"Are you finally back, Kabuto? It's later than you expected."

In the research facility located underground in the Oto Ninja Village, Orochimaru saw Kabuto pushing in the door, and a surprised expression immediately appeared on his face.

According to the original plan, Kabuto should have returned to the Sound Ninja Village one step earlier than Sasuke. However, it had been some time since Zuosuke came to the Sound Ninja Village, but he did not see Kabuto returning to the Sound Ninja Village. For a time, he thought that the other party was...

It wasn't like some unknown accident occurred while exploring the root base.

"Sorry, Orochimaru-sama, I wasted a lot of time finding that 'thing'."

Kabuto answered Orochimaru with a normal expression, and pushed the frame on the bridge of his nose as usual, showing a faint smile.

"Nonoyu's body? I didn't expect you to be so persistent with that woman."

Orochimaru also seemed to have thought of something and raised his eyebrows.

"Lord Orochimaru, are you jealous?"

Kabuto said jokingly.

"To a certain extent, that's true. Because I admire your talents very much and regard you as the most important part of my sibling... I have expectations for you that are not even inferior to those of Sasuke-kun."

An inexplicable smile appeared on Orochimaru's waxy face.

"I see."

Kabuto was not moved by these words.

It is true that Orochimaru thinks highly of him and has repeatedly allowed him to do some unknown little tricks in secret, but if he touches Orochimaru's restricted area, he will still be treated as a useless chess piece.

Therefore, he must not return with a dejected attitude like "Nonou's body has not actually been found."

He believes in and worships Orochimaru, but that doesn't mean he has no guard against him.

Once he reveals something strange, maybe everything about him will be taken advantage of.

This kind of thing is something Kabuto cannot tolerate.

Because everything about that woman cannot be controlled by anyone except herself.

Just like he once served Danzo.

If it hadn't been for the death of his adoptive mother Nonoyu under Danzo's plot, he might have embarked on a completely different path than he is now, shining brightly for Konoha.

But, does Orochimaru know about this?

Kabuto didn't ask.

For example, he would not take the initiative to question Danzo about where he hid Nonou's body, and whether he still wanted to use that woman to control himself and put a layer of "slave" around his neck.

Chains, like Uchiha Itachi who was also chained, fought for Konoha to the last moment...

Because these behaviors are too dangerous.

Whether it's for that woman or to find new meaning for yourself, living is the most important thing.

At this time, just pretend to be "ignorant and stupid" for the time being and let these people continue to control themselves.

I have already experienced the life of a spy for more than ten years. It will not be difficult to continue it for a few years, ten years, or decades.

The mask is not only a disguise, but also an armor to protect yourself.

"So, aren't you going to give me a reasonable excuse for your disappearance these days?"

While Orochimaru picked up the experimental utensils, he asked Kabuto with great interest...

Just treating it as a boring time, he wanted to know if he could use this time to find the meaning of new life after getting the bag of Nonou's body.

Should you continue to serve him, or...

This answer, whenever he guessed it, filled Orochimaru with curiosity and excitement.

He is Kabuto's guide in the 'second half of his life', and he is eager to know whether Kabuto, under his guidance, has broken free from his own confinement and achieved new growth.

Things that remain unchanged on the first floor are very boring, but windmills blown by the wind are extremely lively and interesting.

Kabuto, is it the windmill that is blown by the wind?

"Dealing with some personal matters."

"Oh, what an ambiguous answer."

"Because I don't think Lord Orochimaru cares about these things."

"...Kabuto, do you know who I hate the most?"

Orochimaru asked after a moment of silence.

"Those who understand and think they understand Lord Orochimaru are like Itachi Uchiha and Danzo."

Kabuto answered without thinking.

"Now you are one of them."

The smile on Orochimaru's face disappeared, and his expressionless look gave people a gloomy and terrifying impression.

"Sorry, I have no intention of becoming your enemy, Orochimaru-sama."

"Can't you even beg for mercy? You are really boring. I thought you would say something like, 'If you really don't believe it, use a curse seal to control me.'"

Orochimaru shook his head helplessly.

This kid is still as smart as ever.

It is precisely because of this that he is reluctant to kill the other person, but stays by his side and spares no effort to cultivate him.

Therefore, he didn't care what Kabuto did secretly.

Just know that he continues to plan on doing things for himself.

Loyalty, betrayal, these are insignificant things.

Kabuto kept his smile unchanged.

If he really said that, he would not be far from death.

In Otonin Village, there is no so-called democracy, and all will is centered around Orochimaru.

The ninjas in the Sound Ninja Village either hate, fear, worship, or respect Orochimaru.

As long as we work around this point, it will not become a consumable on the experimental bench for no reason.

Simple yet cruel rules.

"Lord Orochimaru has only made jokes a handful of times. It seems that Uchiha Sasuke's performance since he came here has made you very satisfied, Lord Orochimaru."

Change the subject to another topic.

"He has talents that are equal to or even better than Itachi's. Itachi's physical potential and his mental state can be said to have reached the peak of his ninja. It is difficult to go further... and Zuosuke-kun is still very young.

, his future has unlimited potential, and will be the most important cornerstone on my path of exploring eternal life."

Kabuto was slightly surprised by Orochimaru's unstinting praise, but he soon regained his composure.

"In that case, why didn't Orochimaru-sama just choose to occupy his body at this time? With your ability, you should be able to do this easily."

"What, are you interested in this kind of thing?"

Orochimaru asked with a smile.

"Yes, because the longer the delay is, it will be bad if the other party becomes the customer."…

Kabuto looked at Orochimaru, trying to read something from his expression.

Unfortunately, what disappointed him was that the smile on Orochimaru's face remained the same, without any abnormality.

"You will know about this kind of thing in the future. The next work of dispensing medicine for Sasuke-kun will be left to you. Compared to Itachi, he is still very immature and needs to grow up faster."

"Then do you want to add some ingredients to it, Orochimaru-sama?"

Kabuto asked.

Orochimaru left the laboratory with a smile, leaving Kabuto with an unfathomable figure behind him.

When Kabuto saw Orochimaru leaving, he sighed lightly.

"I hope there won't be any surprises when I'm reincarnated..."

◎

A desolate breeze blew by, and the wind chimes hanging from the bamboo hat jingled above the heads of the people standing on the edge of the cliff.

From this position, you can look down into the forest below, and you can vaguely see figures moving quickly through the forest.

"Water Release: Water Interaction Bullet Technique!"

Huge shark-shaped water bombs fell from the sky, directly destroying an area in the forest with a fierce momentum, forcing a battle field full of water to be vacated.

The ninja team that was attacked immediately fell into chaos. The lightning flashed in the forest, and then lost all traces in silence.

In Itachi's eyes, he could only see the Oniyo overwhelmingly killing the enemy.

As one of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and a Kirigakure ninja born in the Blood Mist Era, Oniyo possesses an extremely ferocious murderous aura. Even jonins will be affected by his aura and cannot exert their full strength.

Coupled with the large sword Jiaoji that can absorb chakra, it is even more unfavorable.
To be continued...