Seiryū felt that his guess was correct.
But what he was curious about was this.
If this guy really was Orochimaru in disguise, then what exactly was Orochimaru trying to do?
Did Konoha have some other countermeasure prepared for this Chunin Exam?
'No, it could also be a decision Orochimaru made on his own. He is not the kind of person who acts without profit, or close to it. And when he comes across something that interests him, it wouldn't be strange for him to act on his own initiative.'
Seiryū pondered inwardly.
What kind of person was Orochimaru?
A mad scientist!
To achieve his goals, there was nothing he would not do.
Perhaps among the people taking part in the Chunin Exam, there were people he was interested in?
Like himself, like Shimaichirō, like Kisame.
Based on his guess.
Orochimaru had definitely already researched the First Hokage's cells together with Danzō.
Then it was possible that he had become interested in other kekkei genkai as well.
Wasn't it true that in the original story, many of the people under him possessed kekkei genkai or special bodies?
This Chunin Exam had bloodline shinobi from other villages.
And during the Chunin Exams, if someone died or went missing, no one could really be blamed.
Tch, people like this are the real trouble....
Thinking of that, Seiryū twitched the corner of his mouth.
Actually, there was no need to worry too much.
Orochimaru had not yet defected, and he was still a Konoha shinobi.
Even if he really was interested in him, he would not go so far as to kill him.
After all, he was Jiraiya and Tsunade's disciple!
Besides, Duy was still here.
"Takigakure is really impressive, to actually have a Genin like you."
Since it was only a guess, Seiryū could not really confirm that the other party was Orochimaru.
So he grinned and said, "If you hadn't said so, I would've thought you were a shinobi on the same level as my two teachers."
There was a probing meaning in those words.
As if saying.
Stop pretending, I already know who you are!
"Oh? You take me for someone like the Konoha Sannin?"
The bamboo-hat youth's gaze shifted slightly. He felt that there was something more in Seiryū's words.
But he merely gave a light laugh. "You truly flatter me."
Could this little brat have discovered something?
Interesting.
That only made him more and more interested.
A top genius of the Uzumaki clan was not something one saw often.
If he could obtain some of the other's flesh and tissue for research.
Then perhaps he could find a way to suppress the First Hokage's cells.
"This Chunin Exam really isn't simple. To think a shinobi of this level would appear."
On the other side, Sasori controlled his puppets back to his side and stared warily at the youth in the bamboo hat.
Though he was wary, he was not overly alarmed, and said calmly, "But you can't possibly be a shinobi from Takigakure. A mere small village could not possibly have an expert of this level. Are you a shinobi from another village in disguise?"
Takigakure could not possibly have an expert of this level.
Even the one called the Taki Kage, if his strength were placed in a major village, would only amount to an elite Jōnin!
As far as he knew.
The most famous person from Takigakure was probably the missing-nin, the immortal shinobi Kakuzu.
The person before him was merely disguised.
He even felt that this person might be from Konoha, with the purpose of taking this chance to eliminate Genin from other villages who had come to Konoha.
There was a reason for it, and a certain motive as well!
Meanwhile, Shimaichirō, Kisame, and Mei all wore grave expressions.
They stayed wary of everyone here, and were already making plans in their hearts to leave.
But they needed to find a suitable chance.
Otherwise.
The moment they showed signs of trying to escape, they might be targeted by this disguised figure.
And that would be troublesome.
The disguised Orochimaru remained calm, then subconsciously licked his lips again. His gaze swept across the people present as he chuckled. "There are many things you don't know."
This brat is Jiraiya and Tsunade's disciple after all, so I can't go too far. Taking some flesh and tissue for research will be enough. But for these two from Kirigakure with special bloodlines, there isn't much to hold back about.
Orochimaru's gaze turned toward Shimaichirō and Kisame from Kirigakure.
The smile at the corner of his mouth became more and more meaningful.
All of his previous First Hokage cell transplant experiments had failed.
None of the test subjects could withstand the power of the First Hokage's cells, and in the end, they all turned into a large tree.
That had caused his research to fall into a bottleneck.
If he wanted to break through that bottleneck.
Then according to his hypothesis, he needed people with special constitutions, vitality, and chakra stronger than ordinary people. Perhaps such people could withstand the power of the First Hokage's cells.
This Chunin Exam had let him see an opportunity.
That was why he had not refused the Third Hokage's proposal.
'So he's here for people with special constitutions? I knew it. There's no way Orochimaru would serve as an examiner for the Chunin Exam without some purpose behind it.'
Seiryū's sharp perception caught the look in Orochimaru's eyes when he looked toward Shimaichirō and Kisame.
That was the look of someone seeing prey.
It was basically confirmed.
This was Orochimaru, that bastard!
Mad scientists like him were the biggest trouble.
When they acted, they did not consider other factors, only their own goals.
And this bastard had his eyes on him too, hadn't he?
Seiryū cursed inwardly. 'Since he dares to make a move, the surveillance footage here has probably already been destroyed. He's definitely up to no good.'
Being targeted by someone like this.
Really did give him a headache.
He did not want to be studied by anyone, not even parts of his flesh and tissue.
The special nature of his body was real, and Orochimaru had forbidden techniques that allowed him to take over another person's body.
Who knew, maybe in the future he would become one of Orochimaru's targets.
He had no choice but to be on guard!
"Seiryū, this kind of person cannot possibly be a Genin taking part in the Chunin Exam. Something must have gone wrong."
His wary gaze never leaving the disguised Orochimaru.
Kakashi said in a grave tone, "This feeling, I've only ever felt it from Father when he got serious."
Duy also spoke, his tone serious. "My instincts tell me that the other party is very strong. I think it would be best not to get too entangled with him!"
Since Duy did not have a clear understanding of his own exact strength, he did not think he was his opponent.
The best choice right now was not to get too entangled with him.
And to leave this place as quickly as possible.
"I know that too, but it still depends on whether he'll let us go."
Seiryū looked over and said noncommittally, "A strong person hiding his identity has appeared in front of us. Do you think he'll really let us off that easily? The gap between Kage-level and non-Kage-level strength is huge.
It won't be easy to leave smoothly..."
Hearing that, Orochimaru's lips curved into a smile as he praised, "Not only are you gifted, your judgment of the situation is also very clear. You are quite impressive."
Seiryū slowly let out a breath. "Then let me ask this hidden ninja of unknown identity, if you have some purpose, just say it. If I can help, I don't mind lending a small hand."
He looked toward the others, the corner of his mouth lifting. "For example, helping you kill all these people?"
(To be continued.)