"Senior Shin?" Orochimaru cried out in surprise, the chakra he had raised instantly calming. Faced with Shin's sudden arrival, he looked slightly restrained, as though he did not know how to handle it.
All their previous meetings had been chance encounters. This was the first time Shin had come looking for him.
Shin smiled lightly and waved a hand. "No need to be nervous. I'm easy to get along with."
As he spoke, Shin casually wandered through Orochimaru's underground chamber, flipped through his ninjutsu notes, and praised, "You've got some good ideas. Get to the root of ninjutsu, then build upon it and innovate. As expected of Orochimaru. There aren't many outstanding talents like you in the Ninja World these days."
Naturally, Orochimaru was delighted by Shin's praise, though he was not the sort to get carried away.
He stepped forward and asked quietly, "Senior, may I ask what you need from me, seeking me out so late at night?"
Shin continued leafing through Orochimaru's notes and said casually, "There is a small matter I need your help with. Konoha's White Fang will return to Konoha tomorrow, most likely."
"White Fang?" Orochimaru frowned. "Did he offend you, Senior? No, that can't be right. If that were the case, how could he possibly return alive?"
Shin chuckled. "It doesn't quite count as offending me. It's just that people who know too much of what they shouldn't tend not to live long. Do me a favor tomorrow. How about it?"
"I would be honored to serve you, Senior," Orochimaru quickly replied, agreeing without even asking what it was.
Shin nodded in satisfaction and began telling Orochimaru what he needed to do.
Orochimaru nodded from time to time, committing everything to memory. After Shin left, his snake-like eyes narrowed, and he murmured, "White