She said she was investigating Uchiha Itachi, but in truth, there had been no real progress at all. Still, since Uchiha Itachi had come from Konoha, then Konoha was the place to ask. She did not like that snake's way of doing things, but their relationship was acceptable enough.
Heading north, three days later, she finally arrived at the place she had intended to visit.
Entering the snake's lair met with no resistance at all. Perhaps it was due to their past relationship. There were no guards to speak of, only a few figures who could barely be called subordinates.
"What a rare guest. How did you even find this place? I thought I hid myself quite well."
Orochimaru spoke first. There was no trace of displeasure in his tone. A large part of that was likely because, when Orochimaru had defected from Akatsuki in the past, Zaraki Kita had deliberately opened a path of convenience for him. Making an enemy of someone with such a mind was never wise. Moreover, Akatsuki had been desperately short-handed back then, and as a reserve member, Zaraki Kita had been assigned as the primary tracker and executioner sent after Orochimaru.
"So? Has the leader finally decided to officially take my life?"
Orochimaru asked this while setting down the bottles and containers in his hands, then leaning back against the table to look at Zaraki Kita, who had appeared behind him without a sound.
Zaraki Kita smiled faintly and shook her head.
No need to worry. Although the mission calls for your execution, Pain-sama has no strong intention to act against you.
Pain was well aware that Zaraki Kita would keep watch over Orochimaru and prevent him from causing any real damage to Akatsuki. That was why he allowed Orochimaru so much freedom. Konan knew this and chose to turn a blind eye to Zaraki Kita's actions.
"Is that so? Then what wind blew you here?"
Setting aside his experiments, Orochimaru seated himself gracefully on the sofa. In terms of raw combat power, he admitted he was no match for someone so much younger than himself. Although his status far exceeded hers, if they truly fought, he would likely become a dead snake in no time. It was not a matter of talent. He had lost to effort. Even now, Orochimaru could not imagine how a non-human had managed, through sheer effort, to grasp power so many others could never reach. Even with Zaraki Kita standing before him, he could not picture it. Beyond his contempt for her lowly status, there was also a sincere, unspoken respect.
Red liquid flowed into a glass. Orochimaru glanced at the bottle, still half-full of red wine, then took out another wineglass and filled it halfway. This one was for Zaraki Kita.
She accepted it naturally, without the slightest guard. Her gaze swept across the rows of bottles and containers on the shelves, finally settling on a vessel holding a withered arm. More precisely, it was drawn to the white jade ring on that shriveled hand.
Kuchin.
"Want to take it back?"
Zaraki Kita shook her head. She drained the bitter-sweet red wine in one go and casually placed the glass on the table.
I've met Uchiha Itachi.
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow.
"And how did he feel?"
A very strong man. It wouldn't be impossible for you to lose to him.
"You fought him?"
Zaraki Kita shook her head.
There was no need. You can feel it without exchanging blows. He's strong.
"Is that your acknowledgment of the title 'genius'?"
He did not name Uchiha Itachi directly, choosing instead to call him a genius.
Zaraki Kita smiled faintly, picked up a grape from the table, and popped it into her mouth.
You could say that. A genius to the point that even I have to stay on guard.
"Interesting."
Orochimaru swirled the last of the wine in his glass and drank it down. When he set the glass aside, Zaraki Kita had already moved to sit by the sofa.
I still can't figure out his goal. Do you know why he slaughtered his entire clan?
"And why do you think I would know?"
You're both from Konoha. You're the only Konoha shinobi I know anymore, so I came to try my luck.
"Then your luck is quite poor. I don't know."
Is that so? Then what do you think about him killing his entire clan but sparing only his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke?
"You really don't know much about the Sharingan."
Orochimaru scoffed and poured himself another glass. He lifted his chin slightly, gesturing toward the lab bench.
"Bring the glass over."
She had set her glass there earlier.
The vivid liquid flowed into the elegant wineglass. Orochimaru showed not the slightest hint of irritation.
"The three-tomoe Sharingan, the Mangekyō Sharingan, the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. It's a progressive process. To evolve from the Mangekyō into the Eternal Mangekyō, one must transplant the eyes of a blood relative. In the past, Uchiha Madara took his brother's eyes and gained eternal light. Isn't that obvious?"
For power?
"For power."
Zaraki Kita fell silent.
I know how to stop Itachi now. Killing Sasuke would be simpler.
━━━━ ❖ ━━━
Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
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