Sasuke remained expressionless, as if what Orochimaru said wasn't about him at all.
Garou was shocked inwardly. He narrowed his eyes and asked: "But my Evolution Key has already merged with my body and isn't located in any specific part. How will you take it?"
Orochimaru smiled coldly: "Very simple. I can use a special technique to extract your cells, perform analysis and separation, then extract the special substance that has merged within your body—the substance that drives your evolution. That is the power of the Evolution Key. So for me, it doesn't matter even if you've already used all those keys; obtaining your corpse would yield the same result."
Garou's face turned somewhat sour.
His opponent's words made him very uncomfortable, as if he were merely an experimental subject. But for Orochimaru, everything could be researched and turned into experimental material. He even made the Gold List an object of his research, let alone someone like Garou.
"How about it? From your tone, it seems you haven't used that Evolution Key yet. Hand it over to me—this transaction won't be disadvantageous to you!" Orochimaru stuck out his tongue like a real snake, licking his lips while showing a cold smile.
Garou stared at both of them for quite some time before finally nodding slowly: "Fine, I can hand over that Evolution Key to you, but I have one condition!"
Orochimaru showed an interested expression: "Just say it."
Garou slowly clenched his fist and said coldly: "Help me become the strongest in this world... as a Monster!"
"Monster?" Orochimaru was taken aback.
Sasuke also suddenly looked up, staring at this strange young man before him with slowly rotating red eyes, wondering what he was thinking.
"...According to the Gold List's explanation, your evolutionary path has deviated, and this Evolution Key exists to guide you back to the correct evolutionary path, yet you still insist on becoming a Monster..." Orochimaru tilted his head looking at Garou, his eyes flashing sharply.
"Kukukukuku... Excellent, boy, I like your personality. In that case, follow me. I happen to be planning to leave the Akatsuki organization. I won't be using this Evolution Key immediately either; if I can research something from it, this item will still be yours. As for the Monster matter... don't worry, following me will make you the strongest monster!"
Garou corrected: "It's called Kaijin (Monster)!"
Orochimaru responded indifferently: "Fine, call it whatever you want. I myself am a monster, there's a little monster beside me, and now you're added as one more. Now there are three people from the Hidden Expert List here; in the great storm of the future world, our traces will surely be left behind!"
Garou said coldly: "I can follow you, but I won't submit to you! I only want to find my own martial arts path!"
As he said this, he took out a strange golden key from his pocket that emitted a dim light.
"No problem, I won't order you to do anything either. Right now, there aren't many people who can pose a threat to me..."
Orochimaru stared at the golden key in Garou's hand with gleaming eyes. He immediately took it and examined it carefully: "Inside this, there seems to be an undetectable special substance that can trigger humanity's deepest potential and provide guidance. If my Human-Immortal body could merge with this substance, it would become far more powerful..."
He showed a satisfied smile and nodded: "Now, Sasuke, it's time for me to help you fulfill your wish!"
Sasuke's heart pounded. He stared at Orochimaru and whispered: "What do you mean?"
Orochimaru laughed wickedly: "That man named Shimura Danzo has many good things in his hands. Now that the First and Second Hokage have returned, his dream of becoming Hokage has been completely shattered. He's not someone who can sit still; with a little trick, he'll definitely come out. Killing that person isn't difficult."
Sasuke's usually water-flat face began to show a slight expression of joy. He nodded: "Then let's depart, my brother..."
"Itachi, huh..." Orochimaru pondered for a moment. "I've already sent people to investigate and know his current location. Let's meet him first—who knows, we might get some additional help. It seems there's one more person beside him now. My guess is, most likely it's the Uchiha clan genius from the past... Uchiha Shisui!"
Sasuke showed a shocked expression: "Uchiha Shisui? Why would he be beside my brother?"
Orochimaru chuckled: "Back then, Danzo desperately wanted Shisui's eyes, but Shisui wasn't someone easily subdued. His eyes, which possessed the strongest Genjutsu, disappeared before he died. According to my speculation, those eyes should be in your brother's hands. This Gold List reward allows resurrection, and the condition for resurrection is having a part of his body tissue. If those eyes are truly in Itachi's hands, then that condition is fully met."
Sasuke became very emotional. If Shisui also revived, then the Uchiha clan members would increase by one more. Having felt extremely lonely after the clan massacre, he now felt like he was seeing a new ray of hope.
Orochimaru said: "Let's go. If Shisui truly revives, he'll be a very strong ally. Remember, his reputation back then was even above your brother's; he was a true genius. And the reward he received also interests me greatly. If they're willing to join, I'd gladly welcome them."
His pair of vertical pupils flashed yellow: "The Akatsuki organization has grand ambitions—they keep collecting Bijuu and have now gathered six. I'm afraid in the future, even that boy you consider a friend won't be able to escape, unless you become strong enough..."
Sasuke's pupils contracted instantly. His mind unconsciously recalled the figure with whisker marks on his face who always smiled cheerfully—that figure who provided a glimmer of light in his dark life. He knew full well that child's identity: the Kyuubi Jinchuriki.
Sasuke secretly clenched his fist, his Sharingan rotating. "Let's go!"
He was the first to leave the room.
Orochimaru smiled faintly and followed behind, with Garou following after.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
Three days later, in a valley in the Naruto world.
Deep within the dense forest was hidden a cave. Itachi and Kisame sat cross-legged inside, accompanied by another black-robed figure hiding in the darkness.
"Itachi, you've delayed this mission for too long. Why haven't you made a move yet?" Kisame stared at Itachi. His battle-thirsty nature made it impossible for him to sit still.
Itachi opened his eyes and said flatly: "Konoha is now guarded by the First and Second Hokage. Do you think we can enter there easily?"