At the mention of Itachi Uchiha, Orochimaru's expression changed slightly.
Before fighting Itachi Uchiha, he had never imagined that he, who had once controlled the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki with genjutsu, would suffer such a crushing defeat in genjutsu. If he had not prepared in advance, he truly would have died at Itachi Uchiha's hands.
This had always been a secret, yet Uzumaki Menma somehow knew about it.
At that moment, Shisui spoke expressionlessly. "Lord Menma is right. You can try to ambush me, but if you intend to make a move against Uzushio Village, you'd better weigh your own strength first."
Orochimaru was a master of face-changing, and his expression shifted swiftly. "I was only joking. I have no great interest in the Sharingan. I merely came to mourn an old friend who died. If not for him, I would never have left Konoha. I had to come and confirm whether he was truly dead."
Naruto glanced at Orochimaru, then signaled for Shisui to withdraw. "Put away that clumsy act and talk business. While Pain and I were hunting Danzo, how much of Danzo's legacy did you take over?"
"Not much. Just a few laboratories and some real estate."
Orochimaru did not wish to discuss the matter, so he brushed it aside before solemnly saying, "Chief Menma, I came this time intending to undertake a major operation and seek cooperation."
"What major operation?" Naruto said dismissively. "Invading Cloud or Iwagakure? Wiping out the Akatsuki? Don't tell me you're planning to counterattack Konoha. I recall you had quite a good relationship with Jiraiya."
"It has nothing to do with that idiot..."
A trace of nostalgia flashed through Orochimaru's eyes before he said, "I came to invite you to hunt Sunagakure. Sunagakure is so weak; it should not occupy such a vast territory."