The two parted ways, and Orochimaru chose the opposite route.
He traveled alone along a forest path, his snake-like eyes fixed on an inconspicuous spot deep within the woods.
A secret base he had abandoned many years ago was hidden there. Even Jiraiya, who had pursued him for years, had never found it.
Some useful information was still hidden inside.
Just as he stepped over a boulder and prepared to continue, he suddenly stopped.
Several meters ahead stood a tall figure.
Like a sculpture condensed from the shadows, it stood there silently and motionlessly.
His entire body was shrouded in a spacious black cloak. Only his pair of verdant eyes showed, burning with a pure killing intent that made it hard to breathe.
The pressure made every muscle in Orochimaru's body tense instantly.
Such a dangerous feeling, such unprecedentedly powerful pressure...
A name surfaced in his mind.
The man rumored to have survived an encounter with the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
The bounty-hunter ceiling, the Rogue Ninja from Takigakure—Kakuzu.
Orochimaru asked in a low voice, "Lord Kakuzu, are you here for me?"
"Someone wants you dead." Kakuzu's voice was utterly calm, as if he were talking about something as ordinary as eating or drinking.
"They're willing to pay a lot."
Orochimaru knew he had countless enemies in the Shinobi World. He simply hadn't expected anyone to be able to afford Kakuzu.
Who could it be?
He had always kept his movements hidden. Unless he revealed himself, no one could possibly find him.
It couldn't possibly be Danzo, whom he had just met, could it?
If so, Danzo was far too unwilling to cooperate.
Orochimaru's golden pupils flickered faintly in the shadows, and he stealthily retreated half a step.
"Lord Kakuzu," he deliberately slowed his speech to make himself seem less