Naruto: I Became Orochimaru's Apprentice-Chapter 51: Prove Your Worth

"Wait." Tobi appeared out of the shadows. "How do you have Sage Mode? It requires immense chakra—the kind only a Jinchūriki should possess."

A heavy silence settled over the Akatsuki. Even Itachi, normally composed, let out a quiet sigh.

"He's right," Itachi muttered, his sharp gaze landing on Teriyaki before shifting to Orochimaru. "Sage Mode is impossible without massive chakra reserves. That is why so few can master it."

Tobi took another step forward, his usual playful air replaced with something more calculated.

"You're not a Jinchūriki... So how?"

The air in the room felt heavy. Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, feigning curiosity. Teriyaki clenched his fists. He had anticipated suspicion, but hearing it out loud made his stomach churn.

Then, the snake finally spoke.

"Fufu~," Orochimaru chuckled, stepping forward. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement. "You see, Tobi, Teriyaki is no ordinary human. He is... a creation of mine."

Teriyaki's stomach twisted. 'Creation' was a strong word, but not exactly inaccurate. Whenever Orochimaru spoke, he imagined himself killing him—again and again, a loop that played in his mind endlessly. A year of suffering had molded his mind into that.

"A normal human would never possess the chakra reserves required for Sage Mode. Not even I, a genius among geniuses, could succeed." Orochimaru's voice oozed self-satisfaction. "But through years of research, I discovered a method to artificially expand a human's chakra pool. Teriyaki's body contains specially cultivated cells—cells that allow his reserves to grow over time. A superior evolution of humanity, if you will."

The room remained eerily silent.

"Not only that," Orochimaru continued, "I made his body more susceptible to absorbing nature energy. Through carefully implanted genetic modifications—many different cells—it became possible. The fact that his body survived the process only proves my genius. I studied him from a young age, ensuring every transfer was a success."

"So you gave him the cells of others to help him absorb nature energy, while also expanding his chakra artificially?" Tobi's voice carried a tinge of amusement.

Teriyaki forced himself to remain neutral, but deep inside, he seethed.

"So that's how it is...," Itachi murmured, his red eyes analyzing Teriyaki. "He's the result of genetic experimentation. It's a miracle he's even alive."

"Interesting~," White Zetsu hummed. "If we harvested those cells, we could create an army of Sage Mode users!"

Orochimaru scoffed. "Do you really think I would let my precious research fall into anyone else's hands? For free? Absolutely not."

Pain, who had remained silent, finally spoke. His Rinnegan bore into Teriyaki like an unavoidable fate.

"His strength is real. That is all that matters. We will use it to bring forth our goal."

The Akatsuki fell quiet. Even Orochimaru tilted his head slightly, intrigued by what Pain had in mind.

Then, Pain's gaze locked onto Teriyaki.

"You will join the Akatsuki." His voice was absolute. "Orochimaru has no say in this."

Orochimaru smiled, but there was something venomous hidden beneath it. "It's my pleasure to be of use to you, Pain."

Pain's next words sent a chill down Teriyaki's spine.

"You will prove your loyalty."

A pit formed in Teriyaki's stomach. No. No, this was bad.

"How?" He kept his tone level, but his insides twisted.

Pain didn't blink. "You will complete a mission. Consider it a test."

The other members smirked knowingly.

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"His anger has changed to fear...," Kisame chuckled, flashing his shark-like grin.

"Wait—" Orochimaru's voice cut through the murmurs. His golden eyes gleamed with malice.

"I have the perfect test for our little Sage." He took a step forward, letting the anticipation build. "If Teriyaki is to prove himself worthy of the Akatsuki, he should eliminate a high-profile target. Someone whose death would shake the very foundation of the shinobi world."

Pain studied him before nodding. "You rarely interrupt our meetings. Speak."

The room tensed. Orochimaru let the silence stretch before finally uttering two words:

"Tsunade of the Sannin."

The air turned suffocating.

Even the usually detached Itachi raised an eyebrow. Kisame let out a low whistle.

"Heh. That's quite the target," Kisame mused. "You sure you're not just sending him to die? She's the acting Hokage of the Leaf Village. Pretty strong, I hear."

Teriyaki felt his entire body stiffen. He knew exactly why Orochimaru had picked her.

Tsunade was one of the only people who could remove Orochimaru's Cursed Mark.

Killing her meant destroying his one chance at freedom.

And worst of all, Tsunade wasn't just any shinobi. She was a legendary Sannin, a kage-level fighter with monstrous strength and unparalleled medical ninjutsu.

Fighting her alone?

That was suicide.

"I haven't even mastered my new powers... There's no way I can take on a Kage-level figure."

Orochimaru tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Come now, Kisame. If Teriyaki's Sage Mode is as impressive as it looks, he should be able to handle one medic, shouldn't he? Or... perhaps he isn't as powerful as he seems?"

Pain leaned forward slightly. "Tsunade is not just a 'medic.' You know this, Orochimaru. Even so... Teriyaki."

His Rinnegan felt like it could pierce through Teriyaki's soul.

"Does he have such power?"

Teriyaki forced himself to breathe. He could feel Orochimaru watching him, daring him to refuse.

If he declined, he'd look weak. If he accepted, he was marching to his death.

But maybe... just maybe, there was another way.

He clenched his fists. "It's too soon... I need to master my powers before taking on such a mission. I doubt any of you would take on that mission alone."

Orochimaru's grin widened. "Did he just say that?"

The others laughed.

"Hahahaha!" Kisame roared, slapping his knee. Even Deidara chuckled beside him. "This kid's got some nerve, calling us out like that."

Pain raised a hand, and the room fell silent once more.

"He can eliminate a different thorn in our side," Pain declared. "One of you will monitor him. I want him to kill Ao from the Mist Village. We want his Byakugan. If Orochimaru can assist in its transplantation, it could be of use to us."

Much better than Tsunade.

Teriyaki nodded.

"Who will go with him?" Pain asked, his Rinnegan sweeping across the room.

Several Akatsuki members seemed interested. Then, an unexpected voice spoke.

"He interests me. Let me go with him."

Itachi.

The room stilled as Itachi's piercing gaze locked onto Teriyaki.

The aura was almost too much—Teriyaki nearly dropped eye contact. Since it was decided, the rest feigned loss of interest. They slowly left after agreeing there was not much else to be discussed.

"We'll see his true potential eventually anyways." Kisame shrugged his shoulders. "But he sure is interesting."

Itachi, Orochimaru, Pain and Teriyaki remained.

Pain nodded. "Go as soon as possible. If his Sage Mode is faulty or he is too weak, we will discard him. If he dares betray us, we will know sooner rather than later."

"If he tries to rebel, I'll put him in his place." Orochimaru's grin was venomous. "Isn't that right Teriyaki?"

"Yes..."

"Yes?" Pain flared through his curse mark, far too much to ignore. He couldn't hold in his grunts. "Ha, I can feel your killing intent." Orochimaru chuckled. "It's twice as much as usual." He increased the pain.

"Yes, Master."

"Don't forget who took you in... When nobody was there for you... Even if you have become powerful, remember who held your hand and fed you till now. You are nothing without me, just a husk without power. A body without purpose."

Teriyaki clenched his fists.

One day... Your corpse will lie beneath me. Until then remain smug.

Itachi looked at Teriyaki coldly. "The same age as-..." He muttered.

Teriyaki turned to him but he did not repeat his words.

Later that day they left for the hidden mist village.