Hearing Orochimaru repeatedly claim he was doing this for "Naruto-kun," Aburame Ryoma bristled.
"Orochimaru, you used to be so proud. Since when did you become that brat's lackey? Naruto Uzumaki is powerful, yes, but only as an individual."
"No individual, however powerful, can rise above the collective. Overwhelming numbers are absolute power. That is my ninja creed!"
"Think about it. Why does the Hokage bow to the Daimyo? Because the Hokage leads only tens of thousands of ninja, while the Daimyo rules hundreds of millions of people. That makes their relative standing obvious!"
"So numbers are power!"
"You see, I have an ambition, something Lord Danzo might dream of but would never dare attempt: to make ninja, this tiny minority, the dominant force in the world!"
"Orochimaru, if we join forces, that ambition can become reality. That's right... use your knowledge and ninjutsu to help me overcome my poison insects' inability to survive long in the open air!"
Aburame Ryoma clenched his fist excitedly, madness surging across his face. "Then every human in the world will be under my control!"
"Well? Isn't the truth you seek ultimately about conquering everything?"
Orochimaru shook his head, as though Ryoma were beyond saving. "Ryoma, your horizons are so narrow that even talking to you feels like a waste of time."
"Hmph." Aburame Ryoma smiled. "What a shame. I'll just have to force you into submission. Naruto Uzumaki really miscalculated. If he'd come himself, I'd probably have had no choice but to flee. But he sent you instead. Isn't that practically handing me a gift?"
"I swear, once this battle is over, he'll never find me again. I'll hide at the ends of the earth and kill everyone close to him from the shadows!"
Orochimaru coolly formed hand seals. "Naruto-kun is very busy. He