"Teacher Orochimaru, you look a little worse for wear!"
Orochimaru was disheveled, covered in grime, with multiple abrasions across his body. In some places, blood had already soaked through his clothes.
So Soji's remark was perfectly fair.
Or rather, this was the first time Soji had ever seen Orochimaru in such a sorry state!
Although Soji's words carried a hint of teasing, Orochimaru could still hear the concern behind them.
Still, appearing so disheveled before his disciple left Orochimaru with a burning sense of embarrassment.
That was only natural. Those who considered themselves elders generally wanted to leave behind a radiant, imposing image in the hearts of their younger disciples.
If it was a dark chapter of their past, feeling embarrassed was unavoidable.
"I ran into two old enemies. They were a little troublesome."
Though he was injured and had lost some face before his disciple, Orochimaru did not stubbornly try to tough it out.
After all, both Konan and Nagato were extremely powerful.
Nagato in particular was already beyond his ability to handle.
If he still underestimated his enemies at a time like this, the ones who would suffer later would only be Soji and himself.
"Teacher Orochimaru, could you explain exactly what happened?"
Seeing that Orochimaru seemed ready to admit defeat, Soji frowned and asked.
Although he had seen Nagato and Konan on the other side, along with the pile of Summoning Beasts around them, he still did not know how Orochimaru had suddenly started fighting them.
Besides, Soji was also curious. Why had Nagato and Konan left the Land of Rain and come to the ruins of Uzushio Village?
He still needed Orochimaru's help to undo the Reaper Death Seal and revive Minato.
What Soji feared most now was that Nagato and Konan had come here because