After leaving the meeting room, Saitama returned directly to his room.
Since the Akatsuki had already begun executing their plan, Saitama saw no reason to waste time either.
Having waited for several years already, Saitama was eager in his heart to begin collecting the Tailed Beasts.
This was precisely the period after a major war had just ended, and all the Hidden Villages were weakened.
If he could gather most of the Tailed Beasts before these powerful villages recovered and had time to react, that would indeed be ideal.
Saitama walked over to his table, picked up his weapon, and hung it at his waist.
At the same time, he took off the leather cord binding his hair, grabbed a nearby tanto, and with swish after swish, cut off his shoulder-length hair.
After running his fingers through his newly cropped hair and confirming the length was right, he gave it a few casual pats.
Tidying his clothes and concealing the blade beneath his garments, Saitama stepped outside.
Of course, his current mission was to capture the Four-Tails. However, before receiving intelligence from Zetsu, he still had ample time to handle some personal affairs.
...
In a dark underground chamber, artificially constructed, there was no dampness—instead, it was surprisingly dry.
Strange patterns decorated the walls, further enhancing the eerie atmosphere.
A person living long-term in such a place would either be perverted or mentally ill—and clearly, Orochimaru probably qualified on both counts.
Flickering lights cast dancing shadows down the corridor. From deep inside came a bone-chilling sound—the slow crunch of crushing bones.
As he walked down the corridor, Saitama felt no fear—only curiosity as he studied the carvings along the walls.
Dadada! Footsteps continuously echoed as Saitama, expression cold, kept advancing.
Yet even he eventually grew slightly annoyed—why did Orochimaru's base always have such incredibly long corridors?
Suppressing his irritation, Saitama continued forward. In his perception, Orochimaru's Chakra signature shone like a beacon.
On! A monstrous hand slammed into the door frame beside Saitama. Through the iron bars, he could see a creature-like figure, and a pair of eyes filled with killing intent.
Stopping in his tracks, Saitama looked at Orochimaru's experiment specimen, slowly leaning closer.
Facing these failed experiments gave Saitama a distinct Resident Evil vibe.
While he pitied them deeply, he also felt overwhelming sorrow.
"Kill... kill you!" The owner of those eyes crashed heavily against the cell door, glaring at Saitama.
Saitama stared for a moment, finally spotting a Tomoe-shaped pattern on the back of the monster's neck—the very cause behind its grotesque transformation.
Orochimaru was conducting experiments related to talismans. These people were all failed test subjects.
Looking farther, both sides of the corridor featured numerous narrow rooms resembling prison cells, each holding people who varied between insanity, calmness, oddity, and normalcy.
On! Another powerful punch slammed into the bars, shaking the entire door violently as loud reverberations echoed down this 'Monster Corridor.'
Such sounds seemed to agitate others deeper inside, prompting increasingly furious growls and metallic bangs against cell doors.
"Tchch!" Saitama let out a faint chuckle, turning around and walking away without sparing another glance at the provoking monster.
Going through the corridor, he reached a massive circular space that looked just like an arena.
The entrance he used was on the second floor of this place.
Looking down, the entire chamber was filled with similar passageways, arranged like a honeycomb.
Right in the center, Saitama spotted a familiar figure deeply engrossed in experiments, completely absorbed in his work.
Saitama approached silently, but the figure showed no reaction to his presence.
Clang! A scalpel dropped onto the operating table, producing a sharp metallic sound as it struck the stone surface.
"Did you actually come to visit me, Saitama-kun?" Orochimaru's voice remained as magnetic as ever. He wiped his hands while keeping his back turned, then slowly faced Saitama.
Saitama gazed at this remarkably charismatic man, his eyes gleaming slightly.
Over the past few years, Saitama had collaborated with Orochimaru multiple times, and many of Orochimaru's current research directions were actually suggested by Saitama himself.
"I just happened to be free, so I dropped by," Saitama replied casually. Years of interaction had built up a certain level of mutual understanding between them.
"The Organization has begun its operations. How's your research coming along?"
Saitama fixed his eyes on Orochimaru.
"Tchch... Perfect timing. I've got something interesting for you."
Orochimaru smiled, his eyes narrowing into dangerous crescents. The purple eyeshadow shimmered under the dim lighting.
"Do you remember that little brat I told you about before—Sin?"
Orochimaru locked eyes with Saitama, his tongue flicking out to moisten his lips, amusement dancing deep within his gaze.
"Sin?"
"That's right!"
"You spirited him out of Konoha?"
"Not long ago, I made a deal with Danzō and conveniently brought Sin along."
"Worth checking out."
Saitama became somewhat intrigued by what Orochimaru said, developing curiosity about this person called Sin.
Previously, when he saw Orochimaru obsessed with Hashirama's cells, Saitama mentioned Sin—an earlier experimental subject of Orochimaru's.
Sin had no extraordinary traits, but his body demonstrated an incredible ability to tolerate even something as powerful as Hashirama's cells.
Originally abandoned by Orochimaru as an experimental specimen, Sin had recently regained his attention thanks to Saitama's words.
Following behind Orochimaru, Saitama soon arrived at a relatively spacious room where a frail figure crouched on the bed.
Wrapping his arms around his drawn-up legs, Sin buried his head between his knees, enveloped by a strange aura.
"Sin!" Orochimaru stopped several meters away from him without stepping closer.
At the sound of the voice, Sin numbly lifted his head toward the doorway.
His eyes were hollow, lifeless voids devoid even of fear or desire.
"What business?" Those two simple words seemed to drain every ounce of strength he had left.
Orochimaru didn't respond, though his expression momentarily darkened.
Sin had once deeply admired Orochimaru and sincerely wished to learn his techniques, even volunteering to become an experiment specimen. But Orochimaru only saw him as a tool and never kept his promise to him.
After countless experiments by Orochimaru, Sin's heart had grown numb. Even death no longer frightened him.
"I know you hate me, but as an experiment specimen, you should have accepted this fate, shouldn't you?"
"After discarding you, I came back because you're still useful to me. That's the only reason you're still alive."
Orochimaru licked his lips, indifferent to Sin's feelings. After all, before absolute power, the weak had no ability to resist.
Thud! Orochimaru took one step forward, and instantly, a spark of life returned to Sin's previously lifeless eyes.
Rip! Sin stretched out one hand, pointing directly at Orochimaru. His arms transformed into intertwining roots that shot forth and pierced straight through Orochimaru's chest.
Saitama narrowed his eyes and remained motionless—every movement Sin made was perfectly visible to him, nothing escaped his notice.
"You're still just as unlovable," Orochimaru said, looking down at the wound in his chest where blood gushed out, staining the floor, though it didn't bother him at all.
At Orochimaru's words, a shadow passed over Sin's face, and the roots extending from his arms slowly detached and fell away.
He pulled his knees to his chest and leaned back against the wall, fixing Orochimaru with a steady stare.
Gahh~ Orochimaru opened his mouth wide, and two hands slowly emerged from inside.
The original body seemed like discarded skin, dropped onto the ground.
Saitama said nothing as he quietly stepped back, increasing the distance between himself and Orochimaru.
"Isn't this somewhat interesting?" Orochimaru glanced at Saitama.
"Yeah, not bad." Saitama nodded slightly while glancing at the roots scattered on the floor.
"This truly is an incredible vessel, don't you think? Once I implant all the Kekkei Genkai I desire into this body, who knows what kind of power it could unleash!"
As Orochimaru spoke, his tongue instinctively licked his lips.
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