In this small town...
Orochimaru lay on a hospital bed in an inn.
This man, who once dominated the ninja world and was revered by many small and medium-sized ninja villages, had his hands wrapped in bandages, enduring the burning pain coming from within his arms.
Because the Reaper Death Seal used by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, before his death had taken away the souls of his hands, Orochimaru's soul was in constant, excruciating pain, causing his body to deteriorate. Only the most skilled doctors could solve his problem.
Yakushi Kabuto entered the room carrying a tray, carefully placing it down as he began to change the medication on Orochimaru's arms.
"Kabuto, your medical skills are still lacking..." Orochimaru gritted his teeth.
"Yes," Kabuto responded while unwrapping the bandages, "I couldn't find any better medicine in the market here. Orochimaru-sama, we must leave this place immediately..."
"What happened?" Orochimaru frowned.
"Uchiha Sasuke has arrived," Kabuto whispered cautiously, continuing, "I saw him on the road. Although the boy claimed to be here under Danzo's orders to see you, I felt his intentions were hostile, so I took a detour to avoid him..."
"Danzo?"
"Yes," Kabuto nodded carefully and continued, "It's no secret among the Jonin. Team 7 under Hatake Kakashi has disbanded, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Uzumaki Naruto has followed Jiraiya, and Uchiha Sasuke has defected to Shimura Danzo..."
"Hmph... that fool Jiraiya..."
Hearing his old friend's name, Orochimaru couldn't help but mutter a curse before continuing to talk about Uchiha Sasuke: "Don't worry, Danzo wouldn't dare oppose me..."
Crack!
A bolt of lightning suddenly pierced through the door!
The lightning, like a spear, shot towards Orochimaru's body!
"!!!"
Orochimaru and Kabuto's expressions changed simultaneously.
The Chidori Sharp Spear that came in the surprise attack appeared so suddenly that neither Orochimaru nor Kabuto had time to react; Orochimaru's shoulder had already been pierced by it!
Crash... boom!
The small wooden door of the inn was shattered by a punch!
A figure of a black-haired boy stood at the entrance, with the sunlight streaming in from behind him, casting a long shadow on the floor.
The people in the room couldn't see the boy's face clearly, only his silhouette, but they could already feel a sense of oppression and coldness emanating from him.
Both Orochimaru and Kabuto immediately knew who had arrived—it was none other than Uchiha Sasuke, the very person they had just been discussing!
"How cunning..." Uchiha Sasuke stepped into the room, a proud and cold smile on his face. "Too bad, Kabuto-senpai, I already knew you were in contact with Orochimaru..."
"Uchiha kid..." Orochimaru squinted his eyes, his voice raspy as he spoke, "I just heard from Kabuto that you came under Danzo's orders? Is this how Danzo taught you?"
This kid...
He harbors a great secret within him!
Orochimaru had glimpsed part of it through the genjutsu memories Uchiha Sasuke had shown him. He believed that Sasuke might have been subjected to a unique genjutsu, or that Sasuke's body harbored the legendary ancestral chakra...
Either way...
It was a treasure for Orochimaru.
Orochimaru had always been thinking about how to acquire Sasuke, or at least find an opportunity to study the secrets of his body.
Even though he didn't know why Sasuke had sided with Shimura Danzo, it was a good thing for Orochimaru as it brought him closer to Sasuke. It even allowed him to potentially obtain Sasuke through Danzo...
But now...
Something seemed off!
This kid had greeted him directly with a Chidori Sharp Spear!
"This is what Danzo-sama taught me." Uchiha Sasuke withdrew his ninja blade, resting it casually on his shoulder as he spoke with disdain, "Do you still think you're of value to Danzo-sama?"
"!!!"
Orochimaru's expression darkened.
Damn it!
What does this mean?
Is this the boy's idea, or Danzo's?
"Orochimaru."
"I actually admire your unique approach, senpai..." Sasuke spoke softly as he looked at the grim-faced Orochimaru. "Your cursed seal and body-switching techniques are both fascinating. If you were allowed to live, you could undoubtedly bring more powerful jutsu to the ninja world..."
"Unfortunately..." Sasuke's tone shifted, a trace of regret and helplessness appearing on his face. "Danzo-sama believes you are no longer valuable..."
"After all, Danzo-sama is about to become the Fifth Hokage, and your existence would only serve as a liability, a hindrance to him becoming Hokage..."
"..."
Orochimaru's face grew even darker.
Even though the boy was praising him, Orochimaru felt no satisfaction. He was only concerned about Shimura Danzo's attitude!
He had just helped Danzo kill the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. Now that old bastard was about to take the Hokage's seat, and he wanted to kill Orochimaru to silence him?
The problem was...
That old guy, Danzo, really might do it!
Orochimaru had cooperated with Danzo for so long that he knew the old man's nature well. If killing someone could solve a problem, Danzo would never consider any other options!
