Under Zou Hyuga's gaze, Orochimaru smiled and said, "If I really needed this technology, why wouldn't I go to the Land of Snow myself? Kazahana Dōtō couldn't stop me."
Simply put, Orochimaru had no interest in this technology at all.
Chakra Armor could, at most, enhance the strength of Chunin and Special Jōnin, and to him, people at that level were nothing more than slightly bigger pieces of cannon fodder.
If he wanted to, he could easily produce ninja of that caliber in batches.
But he had no ambitions in that direction. He had never wanted to build a faction and dominate a corner of the shinobi world. All he had was a thirst for knowledge, a desire to explore the ultimate limits of ninjutsu. Even changing vessels served that purpose.
Still watching Zou Hyuga with keen interest, Orochimaru continued to consider his motives.
Since Zou Hyuga had acquired the armor manufacturing technology from the Land of Snow, then summoned him to obtain his Cursed Seal techniques through threats and bargaining, he was undoubtedly trying to strengthen his subordinates.
Yet a merchant company, even one renowned throughout the shinobi world, had no need for that kind of military strength.
Was he planning to establish a shinobi village? But once he stepped into the public eye, certain things would be harder to arrange than they were behind the scenes.
It wasn't as though Orochimaru had never considered establishing his own shinobi village. Whenever he wished, he could negotiate with the daimyō of a small country and establish a village to serve as its protector.
He had never done so. Establishing a shinobi village certainly offered many benefits, but it would also consume his time and energy.
Zou Hyuga said calmly, "You could have before, but not anymore. Besides, this technology might