Orochimaru clearly harbored deep resentment toward his teacher.
Fortunately, he seemed to realize that he was an adult—and that speaking ill of others should have its limits. At the very least, he restrained himself from appearing too petty in front of a child.
"In any case…"
"My teacher is not a good person."
"If you encounter the Third Hokage in Konoha, stay as far away from that old man as possible. His greatest talent lies in manipulating people's hearts. Humans are far too easily brainwashed by sweet words…"
But… Orochimaru-sama…
You're also pretty good at brainwashing people.
Akihara Kagura couldn't help but mutter inwardly.
"Though…"
Orochimaru seemed to think of something, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly.
"I probably don't need to worry. Danzō would never allow you to get close to the Third Hokage."
Orochimaru placed a hand on Kagura's shoulder, his expression unusually serious.
"Kagura, you are my most perfect creation. The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, was known as the God of Shinobi—and you have almost perfectly assimilated his cells. You are the most talented child of this era."
"..."
The boy nodded silently.
He already knew this before the Wood Release experiment.
Otherwise, why would he have dared to gamble his life on a procedure with a survival rate below one percent?
What he cared about now—
Was Danzō.
Fortunately, Orochimaru didn't forget Kagura's question. He casually spoke a few words about Shimura Danzō, clearly holding little respect for his so-called investor.
Akihara Kagura, however, listened intently.
Shimura Danzō was his future superior.
And without question, he was one of the most troublesome superiors in Konoha. Understanding a boss in advance was essential for smooth career development.
Shimura Danzō.
Advisor to the Hokage.
An elderly man with narrow vision—and boundless ambition.
Because Danzō and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had once been comrades who faced death together in their youth, Hiruzen showed Danzō extraordinary tolerance. He granted him immense authority and tacitly allowed him to deal with Konoha's filth and hidden troubles from the shadows.
"..."
Akihara Kagura suddenly felt that Orochimaru was being a little dishonest.
The information Orochimaru provided was actually less than what Kagura already knew.
How was he supposed to work efficiently in Konoha with this?
Clearly—
Orochimaru didn't notice.
He seemed to think Kagura wouldn't like gloomy old men like Danzō anyway, and instead shifted the topic to children in Konoha who had caught his interest.
"There's an interesting child in Konoha…"
"That little one showed extraordinary talent from a very young age—and coincidentally possesses a bloodline that is practically the natural enemy of Wood Release…"
"Who is it?"
Akihara Kagura was genuinely curious.
This era of Konoha produced many geniuses. Anyone who could leave such a deep impression on Orochimaru was certainly no ordinary talent.
"Uchiha Itachi."
Orochimaru spoke the name Kagura already knew, continuing calmly:
"That child is a true genius. Even in times of peace, his talent and ninja aptitude far surpass those of his peers…"
Recalling the scene of young Itachi training alone in a practice hall, even Orochimaru couldn't help but sigh.
"That child… if it were him, he might awaken an even higher level of the Sharingan."
"..."
Akihara Kagura's expression turned strange.
But as a professional worker, Kagura had excellent occupational ethics. Seeing Orochimaru's fixation, he took the initiative to help his superior.
"If Orochimaru-sama wishes to see Uchiha Itachi again… in the future, I'll find an opportunity to bring him before you."
"Good."
Orochimaru gave him an approving look.
Wood Release and the Sharingan were undoubtedly the two most exceptional bloodlines in the ninja world.
If Kagura truly brought Itachi before him someday, Orochimaru intended to make the two geniuses fight face-to-face.
Whoever won—
He would take their body.
As for whether Itachi would consent to becoming a vessel, Orochimaru didn't care.
One glance was all it would take to immobilize him.
"..."
Akihara Kagura maintained his respectful demeanor.
But inwardly, he had a different plan.
If he ever really brought Uchiha Itachi before Orochimaru, Kagura intended to let them fight—and allow Orochimaru to personally experience the terror of the Sharingan.
Perhaps Orochimaru would become utterly obsessed with it.
More importantly—
The system recognized this as a superior-issued task.
[System Notification]:
[New Work Assignment: Find an opportunity to bring Uchiha Itachi before Orochimaru.]
This job—
Akihara Kagura swore to complete properly.
Even if these two were destined to meet somewhere they shouldn't, Kagura would still find a way to make them meet again.
Time passed strangely.
Perhaps because Orochimaru was too immersed in research—
Or perhaps because Kagura was too eager to head to Konoha.
On the fourth day—
Someone finally arrived at the base.
An elderly man with a cane appeared nearby. His head was wrapped in layers of bandages, one eye completely covered, as though it had been grievously injured.
Two ninja followed closely at his sides, scanning the surroundings with vigilance, clearly afraid that the old man might encounter danger here.
"Lord Danzō,"
One of the ninja glanced at the scattered rubble and spoke gravely.
"There was intense combat here not long ago. Orochimaru may have encountered an enemy. We shouldn't stay—"
"Not an enemy."
Orochimaru stepped out with Akihara Kagura, smiling warmly.
"Just a bit of excitement after Kagura's experiment succeeded."
"..."
The two ninja immediately moved to block the elderly man.
No matter the connection between them, Orochimaru was still an S-rank missing-nin.
That alone made him extremely dangerous.
"Stand down."
The old man dismissed his subordinates with a single sentence. He looked at Orochimaru and spoke slowly.
"It's been a long time, Orochimaru. It seems… you've been doing quite well?"
His speech was deliberately slow, forcing others to listen carefully—an unconscious display of authority.
But before Orochimaru could answer, the old man's gaze shifted to Kagura.
"Experiment successful… was it?"
"This child?"
"Correct. Exactly what you wanted."
Orochimaru's lips curved upward.
"Compared to the previous immature product, Kagura's Wood Release is far stronger."
"I'll take this child."
The old man half-closed his eyes, his tone firm and unquestionable.
"Only Konoha… is qualified to wield the power of Wood Release."
---
(End of Chapter 4)