The tense atmosphere eased slightly as Anya spoke, "Uncle, you at least have to give me a reason, right?"
"A reason? It's simple. We're just the same kind of people." Orochimaru pointed at Anya's chest and continued, "You try to disguise it well, but I can still see your ambition. People like you and me won't last long in Konoha. He is my current ally, and perhaps one day he could be yours as well."
"Partner, huh?" Anya scoffed. "He's not even close to deserving that title yet."
"Don't let hatred cloud your judgment. He's done things in Konoha that even that old man Sarutobi couldn't accomplish."
Hearing this from Orochimaru, Anya didn't argue back. By his current standards, there indeed existed a gap between himself and Orochimaru—an advantage requiring time to close.
Seeing Anya lost in thought, Orochimaru fell silent for a moment, seriously considering how he should act if Anya truly decided to kill Danzo.
First, between Anya and Danzo, Orochimaru favored Anya more. But for now, Danzo was still more useful. However, if Anya insisted on killing him, Orochimaru wouldn't fight to the death over it—he would merely feel disappointed toward Anya.
After a long pause, Anya finally smiled brightly and said, "Uncle, as long as he doesn't provoke me first, I won't go after him. Consider this my promise to you—how about that?"
Orochimaru smirked, clearly pleased. "I knew it—you're a smart kid."
Anya gave a pitiful look and replied, "Uncle, look how much I've sacrificed. Won't you give me something as compensation?"
Hardly finishing his praise, Orochimaru wore an awkward expression, slightly speechless as he patted his own head. "Tell me then, what do you want? Just name it."
Sure, he could ask for anything—though whether Orochimaru would actually grant it was another matter entirely. Anya naturally understood the implication behind those words.
Actually, Anya had just remembered during their brief confrontation with Orochimaru that when he betrayed the Hokage in the future, the Kusanagi blade he wielded possessed tremendous power. That sword had been taken by Enma afterward, and later a different one appeared, which he even gave to Sasuke. Clearly, Orochimaru likely had more than one Kusanagi. If that was the case, why not try asking for one now?
Rubbing his hands together anxiously, Anya said, "Uncle, look at my shinobi blade—it's way too ordinary and totally doesn't suit me. It can't compare to your Kusanagi at all. You think you could gift me a weapon? Of course, I'm not picky—I'll be happy with whatever you decide to give."
"Anya, you really can't stand to lose out on anything, can you?" Orochimaru scolded lightly, though his hands were already forming hand seals. Soon, a massive white spectral figure appeared behind him.
Looking closer, it was an eight-headed and eight-tailed Yamata no Orochi, its eyes glowing like rubies filled with malice. Its colossal body stretched as wide as eight mountains and eight valleys combined—exuding immense pressure.
Anya inhaled sharply, exclaiming, "The Eight Branches Technique? I didn't expect Uncle to have reached this level."
Although it hadn't yet transformed from the intangible to the tangible and was still incomplete, once the Eight Branches Technique took full shape, Orochimaru could essentially transcend physical limitations and, in a sense, achieve immortality.
As the Eight Branches Technique manifested, Orochimaru completed his hand seals. With a shift in his gaze, each snake head spat out a cold, gleaming weapon.
Orochimaru turned his gaze, filled with fanaticism, toward the phantom behind him. With a casual wave of his hand, he said, "Pick one."
"Uncle, you're too generous. Then I won't hold back."
As these weapons appeared simultaneously, Anya's eyes immediately locked onto a weapon resembling a Chinese saber. Without hesitation, he leaped forward and grabbed it.
This was a slender straight sword that gleamed entirely in silver light, with an exquisitely carved auspicious cloud pattern and a blood groove. The blade was incredibly sharp. When lightly flicked with a finger, it emitted a low, resonant hum. Anya's body erupted in violent arcs of lightning chakra as he channeled it into the blade. The sword then emitted a piercingly melodic shriek. As he slashed it through the air, a deafening boom erupted. It sounded like mountains collapsing and the earth splitting open, shaking the entire laboratory.
Orochimaru was unconcerned by the massive disturbance within the lab. Watching Anya now wielding this divine weapon, it was as if he were admiring a masterpiece. Instinctively licking his lips, he murmured, "Perfect."
The same word echoed in Anya's mind. Perfect. The blade not only perfectly resonated with his chakra, but also felt as natural in his hands as if it were a part of his body. If he had possessed this sword during his previous battle against the Tsuchikage, he might have gravely wounded Minato with his very first use of the Sword Art: Draw Technique.
Gazing at the blade with a hint of infatuation, Anya murmured absentmindedly, "Time turns the wheel of fate—gathering like clouds, scattering like wind. Blossoms rise and fall, comings and goings are met with indifference. Let's call it the Blade of Indifference."
Orochimaru detected the sorrow hidden in Anya's tone and understood what he was thinking. He silently offered a moment of sympathy for Danzo. Of all people, he had picked a fight with someone who wasn't going to let him go easily—even if Orochimaru had convinced Anya to delay his vengeance for now.
After exchanging a few more words with Orochimaru, Anya departed. This visit had indeed been fruitful. After all, Serpent Master is Serpent Master. If he could truly set everything aside to assist Anya, many things would become far easier. Unfortunately, that remained impossible—for now.
Leaving the Rice Country, Anya mounted the Eagle Puppet and flew straight toward the Land of the Blacksmiths.
Although he now possessed the Blade of Indifference, mastering a brand-new sword technique with it alone was still not enough. Moreover, following recent continuous battles, Anya's understanding of swordsmanship had been slowly improving, and new ideas were gradually forming in his mind.
Previously, she had always used individual Sword Arts in succession. But only after combining the Lightning Blade Art with the Dance of the Blade did Anya discover a brand-new horizon. If she could truly integrate all her Sword Arts and unleash them in an instant, what kind of overwhelming power would that create?
So, she definitely needed to make the trip to the Land of the Blacksmiths. The blueprint for a new Ninja Blade was gradually taking shape in her mind. Anya believed that once she returned from the Land of the Blacksmiths with her new weapons, her sword skills would skyrocket. At that point, surpassing her master, White Fang, wouldn't just be a dream anymore.
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