A faint smell of blood hung in the dim underground lair. Kimimaro strolled through it, his face marked by a conflicted expression he had never shown before.
Before long, he arrived outside a laboratory and called out respectfully, "Lord Orochimaru!"
"Come in!"
Orochimaru's distinctive, hoarse voice came from inside the laboratory.
Kimimaro took a breath and stepped inside.
As he looked Kimimaro over, Orochimaru smiled. "I've already seen your latest medical report. It seems your condition has been brought under control."
"Yes!"
Kimimaro nodded slightly.
"The Akatsuki Organization certainly has some ways of its own." After a brief sigh of admiration, Orochimaru composed himself and said, "I need you to do something for me during the Ninja Academy's final exam!"
Kimimaro quickly replied, "Just give the order!"
"I want you to attack Sasuke Uchiha during the exam. It would be best if you could seriously injure him!"
As Orochimaru spoke, a greedy look appeared in his eyes.
Kimimaro froze at his words. "This..."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "What? Are you hesitating?"
Kimimaro was indeed hesitating.
There was something he had kept from Orochimaru: Sasuke was the Akatsuki Organization's 'E.'
As for why he hadn't reported this to Orochimaru, even he couldn't explain it. Perhaps he hadn't realized that he had begun to waver between the organization and Orochimaru.
Kimimaro's feelings for Orochimaru were simple and pure.
Orochimaru had given him a reason to live. It was only after meeting Orochimaru that he had felt needed, and that was why he was willing to serve him.
But after joining the Akatsuki Organization, he had discovered that he suddenly had a much greater responsibility. He was no longer needed by just one person; an entire world needed him!
That unique feeling made him unwilling to betray the organization!
After a moment's hesitation,