"Are you Orochimaru?"
Code frowned, staring at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru's smooth, dewy skin resembled that of an 18-year-old girl. It was hard to imagine this man was 70 years old!
If Orochimaru weren't truly a human ninja, Code might have suspected he was some long-lived cosmic monster disguised as a human.
While Code observed Orochimaru, Orochimaru was also sizing up Code, quickly noticing the white Kāma mark on Code's palm. Without hesitation, he asked directly:
"Hokage-sama, what's with that Kāma mark on your hand?"
"You know what this is?"
"From my speculation, it closely resembles the Kāma of the Otsutsuki Clan. How did it end up on your hand?"
Though Orochimaru was always immersed in his research, he wasn't isolated from the world. He had some basic knowledge about the Otsutsuki.
Code was slightly surprised. He sighed, realizing how tricky it was to deal with these science-focused individuals.
Orochimaru was indeed as sharp and cunning as Amado. However, to maintain his hard-earned Hokage status, Code didn't tear off his mask. Instead, he took the initiative to explain:
"You're correct. This is an Otsutsuki Kāma, but it's a failed product."
"It can only grant a fraction of Otsutsuki power, not serve as a reincarnation vessel."
"I relied on this power to drive off Otsutsuki Sasuke and the others."
"As for how I got it, you don't need to know for now."
Code's answer was reasonable yet vague. In theory, only Otsutsuki power could enable Code to defeat Otsutsuki Sasuke and his group, but in reality, the explanation clearly had holes, making Orochimaru unable to fully trust it.
"I see. In that case, can I study it…" Orochimaru licked his lips.
He had no motivation to dig into how Code obtained his white Kāma. He only wanted to research the secrets of the Otsutsuki Clan's immortality!
"Orochimaru!"
Code cut him off, revealing his purpose:
"I have a mission for you! If you succeed, I'll give you the secret to immortality!"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and immediately asked, "What secret?"
"Of course, the information and knowledge about this Kāma. I've fully mastered it. If you want, I can pass it all on to you!"
Without hesitation, Code threw out his enticing offer.
Having dealt with Amado for a long time, he knew exactly what these scientists craved most. By dangling secret jutsu and advanced knowledge in front of them, he wasn't worried they wouldn't bite.
Sure enough, Orochimaru's eyes lit up, his excitement rivaling the time he first discovered Konoha's forbidden jutsu.
After all, the entire Otsutsuki Clan was a completely new system of knowledge to him. Faced with such temptation, he couldn't resist at all…
"What's the mission?"
"I want you to pretend to defect from Konoha Village, becoming a rogue ninja to join the Kara Organization."
"Gain the trust of Otsutsuki Sasuke and his group as much as possible, then find an opportunity to capture Uzumaki Kawaki and Otsutsuki Boruto!" Code revealed his goal.
In his eyes, no one was more suitable than Orochimaru. He was ruthless, unscrupulous, Sasuke's former teacher, and a mad scientist. As long as benefits were promised, this man would obey.
After defecting, how could Sasuke bear to kill his own teacher? As long as Orochimaru didn't die, he might find a chance to abduct Kawaki and Boruto!
If Code could secure Kawaki and Boruto, he could achieve a perfect revival and successfully plant the Divine Tree. At that point, Sasuke and his group's threat would mean nothing.
Even if Orochimaru couldn't kidnap Boruto and Kawaki, he could still infiltrate the Kara Organization, finding opportunities to kill Amado or provide intel to verify Eida's Senrigan.
Meanwhile, Code only needed to offer the Kāma as an empty promise. If Orochimaru succeeded, Code wouldn't honor it—he'd just eliminate him.
Of course, Code wouldn't refuse such a profitable deal. As Hokage, shouldn't he assign more missions and let his subordinates fight to the death? Otherwise, he'd be a useless Hokage.
"This… Hokage-sama, this might not be appropriate! Otsutsuki Sasuke has Sharingan genjutsu. Any spy infiltrating will be interrogated with his genjutsu—they can't hide anything…"
Kakashi hurriedly advised, pointing out the danger. A single misstep, and Sasuke might actually kill Orochimaru!
"Hmph! Orochimaru, don't you have a way to counter genjutsu?"
As an Otsutsuki, Code looked down on the lowly genjutsu created by ninjas. If even Amado could evade it, could Orochimaru not?
Besides, if Orochimaru was exposed, it would be Orochimaru who died—what did that have to do with him? All Konoha ninjas were mere expendables in his eyes.
"Of course I have ways. Genjutsu hasn't been my weakness for a long time. I can handle it."
"I accept this mission."
"I hope after I succeed, Hokage-sama won't break his promise!"
Orochimaru wasn't afraid at all. Deep down, he was eager to test his technological progress over the years against the strongest genjutsu.
As for merely defecting from the village? That was old hat for him—no big deal at all!
"Good, go."
"As long as you can bring back Kawaki and Boruto or kill Amado, I'll give you whatever you want!"
Code showed a rare smile, highly satisfied with Orochimaru's response.
As expected, these ninjas were just a bunch of village bumpkins. A little temptation, and they'd become loyal dogs. With Eida's Senrigan monitoring, all of Orochimaru's movements were under his control, so he wasn't worried about betrayal.
Moments later, after giving mission instructions, Code left. Orochimaru was just a side pawn to disrupt Sasuke. The real lethal strike against Boruto and the others, Code would naturally prepare himself.
Seeing the Hokage leave, Shikamaru immediately frowned and urged:
"Orochimaru, this mission is too dangerous!"
"Relax, I know what I'm doing. Besides, even if I fail, Otsutsuki Sasuke won't kill me so easily!"
When it came to preserving his life, Orochimaru was the best in the ninja world. He had that confidence.
"Alright. Now that the Kara Organization has actively triggered the Fifth Ninja World War, the conflict might soon spread worldwide. You must be very careful. Mitsuki wouldn't want to see you hurt…"
Shikamaru advised heavily. He trusted Orochimaru's abilities, but after becoming a father, he'd grown more sentimental. He only hoped Orochimaru wouldn't risk his life.
"Otsutsuki Sasuke is triggering the Ninja World War again?"
"Hmm? Why did I say 'again'?"
"But this is interesting, truly interesting!"
"The winds that died down in the ninja world for so long are finally blowing fiercely again?" Orochimaru licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with excitement.