"You ninja... have you come to join me too?"
In the forest, the fluctuations of chakra lay as still as stagnant water.
"Ha! Join you? Who do you think you are?"
"We're just delivering something on someone else's behalf."
Karin and Suigetsu both wore mocking expressions, showing Moryo no respect.
Sasuke expressionlessly unfurled the scroll in his hands. As a puff of white smoke dispersed, a lifeless body appeared before him.
The body was deathly white from head to toe, its surface covered in fine patterns resembling plant vines.
It lay silently on the cold ground. Though it did not breathe, it radiated a strange, primal vitality.
This was a vessel made from White Zetsu cells.
"This is the body Orochimaru sent you."
Sasuke's voice was icy, devoid of warmth.
Moryo's body writhed violently.
Rather than restrain itself at the sight of this unusual vessel, it let out a chilling sneer.
It had nothing but contempt for these so-called ninja. As its gaze swept across Sasuke's deep Sharingan eyes, its disdain was plain:
"Ninja... what pathetic creatures.
Those eyes of yours are no different. Power that can only be transformed through endless suffering is utterly worthless."
"Worthless fools who can't even control their own suffering. What makes you ninja think you're fit to speak to me?"
Those words stabbed like poisoned needles into the place Sasuke least wanted touched. This thing could see the source of his power. It could see his pain.
Sasuke's gaze darkened instantly. His fingers whitened slightly around the scroll, and cold killing intent spread through the air.
He was furious, but he did not lash out. He merely stared coldly at Moryo and forced the conversation back on track.
"Don't jump to conclusions."
Suppressing his emotions, Sasuke explained in an utterly flat voice.
"This body