No More Need for Test Subjects?

How did you get here?

Orochimaru slowly walked towards Karin and Jugo, his steps steady yet carrying an indescribable sense of oppression.

Move!

Damn it!

Get moving!

Jugo mentally shouted, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, and instantly stood like a solid wall in front of Karin: "Karin! Go! I'll hold him off!"

Even with the Cursed Seal Transformation Mode activated, he was still drenched in sweat and his heart was pounding like a drum.

The main reason is that Orochimaru in front of us is not only powerful, but more importantly, he is extremely terrifying!

The invisible pressure surged in like a tidal wave, making his breathing become rapid.

"No, we have to go together."

Karin shook her head vigorously, her eyes filled with determination. Her face was slightly pale, but her tone was unusually resolute.

"Hahaha."

Orochimaru's face instantly broke into a chilling smile, a smile that looked particularly terrifying in the sunlight.

"Interesting, are you two going to demonstrate the power of friendship?"

Jugo didn't answer him, but instead shouted, "Come at me if you have a problem! Don't hurt Karin!"

His eyes were bloodshot.

Orochimaru, seeing his furious expression, didn't get angry. Instead, he changed the subject and continued, "By the way, you two came with Kabuto Yakushi, right? Didn't he take you back?"

Jugo was taken aback, a wave of doubt washing over him.

When did Orochimaru start speaking in such a friendly tone? He nodded subconsciously. "Yes, we escaped from him."

"They got away? Hahaha, you couldn't even keep an eye on the two of you?"

When Orochimaru smiled, he looked even more sinister.

Jugo was instantly startled and involuntarily took a step back, as if afraid that Orochimaru would swallow him whole.

"Lord Orochimaru... please spare our lives... we barely managed to escape..." (Xiang)

Phosphorus spoke softly and gently, her voice trembling slightly, a stark contrast to the violent woman she had previously portrayed herself as.

"I didn't say I was going to kill you, what are you afraid of? Do I look that scary?"

Orochimaru countered with a mocking expression.

Karin instinctively wanted to nod, but thankfully she reacted in time and stopped herself from nodding.

"Understood," Orochimaru chuckled. He could tell from their micro-expressions and micro-movements that they were afraid of him, and he found it somewhat amusing.

"Would you like to come visit Konoha? I could protect you for a bit."

Orochimaru asked, his tone casual.

Karin and the other girl were stunned. Their eyes widened as if they couldn't believe their ears.

"Huh? Is it really okay?" Karin asked tentatively.

"Karin! Don't be fooled by him! He's a liar! You haven't forgotten how he tricked us into coming here, have you!"

Jugo looked at Orochimaru warily, his eyes filled with distrust, completely disbelieving his words.

"What did I lie to you about? I just made a promise that hasn't come true yet. Ask Karin if she wouldn't be dead by now without me."

Orochimaru said calmly, his face showing no emotion.

Jugo turned to Karin: "Is what he said true?"

Karin nodded. "Yes, it was Lord Orochimaru saved me. But he said that following him is the meaning of my life, the only way I can unleash my full potential, and he won't easily harm me..."

"That's true, Lord Orochimaru. He hasn't really hurt me much. He only uses me sometimes when he needs to reincarnate."

Jugo remained silent for a moment.

"Thank you for saving Karin, but! My friend Kimimaro was killed by you! I can't trust you anymore!"

He first thanked him, then glared angrily at Orochimaru.

Once he enters a volatile state, his second personality seems to want to emerge, and that uncontrollable feeling becomes increasingly intense.

Fortunately, the person in front of him was Orochimaru, and he felt a physiological fear of him, so he was able to suppress the urge of his second personality to kill for the time being.

Orochimaru looked at him calmly. "I also feel sorry for Kimimaro. My abilities are limited, and I couldn't save him. Knowing that his illness was incurable, he chose to go and find a vessel to bring back for me, but he died on the way."

His eyes held a look of reminiscence, as if he had returned to the past.

"Like you, he couldn't find meaning in his life, but I believe that when he died, he finally understood what the meaning of his life was."

Orochimaru's voice carried a hint of emotion.

He took Kimimaro was still very young, so how could he be indifferent to Kimimaro's death?

"He chose to bring back the container for you on his own initiative, not because you forced him?"

Jugo frowned slightly, his heart filled with doubt. He knew how much Kimimaro longed to work for Orochimaru.

Knowing his end was near, Kimimaro's choice to die a heroic death was quite in line with his character; however, he still believed in his heart that it was Orochimaru who had forced him to do so.

Orochimaru is the reason Kimimaro lives, while Kimimaro is Jugo's savior.

He was saved by Kimimaro.

I never coerce anyone.

Orochimaru's long tongue involuntarily stuck out, swaying slightly in the air.

"Come with me to Konoha if you want, or don't if you don't. I don't need test subjects anymore."

After Orochimaru finished speaking, he turned and walked towards Konoha Village.

He came out looking for inspiration for his research, and now he has found it.

Karin and Jugo looked at each other, their faces full of hesitation and confusion.

"Let's follow them. I trust Lord Orochimaru; he saved my life..."

Karin said, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

She was mainly worried about Kabuto Yakushi and the masked man from before returning.

Jugo nodded. "Okay, as long as he won't hurt you."

After considering their options, the two quickly followed Orochimaru, walking behind him.

Orochimaru, who was walking ahead, noticed the two people following behind him.

A slight, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

They caught up after all.

Soon, Orochimaru and his two companions arrived at the Konoha Village Entrance.

When Mizuki Izumo and Kotetsu Hagane saw that it was Orochimaru, they didn't ask any further questions.

Orochimaru is now a senior researcher in Konoha, considered one of the Konoha's Elite, and has permission to enter and leave the village.

However, Karin and Jugo behind them were stopped.

"Lord Orochimaru, who are these two people?"

Kotetsu Hagane looked at the two people in front of him; they didn't even have Forehead Protector, and their clothes were quite strange.

"They were my experimental subjects."

Karin and Jugo were stunned!

Experimental subject?

us?

Didn't he say he no longer needed test subjects?!

It's fake! It's all fake!

Jugo's face contorted with rage, and he shouted, "Karin, run!"