Orochimaru extended his long tongue, licking around his lips, the expression on his face turned sinister.
But that's what makes it interesting.
Who could have known that the three little brats let go back then would grow to this extent today.
Thinking of Nagato's strength, Orochimaru couldn't help but shudder.
That power is nothing like what a human should possess.
In the face of such power, even the Sannin seem insignificant, completely powerless to fight back.
Looking at it now, Root's strategy against Akatsuki was completely wrong.
The most troublesome person in Akatsuki is not Yahiko, but Nagato with the Rinnegan.
Nevertheless, where this new wind represented by Akatsuki will blow is what Orochimaru is interested in.
It is also his reason for joining Akatsuki.
Staying in the decaying will of Konoha had long lost its appeal.
Although Nagato and he had past grievances, the other party seemed not to care, which surprised Orochimaru.
Another reason to stay in Akatsuki is to observe Nagato's every move, see how far this man with legendary eyes can grow, and what new impact he will have on the Ninja Realm, much more intriguing than staying in Konoha.
On the quest for eternal life, no novelty is more suitable to pass the time.
Surely Sasori thinks the same way, Orochimaru looked at Sasori's eyes with a sense of camaraderie and admiration.
While still on the path of seeking immortality, the other seemed to achieve that feat before the age of twenty.
A genius cannot be judged by common sense.
In Orochimaru's eyes, Sasori is a genius ninja worthy of acknowledgment and affirmation.
Such geniuses who share his thoughts exist in this world.
Nothing could be more delightful.
So, even if Sasori disliked him, Orochimaru wouldn't feel resentful, just the unique character of a genius.
"Don't look at me with those eyes, be careful, I might really kill you."
Orochimaru's gaze, eager to lick him, made Sasori feel nauseated from the inside out.
Particularly that mouth, which frequently spat out all sorts of things.
He wasn't entirely human with someone like him.
"Apologies, I lost myself for a moment. Let's go, I know where that guy is."
Orochimaru casually smiled and led the way upfront.
Sasori snorted coldly, slowly trailing behind Orochimaru.
◎
An unnamed mountain range.
Three days have passed, Orochimaru brought Sasori here.
"Is this the place where that person called Hiruko resides?"
At the foot of an enormous mountain, Sasori glanced towards the summit, shrouded in a thick, dark fog.
According to Orochimaru, a Konoha S-Class Renegade Ninja named Hiruko was hiding here.
Though considered a Konoha S-Class Renegade Ninja, Hiruko's presence was barely felt.
At least Sasori had never heard of such a person existing.
"Hiruko and I were contemporaries, but his talent was extremely mediocre, so he could only research Forbidden Techniques to enhance his strength. Unfortunately, he was discovered by the Third Hokage, and thus fled Konoha."
Orochimaru briefly laid out Hiruko's information.
"Researching Forbidden Techniques?"
"Yes, unwilling to accept a mediocre fate, he sought to change everything through Forbidden Techniques. Considering the time, his Forbidden Techniques should have accomplished something by now."
"Can such a person really become our comrade?"
"Underestimating people is not good, Sasori."
Orochimaru chuckled.
"We'll see what he's capable of then."
Finishing his words, shadows surged from under Sasori's clothing, linking together into a long metal tail with edges like blades.
A monkey-like creature attacking from behind was tightly caught by this metal tail.
The tail coiled tighter and tighter until its force surpassed the beast's limits, turning it into a bloody rain falling from the sky.
Following the monkey's agonizing death cries, a swarm of toxic bees flew in from both sides of the path, revealing the stingers in their tails, rushing toward Sasori.
Sasori sneered disdainfully, as the steel tail twirled like lightning around his body.
Countless toxic bees rained down on the ground, losing mobility.
Orochimaru leisurely watched the scene, not intending to intervene.
This level of attack would be deadly to ordinary ninja, but Sasori was no ordinary ninja, he was a renowned S-Class Renegade Ninja from Hidden Sand Village.
To him, this attack was just like raindrops falling on his body.
Just then, a faint sound of footsteps reached Orochimaru's ears, prompting him to turn his head towards the source of the sound.
A white-haired youth in ancient white robes descended slowly along the mountain path.
His eyes showed a burning red glow, face obscured by white bandages, calmly meeting Orochimaru's gaze.
Orochimaru grinned, speaking in a familiar tone, "Long time no see, Hiruko, I almost didn't recognize you like this. You seem to have changed quite a bit since leaving the village."