Rumble.
The smoke and dust kicked up by the explosion drifted into the sky, visible from far away.
As he raced along, Orochimaru glanced back. Confusion filled his eyes, along with a trace of fear he could barely conceal.
He couldn't understand why Itachi Uchiha had targeted him.
No matter what side he was on, Itachi shouldn't have picked a fight with him at such a crucial and sensitive time.
Kabuto Yakushi, following behind him, warned, "Lord Orochimaru, he's caught up again!"
"Tch!" Orochimaru spat. His face darkened. "Ignore him. We don't have time to get tangled up with him right now!"
Orochimaru had tried to fight the "Itachi Uchiha" who had come looking for him. But even with his group working together, they hadn't gained the slightest advantage.
Suspecting that this might be a plot by the Akatsuki Organization, Orochimaru had decisively chosen to retreat.
After all, he didn't know Obito's true identity. He had only confirmed that Obito wasn't Madara Uchiha. He couldn't trust Obito completely, much less stake his own safety on their deal!
In the group, Guren looked puzzled. "Lord Orochimaru, no matter how strong Itachi Uchiha is, he's still just one person. We don't need to be afraid of him, do we?"
Tayuya chimed in, "Yeah! Let us deal with him!"
"Quiet!"
Orochimaru snapped at them.
Guren and Tayuya immediately fell silent, not daring to say another word.
Orochimaru glanced back as well, recalling scenes involving Itachi Uchiha.
His near-obsessive pursuit of the Mangekyō Sharingan could largely be traced back to the blow Itachi had dealt him.
When Orochimaru had already earned the title of Konoha Sannin, Itachi had still been just a child.
Even then, Orochimaru had keenly sensed Itachi's talent. He'd been shocked, but that shock had also sparked a desire to possess