Orochimaru extended his tongue and licked the corner of his mouth.
"Just like you."
Lie Yang did not deny it.
"The way you see things changes with the level you reach."
"With the same technique, an ordinary ninja sees only the hand seals. A stronger ninja can see how the chakra flows. Beyond that, one sees the rules behind the technique."
He looked at Orochimaru.
"The bloodlines left behind by the Sage of Six Paths' two sons hold immense potential for reaching the Six Paths level."
"The Sharingan's evolution into the Mangekyō Sharingan is, at its core, also a matter of relying on your own will to forge your own path."
Orochimaru's eyes grew brighter.
"So you believe anyone can create a power of their own?"
"Provided they have enough talent, willpower, and time."
"And what I lack is time."
"You're already searching for ways to extend it."
Those words silenced Orochimaru.
He had come today with an important purpose.
After a moment, Orochimaru took an exquisite wooden box from his sleeve.
The lid opened.
A blue-green ring lay quietly inside.
The character for "blue-green" on its face stood out sharply in the dim mist.
Lie Yang looked at the ring, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Blue-green represented vitality.
Yet this ring belonged to the Akatsuki Organization.
And the Akatsuki Organization was gathering tailed beasts, advancing a plan that could send countless lives to their deaths.
Vitality falling into the midst of death—it was ironic indeed.
Lie Yang reached out and picked up the ring.
The fragment of a black rod concealed inside the ring instantly emitted a chakra fluctuation.
That connection crossed a vast distance and reached this place directly.
Pain's perception traveled along the invisible channel and settled on Lie Yang.
Orochimaru also put on his