Three days passed.
Konoha Underground, Secret Space.
"Teacher Orochimaru, I've cooperated with your experiments as much as possible, but it looks like they've failed..."
Hyuga Wuye stood amid shattered instruments scattered across the floor, speaking unhurriedly.
Orochimaru stood not far in front of him, his expression dark and unreadable.
"You truly are special. You can even devour the First Hokage's cells."
He spoke slowly, staring fixedly at Hyuga Wuye's neck as his tongue circled his lower lip. "Wuye, can you let your teacher take a bite? I'll give you something very useful—one of my research achievements from the past few years."
As if he had not heard him, Hyuga Wuye slowly clasped his hands behind his back. "Teacher Orochimaru, are you ready to defect from Konoha?"
Orochimaru's slit pupils contracted. "What did you say?"
"Maliciously using the village's ninja for human experimentation—is that not enough of a crime to make you defect?"
Hyuga Wuye tilted his head, looking genuinely curious.
Orochimaru's voice remained calm and hoarse, though it carried an unintentional killing intent. "Where is the evidence?"
"The evidence is everywhere." Hyuga Wuye spread his hands with a smile. "If not for the evidence, why would I pretend to cooperate here for three days? Teacher Orochimaru, you didn't really think I would seriously carry out the Third Hokage's orders, did you?"
Murderous intent filled Orochimaru's eyes.
"It seems I really have devoted myself entirely to research these past years and neglected many things. The village is no longer what it used to be." He licked his lips, his fixed gaze frightening. "Your talent and rate of progress are truly enviable..."
Hyuga Wuye opened his mouth, about to say something else.
"Hidden Shadow Many Snakes Hands!"
But Orochimaru made his decision without hesitation. In an instant, several giant snakes emerged from