Land of Grass.
Orochimaru's experimental base.
When Akihara Kagura came here again, he felt a sense of change, as if things were not as they used to be. White Zetzu Awei slowly emerged from the ground.
"Kagura, you've finally arrived!"
White Zetzu Awei had been keeping an eye on Yakushi Kabuto.
This time, Akihara Kagura came here alone, and White Zetzu Awei finally found an opportunity to have a one-on-one chat with Kagura.
"Orochimaru, Yakushi Kabuto, and Yakushi Nono are here, spending every day in the laboratory conducting experiments. Such a life is too dull..."
"What experiments are they conducting?"
Akihara Kagura was a bit curious. Did Orochimaru have a new project?
"They are researching the Bone Release Kekkei Genkai."
White Zetzu Awei actually knew about this and could even explain it clearly: "Bone Release is the Kekkei Genkai of the Kaguya clan. They are researching the blood of Bone Release..."
White Zetzu Awei also gained some intelligence: "Because the Kaguya clan has taken over the Grass Village, Orochimaru brought back many bodies of the Kaguya clan. Unfortunately, their experiments have not made significant progress..."
"This involves genetics."
Akihara Kagura knew somewhat about this and sighed: "They must find the DNA fragments of Bone Release. Blood samples are not enough..."
"..."
White Zetzu Awei had a bit of a headache and simply shared another piece of intelligence: "However, Orochimaru has recently been inquiring about the Akatsuki organization's information. Perhaps we will soon witness an interesting development."
"That's not bad."
Akihara Kagura smiled and nodded, continuing: "I hope Lord Orochimaru and the Akatsuki will determine the winner soon, so we won't have to worry about whom to side with in the future..."
"Alright."
Akihara Kagura looked at White Zetzu Awei and said: "The work here is done. Just in time to help me monitor another person, Uchiha Itachi."
"Is there going to be a good show?"
White Zetzu Awei tilted his neck, losing interest in the previous scene where Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono recognized each other, and proactively suggested: "This time, can it be a tragedy? I want to see the tragedy of humanity..."
"His life is already a tragedy."
Akihara Kagura paused for a moment and then walked into the experimental base.
When Akihara Kagura entered the base, a small white snake quickly slithered into Orochimaru's laboratory, informing Orochimaru of Akihara Kagura's arrival.
Orochimaru glanced at Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono, who were assisting on the side, and revealed a sinister smile, "Kabuto, Ms. Nono, the person coming to welcome you back to Konoha has arrived. It's the person you most want to see!"
Just at that moment.
A figure pushed open the door of the laboratory.
Akihara Kagura looked up at the three people present and first greeted Orochimaru respectfully, "Lord Orochimaru, thank you for taking care of Kabuto and the Dean…"
"You're welcome."
Orochimaru smiled and nodded, casually lying, "It's what I should do. Preserving their lives is a deal between us. I have fulfilled all your requests. Now it's up to you to see if you can fulfill what I want…"
"I won't disappoint you."
Akihara Kagura slowly lowered his head.
"Kagura…"
Yakushi Nono looked at Akihara Kagura with a worried expression.
"I'll help you."
Yakushi Kabuto's expression was somewhat calm, only slowly clenching his fists, as if somewhat resigned to the sacrifices Akihara Kagura was making for them.
Orochimaru seemed to have everything under control, smilingly said, "I will tell Shimura Danzo to drop the pursuit of your matters. However, that guy might not give up completely. He will trouble you sooner or later. You must be careful…"
"Understood."
Akihara Kagura nodded, glanced at Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono beside him, and said softly, "Lord Orochimaru, then I will take them and leave first. If there's any information in the future, let Kabuto relay the message to us."
"Okay."
Orochimaru stuck out his tongue, licking his lips, "Kagura, but, don't you have anything you want to say to me?"
"You first take the Dean outside and wait for me."
Akihara Kagura glanced at Yakushi Kabuto.
"Yes."
Yakushi Kabuto seemed to understand Akihara Kagura's intention, thinking that Orochimaru might want to make another deal with Akihara Kagura, but such matters were beyond his intervention.
Yakushi Nono wanted to say something, but when she met Akihara Kagura's gaze, she also helplessly lowered her head and left the laboratory with Yakushi Kabuto.
Now, only Orochimaru and Akihara Kagura were left in the laboratory.
"Are you a child from the orphanage?"
Orochimaru, his voice hoarse, inquired about the origins of Akihara Kagura: "I almost forget, did you escape from the orphanage on your own, or did I abduct you from the orphanage..."
If Akihara Kagura was indeed a child from the orphanage, then this child's scheming would be too terrifying, actually using him and Shimura Danzo to eventually save Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono!
If Akihara Kagura was not a child from the orphanage, this child's cunning would be too formidable, being able to manipulate everyone around so thoroughly that even I nearly believed Akihara Kagura was a child from the Konoha orphanage!
"Just the right time."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, not caring about exposing his flaws to Orochimaru, perhaps also needing someone in the future to uncover this layer of identity flaw.
Akihara Kagura glanced at Orochimaru and took the initiative to ask: "Lord Orochimaru, for them, isn't it just perfect that I am a child from the orphanage?"
"Your acting is not bad..."
Orochimaru couldn't help but chuckle lightly, his eyes revealing a bit of sharpness and doubt: "I almost believed it, Kagura."
"Lord Orochimaru..."
A look of helplessness and respect appeared on Akihara Kagura's face: "I was raised by Lord Orochimaru, no matter what, I should not lie to you. Those two are just strangers to me..."
"Hmm hmm hmm..."
Orochimaru laughed reservedly and nodded: "Alright, I know, take Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono with you!"
