Even after Orochimaru said that, Pain showed no anger. "I don't need your help with this. I'd rather handle it myself!"
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "I nearly forgot about that. Don't go too far!"
He had no idea whether his warning would do any good, but he could not help saying it.
Pain's face remained blank. "I know my limits. Look after the child for me."
With that, he turned and left. In the space of a breath, he had vanished from sight.
Orochimaru looked down at Saro and sighed helplessly. "I never thought I'd end up like a Ninja Academy teacher, looking after children every day!"
He had only meant it as an idle complaint, but Saro took it to heart. Her face fell.
Even so, she tried to sound strong. "Saro isn't a child anymore. I don't need you to look after me!"
Orochimaru felt a headache coming on. How had he never noticed that Saro was just as stubborn as Nagato?
There was no point arguing with a child like her, so he gave a perfunctory reply. "All right, you're not a child. Until Pain gets back, please take care of yourself."
He left Saro where she stood and went into his laboratory.
Saro stood alone for a short while before she could bear it no longer. After a moment's hesitation, she followed him into the laboratory.
The sight inside had startled her earlier, but she still did not want to stay outside.
The specimens and corpses everywhere were frightening, but the lifelessness outside was worse. At least Orochimaru was here.
Chapter 572: Deva Path
Even if Orochimaru said nothing to her, he could move. He could breathe.
That alone was enough for Saro.
The deathly stillness she had felt when she had nearly died still haunted