Orochimaru shrugged noncommittally. "The source of the information isn't important. What matters is that I'm very interested in your abilities." His voice dropped, carrying an almost fanatical obsession. "I want to see for myself the power that can turn an entire battlefield into your domain."
Neji fell silent for a moment. Dealing with Orochimaru was always like walking on thin ice; one careless move could land him in one of his schemes. But on the other hand, Orochimaru's understanding of ninjutsu was truly unique. Talking with him might offer new inspiration.
Although the two had built a solid friendship through years of mutual understanding, the old saying still held true: someone always thought they were special, when in reality, they were the one who got burned the worst.
"Now?" Neji finally asked.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up. "If you don't mind."
Neji rose to his feet and headed for the inner room. "Let me change first."
Ten minutes later, the two walked one behind the other along the path leading to the Forest of Death. The night wind rustled through the treetops, and the eyes of nocturnal animals occasionally flashed in the darkness before vanishing again. Neji walked ahead with his senses fully extended, alert for any possible ambush. Orochimaru followed leisurely behind, as though he were merely going on a nighttime stroll.
"You seem rather tense," Orochimaru suddenly said.
Neji did not turn around. "Caution is a ninja's virtue."
Orochimaru gave a soft chuckle. "Relax. Tonight is only an academic exchange. I'm curious about your Bloodline Limit, but not enough to set a trap over it."
Neji neither confirmed nor denied it. Orochimaru's words were impossible to judge as true or false, but he had indeed sensed no other chakra fluctuations nearby.
The training ground in the Forest of Death