Mastermind of the Akatsuki

After weeks of study, Orochimaru realized that opening the Box of Ultimate Bliss required tailed beast-level chakra.

For Orochimaru at this stage, gathering chakra of such magnitude was not impossible, though it would require considerable effort. He'd need the assistance of all his subordinates and even have to seek help from Ryuchi Cave to amass enough chakra.

There were several reasons why Orochimaru didn't actively pursue gathering the chakra himself.

Firstly, he wasn't particularly interested in the Box of Ultimate Bliss as he was only researching it to fulfill his promise to Byakuya. Secondly, Orochimaru wanted to gauge the true power of the Akatsuki especially Byakuya, to see if Byakuya possessed chakra on par with a tailed beast.

When Orochimaru made his request, Byakuya didn't refuse. He understood Orochimaru's intentions and took this as an opportunity to impress him once again. Byakuya decided to retrieve the Two-Tails' Jinchuriki to provide the necessary chakra.

Byakuya swiftly disappeared and reappeared at the edge of the seal formation. Following Orochimaru's instructions, he extended his hand and began channeling chakra into the formation. As the chakra flowed, the sealing array emitted sky-blue patterns that quickly merged into the Box of Ultimate Bliss.

Observing Byakuya release his chakra, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, marveling at the unexpected prowess that had emerged in the shinobi world with Byakuya.

Previously, Orochimaru had thought his loss to Byakuya months ago was due to poor condition. He also knew that Wood Release jutsu had natural advantages over most ninjutsu, which had led to his narrow defeat and subsequent subordination to Byakuya. Orochimaru had believed that with better preparation, he could potentially match Byakuya.

But seeing this nearly tangible chakra now, Orochimaru immediately realized that Byakuya had held back during their earlier fight. With such a vast amount of chakra combined with the Wood Release of the First Hokage, Byakuya's power might already rival—or even surpass—that of the Third Hokage, who had dominated the shinobi world for decades.

To Orochimaru, it made little difference whether Byakuya's strength merely approached or exceeded the Third Hokage's. The Third Hokage had mastery over all five basic chakra natures and was skilled in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, leaving Orochimaru with no viable path to defeat him quickly. Byakuya posed a similar challenge.

Clearing his wandering thoughts, Orochimaru refocused on the Box of Ultimate Bliss, ready to use ninjutsu to open it.

Before long, with the Box absorbing sufficient chakra, it finally began to show signs of opening, emitting intense rumbling noises. Seizing the opportunity, Orochimaru formed hand seals and cast the necessary ninjutsu.

With a loud crash, the lid of the Box flew open, and a pitch-black figure with no head or face, but possessing large wings, emerged. This figure reminded Byakuya of a fallen angel from Western mythology—an unrefined version, at that.

But why would such a being appear in a ninja world with a Japanese modern setting? Byakuya pondered, though he acknowledged the mishmash nature of the shinobi world. It wasn't unusual for creatures from other realms to appear here, given that there were many other dimensions beyond the ninja world.

Perhaps the Box of Ultimate Bliss wasn't even of this world but originated from some other dimension.

After scanning the surroundings, the creature named Satori" looked at Orochimaru, its liberator, and slowly asked, "Human, who has released me from the Box of Ultimate Bliss, what is your wish?""

(AN: Author is calling him Wu which meant Awakened but I changed it Demon's original name. So, it you read Satori as Wu, just know that I might have overlooked to changed it.)

Orochimaru looked at Satori with interest, surprised that the Box could indeed grant wishes. Sharing a glance with Byakuya, Orochimaru understood and said, "I wish for permanent peace in the shinobi world, for a land free of war and suffering."

Hearing this, Satori, who had no nose or eyes, smirked. "If you sincerely wish for it, I'll gladly help you achieve it."

With that, Satori advanced toward Byakuya and Orochimaru at a ghostly speed.

In Satori's way of fulfilling wishes, he always took the most straightforward route.

For example, if the Land of Grass wanted to become the strongest nation in the shinobi world, he'd simply destroy the other nations. And for bringing eternal peace to the shinobi world, the fastest method was to kill all humans. Without people to define war and peace, the world would naturally achieve peace.

However, just before Satori could strike Byakuya and Orochimaru, he suddenly stopped. Only about a meter ahead, a whirlpool sealing technique awaited him, ready to bind him if he took another step, robbing him of his freedom once again.

Satori easily dodged the whirlpool seal and planned to attack from another angle, but to his frustration, seals surrounded him on all sides, closing in toward the center.

Attempting to force his way through, Satori was soon entangled by Adamantine Chains, binding him tightly.

Sensing something familiar from Byakuya, Satori suddenly showed an expression of fear and curled into a ball.

More than a thousand years ago, he had lived in the shinobi world, enjoying the offerings of neighboring lands. But one day, figures descended from the heavens, and one of them defeated him and sealed him inside the Box of Ultimate Bliss.

During his centuries-long imprisonment, his physical body had entirely decayed, leaving only a chakra mass filled with malevolence. If not for the chakra he gained from fulfilling wishes, he would have already vanished from the shinobi world.

Yet, even after all these centuries, he couldn't forget the aura of those heavenly beings. Detecting that same presence in Byakuya, Satori understood that this man was somehow connected to those ancient, otherworldly beings.

Now unsure if these newcomers would reseal or annihilate him, Satori felt an overwhelming urge to flee. He rushed back toward the Box of Ultimate Bliss.

In his eyes, the Box that had once confined him was now his refuge.

Dragging the Adamantine Chains, Satori swiftly retreated into the Box, slamming it shut to hide in its dark, narrow interior.

Witnessing this, Byakuya and Orochimaru were both taken aback and exchanged puzzled glances.

According to historical records, the entity within the Box of Ultimate Bliss, Satori, had once destroyed entire nations and was capable of devastating the entire shinobi world if left unchecked.

But the creature they saw today seemed surprisingly timid.