Yakushi Kabuto was exceptionally gifted.
Because of various experiences in his childhood, he eventually came under Orochimaru's command.
If he had become a shinobi under different circumstances, his achievements would have been no less than Kakashi's.
Unfortunately… he still took the wrong step.
He curiously studied Sasuke.
At that moment, the sound of crisp footsteps echoed through the darkness, reverberating in the vast laboratory.
Orochimaru's distinctive, hoarse voice sounded.
"Let me see… who is this? Isn't this my strongest disciple, and the genius youth I value the most? And you've actually come here together."
A figure emerged from the shadows.
He was just over one meter seventy in height, with short silver hair. His body was wrapped in even more bandages than before, leaving only his golden right eye and a small patch of pale skin around it exposed.
Although his aura had changed, Kiyosuke still recognized him instantly — this was his teacher, Orochimaru.
Looking at him, Kiyosuke said,
"Yo, Sensei. You changed bodies?"
"As expected of the man who saw through and ruined my plans. Yes… this is the forbidden technique I developed — Living Corpse Reincarnation. I can transfer my soul into another vessel, remaining undying. I've already achieved immortality."
In a certain sense, Orochimaru really had achieved the art of eternal life.
Since the flesh inevitably decays and weakens with time, why not discard it altogether and replace it with a body that can sustain the soul?
The soul itself suffers no damage from being transferred, and Orochimaru had indeed mastered the art of moving his soul and seizing another's body.
This was also why he valued the bodies of Itachi and Sasuke so highly.
By transferring into a body, he could gain its abilities.
If he took Kimimaro's body, he would gain the Kaguya clan's Shikotsumyaku.
If it were an Uchiha body, he could perfectly wield the Sharingan.
When Orochimaru mentioned Living Corpse Reincarnation, Kimimaro's face darkened.
Originally, the next body Orochimaru-sama intended to take was his.
But because of his severe illness, he could not serve as Orochimaru-sama's new vessel.
This pained Kimimaro deeply.
He had followed Orochimaru since childhood, harboring an almost twisted devotion to him, wanting nothing more than to offer himself completely.
Yet because of his condition, he couldn't — and that hurt more than anything.
"Kiyosuke-kun, you were the one who killed Danzō, weren't you?" Orochimaru said with a smile.
Kiyosuke didn't deny it, admitting openly.
"Yes. That old man had been bouncing around for far too long. I took the chance to finish him off. And with you taking the blame for me, Sensei, even if the Third finds out, there's nothing he can do. After all, the one in power now is the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade."
"Heh… Tsunade, huh? If she finds out, she might even applaud."
Orochimaru wasn't the least bit annoyed that Kiyosuke dumped the blame on him.
He valued this disciple, even if they had once fought.
"That's not something I care about."
"So then, Kiyosuke-kun… you brought me the Sasuke-kun I've set my eyes on — for what reason? To offer me a premium vessel?"
A single snake-like pupil fixed unblinkingly on Sasuke, the same way Jiraiya would stare at a half-dressed Tsunade — eyes full of hunger.
Feeling a chill from that gaze, Sasuke instinctively furrowed his brows.
Kiyosuke stepped in front of him with a grin.
"Orochimaru-sensei, you've just changed bodies and already you're drooling over Sasuke's? What happened to your last one?"
"Heh… that body was severely injured when Sarutobi-sensei and Jiraiya attacked me together. It couldn't be healed, so I had no choice but to replace it."
On this matter, Orochimaru was rather helpless.
He had thought that reviving the First and Second Hokage, plus the Fourth Kazekage, would secure victory.
Who would have guessed that one unfilial disciple would show up — and after reviving the Fourth Hokage, actually take away his trump card.
After that, his Four Sound ninja were tied up by the ANBU, and the Third, along with Jiraiya who rushed in, gave him a thorough beating.
Gravely wounded, he had no choice but to return to the Sound Village to change bodies.
If he had known Sasuke was coming, he might have waited.
He sighed inwardly as his disciple spoke.
"Sensei, I've brought you an apprentice."
"An apprentice?" Orochimaru asked in puzzlement.
"With your strength, you should have no trouble teaching Sasuke-kun yourself."
"I'm afraid I'd train him to death. If I really took him on, ten lives wouldn't be enough. Besides, I'm not good at teaching — I'd probably ruin such a fine gem. So I'll leave Sasuke in your hands, and rest easy."
Orochimaru chuckled.
"And you're not worried I might take over his body? He is one of my most promising vessels."
"If you can, go ahead. But once he grows, Sasuke won't be someone to take lightly. So… will you take him or not?"
"Take him? Of course I will. Sasuke-kun, I'll train you to be as powerful as Kakashi."
"Kakashi? Why not Kiyosuke-sama?" Sasuke asked, puzzled.
"Kiyosuke-kun's strength cannot be replicated. Only the Hōzuki clan has a physique even remotely similar, and even they can't match him." Orochimaru shook his head.
To become as strong as Kiyosuke was practically impossible — even if Sasuke awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
In fact, Orochimaru had a hunch that even Sasuke's brother, Uchiha Itachi, wouldn't last long against Kiyosuke.
After all, that firepower was recognized as the strongest in the world.
If only he could take that body…
But that was just wishful thinking.
Kiyosuke was not the type to sit still and be slaughtered.
Trying to possess him might very well lead to an even worse death.
Though deeply sentimental — still treating Orochimaru as his teacher after all these years, and even refraining from true hostility during the Konoha Crush — when it came to matters of life and death, who would just stand there and wait?
"Then why Kakashi?"
Sasuke was only half-serious.
He knew Kiyosuke's strength couldn't be copied — he was just curious why Orochimaru thought Kakashi was so strong.
Sure, Kakashi was strong, but not to an extreme degree.
"What are you talking about? Kakashi can fight anyone to a draw. Isn't that strong enough? He can even go fifty-fifty with me. His strength is unimaginable." Kiyosuke said.
Hmph. In the final battle, Kakashi absolutely had to be there — otherwise, who would drag Kaguya's power down to average?
It worked every time!
"Fifty-fifty" was practically a law of causality by now.
How could that not be strong?