"My intelligence comes from Konoha. If you don't trust me, you can investigate Uzushio Village yourself. But whether the Leader of Uzushio and the Uchiha will let you investigate is another matter."
Orochimaru ignored Itachi's gaze and looked at him with amusement, like a venomous snake watching its prey.
As one of the former Sannin, Orochimaru was well versed in the art of lying. He had to provide intelligence that was real enough for his enemy to believe his claims.
For instance, Uzushio Village being a Konoha outpost was a conclusion he had reached after much deliberation.
After all, if Uzushio Village were truly Konoha's enemy, Jiraiya and the Third Hokage could not possibly stand by and do nothing. There could not have been no response within Konoha either. Even his old friend had been extremely guarded about the matter.
Seeing Orochimaru speak with such certainty, Itachi began to doubt whether the intelligence was true, but he could not fully trust Orochimaru.
At that moment, Itachi seemed to recall something and asked Orochimaru, "Your intelligence comes from Konoha? Information of this level is not something an ordinary person could possess."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and said sinisterly, "Asking about the source of intelligence is not part of our deal. We are both rogue ninjas, so we should understand the importance of spies. Didn't you leave a ninja behind in the village as well?"
When had he left a ninja behind?
Itachi froze slightly, then thought of Sasuke. His expression darkened. Orochimaru was using Sasuke to threaten him.
"You mean that useless Sasuke? He is not a spy I left in the village. If not for the fact that he was too useless to pose any threat, I would have killed him that night."
Orochimaru did not expose Itachi's lie. He