Otogakure.
Orochimaru stood on the platform, facing Shinji. A fine sheen of cold sweat had formed on his forehead. "Shinji, you do love to joke."
"As your subordinate..."
"Subordinate?" Shinji scoffed. "I couldn't possibly claim you as one."
"..."
Orochimaru gave an awkward smile and changed the subject. "But when you said I could never learn Senjutsu... what did you mean?"
Shinji shook his head. "They say one of the prerequisites for learning Senjutsu is balancing physical and spiritual energy. You also have to reach a state of perfect inner calm before you can absorb Natural Energy and keep all three energies balanced within your body..."
Seeing Orochimaru frown slightly, Shinji continued, "Of course, you can go to Ryūchi Cave and check for yourself. Or... if that sounds like too much trouble, I could just kill you?"
"..."
Orochimaru stood frozen, his thoughts racing.
Ever since the day he met Shinji Uchiha, the boy had always acted as though everything was under his control.
Some of the things he said, some of the things he knew... perhaps even Orochimaru had never heard of them.
So.
Was it true?
"Shinji! My thinking was wrong. I promise it will never happen again..."
As he spoke,
Orochimaru swallowed his pride and bowed his haughty head respectfully.
A smile appeared on Shinji's face. "Orochimaru, now can you explain why Kabuto Yakushi is here?"
Orochimaru felt a bitter pang. He shook his head. "With Danzo dead, there was no longer any point in Kabuto remaining a spy... I went to Iwagakure myself and brought him back."
"Oh?"
Shinji looked curious. "And he just obediently followed a Demon who loves human experiments?"
Orochimaru regained his confidence.
He smiled faintly. "Shinji... I merely showed him that his life had been built on an empty lie. That was