Orochimaru licked his lips with his tongue, looking at the sleeping Sasuke, his gaze naturally filled with a sense of coveting.
He didn't hide his true intentions and answered Kabuto's question: "That's right, I'm very interested in him. Kabuto, don't you think that nurturing this child in Konoha is a bit of a waste of his talent? There's simply no room for him to grow quickly here."
After hearing Orochimaru's words, Kabuto didn't know what he had in mind, but he still nodded.
Looking at Sasuke, he revealed a trace of sympathy.
But that trace of sympathy quickly disappeared from his eyes.
Unlike himself, who had nothing from the beginning, Uchiha Sasuke gained something and then lost it, the despair of being forced to the edge of a cliff, always ready to fall into the abyss, into eternal damnation, always accompanied Uchiha Sasuke.
Indeed, until he successfully takes his revenge, this despair will not leave Uchiha Sasuke.
This is the life of an avenger.
But on the other hand, he considered Sasuke to be fortunate.
At least he knows who his enemy is and has a clear motivation for revenge.
Whereas he himself doesn't even have a target for revenge.
He can only search for his true self in a world full of deceit and falsehoods, like a soulless shell.
"What does Lord Orochimaru mean?"
Kabuto asked.
"Make him an observation target."
Orochimaru said lightly, wearing an enigmatic smile.
Kabuto's body trembled, and a look of astonishment appeared in his eyes.
Being made an observation target is not a simple, easily brushed-off matter.
This means that Orochimaru has genuinely taken notice of this Uchiha orphan from Konoha and might even use forbidden techniques to take over the boy's body and claim his Kekkeigenkai for himself.
"Are you surprised, Kabuto?"
Orochimaru glanced sideways at Kabuto, asking with interest.
Kabuto quickly lowered his head and calmly replied: "No, I just think that this might be too hasty. No matter what, he's just a child under ten years old. The talent he has shown, compared to Uchiha Itachi of the same age... if it's for the Sharingan, Uchiha Itachi's body seems more desirable."
Indeed, even though Uchiha Sasuke is also called a genius, there are still differences between geniuses.
Judging by a ninja's talent, Uchiha Itachi could almost compete with the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato of those days.
At least, at thirteen, Namikaze Minato found it challenging to face ninja of the Sannin level.
Yet Uchiha Itachi managed to defeat Orochimaru using the power of the Sharingan.
The tyranny of the Kekkeigenkai is undeniable.
But Kabuto believes there are many ways for Orochimaru to seek out Uchiha Itachi's body, not necessarily having to conquer him head-on before snatching the body.
"Too troublesome, plus Itachi still has value to the organization, not a good time to act. I initially intended to start with Uchiha Ruri to uncover the secrets of the Sharingan, but after witnessing a fraction of Hyuga Ayane's power, I concluded Uchiha Ruri is not a ninja I can handle right now. The Land of Wind war proved this as well."
Onlookers only saw Chiba Hakushi annihilate a thousand Hidden Sand Ninja in an instant.
But on the battlefield in the Land of Wind, statistics showed that Uchiha Ruri was the one causing the greatest casualties to Hidden Sand.
If not for Konoha's Might Duy using the sacrificial Forbidden Technique: Eight Inner Gates to injure Uchiha Ruri, Uchiha Ruri alone would have wiped out the three thousand Hidden Sand Ninja along with Kazekage Rasa.
This is a realm I cannot dare to peek into.
So I shifted my target to Itachi.
Unexpectedly, a thirteen-year-old brat possesses terrifying strength that made me apprehensive.
The terror of the Sharingan far exceeds my imagination.
The more so, the more resentment and regret Orochimaru felt.
Kekkeigenkai... even someone as genius as myself can't help but feel a strong sense of jealousy.
Kabuto understood.
Unable to deal with Uchiha Ruri, nor with Uchiha Itachi, and the other Uchiha clan members are all over in the Land of Demons, which I can't infiltrate either.
So, if I wish to research the secrets of the Sharingan, there's only one Uchiha orphan left in Konoha—Uchiha Sasuke.
This is Orochimaru's choice.
"Understood, Lord Orochimaru, I'll arrange for Uchiha Sasuke to be sent away from Konoha as soon as possible."
Kabuto quickly replied, voluntarily taking on the task.
"No, let Uchiha Sasuke remain here."
The smile on Orochimaru's face was somewhat eerie.
"Remain here? If I may be frank, the education at the Ninja School cannot compare to Lord Orochimaru's elite training. From a growth perspective, I don't think Uchiha Sasuke can receive a good education here."
Kabuto acted as if he were sincerely considering Orochimaru's interests.
"Kabuto, you still don't understand the uniqueness of the Sharingan. While Konoha might not be able to nurture Uchiha Sasuke into talent, it can foster bonds with the so-called Will of Fire... When the time comes, use power to entice Sasuke to sever these bonds himself, and he will instantly gain an immense amount of darkness, potentially awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan."
Orochimaru laughed sinisterly, exceedingly evil.
"I see. Since Lord Orochimaru has made a choice, I will do my best to monitor Uchiha Sasuke's growth."