The Apology

Yakushi Kabuto strolled through the dim underground passage, nudged his glasses up the bridge of his nose, and smiled.

He had just received news from Konoha: Sasuke, after entering State Two of the Heavenly Curse Mark, had been defeated by Shinji Uchiha.

"Some Mangekyō Uchiha, huh? He's nothing but a failed experiment."

Sasuke's defeat filled him with secret delight.

As Orochimaru's assistant, he knew exactly how much hope Orochimaru had placed in Sasuke. The more Orochimaru favored him, the more Kabuto envied him.

A short while later, Kabuto arrived at Orochimaru's room. He composed himself and knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

Orochimaru's distinctive, hoarse voice came from inside.

Kabuto pushed open the door and saw Orochimaru, his entire body wrapped in bandages. He quickly asked, "Are you feeling any better?"

Orochimaru nodded, his expression gloomy.

A few days earlier, Orochimaru had injected himself with a transformation serum he'd developed from an Upper Moon demon. But things hadn't gone as he'd expected. His body couldn't withstand the serum's effects and had nearly collapsed and disintegrated.

In the end, he'd managed to suppress the breakdown with his vast Chakra reserves and endure the serum's effects. Still, his body had been severely weakened, and he was now recovering—which explained the sorry state Kabuto saw before him.

Kabuto couldn't help thinking, Perhaps this is why Lord Orochimaru is so obsessed with Sasuke's body!

Orochimaru was a genius, but his bloodline was rather ordinary. He'd failed to master the Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave, and now the serum had nearly killed him. He'd barely survived.

Knowing Orochimaru was in a foul mood, Kabuto didn't continue the previous topic. Instead, he reported that Sasuke had been defeated by Shinji in Konoha.

Orochimaru's gaze sharpened. "What?! Sasuke used both Susanoo and the Heavenly Curse Mark, and still