Painful Orochimaru

Danzo was a man...

His thirst for power had reached a near-pathological degree.

To cultivate a force of "Root" operatives completely loyal to him alone, he not only trained war orphans from childhood but also scoured every ninja clan in Konoha for promising seedlings. These scrolls were one of the byproducts of his ambition.

Over the decades, Danzo had used the authority of Root and his covert channels to collect virtually every named technique from across Konoha and even other corners of the ninja world. The five basic nature transformations, obscure secret techniques, practical taijutsu, illusion outlines, sealing arts... Even the clan secrets of many families could be found here in fragments or complete copies. For instance, the Yamanaka Clan's secret techniques had a full backup right here!

Then, Yo looked at Karin: "You're a survivor of the Uzumaki Clan. A considerable portion of these scrolls deals with Uzumaki sealing arts! If you're interested, Karin, you can try learning them! Your chakra reserves are large, making you well-suited for the path of sealing techniques."

Only then did Sasuke and Karin understand, and their gazes toward the scrolls turned fervent.

Ninjutsu! For a ninja yearning to grow stronger and an orphan seeking a foothold, it was undoubtedly a vast treasure. Of the two, Sasuke was better off—the Uchiha Clan's hereditary Fire Release techniques were still plentiful. Karin, however, was in dire straits! The Uzumaki Clan had long been wiped out, and Whirlpool Country had fallen. Karin had fled with her mother from place to place, never even coming into contact with Uzumaki sealing arts, let alone learning them.

"Thank you!" Karin said, tears of gratitude falling.

Yo waved his hand: "Alright! You two organize these! If anything catches your interest, feel free to try learning it!"

Hearing this, Sasuke and Karin set aside their surprise and politeness. They immediately got up and began rummaging through the mountain of scrolls. Sasuke had a clear goal—all scrolls related to Fire Release and Lightning Release. Karin selected Uzumaki Clan sealing arts. Yo also picked out some scrolls, primarily searching for two things: first, materials on Wood Release! Though he had mastered many Wood Release techniques, his grasp was still at a basic level. He could slowly figure out other Wood Release techniques on his own, but the efficiency was nowhere near learning from ready-made systematic materials. Second, Wind Release ninjutsu. Danzo himself was most skilled in Wind Release, and the scrolls collected in his Root base were top-tier in both quantity and quality. Learning some Wind Release would let him better play the role of the "Danzo" persona and handle matters inconvenient for him.

"Not a bad haul! Take what you each need back to study for now. Sort the rest and store them properly—they might come in handy later."

In the dark underground chamber, the air was thick with the heavy smell of medicine. Only a few oil lamps provided a dim, flickering light, casting twisted shadows on the damp stone walls.

"Ughhh!!!" A series of suppressed screams came from deep within the chamber, filled with endless agony and violence. Orochimaru was curled up on the bed, his body convulsing uncontrollably from the intense pain. Veins bulged on his forehead and neck, and cold sweat soaked the hair hanging over his brow. His arms, from the shoulders down, hung limply, displaying an eerie, ashen hue—starkly different from the pale complexion of the rest of his body.

"Lord Orochimaru, please endure a little longer..."

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

He held a special ointment and bandages, trying to apply the medicine to those lifeless arms.

Yet, as the ointment touched the skin, it produced no effect at all.

The ashen, pallid skin showed no sign of improvement, and the soul-deep agony remained unabated.

"It's useless... Kabuto..."

Orochimaru forced a hoarse voice through clenched teeth. "This is a soul wound caused by the Reaper Death Seal!"

"Ordinary medical ninjutsu... won't work at all!"

Orochimaru suddenly lifted his head, his eyes filled not only with pain but with overwhelming resentment and madness.

"That old fool Hiruzen Sarutobi, even in death, he had to bite me!"

Orochimaru growled, his voice dripping with bitterness and hatred.

The Reaper Death Seal that Hiruzen Sarutobi had activated before dying had completely sealed the portion of his soul corresponding to his hands.

It had not only deprived him of the ability to use ninjutsu but also caused permanent tearing and pain.

This trauma directly affected the essence of his soul; any physical treatment was utterly meaningless.

Kabuto stopped his futile application, his gaze turning extremely grave.

"Soul wounds on the hands... ordinary medical ninjutsu is ineffective."

Orochimaru's voice was raspy. "It seems... it seems I'll have to try that woman's methods."

Kabuto immediately understood who he meant, pushing up his glasses. "You mean... Lady Tsunade? But her whereabouts are uncertain, and she has a grudge against you..."

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

A flash of obsession crossed Orochimaru's eyes. "This is... the most likely way to undo this seal. Kabuto, prepare, we'll..."

Shh!

Just then.

A figure appeared silently before them.

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

Seeing the newcomer.

Orochimaru's pupils abruptly contracted, every muscle in his body tensing instantly!

It was an instinctive reaction to extreme danger.

Even with his hands unable to form seals, his chakra subconsciously stirred.

Yakushi Kabuto's face changed dramatically as he stepped in front of Orochimaru, several poisoned Senbon already pinched between his fingers, staring fixedly at this uninvited guest.

"You!"

Kabuto shouted sharply.

Orochimaru also stared hard at Yao, especially at his eyes.

Three tomoe slowly rotated—the Three Tomoe Sharingan.

He'd awakened three tomoe? When did this happen? Wasn't this kid supposed to have no talent for the Sharingan?

And...

Why was he here?! How did he find this place?

What was his purpose? Had Konoha sent him to hunt him down? Or...

Countless questions and doubts rose in Orochimaru's mind.

Yao glanced at the on-edge Yakushi Kabuto, then finally settled his gaze on Orochimaru, no surprise in his eyes.

"It seems... the Third old man left Lord Orochimaru an unforgettable souvenir before he died!"

Orochimaru's heart sank. The other party not only knew his hiding place but was also fully aware of the condition of his hands.

This was no coincidence!

"You little brat from the Uchiha clan..."

Orochimaru spoke. "Barging into someone else's place isn't exactly polite. Did Konoha send you?"

"Konoha?"

Yao raised an eyebrow slightly, the corner of his mouth curving into a faint trace of a smile. "No! I represent myself!"

"Lord Orochimaru, I've come to discuss a deal with you!"