An Unrefusable Orochimaru

Inside Amegakure!

Orochimaru once again arrived atop the building constructed from countless layers of concrete and steel. Across from him stood a figure enveloped by an enormous Pitcher Plant—it was Zetsu.

"So, Lord Orochimaru, have you made up your mind?"

At that moment, Zetsu's slightly teasing voice rang out. From the voice alone, one could tell it was White Zetsu speaking.

Orochimaru did not respond. He merely furrowed his brows slightly.

Seeing this, Zetsu did not continue speaking. He believed Orochimaru would not refuse.

"The Sage of Six Paths' bloodline!"

"Hehe, that truly is difficult to refuse!"

At that moment, Orochimaru's voice rang out. Though he tried hard to restrain himself, a slight tremble could still be heard in his tone.

Orochimaru could not be blamed for this. Just moments ago, Zetsu had expressed his desire to form an alliance with him.

This alliance was unlike the previous one, when Zetsu had merely wanted Orochimaru to modify a body capable of withstanding the Rinnegan. This time, Zetsu was inviting Orochimaru to join him in opposing Konoha, and even Uchiha Obito.

Orochimaru had naturally refused at first. All he wanted now was to peacefully focus on his research. Unless necessary, he had no desire to provoke Naraku and the others.

After all, Naraku and Kakashi possessed enough strength to pose a fatal threat to him. Naraku in particular—his rate of growth was enough to strike terror into anyone's heart.

After their previous battle in Sunagakure, Orochimaru even felt that Naraku's current strength was no weaker than that of the former God of Shinobi, the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.

Although that Impure World Reincarnation body had not been enough for the First Hokage to display the peak strength he had possessed in life, it had still been capable of nearly ninety percent