Orochimaru's Agony

Danzo...

His desire for power had nearly reached the point of obsession.

To build a force that was utterly loyal to him personally—the Root...

He not only trained war orphans from a young age, but also went to great lengths to scout promising children from Konoha's various clans.

These scrolls were one of the by-products of his ambition.

Over the course of decades...

Using Root's authority and secret channels, Danzo had collected nearly every famous technique from all across Konoha and even from other corners of the shinobi world.

Ninjutsu of the five basic elements, obscure Secret Techniques, practical taijutsu, Illusion Technique guidelines, sealing techniques...

Even the secret family techniques of many clans could be found here, whether as fragments or complete copies.

For example, there was a complete backup of the Yamanaka Clan's Secret Technique!

Next...

Yao turned to Karin. "You're a survivor of the Uzumaki Clan. Quite a few of these scrolls contain sealing techniques from the Uzumaki Clan!"

"If you're interested, Karin, you can try learning them!"

"You have a large chakra reserve, so sealing techniques would suit you well."

Only then did Sasuke and Karin understand. Their eyes immediately lit up as they looked at the scrolls.

Ninjutsu!

For shinobi eager to grow stronger and orphans hoping to make their way in the world, it was undoubtedly a tremendous treasure.

Between the two of them, Sasuke was in a better position. The Uchiha Clan had plenty of inherited Fire Release Ninjutsu.

Karin, on the other hand, had it rough!

The Uzumaki Clan had long since been wiped out, and the Whirlpool Country had fallen as well.

Karin had spent her life on the run with her mother. She had never had the chance to learn the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques, let alone study them.

"Thank you!"

Karin's eyes filled with tears.

Yao waved a hand.

"All right! Sort through these. If anything catches your interest, try learning it!"

At his words, Sasuke and Karin didn't bother with surprise or formalities.

They immediately got up and began searching through the "mountain of scrolls."

Sasuke knew exactly what he wanted: every scroll related to Fire Release and Lightning Release.

Karin searched for the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques.

Yao picked out some scrolls, too. He was mainly looking for two things:

First, information on Wood Release!

Although he had mastered quite a few Wood Release techniques, his grasp of Wood Release was still at a beginner level.

He could slowly figure out other Wood Release techniques on his own.

But that was clearly nowhere near as efficient as studying a well-organized collection of existing material.

Second, Wind Release Ninjutsu.

Wind Release was Danzo's specialty, and his Root base held a collection of scrolls on the subject.

The collection was undoubtedly top-notch, both in quantity and quality.

Learning some Wind Release would help him play the part of "Danzo" more convincingly and take care of things that Danzo himself couldn't.

"Not a bad haul!"

"Take what you each need back to study. Sort and store the rest. We might find a use for it later!"

The air in the dim underground chamber was thick with the smell of medicine.

Only a few oil lamps provided a flickering, yellow light, casting twisted shadows across the damp stone walls.

"Urghhh!!!"

Cries of agony that could no longer be suppressed rang out from deep within the chamber, filled with unbearable pain and fury.

Orochimaru lay curled up on the bed, his body convulsing uncontrollably from the intense pain.

The veins in his forehead and neck stood out, and cold sweat soaked the long hair plastered to his brow.

His arms hung limp from the shoulders down, their color a strange, ashen gray.

They looked completely different from the pale skin covering the rest of his body.

"Lord Orochimaru, please bear with it a little longer..."

Kabuto knelt beside the bed, his expression grave and sweat beading at his temples.

He held a specially prepared ointment and bandages, trying to spread the ointment over Orochimaru's lifeless arms.

But the ointment had no effect when it touched the skin.

There was no sign of improvement in the ashen skin, and the soul-deep pain hadn't eased in the slightest.

"It's no use... Kabuto..."

Orochimaru forced the hoarse words through clenched teeth. "This is soul damage caused by the Reaper Death Seal!"

"Ordinary medical ninjutsu... can't do a thing!"

Orochimaru suddenly raised his head. Alongside the pain in his eyes was a torrent of hatred and madness.

"That old fool Hiruzen Sarutobi took one last bite out of me even as he died!"

Orochimaru growled, his voice full of resentment and hatred.

The Reaper Death Seal Hiruzen Sarutobi had used just before his death had sealed away the parts of Orochimaru's soul corresponding to his hands.

It had not only robbed him of the ability to use ninjutsu, but also caused permanent damage and pain.

The injury struck at the very essence of his soul. Any treatment of the body was utterly meaningless.

Kabuto stopped his futile attempts to apply the ointment, his expression grave.

"The soul damage to your hands... ordinary medical ninjutsu won't work."

Orochimaru's voice was hoarse. "It seems... it seems I can only try that woman's methods."

Kabuto immediately understood who he meant and pushed up his glasses. "You mean... Lady Tsunade? But she's hard to track down, and she—"

"No matter what... we have to find her! Find Tsunade!"

A note of obsession flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. "Right now... this is the most likely way to undo the seal. Kabuto, get ready. We're..."

Whoosh!

Just then...

A figure appeared before them without a sound.

Short black hair, a calm expression—it was Uchiha Yao.

The moment they saw him...

Orochimaru's pupils contracted sharply, and every muscle in his body tensed!

It was an instinctive reaction to the presence of extreme danger.

Even though he couldn't form hand seals, he instinctively gathered his chakra.

Yakushi Kabuto's expression changed dramatically. He stepped in front of Orochimaru, several poisoned senbon already clutched between his fingers, and glared at the uninvited guest.

"It's you!"

Kabuto shouted.

Orochimaru stared at Yao, especially at his eyes.

Three tomoe revolved slowly: the Three Tomoe Sharingan.

He had awakened all three tomoe! When had that happened? Hadn't the boy lacked the talent for the Sharingan?

And...

Why was he here?! How had he found this place?

What did he want? Had Konoha sent him to hunt Orochimaru down? Or...

Countless questions and doubts rose in Orochimaru's mind.

Yao glanced at Yakushi Kabuto, who was on high alert, then looked at Orochimaru. There was no surprise in his eyes.

"Looks like that old Third Hokage left Lord Orochimaru a souvenir he won't forget!"

Orochimaru's heart sank. Not only did the other man know where he was hiding, he also knew the condition of his hands.

This was no coincidence!

"You brat from the Uchiha Clan..."

Orochimaru began. "Breaking into someone else's home isn't very polite. Did Konoha send you?"

"Konoha?"

Yao raised an eyebrow slightly, the corner of his mouth lifting into the faintest hint of a smile. "No! I'm here on my own behalf!"

"Lord Orochimaru, I came to make a deal with you!"