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Let's rewind time a little, to when Kagaya and Haku were still training.
In the Hidden Sound Village.
Orochimaru stared incredulously at Kabuto standing before him.
"What did you say? An incurable disease?"
Kabuto nodded. "Yes, Lord Orochimaru. Kimimaro has contracted an incurable disease. It appears to be a hereditary illness of the Kaguya clan. Based on observation, the possibility of a complete cure is extremely low, almost nonexistent."
Orochimaru was stunned. That perfect vessel! That perfect vessel! How could this happen?! Damn it! Orochimaru was still unwilling to accept it.
"Will he die?"
Kabuto answered as if it were obvious. "Yes."
"You can't cure him either?"
"I'm afraid not."
The room fell silent. The already dim room seemed to grow even darker.
In the darkness, no one could see Orochimaru's face, and no one knew what he was feeling at that moment.
After a long time, Orochimaru spoke. "You may go. Even if you can't cure him, try to treat Kimimaro."
"Yes."
Kabuto acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Shortly after, Kimimaro entered.
Orochimaru slightly raised his head, looking at Kimimaro at the doorway. He seemed to have calmed down, speaking in a flat tone. "Kimimaro, is there something you need? I've already instructed Kabuto to treat your hereditary illness. You should go and receive treatment as soon as possible."
Kimimaro lowered his head, speaking with great sorrow. "Lord Orochimaru, I am deeply sorry! I—"
Orochimaru had given Kimimaro a reason to live. Kimimaro, who had been imprisoned by his own clan since childhood, had no purpose until he met Orochimaru. Orochimaru was like a second parent to him. Kimimaro knew that Orochimaru only saw him as a container, but Kimimaro truly didn't mind, not in the slightest!
Or rather, he lived for precisely that purpose. If Orochimaru willed it, he willed it. He lived for Orochimaru; Orochimaru was his reason for living. He was willing to dedicate everything to satisfy Orochimaru, even his own life.
Orochimaru was the only light in his life. But now, he couldn't become Lord Orochimaru's vessel? For Kimimaro, this was devastating news. He might have been even more despairing than Orochimaru himself.
Kimimaro couldn't bear the thought of ruining Orochimaru's plans because of his own condition.
Orochimaru shook his head slightly. "It's fine, Kimimaro. You may leave now. Let me be alone for a while."
"Yes."
Kimimaro left, his face gloomy. Kimimaro and Haku were somewhat similar. Orochimaru was to Kimimaro what Kagaya was to Haku—a relationship where they would rather die themselves than see the other feel the slightest disappointment.
After Kimimaro left, Orochimaru remained silent for a long time. Finally, he took out a scroll and unsealed it. Inside were four words: Impure World Reincarnation.
"It seems I'll have to make use of that agreement after all. There's no hope for Itachi, but I must get my hands on Sasuke! Tch, if Kagaya didn't have the Mangekyō, I'd actually prefer him."
After his previous confrontation with Itachi, Orochimaru had developed a sense of helplessness towards the Mangekyō Sharingan. Therefore, from beginning to end, Orochimaru never considered targeting Kagaya.
Although Orochimaru hadn't seen with his own eyes whether Kagaya possessed the Mangekyō, he absolutely did not believe that Kagaya lacked it. Orochimaru had contemplated moving against Kagaya several times, but each time, an immense sense of crisis emerged before he could act.
That sense of crisis was undoubtedly from the Mangekyō!
"Let me prepare first. Let's see... next year, Konoha seems to be holding a Chunin Exams. I'll strike then."
Thus, by the end of Konoha Year 59, Orochimaru sent a letter to Kagaya, asking him to come and discuss the upcoming invasion of Konoha.
"Kagaya-kun, it's been a while. I hope you've been well." Orochimaru greeted Kagaya as soon as he arrived in the Sound Village.
Kagaya smiled noncommittally. "Likewise, Orochimaru. So, you've had a change of heart and decided to move against Konoha?"
Orochimaru looked at Kagaya with a hint of suspicion. "Speaking of which, Kagaya-kun, you said three years ago that I would change my decision eventually. Kagaya-kun, you didn't... do something to that child Kimimaro, did you?"
Kagaya snorted coldly. "Don't fling mud around randomly. You are merely a means for me to invade Konoha. It wouldn't be the end of the world without you; I have no need to scheme and force you into invading Konoha."
"So, are you saying you knew that child Kimimaro would fall ill?"
"I've heard some rumors about the incurable disease of the Kaguya clan."
"I see. My apologies, I was being rash. Kagaya-kun, let's go inside to discuss." Orochimaru invited Kagaya into the Hidden Sound Village. Kagaya couldn't be bothered to waste time on this matter and followed Orochimaru into the village without another word.
A short while later, Orochimaru led Kagaya to a dimly lit room.
Kagaya spoke with distaste, "Orochimaru, can't you make this room a bit brighter?"
Orochimaru shrugged. "Kagaya-kun, snakes prefer dark places, you know."
"Heh, is that so."
"Alright, Kagaya-kun, enough of that. Regarding the invasion of Konoha, I plan to carry it out during next year's Chunin Exams."
'Just as I thought,' Kagaya mused internally, while speaking calmly on the surface. "What's the plan?"
Orochimaru took out a scroll, unsealed it, and looked it over. "I've received information that Konoha plans to hold these Chunin Exams jointly with the Hidden Sand Village. If that's the case, we can impersonate the Fourth Kazekage and order the Sand ninja to destroy Konoha! We'll effectively gain a major ally for free!"
Kagaya raised an eyebrow. Orochimaru's plan was indeed the same as in the original storyline, without significant changes. That was just as well; Kagaya didn't want to operate within a plan he knew nothing about.
"Your plan is quite good. But who will deal with the Kazekage?"
Orochimaru looked at Kagaya. "How about you, Kagaya?"
Kagaya's eyes narrowed slightly. Was Orochimaru trying to use him as a tool?
"Orochimaru, don't misunderstand. This is your plan. I will only act when the invasion of Konoha begins. Matters outside of Konoha are none of my concern."
Orochimaru smiled slightly. He knew Kagaya would most likely not agree. If Kagaya readily agreed to the laborious task of killing the Kazekage just like that, it would be strange indeed.
"I was joking. We will handle the Kazekage. As for you, Kagaya..." Orochimaru looked at Kagaya, seemingly asking what he could do. Since this was a cooperation, it couldn't just be Orochimaru putting in all the effort.
Kagaya spoke directly. "Once the invasion begins, I can hold off many of Konoha's elite fighters for you."
Orochimaru grinned. "Just hold them off?"
Kagaya looked coldly at Orochimaru. "I will only kill a select few. Besides, for you, I am an additional asset, am I not? I've also promised you that I won't interfere when you make your move on Sasuke. You're going to invade Konoha anyway; adding me to the mix, could you possibly come out at a loss?"
"True enough."