Orochimaru had a deep impression of Owl.
If Shinji hadn't suddenly appeared and taken Owl away right in front of him, he would have already claimed the Divine Art "Conversion" for himself.
Just as Orochimaru's Divine Art "Absorption" sensed Owl, Fuma Ichiro sensed something too. "I've sensed a Divine Art near the Divine Tree!"
"He's Owl. He has the Divine Art 'Conversion'!" Orochimaru said.
"Conversion." Fuma Ichiro's eyes lit up. "That's another crucial Divine Art. We have to get our hands on it!"
Orochimaru curled his lip. "He's right under Shinji Uchiha's nose. How are we supposed to get it?"
Fuma Ichiro's expression stiffened.
It was the feeling of catching a glimpse of hope, only to have it vanish again in an instant.
From Shinji's perspective, Orochimaru was hiding very well, making him vaguely uneasy that Orochimaru might become an unexpected variable in the decisive battle.
But from Orochimaru and Fuma Ichiro's perspective, even without Shinji searching for them with all his strength, he had still forced their range of movement to shrink until they had nowhere left to hide.
However, after waiting for a while, the barrier still didn't activate.
"He probably isn't completely ready yet!" Orochimaru said. "I know the Research Institute's style well. Before launching anything, they'll make sure all the preparations are done in advance. We should still have time."
Fuma Ichiro cut him off. "Did you sense it?"
Orochimaru's gaze sharpened. He nodded slightly. "I did. Owl is moving away from the Divine Tree!"
Fuma Ichiro immediately said with a sinister grin, "Shinji Uchiha is the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki. Wherever the Divine Tree is, he'll be guarding it!"
The reason Orochimaru hadn't dared attack the Research Institute or the major ninja villages was that he didn't know where Shinji was and feared being caught red-handed by