Whoosh.
After a ripple of spatial distortion, Shinichi arrived at an extremely secluded laboratory with the two boys.
"Shinichi, you got here fast."
Orochimaru had taken off his Akatsuki robes at some point and changed into his familiar outfit from the original story. Pleasant surprise showed on his face. "So this is your Kamui? What an exceptional space-time ninjutsu. I'm truly envious..."
"Enough. No need to be so polite with me."
Shinichi rolled his eyes and pushed Kabuto forward. "This boy is Kabuto Yakushi. He's very talented, and I believe he'll become a capable assistant to you someday. Well? I personally delivered such a promising student to you. Pretty generous of me, right?"
"Oh?"
Orochimaru looked quite surprised.
"Lord Orochimaru, it's a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to your guidance."
Kabuto bowed, looking a little reserved.
"Hello, Kabuto. I hope we'll get along well."
Perhaps it was fate guiding them. Though this was their first meeting, they felt an unusual familiarity deep in their souls. Orochimaru had yet to witness Kabuto Yakushi's aptitude firsthand, but he had already accepted him as his student.
"This boy belongs to the Hyuga Clan, doesn't he?"
Orochimaru turned to the solemn-faced Neji and smiled with interest. "Shinichi, are you giving me two students at once? Impressive. You even managed to bring someone from the Hyuga Clan..."
Everyone knew the Hyuga Clan placed immense importance on its kekkei genkai and never readily allowed its members to live outside the clan.
That was why Orochimaru was so surprised that one of the two children Shinichi had brought was a member of the Hyuga Clan.
He was very interested in the Byakugan, too!
"What are you thinking?"
But Shinichi promptly shattered his pleasant fantasy. "This is my student, Neji. I brought him here so we