Orochimaru's Confidence

"Orochimaru actually wasn't planning to infiltrate Hidden Demon Village directly. He wanted to scout things out first."

Ye Zhuo thought that since that was the case, he could not be bothered to go looking for him. He might as well take a trip outside first.

Since he had promised Utakata, he would take care of Hotaru for the rest of her life.

As someone who kept his promises, Ye Zhuo did not mind taking care of the people others cherished.

On Blue Star, where he had lived in his first life, there had been someone called Cao Cao who loved helping others take care of people.

Ye Zhuo had learned that from him too.

You could see it from how he had helped Donquixote Doflamingo take care of Violet and Baby 5 in the Pirate World.

In a remote mountain village.

Hotaru sat on a tree branch, swinging her legs.

She was waiting for someone—her teacher, Utakata.

"Miss, come with me."

Ye Zhuo stood on the branch.

"No, I'm waiting here for Teacher Utakata."

"Is that so? I just happened to promise him I'd come find you."

Thousands upon thousands of black shadows had already appeared in the forest.

"How is Teacher Utakata?"

Hotaru looked at Ye Zhuo with delight.

"He's doing well. He's in a very large city with the Ninja Shadowkhan from Mist Hidden Village."

Ye Zhuo disliked lying, so he selectively told the truth.

"Really? That's wonderful."

Hotaru smiled and jumped down from the tree, intending to go with Ye Zhuo to find Utakata.

But at that critical moment, a figure suddenly leaped out.

It was the tall, thin Bairang!

Hotaru was originally from the Tsuchigumo Clan, and a powerful forbidden technique resided within her.

For years, Bairang had been willing to even kill his own