Naruto: I Became Orochimaru's Apprentice-Chapter 50: The Akatsuki

Teriyaki stood in the center of the Akatsuki's meeting chamber, his body rigid, his senses alert. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily upon him as the infamous rogue shinobi loomed around him, each exuding their own deadly aura. He could feel their gazes dissecting him, scrutinizing every inch of his presence, searching for weakness.

Orochimaru, standing to his side, bore a smug expression, his serpentine grin widening as he basked in the moment.

"I brought him, if you like what you see I can lend him temporarily. And then my favours..."

"Oh I recognize him." Kisame cackled.

"Is it the boy we took away? That was over a year ago." Deidara squinted his eyes. "He looks different now... Longer hair... Taller... A lot more scarred. Orochimaru gave him a good time."

Teriyaki stood there as they all judged him. He was stronger now, yet his power meant nothing since it wasn't even his. It was Orochimaru's.

I can't believe I ended up here... This surely can't be good. Teriyaki returned their gazes with a stern gaze that they seemed to mock.

Hidan cackled wildly, swinging his scythe onto his shoulder. "This brat is supposed to be something special? I can tell he's barely killed anyone."

Kisame grinned, his shark-like teeth flashing in the dim light. "If Orochimaru thinks he's valuable, he must be useful for something. But I don't see it yet. Maybe if we test him out? He didn't do much when we took him away from Konoha a year ago."

White Zetsu chuckled. "He does seem weak."

Black Zetsu, ever the sinister presence, observed in silence before muttering, "Appearances can be deceiving."

"Let me make it known." Orochimaru announced. "This boy is the reason Konoha still stands. If he followed my orders the entire Konoha village would've been destroyed thanks to my plan. But he betrayed me leading to Konoha surviving. He's a gem, so my favours should be absolved..."

"What if we test him, if he fails we can just kill him." Deidara laughed.

Orochimaru snapped. "Teriyaki, they are disrespecting you and therefor me. Show them."

"Oh?" Itachi felt something change within the room.

Teriyaki clenched his fists. He wasn't foolish enough to think he could take them all on—not in a direct fight, not now. But fear wasn't an option. He focused inward, tapping into his Sage Mode. The natural energy around him surged, his pupils dilating into slitted snake-like eyes, his skin taking on a faintly scaled texture as the power of the Snake Sage coursed through him.

The room fell into an eerie silence.

"Hoooh..." Kakuzu's deep voice rumbled with intrigue. "Now this is unexpected."

"A Sage...?" Konan's voice was soft yet sharp, her paper wings shifting slightly. "That's... Rare."

Even Itachi, who had remained silent up until now, narrowed his crimson Sharingan eyes. "This is... impressive."

Orochimaru's smile twitched ever so slightly. The admiration in their voices did not sit well with him. He had expected them to acknowledge Teriyaki's potential, but not to be this enthralled.

"Fascinating..." Sasori mused. "A sage of the snakes. It's rare to see one fully realized. Where's your snake sage mode Orochi?"

"He only got here because of the modifications I gave him." Orochimaru spat out, envy apparent in his eyes.

Teriyaki barely had a moment to process their reactions before a barrage of jutsu came his way. Deidara lobbed a handful of his clay creatures, each one poised to explode. Kisame slashed through the air with Samehada, sending a wave of chakra-infused water crashing toward him. Hidan lunged forward, scythe spinning.

Teriyaki moved instinctively. With a flick of his wrist, a wall of hardened serpent-like stone rose from the ground, blocking the blast from Deidara's explosive clay. As the water from Kisame rushed toward him, he exhaled sharply—"Sage Art: Venomous Mist!"—a thick, toxic fog erupting from his mouth, counteracting the wave and nullifying Hidan's approach.

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The Akatsuki watched, stunned, as the mist dissipated, revealing Teriyaki still standing, unharmed.

"Well, well," Tobi chirped playfully. "That was unexpected!"

"To think Orochimaru had someone like this under his wing," Konan murmured, eyeing Teriyaki with newfound interest.

Pain, silent until now, finally spoke. "His power is formidable. He will be of use."

Orochimaru, though hiding it well, felt the sting of irritation at their approval of Teriyaki's strength. Still, he played along, letting out an amused chuckle. "Of course. But remember, he is still under my guidance."

The Akatsuki members exchanged glances before Pain nodded. "Your favors will be returned, Orochimaru. But for now, we will make use of him."

Orochimaru's grin returned in full force. "Naturally."

Teriyaki's stomach twisted. The idea of being 'loaned out' to the Akatsuki felt like signing a contract with devils. But even more than that, the implications of their interest in him sent a deep unease through his soul.

'If I'm not careful... I could be the one who ends everything. The end of this world could begin with me.'

The Akatsuki began discussing amongst themselves before Pain turned his piercing Rinnegan gaze onto him. "We have a mission for you. Your first test."

Teriyaki's throat went dry.

He already knew what it was before Pain even spoke. The cruel, knowing smirks on their faces said it all.

"We won't go easy, you'll die on this mission if you take it lightly. We need to see your commitment to us."