Kabuto gave his reasons.
"I didn't know he was one of Orochimaru-sama's people before this."
Kakashi answered this way.
"That's the terrifying thing about Orochimaru-sama. Knowing Kakashi-senpai's identity was pure luck on my part."
"Luck?"
Kakashi scrutinized Kabuto.
"Yes, quite fortuitous."
Kabuto answered with a smile, revealing nothing of his thoughts.
"What's your objective? This matter, you carried out secretly under Orochimaru-sama's name, didn't you?"
Kakashi didn't want to beat around the bush with Kabuto and instead directly asked for his intentions.
"I only hope Kakashi-senpai regards tonight's events as a mere accident. After all, Orochimaru-sama's anger can be quite frightening."
Kabuto said with a laugh.
"Seems like you have your own goals too."
Kabuto didn't deny this; his smile faded.
"Indeed, not just me. Kakashi-senpai also feels the same confusion, right? Caught between these influential figures, powerless to resist and becoming pawns in their games... This feeling gradually makes one forget their own true identity... Deception, falsehood, which one is the real self... In the end, perhaps even the most important people to oneself will find such 'us' unfamiliar..."
The night wind turned cold, disheveling Kabuto's gray hair.
His words carried an anguish and bewilderment difficult for ordinary people to comprehend.
But soon, he collected himself and earnestly spoke to Kakashi: "Thus, upon knowing Kakashi-senpai's identity, I felt a genuine joy within. There are indeed people like me in this world. Kakashi-senpai, we are of the same kind, so please look out for me in the future."
Kakashi remained expressionless, not responding to Kabuto's words.
"What, does Kakashi-senpai think I lack the capability?"
Kabuto smiled faintly.
"No, your capabilities are impressive, whether it's Medical Ninjutsu or disguise... But for such philosophical explorations, it's better to ask Orochimaru-sama."
As Kakashi finished speaking, Kabuto stiffened, a sinister gaze shot from behind, cold sweat covered his face.
The snake's head slid over his shoulder, its tongue licking his neck, filling Kabuto's eyes with fear and tension.
"Kabuto, didn't expect you'd hide such an interesting matter from me... However, compared to Kakashi, you're still a bit too green."
A distinctive hoarse magnetic voice sounded behind Kabuto.
The cold, slippery, nauseating feeling, as if in the snake's den, made Kabuto's body dare not act rashly for fear of sudden demise.
"Alright, come with me, I have a task for you. Leave this to Kakashi to handle. Also, bring along those drug research documents; the Leader is very concerned about all information concerning Chiba Hakushi, and I too am interested in the poison that can eliminate Chakra."
Orochimaru's voice echoed again, chuckling lightly, seemingly without blame for Kabuto.
But Kabuto knew, Orochimaru wasn't without blame; he simply didn't care.
To Orochimaru, subordinates are only useful or useless.
As long as Kabuto showed sufficient excellence, didn't touch Orochimaru's bottom line, nothing would happen.
On the contrary, struggling like this might make Orochimaru find it interesting and full of expectations.
Kabuto deeply understood this.
He could not escape and was also attracted by such an Orochimaru.
No matter what, the other party was the guide that led him out of the predicament.
But also because of this, Kabuto felt respect and fear towards Orochimaru.
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama."
Kabuto smiled bitterly.
Indeed, compared to Kakashi, he seemed still too immature.
Maybe seeing a kindred spirit made him forget himself too much.
He focused only on Kakashi but forgot Orochimaru's pervasive infiltration capability.
Thinking he did everything discreetly, if he persuaded Kakashi, he not only could gain crucial intelligence beyond Orochimaru's reach but also secure Kakashi as an ally.
But in the end, his every move might have been under Orochimaru's observation.
This feeling was awful; it seemed he'd have to be honest in the future.