It had been a while since the birthday celebration.
Uchiha Satoru lay on his back in the fork of a tree, a skewer of Three-Color Dango between his teeth.
Sunlight spilled over him, leaving him feeling utterly lazy.
"Well, today's task is to list all ten of that guy Kakashi's worst flaws."
Ever since he had carelessly gotten promoted to Genin and assigned to Kakashi Hatake, his carefree little life had come to a complete end.
He worked overtime every day, wearing himself out. He was still young, yet he was already worrying about losing his hair.
Uchiha Satoru let out a long sigh.
Then he closed his eyes and lay back again.
Before long, his eyes snapped open, his gaze beneath the mask sharp enough to pierce.
"Can't even let me sleep in peace."
Uchiha Satoru pushed himself halfway up and leaned against the branch.
That familiar, cloying presence told him who had come without his even looking.
"Still hiding? Not coming out?"
He spoke with unmistakable impatience.
Before his words had quite faded, a human face slowly emerged from the trunk.
Orochimaru stepped out of the thick tree root.
"Morning, Satoru."
Putting on a midnight horror show in broad daylight?
"Disgusting. Don't say my name like we're close."
Uchiha Satoru gave a cold scoff.
"We barely know each other."
"Your vigilance is as impressive as ever, Satoru."
Orochimaru remained unhurried, his tone carrying a sinister hint of amusement.
"There's no need to be so wary of me. We aren't enemies."
"Heh."
Uchiha Satoru stood upright on the tree, looking down at Orochimaru a short distance away.
His short white hair stirred gently in the wind.
His whole silhouette seemed powerful, yet somehow elusive.
"What do you want?"
His voice was icy, devoid of emotion.
"Heh heh..."
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"Have you given any thought to what I mentioned last time?"
"Uchiha Satoru, would you like to leave with me?"
His golden pupils reflected everything before him.
Such an impeccable bloodline ability, and...
Leave?
Why use that word all of a sudden?
Could it be... Orochimaru's defection from Konoha was only days away?
Uchiha Satoru's azure eyes shifted slightly.
He folded his arms and suddenly burst into mocking laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha..."
"Is this slippery snake about to lose his nest?"
"Ah, how pitiful."
The biting mockery did not anger Orochimaru.
Instead, it excited him even more, his golden eyes gleaming eerily.
He extended his long tongue. "Just what I'd expect from you. You saw through my plans so quickly."
Unlike those fools in Konoha, who still hadn't spotted his slipups or his schemes.
As for Danzo, who thought victory was already in his grasp...
Did he think I didn't know what he was plotting?
Planning to silence me once I finished researching the Hashirama cells?
What an utter fool!
I was the one holding the reins in this partnership.
It seemed you weren't completely in the dark, either.
"Then is there any reason for you to stay in a place as dull as Konoha?"
"Come with me."
"Power, knowledge..."
"Out there, you can find everything you want."
Orochimaru continued trying to entice Uchiha Satoru.
"Thanks, but I'll pass."
Uchiha Satoru curled his lips and answered immediately.
You're too ugly. Rejected.
That whole spiel for luring children had gone out of fashion ages ago.
Besides, he had plans of his own.
"Then I'm afraid you don't have a choice."
His golden pupils suddenly filled with murderous intent, taking on an inhuman coldness.
Killing intent spread outward from his body.
The icy pressure crushed their surroundings into deathly silence.
Yet Uchiha Satoru, standing at its center, showed no trace of panic.
As he was now, Orochimaru simply could not kill him.
It was not just a matter of strength.
There was also...
Seeing how composed Uchiha Satoru remained, Orochimaru began to wonder.
How could he...?
He hadn't budged under the pressure of one of the Sannin?
How enviable!
Now I wanted you even more.
Uchiha Satoru!
Rest easy.
Only a living, breathing life had value.
I wouldn't let you die so easily.
Orochimaru extended his long tongue and prepared to form Hand Seals.
Up in the tree, Uchiha Satoru decided it was about time.
He spoke leisurely. "Say, are you really not going to leave?"
"You probably can't afford to cause too much of a disturbance right now."
At those words, Orochimaru's heart tightened, and his pupils abruptly contracted.
His voice turned cold as well. "How much do you know?"
If I made my move ahead of schedule now, what were my chances?
Orochimaru stared fixedly at Uchiha Satoru, rapidly weighing his options.
Even if forced to act early, he was confident he could escape. It would merely cost him a few more subordinates.
Compared with someone of Uchiha blood, what the hell did a handful of men matter?
The corner of his mouth lifted, and he was about to strike.
Suddenly, a ninja's footsteps sounded in the distance.
Who?
Orochimaru's gaze sharpened, and he turned to look.
Before you continue