The Raikage's brain held a massive trove of Kumogakure's secrets.
These included the sealing and unsealing formulas for the Tailed Beast Jinchūriki, as well as their research results on the Tailed Beasts themselves. There were also records of a secret weapon Kumogakure had been developing for years called the Chakra Cannon. Although it hadn't reached true completion yet, the early prototypes were showing promise.
Diarmuid had a vague recollection of this. It seemed to be a high-output weapon similar in type to Pluton, capable of destroying meteors or something of that magnitude. His memories were a bit hazy since it had been so long.
There were also confidential strategic deployments for the current Shinobi World War, though most were now effectively void. The death of the Third Raikage had completely thrown those plans into chaos.
Finally, a vast array of Kumogakure's ninjutsu was extracted by Orochimaru. This didn't just include the secret Lightning Release techniques passed down only between successive Raikage and the "B" brothers; there were also various Lightning Release Hiden and knowledge regarding related Kekkei Genkai, such as Storm Release.
Diarmuid had little interest in the village secrets for now, but he was fascinated by the ninjutsu.
Over the next half-day, the four of them categorized the intel gathered from the Third Raikage. Each took responsibility for a section, and the organization was completed quickly.
Holding the summarized ninjutsu scroll, Diarmuid said with a smirk, "A massive haul. I'm going to spend some quality time studying and learning these."
Per their prior agreement, everything was shared among the four. Each member made four copies of the material they had organized, ensuring everyone had a complete set.
Orochimaru weighed the scroll concerning the Cloud's Tailed Beast secrets in his hand and smiled. "With this, the next time we visit Kumogakure, things won't be nearly as difficult."
With the layout of Kumogakure's barrier arrays, guard shifts, and defensive fortifications exposed, a secret infiltration would no longer be a challenge for the four of them. However, this intel had an expiration date; such arrangements usually changed every few years.
Kakuzu's eyes gleamed as he looked over his scrolls. "Can I pick some suitable intel to sell? These are worth a fortune, especially the parts concerning the war..."
Sasori had no reaction. He looked pensively at the Third Raikage's corpse and said, "I don't care."
Diarmuid glanced at Orochimaru, who maintained an indifferent expression. "Use your discretion," Diarmuid told Kakuzu. "Just don't let things get out of hand."
"Don't worry, I'm a professional," Kakuzu chuckled.
At that moment, Sasori and Orochimaru spoke simultaneously: "Regarding the Third Raikage's corpse..."
They spoke the same words, stopped at the same time, and exchanged looks of slight surprise followed by understanding.
"What is it?" Diarmuid asked.
Sasori didn't stand on ceremony. "The Third Raikage is undoubtedly a perfect material for creating a powerful Human Puppet. If you have no need for it, I intend to take it. But it seems Orochimaru-sama is also interested?"
"Hehehe..." Orochimaru let out a cold laugh. It wasn't malicious or mocking, just his natural, albeit creepy, way of showing friendliness. "I am indeed interested, but I don't need much. If Sasori-sama is making a Human Puppet, surely there will be leftover 'scraps'? Give those to me. I only need them as experimental materials."
Indeed, while their interests seemed to clash, Sasori and Orochimaru were actually quite compatible. Sasori needed a relatively intact body but would perform large-scale modifications, removing unnecessary "materials" like internal organs to create the puppet.
Orochimaru, however, whether for research or for his incomplete Reanimation Jutsu, didn't need a whole body. A small sample of DNA to serve as a "medium" was sufficient. They complemented each other perfectly.
Sasori had gotten along well enough with Orochimaru lately, so he wouldn't refuse such a request. He nodded without hesitation. "No problem at all."
He then looked at Diarmuid. Diarmuid, having zero interest in corpses, waved his hand. "Do as you like."
This magnanimity made Orochimaru view Diarmuid even more favorably. This man had managed to gather Sasori and Kakuzu under him, and the three of them had actually taken down a Raikage. Each possessed excellent strength and unique specialties. Orochimaru found this trio's dynamic interesting, and full of potential.
Thinking back to Diarmuid's earlier invitation to join them, Orochimaru realized it wasn't an unacceptable proposal.
Strength-wise, Sasori had killed the Third Kazekage, Kakuzu had survived the shinobi world for decades, and Diarmuid had just finished off the Third Raikage. These were feats Orochimaru could respect.
