At Nawaki's words, a trace of warmth entered Orochimaru's eyes. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he left it unsaid.
Just then, Nawaki seemed to remember something and asked curiously:
"Teacher Orochimaru, did you come back to Konoha this time for something?"
Orochimaru fell silent for a long while at Nawaki's question. Just as Nawaki began to grow uneasy, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice:
"Nawaki, I returned to Konoha to take care of a few things. But compared to you, those things are still somewhat less important."
His teacher's words only made Nawaki more uneasy, and he asked:
"Teacher Orochimaru, what do you mean?"
Rather than answer Nawaki's question, Orochimaru fixed his eyes on him and asked:
"Nawaki, I've established quite a few bases outside the Land of Fire. How about coming with me to take a look?"
A conflicted look crossed Nawaki's face at Orochimaru's words. In the end, he shook his head and replied:
"I'd better not, Teacher Orochimaru. My injuries put my sister through so much worry before. If I went away with you again, who knows how worried she would be?"
Orochimaru's snake-like pupils narrowed slightly at Nawaki's response, and he continued:
"Nawaki, the reason I'm asking you to visit my bases is that one of my experiments is nearing completion. It concerns awakening Wood Release. If you come with me, I can help you awaken it."
Orochimaru knew exactly how to sway Nawaki. He knew how deeply Nawaki admired the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Faced with the temptation of awakening the Wood Release Hashirama excelled at, Nawaki would surely be unable to refuse his offer.
Sure enough, Nawaki's eyes lit up at Orochimaru's words, and he asked eagerly:
"Teacher Orochimaru, you've already discovered a way to awaken Wood Release? Is