But he also realized not everyone would look at him with kindness. This was the real world, not some story—people could die here if they weren't careful.
"Uncle Snake? Haha, that's an interesting way to address me. No one has ever called me that before. Come to think of it, Shiki, you're becoming more and more intriguing to me," Orochimaru laughed, as though he had discovered something fascinating.
"Shiki Uzumaki, come with me. Not only will I heal your wounds, but I will also grant you the power for vengeance. Everything you don't yet understand will become clear."
Upon hearing this, Shiki was about to refuse.
Yet Orochimaru acted as though he had just pressed the right button,
"And perhaps I might also share some information regarding your mother..."
After those words, Shiki's pupils suddenly contracted, rendering him speechless once again.
Chapter 150: Doubt
Kakashi was somewhat moved as well—how could this be possible?
As someone who kept a close eye on Shiki Uzumaki, he naturally knew about the boy's missing mother.
In fact, over the years, many jonin trusted by the Third Hokage had received such missions—to investigate the whereabouts of Shiki's mother while carrying out their tasks.
However, despite numerous shinobi having completed missions in Amegakure through the years, not even a trace of her had been found.
Now, Orochimaru was saying something like this—what did it really mean?
Regardless, under no circumstances should Shiki act recklessly now. Even though Kakashi couldn't confirm whether Orochimaru's claim was true or not,
he set his face in grim determination and said firmly, "Shiki, don't believe a word this man says—he must be lying!"
Kakashi had already pushed up the forehead protector covering his eye—revealing his Sharingan, which gleamed conspicuously within the darkness.
However, Shiki remained silent, staring directly at Orochimaru's face.
Kakashi's words seemed to have absolutely no effect on him. Yet in truth, Shiki was merely deep in thought.
Orochimaru wasn't exactly known for lying—especially when there was nothing he personally stood to gain from it.
"How can you prove it?"
Shiki spoke softly, yet his tone sounded like an accusation.
No one could understand where he found the nerve to speak like that to Orochimaru—especially considering how shy he usually was around strangers.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, appearing to relish the process of gradually drawing a hopeful young soul into his arms.
Seeing that Orochimaru didn't respond immediately, Shiki furrowed his brow and loudly demanded, "Does my mother's disappearance have anything to do with you?!"
Orochimaru didn't seem offended at all. In fact, he looked like a humble gentleman apologizing, "I'm sorry, but although the inheritance of the Uzumaki Clan is indeed enviable, it isn't the kind of body I desire. What I truly seek is the Sharingan. As for choosing followers, youthful vitality is far more promising, wouldn't you agree?"
What Orochimaru said made perfect sense.
To someone as powerful as Orochimaru, the world is full of endless opportunities. There simply wasn't any need to waste energy pursuing things one didn't even want.
Especially someone like Orochimaru, a man with his own ambitions. Yet everyone around him served him as their highest faith.
"So what exactly is the information you mentioned?" Shiki's tone finally softened, but still carried an eagerness to know.
"Nothing but hearsay," Orochimaru said dismissively. "But if I told you now, Shiki, it'd bring you nothing but trouble."
"Still, I want to know," Shiki insisted firmly, his eyes filled with desire for answers.
He seemed to have forgotten the gap between his abilities and the man standing before him.
Orochimaru took a few slow steps forward. "Sorry, but my purpose for coming here today is that child behind you."
Kakashi immediately formed a hand seal. "Stop right there! Even if you are one of the Sannin, I have the power to take you down with me!"
"Hahahaha!" A mocking laugh echoed through the dark space. Orochimaru appeared to have just heard the funniest joke in the world, but after his laughter ceased, his smiling eyes remained fixed on Kakashi.
"But what you're doing seems completely different from what you said."
A bone-piercing chill suddenly swept over Kakashi, freezing him in place. Sweat poured down his forehead uncontrollably.
In that moment, he saw his own death.
With merely killing intent, he was made to witness his own demise.
"It seems I really was naive."
Kakashi sighed inwardly.
He no longer clung to the hope of taking that man down with him, even at the cost of his own life. Still, he wished for an opportunity—no matter the sacrifice—to ensure these two children could escape.
But...
Would he truly get such a chance?
Shiki's breath came slightly quicker. In that moment, he had also been overwhelmed by Orochimaru's killing intent.
He didn't know what others felt when faced with Orochimaru's killing aura.
But just then, it was as though sharp blades had carved themselves into his memory.
Countless kunai shot toward him, each flying like a storm of wind. Under the storm of kunai, he was powerless to resist.
He could only watch helplessly as these weapons pierced him like a sieve. Blood streamed endlessly downward, splattering so violently it created a mist of crimson droplets.
"Sasuke will surely come to me, because he is a vengeful soul. Kakashi, you can never stop his will for revenge."
For reasons unknown, Orochimaru casually turned away.
Even though he could kill both men before him and forcefully take Sasuke, to a genius like him, anyone who couldn't disrupt his plans wasn't worth the effort of eliminating.
Instead, he wanted to stand in the audience and observe their lives unfold.
Thus, Orochimaru walked on, each step echoing through the dark space. His footsteps carried a pressure that struck deep into the heart.
This was the ninja world—a place where the truly strong held terrifying, absolute power over the weak.
Suddenly, Orochimaru halted his steps.
Kakashi's gaze instantly locked on him. His body tensed again, as if preparing himself fully to give his life.
But Orochimaru never fully turned his body around. He merely stood there, facing away from the two, and said,
"Shiki Uzumaki, I think you're the finest performer. As someone sitting in the audience, I'm quite curious to see how a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan will face what lies ahead."
After saying these words, Orochimaru took one more step forward and vanished into the darkness, leaving no trace of his presence behind.
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