In terms of specialties, Sasori had decent intelligence-gathering skills and a passion for research, possessing many rare materials that Orochimaru could trade for. Kakuzu, as a master of finance, could solve the funding issues that always plagued scientific research.
As for Diarmuid, he hadn't shown many "specialties" beyond overwhelming combat power. However, on the way here, Kakuzu had spoken very highly of him. Diarmuid clearly had his own strengths that Orochimaru simply hadn't perceived yet.
Orochimaru found this small-scale cooperative organization quite intriguing.
"By the way, Diarmuid-sama..." Orochimaru began.
"Drop the 'sama.' Just call me Diarmuid," Diarmuid interrupted with a casual wave. He wasn't one for formalities, especially when he was in a good mood.
Orochimaru smiled. "Very well, Diarmuid. About your invitation to join..."
"You've made up your mind?" Diarmuid's eyes lit up.
"Yes." Orochimaru nodded, though he added with some hesitation, "However, I am still a ninja of Konoha... I likely cannot stay at this base for long."
"That doesn't matter. We don't have many strange rules. It's about seeking common ground while respecting differences. We help each other without strict limitations, as long as you don't sell us out," Diarmuid said.
He understood perfectly. Orochimaru might not have decided to defect from Konoha yet, but the seed was planted. Otherwise, he wouldn't even consider the invitation. By giving him freedom now, Diarmuid was building goodwill. When Orochimaru eventually parted ways with Konoha and had nowhere to go, his first choice would naturally be here.
Orochimaru blinked. He had expected Diarmuid to be wary, perhaps suspecting him of being a Konoha spy. But Diarmuid agreed heartily, merely joking about not being betrayed.
Such magnanimity?
Orochimaru, an "old shadow" accustomed to the intrigues of the shinobi world, couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. He began to see what Kakuzu respected, a certain breadth of spirit and a grand style that formed a unique, non-shinobi-like charisma.
His smile grew a bit "colder," though he was actually quite pleased. "Then I thank you, Diarmuid. I appreciate your understanding."
Diarmuid smiled and turned to Kakuzu and Sasori. "I'll reiterate: our organization is one of mutual aid and cooperation, where we exchange resources and serve as each other's support. It isn't some rigid, hierarchical group. To start, I'll state my own pursuits. Simply put, I seek power to become stronger and more perfect. Currently, I'm interested in all kinds of ninjutsu, the Sharingan, and Sage Transformation... I hope you can all help me with these."
Sasori and Kakuzu already knew his goals, so they were unfazed. Orochimaru was surprised that Diarmuid even knew about Sage Transformation. He realized their interests were indeed quite aligned.
Sasori spoke next. "For me, I wish to achieve eternal artistic success, making the Human Puppet technique a perfect form of art. I will need high-quality materials, which is difficult for one person to acquire alone. Also, Orochimaru-sama has experience in development that I lack. I hope for your assistance."
Orochimaru chuckled. "No problem. Scientific progress requires constant exchange. I look forward to advancing alongside you."
Kakuzu was blunt. "You are all powerful, fitting my criteria for teammates. I hope to use your strength to make a fortune. Also, if we are forming an organization, it needs systematic management, at least financially. If you spend money recklessly, you'll fall into a vicious cycle. I want to manage the organization's funds."
As usual, Kakuzu brought everything back to money. Diarmuid and Sasori had already entrusted their finances to him. Who knew what he was doing with it? Probably high-interest loans or investments. But so far, he hadn't failed them; if they needed money, they just told him the amount.
Orochimaru nodded. "I have no problem with that." He didn't mind contributing some funds to the organization.
Finally, Orochimaru spoke. "As for me... I wish to research the path to immortality. That is my current pursuit. Diarmuid might be the key to this, and you all have your own experiences. I hope for your support."
In Orochimaru's mind, one had to solve the problem of death first to have enough time to learn all ninjutsu. He wasn't yet obsessed with the Sharingan.
In any other setting, talking about immortality would make people think you were insane. But here, Sasori was a puppet who had essentially escaped the limits of a natural lifespan. Kakuzu couldn't die as long as he had his five hearts.
And Diarmuid was someone who had achieved true immortality.
Sasori, Kakuzu, and Diarmuid all voiced their support. If Orochimaru figured it out, they would be the "Immortal Quartet" of the Shinobi World. Given their actions, calling them the "Four Great Villains of the Shinobi World" was entirely accurate.