In a dark underground base.
Inside a cultivation tank filled with green liquid, a hand suddenly reached up from beneath the surface and gripped the edge.
"Haah~~~"
A wet, naked body sat up. He opened his mouth wide and let out heavy, ragged breaths. He vaguely resembled Orochimaru, but his eyes were vacant.
He stepped out of the tank, walked to the center of the room, knelt on the floor, bit his finger, and used his blood to draw a complex circular sealing formula.
"Summoning Technique."
At the sound of that hoarse voice, a white snake appeared in the center of the formula. The white snake warily looked around, then arched its body and sprang high into the air. It landed on the vacant-eyed Orochimaru's shoulder, slithered up his neck, and suddenly burrowed into his ear.
After an unknown amount of time, Orochimaru's eyes shifted, and life returned to his gaze.
"Hehe, hahahaha!" Orochimaru threw back his head and laughed, but the laughter abruptly stopped. He suddenly slammed his fist into the ground, his eyes filled with venomous hatred. "That damn brat."
His fist was split open and bleeding. Orochimaru stretched out his wet, long tongue and licked the blood from it, a sight that sent chills down one's spine.
This was a transitional technique Orochimaru had developed while researching Living Corpse Reincarnation—Puppet Reincarnation. Its side effects were even greater, and unlike Living Corpse Reincarnation, it could not inherit the original owner's Kekkei Genkai.
Orochimaru casually draped a robe over himself and walked out of the room. Outside, Yakushi Kabuto stood with his head lowered, waiting respectfully.
"Bring Sasuke back. No matter what method you use, hurry," Orochimaru said in a low voice.
A sharp gleam flashed across Yakushi Kabuto's round glasses. The corners of his lips curled up slightly,