Akihara Kagura, fearing further trouble from Orochimaru, continued to fan the flames: "Uchiha Obito has found me again, also hoping that I would be his spy in Konoha..."
This was not a lie, just a slight difference in timing.
This is the beauty of reporting to a superior.
Some things can be reported, just with a slight adjustment in timing, whether it's the timing of the event itself or the timing of reporting it.
"Agree to it."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a mischievous smile: "It just so happens I'm also gathering information about Akatsuki. Pass on any intelligence about Uchiha Obito and Akatsuki to me as well..."
"Understood."
Akihara Kagura nodded and added, "By the way, the Akatsuki organization and Uchiha Obito might be searching for Lord Orochimaru's whereabouts…"
"It doesn't matter."
Orochimaru praised his subordinate and, with a smile, shook his head, "I originally thought it was a small organization. I didn't expect this organization's mystery to exceed my imagination. However, there's no need to stop them in the future. I actually want to see the true face of this organization…"
Since Orochimaru got the news about the Akatsuki from Akihara Kagura, he started to inquire about the Akatsuki organization. The level of mystery of this organization was such that even Orochimaru couldn't find out much, only knowing that the organization had taken on some minor country warfare tasks…
What a grand gesture!
Orochimaru's interest in this organization grew increasingly.
"Take them and leave."
Orochimaru waved his hand to signal Akihara Kagura to leave, and continued slowly, "I have already taught Kabuto and Ms. Nono the way we pass information."
"Yes."
Akihara Kagura then nodded and left directly.
After the youth's figure disappeared from the laboratory, Orochimaru's gaze revealed a hint of doubt, and he chuckled softly.
"Clearly a child from the orphanage, yet he speaks this way, is it to gain my trust, so I won't harm Kabuto and Ms. Nono?"
This was a troubling matter for Orochimaru.
Because Orochimaru, in order to delve into Akihara Kagura's origins, had been probing and eavesdropping between Kabuto and Ms. Nono during this time, but always heard the two expressing guilt and misunderstanding about Akihara Kagura.
Especially Ms. Nono, who always felt guilty for not having taken good care of all the children, leading to Akihara Kagura's disappearance from the orphanage.
Orochimaru could only conclude that Akihara Kagura was indeed a child from the orphanage. Ms. Nono couldn't possibly remember the children she adopted incorrectly, right?
Now, this child is vehemently denying it…
Probably for the safety of Kabuto and Ms. Nono.
"Kagura, you think too much."
Orochimaru's smile grew wider, seemingly not caring at all about the child deceiving him, because he held the child's weakness: "Only if they are alive can I control and use you, why would I bear to harm them?"
"…"
Akihara Kagura closed the door to the laboratory but continued to gaze at the thick iron door, as if he could see Orochimaru talking to himself inside.
"It's really troublesome..."
"No matter what, I was always a scheming person..."
Akihara Kagura narrowed his eyes, as if everything was expected: "Why not take this opportunity to let you arrogantly catch what you think is my weakness!"
The ninja world needs bonds.
Those without bonds cannot be restrained.
Only when a person has bonds, will they more easily gain the trust of others. The Third Hokage of Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen, is a prime example of this.
Orochimaru is an exception.
This superior always liked to consider himself as others' bond.
"Sooner or later you will find out..."
"I am not from the Konoha orphanage, nor the child you raised, Lord Orochimaru. When you know the truth in the future, will you feel guilty?"
"Anyway, I am now a child with new bonds. I no longer actively become your vessel, and that is only natural..."
Akihara Kagura slowly turned around and leisurely walked out of the research base, looking at the sunlight falling outside the research base, and also saw Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono waiting for him, both looking at him with worried faces, holding something in their hands.
"That..."
Yakushi Nono took the initiative to come forward to inquire.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, as if he, the youngest, was the one who could make decisions: "Let's go back to Konoha first!"
"Kagura."
Yakushi Kabuto stepped forward, opening the package in his hands and softly said: "Today is your birthday. The Dean secretly made a birthday cake, thinking there wouldn't be a chance to see you..."
"I'm sorry…"
Yakushi Nono lowered her head, seemingly uneasy, for she had learned of Akihara Kagura's birthday from Orochimaru's lips.
"..."
Akihara Kagura's expression flickered, remembering that it was already April.
"Let's go back first."
Akihara Kagura declined their kindness: "If we hurry, we can reach Konoha by evening. You guys can share the cake with the children at the orphanage."
"Kagura…"
A hint of sympathy and guilt shone in Yakushi Nono's eyes.
"It's okay, no need to feel guilty."
Akihara Kagura slowly shook his head, softly saying, "Just like you once forgot about me, I have long forgotten about the orphanage."
"..."
A sense of sorrow subtly appeared between Yakushi Nono and Yakushi Kabuto.
"Thanks for your concern."
Akihara Kagura could only extend a finger to wipe a bit of cream and symbolically tasted it, a gesture that brought a smile to Yakushi Nono's face.
Akihara Kagura slowly turned around.
But saw only the research base, still with no one coming out.
In the grass beside the research base,
A little white snake quietly slipped into the research facility.
After hearing the information the little white snake had gathered from outside, Orochimaru was unimpressed, as he had already fully confirmed Akihara Kagura's identity while Yakushi Nono was secretly making a birthday cake for Kagura.
Orochimaru opened a drawer in the lab, inside which lay a scroll with a red "Longevity" character on it, obviously intended as a birthday gift for someone.
Orochimaru slowly took the scroll out of the drawer and directly threw it into the little white snake's mouth, commanding with a light laugh, "Take it to Kagura. Although this child's most important bond is no longer with me, it seems his heart still holds hope for me…"
~~~
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