As expected from someone who had worked under Danzo's command for years, Kabuto stared at me coldly for a while, but the result remained unchanged.
Even though I knew this solution was a nutrient solution that would completely nourish the body from the outside, I was reluctant to touch it because of its sticky nature.
After waiting a while, Kabuto returned, this time holding a food tray. Apparently, he truly believes I am experienced in using poison.
Unfortunately, the skill card I used doesn't give me extensive knowledge about poisons. Of course, when walking in nature, if I encounter a poisonous plant, I can easily recognize it.
As I took the tray from Kabuto, I had a slightly more emotionless expression towards him than before. In the past, I often talked about how we were alike and didn't hesitate to complain to him about things that bothered me, as if he were my confidant. Now, my sudden coldness would be an obvious change in expression.
And if I'm not mistaken from the beginning, he will interpret my change in expression as a surrender.
It was thanks to Arataka Reigen that I had such a plan from the beginning. He didn't exactly tell me to do this, but the hints he tried to give me led me to have such a plan.
The first step is to feign sincerity.
The second step is to change my personality to give the impression of surrender.
The third step is to try to psychologically elevate yourself to a superior position without crossing boundaries.
The fourth step is to hear Azar from Orochimaru as a result of a headache-free experiment and subsequently take on a more hostile personality.
The fifth step is to prevent him from thinking too much with my hostile personality and thus obtain what I want more easily.
The sixth step is to make up an excuse to take him around the village to gather plants.
The seventh and final step is to find a way to kill or knock him out.
Clearly, the entire first and longest part of the plan is to dull the careful personality Kabuto has trained for years.
If I were a true master of manipulation or a good liar, distracting him would have been a matter of minutes.
"I've finished my meal; you can take the dishes. Besides, there's no need to bother me for the rest of the day; my work here is already done."
After watching Kabuto leave, I quickly checked all the systems in the huge lab and left the lab to go to my room.
As I expected, Kabuto had started standing in front of the door after taking the dishes.
Even though I had told him he could leave me alone, I knew that would never happen.
And after a short walk, the reason was right in front of me.
My one and only bedroom, surrounded by thick bars that let in plenty of light at the front and stone cave walls that made the rest of it very secure, had a white bed in the middle that gave the room a truly sophisticated feel.
Instead of waiting behind Kabuto as usual, I stepped forward, opened my own door, and went inside.
Without saying a word, I sat down on the bed, turned my back to the door of my cellar, and waited silently.
After a while, the sound of the door locking, accompanied by Kabuto's sigh, made me smile.
Kabuto finally began to think I had given up, and the tiniest shred of humanity within him was affected by this.
It was my luck that not much time had passed since Kabuto had killed his mother with his own hands. After all, such a tragedy had left him with a very complex emotional structure. Even Danzo's ruthless training wasn't fully effective at this time. If he had caught me and brought me here a year later, he might not have had any trace of emotion left in him.
Speaking of which...
"Hey, Kabuto!"
When I turned around, I saw that Kabuto had also returned to a spot in the corridor where I could see him.
"Orochimaru once said you were the one who kidnapped me."
"Yes, it was me."
"Why? I don't remember ever seeing you in the village before. That means there's no bad blood between us."
"It was a mission."
I need to make him tell me about his past. If he says it himself, he'll think I'm getting close to him in the future. After all, anyone who hears a background like his will feel sorry for him.
"Is that all? If Orochimaru had forced you to kidnap me, he would have talked about it as if he had done it himself. I don't think he would have specifically brought up the fact that you were the one who kidnapped me. You know, a man like him likes to brag as much as possible."
"You're right. This wasn't just any mission—it was a special mission. A test to determine whether I could stay by Orochimaru-sama's side."
"Wait a minute. You're telling me you've only been with Orochimaru as long as I have. If we're both from Konoha, why would he trust you to watch over me? Don't try to tell me he's your idol, Kabuto. Even when Orochimaru was in the village, many people didn't like him, even found him frightening, especially people our age. Our peers admired him until they actually met him."
Kabuto suddenly stopped me from continuing. Judging by his furrowed brow, he genuinely respects Orochimaru for being his savior during that time.
I really can't see anyone else managing to be a double or even triple agent in different countries at the same time like him. Danzo's betrayal really changed him.
"If it weren't for Orochimaru-sama, I wouldn't even be here right now. You know nothing about what happened to me or about Orochimaru-sama."
"Then stop yelling and tell me, Kabuto!"
Come on, Orochimaru's little fan. Dance for me...