couldn't remember her, it would be best to stay vigilant against her."
Tsukihi nodded, as she understands that Uchiha Shinichi also has an extraordinary level of perception, so she attached great importance to Shinichi's judgment, but as she took a few steps she halted momentarily as she suddenly realized something.
It's because she suddenly realized why she felt that the woman with the name 'Oto Yumie' seemed inexplicably familiar to her, after all, that woman is none other than Orochimaru!
And it seems that Orochimaru has replaced his body using the 'Kinjutsu: Living Corpse Reincarnation.'
In the original story, this appearance of Orochimaru was only briefly shown during the Konoha Crush Arc, when Orochimaru fought against Sandaime during the Chunin Exams finals, so Kuroto couldn't recognize this appearance of Orochimaru instantly.
'No wonder she was looking at Shinichi with greed and malice, it appears that Orochimaru/Yumie is still after Shinichi's Mangekyou Sharingan!
And now that I think about it, as soon as I introduced myself as 'Uchiha Tsukihi' Yumie licked her lips, it appears that now I am also Orochimaru's target, doesn't matter I guess.'
It really didn't matter.
But what surprised Tsukihi was the fact that Orochimaru actually came here, it's not hard for one to guess that the only reason Orochimaru is here the same as Kuroto, to observe Hiruko's Kekkei Genkai Absorption Ritual.
Orochimaru may disdain Hiruko, he still maintains a degree of attention and interest towards Hiruko's Chimera Technique.
As for how Orochimaru got Shinno's help? Is there even a reason to ask this?
Orochimaru and Shinno have colluded with each other more than a few times even before either of them joined Akatsuki, so it isn't surprising that Shinno was willing to help Orochimaru sneak here.
After realizing that 'Oto Yumie' is none other than Orochimaru, Tsukihi decided to not think about her for now, and instead observed the so-called temporary base of Akatsuki.
After walking for a few minutes, Tsukihi who silently followed Shinichi arrived near the rest area and met Shinichi's partner Biwa Juzo.
Even Biwa Juzo wasn't much surprised when he learned the identity of the Kunoichi following Shinichi, because all the official members have some subordinates that they use for their information network.
Besides, Juzo doesn't care about what Shinichi does so long as Shinichi does not betray Akatsuki.
Time passed day-by-day, and soon it was the day when Hiruko will be holding his ritual ceremony.
These past few days, Tsukihi spent in the Amegakure, and she was obviously not worried about her absence being noticed in Konoha, this is because Shisui was constantly maintaining a Shadow Clone that acted up to cover up his absence.
…
Day of the Ritual.
The location chosen by Hiruko for the ritual was not in Amegakure or the Land of Rain where the base camp of Akatsuki Organization is located but on a high mountain in a neighboring country, the Land of Earth.
Following Shinichi and Biwa Juzo, Tsukihi also came to this mountain.
The other duo of Akatsuki, which included the Sasori-Kakuzu duo, Shinno-Oto Yumie each chose a different route to arrive at the decided location.
As everyone gathered at the mountain in the Land of Earth, Tsukihi swept her gaze across everyone, and thought, 'Except for Pain, Konan, Obito, and Zetsu, all the members of Akatsuki are here, and, even Obito and Zetsu may be nearby, but they are probably not showing up here.'
After thinking so, Tsukihi's gaze turned towards the high platform on top of the mountain.
At this time, on the top of the mountain platform, a five to six dozens of large mirrors were placed, these mirrors were placed at different angles and they seem to be gathering all the light from the sky and reflecting all the light at one point on the center of the platform.
At the very center of the platform, Hiruko sat quietly.
His face seemed to be calm, but everyone can notice that he was trying to suppress the madness and excitement in his heart. This was clearly evident from his trembling hands.
As Tsukihi was taking a view of the ritual site, suddenly the previously clear sky darkened.
Dark Clouds gathered out of thin air, covering the sky, and crepuscular rays of light fell on the ritual platform, along with the light drizzle falling from the sky.
The appearance of the rain clouds was so abrupt that Tsukihi can't help but think of only one possibility that might be a possible cause, 'Is this Rain Tiger at Will Technique!?'
Sure enough, a few minutes after the rain started, a person with orange hair, with so many black piercings across his nose and ears, wearing the traditional Akatsuki Organization Cloak, and an Amegakure forehead protector with a long horizontal scratch descended down to the top of the platform.
'Tendo Pain!'
Following him was a Kunoichi with short straight blue hair tied in a small bun, with a liberated piercing, an origami flower over the bun, wearing the traditional Akatsuki Cloak, and a pair of paper wings behind her back.
'Konan!'
Uchiha Tsukihi stared at the ripple patterns eyes in the eye sockets of Tendo Pain and thought, 'So that's Rinnegan? The strongest of the three great dojutsu.'
While Tsukihi was looking at Pain and Konan, Pain's indifferent gaze swept over all the shinobi gathered at the platform, stayed on Tsukihi for a moment then turned towards Hiruko who sat at the center of the platform and said, "There is no one other than Akatsuki members present here, you can start any time you are ready."
Hiruko nodded, and immediately looked up at the sky, he was waiting for something, and just as Pain deactivated Rain Tiger at Will Technique, the sky again became clear.
While Hiruko started the final preparation, Tsukihi thought, 'Even Pain and Konan are here? Does Akatsuki attaches so much importance to Hiruko's Kekkei Genkai Absorption Ritual?'
With doubts in her heart, Tsukihi swept her gaze to other places, trying to find Obito and Zetsu's figure, and at this moment her gaze met with Oto Yumie's gaze…
.
.
Read up to Chapter - 521 on P.a.t.e.r.o.n. Page: p-atreon.com/Milta_translations