Orochimaru's sudden appearance instantly tightened the atmosphere.
Akihito glanced at him calmly.
"Orochimaru. Didn't expect to run into you here…"
Despite Orochimaru's fearsome reputation, Akihito didn't seem particularly concerned.
On the surface, Orochimaru appeared to be Danzo's insurance policy—sent to eliminate any survivors.
But Akihito understood Orochimaru's nature well.
Like himself, Orochimaru was a man driven by purpose.
Without sufficient benefit, he would never come running to do Danzo's dirty work for free.
Their relationship was cooperation—not loyalty.
Nono and Kabuto, however, felt as though they were facing a great enemy.
If Danzo had sent someone of Orochimaru's caliber as backup—
Their situation was truly dire.
Orochimaru, in contrast, appeared relaxed.
As he studied Akihito, a trace of greed flickered in his golden eyes.
He had witnessed the power of the Uchiha before leaving Konoha.
Even freshly graduated Itachi's shuriken technique had astonished him.
Beyond the Second Hokage's forbidden techniques, Orochimaru had always held immense interest in powerful bloodline limits.
His pursuit of immortality was not simple obsession—
It was the ambition of a scientist seeking to master every jutsu and uncover the truth of the world.
From a research perspective, Orochimaru was undeniably brilliant.
His flaw lay in his methods.
He had learned ruthlessness from Danzo.
Akihito did not agree with his wanton disregard for life.
The strong devouring the weak was reality—
But Akihito would never slaughter the innocent.
Orochimaru extended his long tongue, licking his lips.
"Akihito-kun… you would make quite an excellent vessel."
"Shall I take this opportunity to claim your body?"
Akihito's gaze sharpened.
"Orochimaru."
"What you pursue is your business."
"But if you dare reach toward the Uchiha…"
"I will ensure you never see tomorrow's sun."
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"How blunt."
"As expected of the 'Flame Demon.'"
"Still… I am very interested in Uchiha bodies."
A suffocating killing intent burst forth from him.
Kabuto nearly froze.
Even the experienced Nono broke into cold sweat.
So this—
Was the pressure of a Kage-level shinobi.
Terrifying.
Yet Akihito remained composed.
"Orochimaru. Do you intend to fight me here?"
"I am rather curious how much you've grown," Orochimaru replied.
Akihito's three-tomoe Sharingan spun slowly.
A razor-sharp killing intent radiated outward.
"I advise you not to play with fire."
The air grew heavy.
Even Orochimaru's smile faded slightly.
He wanted Akihito as a vessel.
But defeating him?
Uncertain.
Akihito had defeated the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki.
That was no small feat.
And Orochimaru's Edo Tensei was not yet perfected.
If this escalated—
He wasn't entirely confident.
Still—
Akihito's arrogance irritated him.
So Orochimaru chose to test him.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Snakes burst from his sleeve, coiling tightly around Akihito.
"Boom!"
Flames erupted.
Akihito's elemental body ignited, incinerating the serpents instantly.
Before the ashes fully fell—
Orochimaru's neck stretched grotesquely forward.
"You may turn into flame… but it's not without counters."
"Cursed Seal of Binding!"
His fangs sank into Akihito's neck.
Black markings spread outward.
"This sealing technique suppresses movement."
"It works particularly well against elemental abilities."
"You talk big… yet is this all?"
"Akihito-kun, it seems you're finished."
Orochimaru smiled confidently.
Akihito remained calm.
"Are you certain?"
"Perhaps you should examine your own situation."
Orochimaru's pupils contracted.
Before him—
A pair of scarlet eyes gleamed.
"Genjutsu…?"
"When…?"
Akihito replied coolly.
"The moment you first looked into my Sharingan."
Orochimaru felt disbelief—
Then admiration.
"To bind myself with my own technique…"
"What formidable ocular power."
Before he could counter—
A blade pressed against his throat.
"I'll warn you one final time."
"Do not covet the Uchiha."
Cold steel kissed skin.
Orochimaru broke into a thin sweat.
Immobilized.
At Akihito's mercy.
Regret flickered in his eyes.
He should have stayed in his lab.
Pursuing truth was far more pleasant than provoking monsters.
Why had he chosen violence tonight?
Akihito studied him thoughtfully.
"How should I deal with you?"
"Spare you… or kill you?"
Orochimaru quickly produced leverage.
"I possess information about Danzo."
"That may interest you."
Akihito paused.
Orochimaru pressed further.
"We've cooperated before."
"I can provide certain secrets."
"A map. Locations of his hidden facilities."
Akihito retrieved a scroll from Orochimaru's sleeve.
After scanning it—
His lips curved slightly.
Valuable.
Very valuable.
With this—
Dealing with Danzo would become far easier.
He stepped forward—
Intending to release the genjutsu.
But suddenly—
Orochimaru moved.
"Heh… the seal finally loosened."
"Akihito-kun. Until next time."
A smoke bomb exploded.
When the mist cleared—
He was gone.
Akihito sighed softly.
A Kage-level shinobi determined to flee was difficult to stop.
Then—
Nono cried out.
"Kabuto?!"
Akihito's expression darkened.
Orochimaru had taken Kabuto amid the chaos.
So that had been his true goal from the start.
Nono's Despair
Five years apart.
Reunited—
Only to be separated again.
Freed from Danzo—
Now in Orochimaru's hands.
Cruel fate.
Akihito stepped closer.
"Relax."
"Based on what I know of him, he won't harm the boy."
Nono steadied slightly.
If not for Akihito—
She and Kabuto would have killed each other tonight.
She bowed slightly.
"Akihito-sama… what are your orders?"
Akihito smiled gently.
"No need to be so formal."
"Your mission is over."
"Return to the orphanage."
"Rest."
"I will contact you when needed."
Her eyes reddened.
Mission… over?
Return home?
Was this truly coming from a Hokage Advisor?
Akihito placed a hand lightly on her shoulder.
"You've suffered because of Konoha."
"Danzo's era of darkness is over."
She could no longer suppress her emotions.
Five years.
Five years of waiting.
She had once hoped the Third Hokage would save her.
But no rescue came.
Danzo had offered hope—
A lie.
Cunning rabbit dead, hunting dog boiled.
Birds gone, good bow stored away.
Danzo's methods were colder even than Hiruzen's.
He repaid loyalty with betrayal.
Elsewhere — Orochimaru's Hideout
Orochimaru brought Kabuto to a hidden laboratory.
Shelves of books.
Glass containers.
Research notes piled like mountains.
"My private facility," Orochimaru said softly.
"You are my first guest."
Kabuto asked cautiously,
"Why bring me here?"
Orochimaru sat upon a stone stool.
"You have strong curiosity."
"That is good."
"Humans are drawn to the unknown."
"You are clever."
"Would you become my assistant?"
"Help me unravel the mysteries of this world?"
Kabuto shook his head.
"I need to return to the Director."
Orochimaru didn't mind.
Like a patient snake, he continued.
"I gather materials."
"I experiment."
"I accumulate knowledge and power within my body."
"One day, I will reshape myself into perfection."
"Do you not wish to understand the truth of this world?"
"Join me."
His research had progressed far.
With persistence—
He would succeed.
Changing the world.
That was Orochimaru's ambition.
The dream of a scientist—
Is rarely understood by ordinary people.
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