Orochimaru really harbors a lot of resentment towards his teacher.
Thankfully, Orochimaru seemed aware that he was an adult now and that badmouthing someone behind their back has its limits; he couldn't show his immature side in front of the boy.
"In any case..."
"My teacher is too kind, to the point of being somewhat cowardly, avoiding darkness..."
"If you encounter the Third Hokage in Konoha, make sure to stay away from the old man. His words are most skilled at beguiling people's hearts, and people are easily brainwashed by his sweet talk..."
But...
Lord Orochimaru...
You're quite good at brainwashing others yourself...
Akihara Kagura couldn't help but internally retort.
"Perhaps..."
Orochimaru seemed to have thought of something, smiling slightly: "I don't even need to worry about that; Danzo definitely won't let you get close to the Third Hokage..."
Orochimaru reached out and patted Akihara Kagura on the shoulder, displaying rare seriousness: "Kagura, you are my most perfect creation. The First Hokage Senju Hashirama was revered as the God of Ninja, and you have almost perfectly assimilated with his cells. You are the most talented child of this era..."
"..."
The youth nodded silently.
He had already known this before the Wood Release experiments began; otherwise, why would he dare to take the risk of undergoing human experimentation? As for the matter concerning Danzo?
Luckily.
Orochimaru hadn't forgotten Akihara Kagura's questions, casually chatting a few lines about Shimura Danzo, seemingly not thinking highly of his investor.
Yet Akihara Kagura listened intently.
After all, Shimura Danzo would be his future supervisor!
Especially since this guy was undoubtedly the most troublesome supervisor in Konoha Village. Finding out the supervisor's preferences in advance was very necessary for the unfolding of future work!
Shimura Danzo.
Konoha Village's Hokage Assistant.
An old man with a short-sighted yet ambitious nature.
Because the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo had been life-and-death companions in their youth, the Third Hokage was extremely tolerant of Shimura Danzo, giving him considerable power while silently allowing Danzo to handle Konoha's dirty troubles.
"..."
Young Akihara Kagura felt that Orochimaru was being a bit insincere.
The little information Orochimaru shared wasn't even as much as what he himself knew, so how was he supposed to carry out his work in Konoha in the future!
Clearly.
Orochimaru hadn't realized this.
Orochimaru thought the young Akihara Kagura probably didn't like the gloomy old man Shimura Danzo very much; he was more interested in talking to Akihara Kagura about some kids he was focused on in Konoha...
"Konoha has a very interesting child..."
"That little fellow exhibited outstanding talent from a young age and coincidentally possesses a Kekkeigenkai that serves as a natural enemy to Wood Release..."
"Who is it?"
The young Akihara Kagura was indeed a bit curious.
In Konoha of this era, there seemed to be a lot of geniuses in the village, but a genius that remained on Orochimaru's mind surely wasn't an ordinary one...
"Uchiha Itachi."
Orochimaru said a name that sounded familiar to Akihara Kagura, then continued by himself: "That little guy is a true genius; even in a time of peace, his Ninja qualities and talent far exceed those of his peers..."
Orochimaru recalled the scene when he saw the young Uchiha Itachi training in a training room, and couldn't help but marvel at the little guy's talent: "That child... If it's him, he might awaken a higher level of Sharingan..."
"..."
Young Akihara Kagura had a somewhat peculiar expression.
Nevertheless, as a working man, Akihara Kagura was very professional; seeing Orochimaru so fixated on that talented child, he took the initiative to relieve his supervisor's worries.
"Should Lord Orochimaru wish to see Uchiha Itachi again in the future, I will find an opportunity to bring him to you..."
"Good."
Orochimaru gave the perceptive youth an approving look.
The Wood Release and Sharingan are undoubtedly the two most exceptional Kekkeigenkai.
If Akihara Kagura one day truly manages to bring Uchiha Itachi before him, Orochimaru plans to have the two geniuses face off in combat, with the intention of possessing the winner's body...
As for whether Uchiha Itachi would agree to become a vessel, Orochimaru didn't care; he only needed a single look to make Uchiha Itachi unable to move...
"..."
The young Akihara Kagura remained very respectful outwardly.
Should he actually manage to bring Uchiha Itachi before Orochimaru someday, Akihara Kagura plans to have Orochimaru and Uchiha Itachi face off in battle, so Orochimaru can come to appreciate the power of the Sharingan and become completely obsessed with it...
Moreover...
The system deemed this a task required by his supervisor.
[System Notification]: [New task: Find an opportunity to bring Uchiha Itachi before Orochimaru.]
Such a task...
Akihara Kagura swore to complete it excellently!
Even if the two have met at some inappropriate location, Akihara Kagura would still find a way to make them meet again!
Time seemed to pass quite quickly.
Perhaps because Orochimaru was too engrossed in his experimental research.
Time seemed to pass rather slowly.
Perhaps because Akihara Kagura was too eager to go to Konoha.
On the fourth day.
Finally, someone came to this base.
An old man leaning on a cane appeared around the base, his head wrapped in bandages, even covering one eye socket, as if someone had slashed one of his eyes.
Two Ninjas closely followed the old man, examining the surroundings vigilantly, afraid the old man might encounter danger in the base.
"Lord Danzo."
One of the Ninjas observed the scattered rubble and advised in a deep voice: "There was a fierce battle here not long ago; perhaps Orochimaru encountered an enemy. We shouldn't stay here..."
"It's not an enemy."
Orochimaru emerged with Akihara Kagura, smiling as he spoke: "It was just a little disturbance caused by Kagura after the successful experiment..."
"..."
The two Ninjas immediately blocked the old man's path!
Even though they knew of the connection between the old man and Orochimaru, in terms of identity, Orochimaru was an S-Class Traitorous Ninja from the village!
Just the status of a traitorous Ninja made Orochimaru a hazardous figure!
"Back off."
The old man dismissed his subordinates with a single command, lifting his gaze to Orochimaru, speaking slowly: "Long time no see, Orochimaru. It seems... you've been doing well lately?"
The old man's speech had a leisurely pace, seemingly making an effort for others to hear him clearly, thus showing his superiority.
Yet, the old man quickly revealed his nature, looking at Akihara Kagura without waiting for Orochimaru's response: "You just mentioned... the experiment was a success? This child?"
"Indeed, it's what you wanted."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a smile, speaking leisurely: "Compared to a previous immature creation, Kagura's Wood Release is far more powerful..."
"This child is to be handed over to me."
The old man half-closed his eyes, his voice carrying an unequivocal firmness: "Only Konoha... can wield the power of Wood Release."