That old guy...
He wouldn't hesitate to kill his own village comrades or subordinates, let alone a tenuous ally like Orochimaru!
Danzo surely wanted to kill him, but he lacked the means. His subordinates couldn't kill Orochimaru, and he still needed Orochimaru's power and technology...
But now...
That old guy had obtained Uchiha Sasuke...
If this had been before the Chunin Exams, Orochimaru wouldn't have been too worried, even if he had lost badly in the Forest of Death; but now, with his arms crippled, Orochimaru knew full well that he could never be a match for Sasuke...
"If you want to kill me, let Danzo come and face me himself!" Orochimaru gritted his teeth, glaring at Sasuke. His body, hidden under the blanket, had already begun to quietly transform into a snake, preparing to escape!
In the next moment!
Orochimaru's body slithered away like a snake!
Even with Kabuto, his loyal subordinate, by his side, Orochimaru did not trust that Kabuto would dare to defy Sasuke and protect him!
"A mere rogue ninja..."
"Do you really think you can meet Danzo-sama again?" Sasuke sneered as he watched Orochimaru slither up the window, his voice dripping with mockery. "Orochimaru, the Hokage cannot have any blemishes..."
Sasuke's figure quickly chased after him, coldly advising, "You cannot escape from me. Let me grant you a swift death, sparing you unnecessary pain, as a token of appreciation for your years of cooperation. This is Danzo-sama's personal instruction..."
In the next instant!
A flash of bright green appeared before Sasuke!
Kabuto's hands glowed with green chakra, forming a sharp chakra scalpel that slashed toward Sasuke's neck!
"Kabuto-senpai, do you intend to stop me?" Sasuke halted in his tracks, staring at Kabuto. "You should know you're not my match..."
"I have no such intention," Kabuto responded with a sly smile as he watched Orochimaru flee into the distance. "I merely wish to repay Orochimaru-sama's kindness by delaying you for just one move... By the way, Sasuke-kun, aren't you curious about the secrets between Danzo and Orochimaru-sama?"
"Hmph!"
Orochimaru heard Kabuto's words and couldn't help but snort coldly. He had always known that Kabuto couldn't be relied upon. Expecting the clever Kabuto to risk his life to stop Sasuke was never going to happen!
That clever guy...
Would never let himself fall into danger!
Orochimaru had never trusted Kabuto, only using him. He also knew that Kabuto's willingness to block Sasuke for even a moment and attempt to delay him with words was already the greatest repayment he could expect…
Perhaps it was because he knew Kabuto so well that Orochimaru felt a hint of warmth in his heart. At the very least, Kabuto, who always looked out for himself, was still willing to offer a bit of help at this moment...
Unfortunately.
Kabuto's interference had no effect.
"Do you think it's still necessary?"
Uchiha Sasuke's figure leaped out of the window, his voice echoing in the ears of Orochimaru and Kabuto: "Only those who are alive have meaning. Once I kill Orochimaru, everything he ever existed for will lose all meaning..."
"That kid..."
Orochimaru inwardly agreed with Sasuke's words.
This kid, Uchiha Sasuke...
Actually believes in the same life philosophy as I do!
If they weren't enemies, Orochimaru would have liked to have a deep conversation with Sasuke, though he feared he might be killed by him at any moment. Their thoughts and beliefs were just too similar...
Orochimaru had witnessed too much death and had always believed that life only holds meaning if one can continue to live, which is why he sought immortality...
This ninja world is too ignorant.
No one ever recognizes my beliefs.
It's so rare to find someone who shares the same ideas, and yet this person has come to kill me, even though I, too, wish to obtain the secrets of Uchiha Sasuke's body...
"You can't escape."
Sasuke moved with incredible speed, catching up to Orochimaru in just a few breaths. He unleashed a barrage of Chidori Senbon, made of lightning, towards Orochimaru!
Orochimaru's body twisted quickly, slithering away like a serpent, dodging the Chidori Senbon as they scattered around his path!
However...
It was futile...
Without the use of his hands to perform other jutsu, and with no one willing to come to his aid, it was doubtful he could escape this pursuit...
"Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!"
Orochimaru suddenly turned back, opened his mouth wide, and spewed out countless venomous snakes!
The swarm of snakes surged forward like a wave, with sharp fangs ready to bite into the black-haired youth, Sasuke!
"Fire Release… Great Fire Annihilation!"
A wave of flames instantly swept through!
Accompanied by the smell of charred flesh, Uchiha Sasuke emerged from the thick smoke, rushing towards Orochimaru with lightning enveloping his arm. In an instant, the Chidori lightning pierced through Orochimaru's chest!
"You little kid..."
Orochimaru's pupils widened in disbelief.
"Hmph..."
Uchiha Sasuke raised his head in disdain.
At that moment!
A glint of cunning flashed in Orochimaru's eyes!
