Recruiting Orochimaru! The Shock of Divine Creation

Before leaving the prison, Orochimaru stopped outside another cell.

Shimura Danzō was leaning against the wall. He raised his eyes to look at Orochimaru.

"Looks like the Uchiha are preparing to deal with you."

Orochimaru chuckled softly.

"If they intended to deal with me, they would not have sent someone to summon me."

"They may use you."

"Being used means I still have value."

Orochimaru lowered his head to straighten his sleeve, his expression composed.

"As long as I can bring sufficient benefits to the Uchiha, they will not kill me."

Danzo said coldly, "Do you think you can still maneuver between the major powers as you did in the past?"

"Konoha will not spare a rogue ninja, and the Uchiha will not truly trust you. You are merely a captive under lock and key."

"Captives, too, can be valuable or worthless."

Orochimaru extended his tongue and licked his chapped lips.

"And I happen to belong to the former."

Danzo's gaze darkened.

"You will regret this."

"Regret what?"

"Regret placing your hopes in the Uchiha."

Orochimaru shook his head lightly.

"I have never placed my hopes in anyone."

He turned and walked out of the prison.

"I simply believe that as long as one has value worth using, one has the means to survive."

A few days later, Orochimaru was brought to a secluded courtyard.

There were no unnecessary guards around the courtyard. Only one Uchiha ninja escorted him there before retreating to wait in the distance.

Orochimaru did not rush to inspect his surroundings. Instead, he walked to the stone table and poured himself a cup of tea.

The fragrance of tea spread through the courtyard.

He lifted the cup with calm movements, as though he were not in Konoha under Uchiha control, but in his own laboratory awaiting