In this unfamiliar place, the three children found their only sense of security in their teacher.
Xia Le stepped into the tent and was greeted by a few haphazardly arranged tables and chairs, along with three young-faced ninja.
"You're Uchiha Xia Le!"
Orochimaru looked up and asked coldly.
The other two also raised their heads. One looked at Xia Le, while the other looked at Nagato and the two children cautiously hiding behind him.
"Yes!"
Xia Le nodded, his tone neither servile nor arrogant.
"I heard your entire squad died, and you were the only survivor? And you awakened the Sharingan?"
Orochimaru sounded amused.
"That's right!"
Xia Le answered again.
"And you were actually kind enough to rescue three battlefield orphans. That doesn't seem to fit your Uchiha Clan's usual reputation."
Orochimaru continued.
"And what sort of reputation does the Uchiha Clan have?"
Xia Le countered.
That single question left Orochimaru momentarily stunned. Beside him, Tsunade also looked up in surprise. Jiraiya, who had been staring at Nagato with a puzzled expression, likewise turned toward Xia Le at his retort.
"You don't know?"
Orochimaru smiled, his smile cold.
"No!"
"As far as I'm concerned, from Konoha's founding to the Second Ninja World War today, the Uchiha Clan has shed blood and sweat in every war!"
"We don't owe anyone anything!"
Xia Le spoke evenly.
"Interesting!"
Orochimaru laughed, his long, slender tongue flicking over his lips.
He had had little contact with Xia Le before. But now, their brief conversation suddenly stirred a different kind of interest in him.
What surprised Orochimaru even more was that his keen, animal-like instinct faintly sensed something dangerous about Xia Le.
That was truly unbelievable.
"Your squad was wiped out, and I hear awakening your eyes brought your strength up to jōnin level?"
"We'll set