Orochimaru's Lure

"Kid, do you know me?"

Just as Yun Xi was thinking about how to escape, Orochimaru, who had been staring at him from not far away, suddenly spoke.

Without waiting for Yun Xi to explain, he began to walk slowly toward him.

It looked as if he was preparing to...

Strike!

I can't say I do!

Seeing this, Yun Xi complained inwardly while constantly retreating.

He attempted to find an opportunity to leave this narrow alley.

But...

Clearly.

Orochimaru did not want to give Yun Xi a chance to escape.

The moment Yun Xi pulled back, Orochimaru used a Body Flicker Technique to appear directly behind him.

At the same time, a sharp blade appeared against Yun Xi's neck.

He didn't give Yun Xi the slightest chance to flee.

"Kid, I believe you are a smart fellow. I quite like geniuses like you."

"However..."

"I also don't like people who are too smart..."

As his words trailed off, a trace of cold killing intent appeared in Orochimaru's eyes.

What on earth is this guy Orochimaru trying to do...

As Orochimaru took the initiative, Yun Xi's face was filled with confusion.

Facing a guy like Orochimaru, Yun Xi's primary thought was that he really didn't want to provoke him.

At least, not for the time being.

If the reason he dared to take the initiative against Hyuga Hiashi earlier was his confidence in his own strength, then in the current situation, not fighting was the most correct choice.

Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Flame-Flame Fruit.

Unique Fire Style ninjutsu.

These things might count as trump cards against ordinary ninjas.

But Orochimaru was different.

If Yun Xi revealed these things in front of him, it would surely make Orochimaru even more interested in him.

This was a situation Yun Xi did not want to see.

After considering the worst-case scenario in his heart, Yun Xi stopped playing dumb and decided to take the initiative.

"Lord Orochimaru," Yun Xi suddenly spoke.

"Interesting little brat..."

Hearing Yun Xi call his name, a flash of surprise instantly crossed Orochimaru's previously calm face.

"You really do know who I am..."

"I am well aware of the reputation of one of the Legendary Sannin, Lord Orochimaru."

Facing the Orochimaru before him, Yun Xi did not show much fear, stating his prepared lines with a serious expression.

At this moment, Orochimaru was somewhat surprised.

"Little brat, you are too calm—so calm that I find it hard to believe."

After a few moments of silence, Orochimaru spoke again. He withdrew the sharp blade from Yun Xi's neck, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said slowly, "Little brat, do you want to become stronger?"

What the hell?!

Hearing this classic line from the original Naruto series—the one Orochimaru used to recruit children—Yun Xi's face lost its color.

"Are you surprised?"

Seeing this, Orochimaru was curious. He walked directly in front of Yun Xi and smiled. "Originally, I only came to find you because I wanted to see who this test subject, whom Danzo claimed was suitable for Wood Style experiments, actually was."

"But I didn't expect that after arriving at your home, I would discover that besides Danzo's men, that old guy the Hokage and people from the Hyuga Clan were also in your vicinity..."

"So, I helped you take care of all those guys."

"Come with me. I can make you stronger, so you will no longer be watched, and you will no longer need to compromise in this illusory ninja world..."

"And you could even obtain something beyond your imagination..."

"Eternal life!"

As Orochimaru finished speaking, Yun Xi didn't know what to say, only looking at the man before him with a face full of helplessness...

As if I'd believe a word of that!

If Yun Xi weren't a transmigrator and didn't know the plot of Naruto, he might have actually been hoodwinked by Orochimaru.

After all, the most important thing in this ninja world was supposed to be growing stronger.

And Orochimaru himself was a veteran Kage Level expert.

Such a promise was something almost no one could resist.

But Yun Xi was different...

The moment he thought of the fates of the youths in the original story who had been swayed by Orochimaru, Yun Xi felt a dull ache in his gut.

Whether it was Kimimaro...

Or Sakon and Ukon.

And so on...

None of them had a happy ending.

"Have you considered it?"

Seeing that Yun Xi remained silent, Orochimaru pressed him again.

At the same time...

The Kusanagi Sword he had previously put away reappeared in his hand.

Accompanied by the killing intent radiating from Orochimaru's body, it was as if he were telling Yun Xi that if he didn't agree, death would be his only outcome.

"Orochimaru, what if I refuse?"

Although Orochimaru's killing intent was suffocating, Yun Xi did not agree to the matter just to buy time. Instead, he asked in a probing tone what the consequence would be if he refused.

"You will die."

Orochimaru spoke bluntly, then muttered, "Power and eternal life are right before you, yet you do not cherish them. What an interesting little brat you are..."

Orochimaru chuckled, and the Kusanagi Sword in his hand pointed directly at Yun Xi!

Is he going to make a move?

Feeling the aura emanating from Orochimaru, Yun Xi understood his intentions.

Clearly, he was ready to strike.

I never expected to be targeted by Orochimaru. Where did I go wrong...

While searching for the best defensive position, Yun Xi wondered what exactly had drawn Orochimaru's attention to him.

But that was a matter for later.

Facing the unpredictable Orochimaru, Yun Xi stopped overthinking and began to focus all his energy on the man before him.

Although, in terms of raw strength, even two of him would be no match for Orochimaru right now.

But if he didn't try... the result awaiting him would be no better than death!

"Kid, are you preparing to attack?"

As expected of a veteran Kage Level powerhouse, the moment Yun Xi moved, Orochimaru had already seen through his intentions.

However, Orochimaru did not strike immediately. Instead, he eyed Yun Xi with an intrigued look, and only after Yun Xi had put some distance between them did he laugh, "Let me see your true strength, then..."

Is this guy Orochimaru a pervert?!

Yun Xi had no time to dwell on Orochimaru's words. While preparing for battle, he was also thinking about what method he could use to temporarily escape from Orochimaru's grasp!

"The Hokage Office Building..."

Suddenly, Yun Xi looked toward the towering Hokage Office Building. Gazing at the most magnificent structure in Konoha, a glimmer of light appeared in his eyes.

After all, the only people in Konoha who could subdue Orochimaru, aside from Uchiha Itachi, were the Third Hokage, who sat in command at the Hokage Office Building...