Shin had never imagined that he would see Orochimaru again, and under such circumstances at that.
He stared at the figure by the door and quickly sensed that something was wrong. The Chakra signature of this body was far too familiar. His brows immediately furrowed as he asked in a low voice, "What did you do to Anko?"
Orochimaru remained calm. "Anko is dead."
Shin's gaze gradually turned terrifying.
But Orochimaru suddenly curled his lips into a smile, then walked into the room, ignoring Retsu Unohana and Kaguya, who had once struck fear into everyone who saw her.
"Anko died for me. Her death was worthwhile, because my place in her heart had already surpassed her own life," Orochimaru said slowly.
"What, did you regard Anko as your friend?" he asked Shin.
"How rare. Someone like you actually has friends."
The coldness in Shin's eyes lasted only a few seconds before he suddenly sneered. "Orochimaru, there's no need to act like this on purpose. You're suffering too, aren't you?"
Orochimaru was silent for an extra second before speaking. "Shin, you always act as though you understand me."
Shin countered, "Is it bad for someone to understand you? Don't you want me to understand you?"
Orochimaru said, "What a pity. We can no longer stand together, nor can we even be enemies. I miss what you were like as a teenager. Back then, you were very weak."
"We are different people," Shin said. "I'm pursuing what I want as well."
Orochimaru dismissed it with contempt. "The desires of mortals. Shin, you should rise above them. You will evolve into a long-lived being. These desires and bonds will only bring you pain in the future."
"But Orochimaru," Shin said, "you wanted to cast everything aside back then. Did you truly sever those