"As long as you completed the tasks assigned by the organization when necessary, you could continue researching ninjutsu and do whatever else you wanted."
He spoke with great patience.
Yet inwardly, he hoped Lie Yang would refuse outright.
If the recruitment succeeded, Akatsuki would gain another powerful Uchiha.
But for Orochimaru, that might not be a good thing.
Lie Yang could see through Zetsu's physical structure at a glance and directly oppress souls with his gaze.
If someone like that joined Akatsuki, the situation would only become more complicated.
It would be best if he refused.
Best if he did not even leave room for negotiation.
That way, Orochimaru could return directly to Amegakure and blame the failed mission on Pain.
Lie Yang let out a soft sigh.
"So this is Akatsuki's invitation?"
His voice was remarkably calm.
Orochimaru studied Lie Yang's eyes, trying to detect any dissatisfaction within them.
But there was not the slightest hint of anger in those dark eyes.
"The terms aren't good enough?"
Orochimaru's smile did not fade.
"You can name your conditions."
"As long as they are not excessive, I will relay them to the leader."
Lie Yang shook his head.
"It has nothing to do with what you can offer."
After saying that, his right hand slowly settled on the hilt of his sword.
The movement was unhurried.
There was no burst of chakra, either.
"You wish to invite me, yet you only sent a Shadow Clone Technique to stand on this ship."
"That level of sincerity is not enough for me to name any conditions."
The smile on Orochimaru's face froze.
Several white snakes hidden inside the cabin curled up at the same time.
They had not been attacked, yet as if they had sensed some incomprehensible danger, they buried their heads