He had already devised a plan in a split second. He intended to exploit Sasuke's arrogance and find an opportunity to turn the tables. A shadow shot out of Orochimaru's mouth like an arrow!
However...
The surprise attack missed in an instant!
Uchiha Sasuke had vanished from his original spot!
The moment the shadow hit the ground, it transformed into a terrifying White Snake, its mouth speaking in disbelief.
"That speed..."
"It must be the Flying Thunder God Technique..."
This kid...
He has indeed mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique!
This is bad!
Realizing this, the White Snake immediately stopped thinking about killing Uchiha Sasuke. It disintegrated into countless small white snakes, scattering in all directions to escape!
There was no time to think!
Orochimaru's sharp instincts recognized the Flying Thunder God Technique at a glance. He knew all too well how troublesome it could be once ensnared by it!
He had to disperse his body and flee!
The White Snake's body quickly became an empty shell as countless small white snakes peeled off, scattering and fleeing at high speed...
However...
Uchiha Sasuke formed a hand seal with his palm.
A sea of flames immediately ignited the area, engulfing the fleeing white snakes in a fiery inferno, as if cutting off all of Orochimaru's escape routes.
"Hmph..."
"I didn't expect him to become so weak..."
Uchiha Sasuke looked down at the dying flames, his voice echoing across the area, as if delivering a eulogy to Orochimaru's charred remains.
"What a pity..."
"Your techniques are valuable..."
"But they are worthless to Danzo-sama..."
With that, Uchiha Sasuke turned and walked away, heading in the direction he had come from. "I should also deal with Kabuto... Anyone who knows Danzo-sama and Orochimaru's secrets needs to be eliminated..."
"..."
Amid the embers of the flames.
After Uchiha Sasuke had left.
The charred shell of the White Snake suddenly cracked open, and a small white snake crawled out, having survived by hiding in the corpse of the White Snake.
The small white snake glanced in the direction of a distant town, then turned back, heading towards Orochimaru's hidden base.
Inside...
There happened to be a spare vessel.
As long as it could reach the base, Orochimaru could be resurrected.
The small white snake safely returned to its base, ignoring the guards, and sneaked in to occupy a body that had been kept as a backup vessel, reviving once again as Orochimaru. Then, a commotion was heard from outside the base.
However...
The commotion soon ceased.
It seemed someone had breached the base.
"Is this Orochimaru's base?"
Uchiha Sasuke's voice appeared once again, like a nightmare.
"Yes."
Kabuto's voice sounded respectful.
"There are a few more bases..."
Uchiha Sasuke's tone was somewhat impatient.
"There are many..."
Kabuto's voice remained humble and respectful, cautiously speaking to Uchiha Sasuke: "All of Orochimaru-sama's bases have traces of materials once sent by Danzo-sama to Orochimaru-sama, so if discovered..."
"Destroy them all."
Uchiha Sasuke's voice was cold, indifferent to the lives of the base's guards. He seemed to be threatening Kabuto: "Kabuto-senpai, as long as you obediently help me destroy all of Orochimaru's bases, I'll spare your life..."
"Although I want to believe you..."
Kabuto's voice carried a bitter smile: "I feel that once Sasuke-kun completes his mission, it's unlikely he'll let me go, right?"
"However..."
"Orochimaru-sama has already been killed by you..."
"I don't believe I can survive in your hands either..."
"But, I noticed Sasuke-kun seems to value Orochimaru-sama's techniques. Perhaps, while destroying these bases, you might discover some valuable information left behind by Orochimaru-sama and decide to keep me alive to revive his techniques?"
"..."
Orochimaru, who had been eavesdropping, suddenly understood.
It seems Uchiha Sasuke wants to erase all traces of Shimura Danzo, and Kabuto has survived for the time being by betraying my bases...
Well.
There's nothing to be done about it.
I'm no match for Uchiha Sasuke, and I only survived by hiding in the corpse of the White Snake. Kabuto, my loyal follower, has done his utmost. He's only trying to stay alive...
However...
Kabuto's timing is perfect!
Orochimaru, quietly hidden in the laboratory, suddenly had an idea. Although his hands could no longer perform jutsu due to the loss of his soul, he could still use Kabuto to cast techniques, and he indeed needed an assistant!
After all...
I still need to find Tsunade for treatment.
Knowing Tsunade, there's a chance we'll end up fighting again. Without Kabuto's assistance, I could get beaten badly by my fellow Sannin, Tsunade...
"There are traps throughout the base..."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, deep in thought: "With Kabuto's intelligence, he'll likely use the base's traps to trap or kill Uchiha Sasuke. That's his only chance to survive Sasuke's pursuit..."
In that case...
I probably don't need to do anything...
I just need to wait until Kabuto takes action against Sasuke, and then join forces with him. I hope Kabuto won't be too surprised at that moment…