The ordinary-looking civilian stood where he was, unmoving. His gaze met Yongye's in midair and held for two breaths. Then his mouth stretched into a grin.
A long tongue slid from his mouth and slowly licked across his face. From cheekbone to mouth, from mouth to nose, it left a glistening trail.
The crowd around him scattered as if burned.
Some collided with others, some lost their shoes, and several young ninja used the Body Flicker Technique to shoot clear across to the other side.
Deva Path Pain, disguised with the Transformation Technique, retreated with the crowd. But he had a feeling Uchiha Yongye had spotted him too.
What a shame. He had been enjoying the string of spectacles in Konoha lately, especially Danzo's public execution and the slaughter of his clan. He wanted to keep watching, not make his move so soon.
Under every watching eye, the Transformation Technique peeled away from the ordinary-looking civilian, and the outline of his coarse-cloth kimono began to warp.
His messy hair became long and silver-gray, spilling over his shoulders and gleaming coldly in the afternoon sun.
His unremarkable features turned pale and narrow. Golden slit pupils caught the sunlight with a cold gleam.
Orochimaru stood where he was, hands at his sides and mouth spread in a grin. His tongue flicked in the air before slipping back in.
"Uchiha Yongye."
"I thought I had given you enough credit."
"But I still underestimated you!"
"A pity Konoha has no place for a peerless genius like you. Disaster is bound to follow!"
Jiraiya used the Body Flicker Technique and landed at the front of the crowd below the platform, three paces from Orochimaru. He raised his hands and spread his fingers. Chakra gathered in his palms, and his white hair stirred in the