"Oh my, and how did you come across that?" Orochimaru's amusement was clear in his voice.
He didn't make any attempts to deny it. Killing the Third Hokage was indeed still on Orochimaru's agenda, and one of the main reasons he was infiltrating Konohagakure.
However, Suguru felt that there was something else. After all, Orochimaru was still a part of the Akatsuki in this timeline. Their agenda and Orochimaru's own were likely intertwined, hence the snake's appearance here.
Thus, Suguru couldn't help but wonder what that agenda was.
However, he had a few ideas.
Yet, he didn't continue asking. He merely stared into Orochimaru's eyes, squinting. Refusing to answer or ask.
"…"
Luckily, Orochimaru's amusement didn't dissipate, a serpentine smile spreading across his face. Suguru's silence was a breath of fresh air from all the long speeches he's had to deal with recently.
In fact, Suguru's little façade of being a good proctor had irked him a bit. This version of Suguru was much better.
So, Orochimaru didn't mind indulging in Suguru's interests. He was, after all, the boy's teacher.
"You've asked a rather... direct question, even for someone with your peculiar talents, young Suguru. Though I find your assessment… Well, insightful."
Orochimaru's face dissolved back into the living clone. For a moment, the clone's movement froze before resuming motion.
Now, it felt more lifelike in the truest sense, looking at Suguru in a way that expressed his malevolent mischief.
"Hiruzen's death is a necessary component, a rather significant obstacle removed. Though not the primary objective, of course."
He shifted, the pale light of the Forest of Death glinting off the scales of Manda, who was still beneath his feet.
"The true treasures of Konoha are far more... intriguing than a single, aging Hokage, don't you agree?"
Orochimaru stepped off of Manda and unsummoned the giant snake. There was currently no need to fight — Gamabunta had left on his own long ago.
"…I suppose Danzo as well, despite his flaws. These old men had accumulated a wealth of forbidden knowledge. Danzo's experiments, particularly those concerning the Uzumaki clan, are of significant interest."
Suguru's eyes, a swirling crimson, didn't flinch.
He already knew of Danzo's obsession with the Uzumaki lineage, the attempts to replicate their vitality, their chakra reserves, and even their Fuinjutsu prowess.
Suguru had seen one of its most daring advancements through Hiruzen, after all.
Naruto's old, still-beating heart.
Orochimaru's gaze flicked towards Gaara, who was moving away, still eyeing them from a distance, then towards the distant direction of Konoha's center.
"The jinchuriki, of course, is something that has always been worth studying, though they aren't something I'd look into any time soon." Orochimaru hinted, "The One-Tail is a valuable asset, but the Nine-Tails... that is a power worth shattering worlds for. Unfortunately, obtaining it will be... complex."
At least, he wouldn't do it himself.
Thus.
Orochimaru paused, a flicker of something akin to fascination in his eyes. "However, there's something else. Based on what I've extracted from Danzo's annoying group of subordinates, there's a mass of chakra-generating flesh hidden within Konoha's depths. It was clearly a little mark of Danzo's ambition and a rather unique point of view."
"I want to see it for myself, and perhaps take a sample."
Suguru understood, confirming all of his guesses. There wasn't much that escaped his ability to gather information.
He knew exactly what Orochimaru wanted.
The remnants of Root, the stolen heart, the barrier's chakra generator... all potential targets.
Orochimaru, sensing Suguru's internal calculations, let out a soft chuckle. "You've a sharp mind, Suguru. It's a pity you've chosen to side with Konoha. You could have gone far with me."
Suguru's lips curled into a slight, unsettling smile. "I find my own path is quite sufficient, Orochimaru-sama."
He paused, letting the wind blow through his hair. For a moment, Orochimaru saw himself in the boy. Intelligence and talent.
The drive to seek knowledge and power.
All of which he had before, and still had up until now.
It was quite the twist of fate that Suguru had become his student. They even shared the trait of having long flowing hair.
"And that path includes learning about a few… intriguing Kinjutsu." Suguru circled back to the question he'd initially posed.
"I can't help you kill Lord Third, sensei. However, I can help you with the other things. The heart. The generator…" Suguru wanted to have a look too. The small, smug smile that suddenly painted his face was a telltale sign.
"Ho?" Orochimaru raised a brow. A cackle was birthed from his lips. "That's good enough, my dear student. We have much to learn from those unique items. I have indeed been looking forward to those more than my Sensei's death."
The smile on Orochimaru's face grew.
Suguru smiled back, "Then that's a deal. If you can avoid causing chaos during the Chuunin Exams, then I can retrieve the items you want. Sensei, I trust you'll uphold your end of the bargain?"
Orochimaru nodded.
"Of course, of course. I can wait for Sensei to die of old age, after all. I don't have to rush."
Then, Orochimaru handed Suguru a headband.
"Take this. I'll consider you a jounin of Otogakure as well. Feel free to visit. You'll need to pay your senior your respects."
Suguru broke into a devious giggle.
"Ah, yes! I can say my hellos to Kabuto-senpai before he leaves."
Hearing Suguru's words, Orochimaru raised a brow.
"I'm surprised,"
At this point, Orochimaru was astounded by Suguru's information network. The boy knew so much. He knew too much.
"I never expected you to learn about even that."
…It was a quantity that made people realize their own weaknesses, and not react with a lethal desire to silence. There was no way to fight back when you've been read like a book, after all.
Thus.
Shaking his head, Orochimaru continued,
"Don't scare him too much, okay?"
Suguru simply smiled…
…Watching as Orochimaru's living puppet dissolved into a column of steam.
The body turned to mush, smelling of chemicals and death.
"…Astounding,"
The knowledge that Sasori held was indeed art. Savory art.
—And Suguru wanted a bite.
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