Chapter 144
Oh?
Orochimaru pondered for a moment, then recalled the image of a child still in swaddling clothes.
Uzumaki Naruto, who was still an infant, should now be of school age.
He... defeated Itachi?!
The intelligence about Itachi stirred a terrifying storm in Orochimaru's heart.
Especially the evaluation made by the Painphantom that appeared afterwards, upon hearing that statement.
According to White Zetsu's intelligence, Uzumaki Naruto is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. A Tailed Beastis a terrifying weapon of mass destruction, so it's very reasonable that he could defeat Itachi...
In Pain's view, Itachi was still just a child.
Uzumaki Naruto was also a child, but he had a nuclear bomb-like Tailed Beast inside him.
However, Itachi retreated unharmed, indicating that he was not as helpless as he claimed.
Chapter 88. Follow-up 2: Orochi-hime! Akatsuki Itachi Borrows a Knife to Kill, Orochi-hime Covets Naruto!
The Fourth Hokage's... child.
Watching the people appear one after another and converse,
Orochimaru's heart was already in turmoil.
He had once lost to Minato Namikaze in a competition.
Now, was Minato Namikaze's son also rising?
Interesting... Orochimaru immediately developed an interest in Naruto.
The butterfly effect appeared, and history began to deviate... "Then, congratulations on joining Akatsuki, Itachi."
After saying a few polite words, Orochimaruremained silent.
And Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki Organization, introduced Itachi, the newly joined member, to Konan, Kakuzu, Sasori... and other members...
On the mountain path of the shrine.
Itachi, who had been given the Akatsuki Organization robe, slowly walked upwards.
After the Akatsuki Organization meeting ended, the phantoms of everyone dispersed.
The first mission Itachi received was to resolve a dispute in a distant small country to prove his abilities.
On his way to the mission, he encountered an obstruction.
"Orochimaru?"
Itachi looked at Orochimaru, who was also wearing the red cloud black robe.
The Orochimaru in front of him was corporeal.
That pale face was unchanged from before.
However, this was a very incredible thing.
"Heh heh... Don't be nervous, Itachi."
Orochimaru looked at the tense Itachi, indicating that he had no ill intentions.
"I just want to ask you... about the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki..."
Itachi: "..."
Expressionless, but secretly no longer sleepy upon hearing this, Itachi immediately perked up.
"Alright, no problem."
So, Itachi began to tell Orochimaru the specific details, all the various aspects...
When Orochimaru learned that Juzo was also defeated by Naruto, a very interesting change appeared in his eyes.
"A Tailed Beast Jinchuriki... is such a powerful existence?"
Uzumaki Naruto alone would not be enough to defeat Juzo.
However, if the Nine-Tailed was added... Orochimaru immediately realized that his past assessment of 'Tailed Beasts' was not mistaken.
But... he had greatly misjudged and underestimated the 'Jinchuriki'.
Jinchuriki + Tailed Beast is probably 1+1 > 3.
As for whether it equals 4, 5, or 9999.
That's hard to say.
Orochimaru, having discovered a new research topic, his eyes lit up with an astonishing gleam.
Seeing Orochimaru's interest in Naruto, Itachi felt... it was stable.
"Also, I want to tell you... never underestimate Uzumaki Naruto, don't be fooled by his honestappearance... After all, even Danzo was tricked by him..."
"!"
This piece of information from Itachi was the final word, playing a decisive role.
Having secretly colluded with Danzo for many years, Orochimaru naturally knew how sinister and cunning that old Danzo was.
Danzo, known as the 'Darkness of Ninja,' had actually suffered a setback at the hands of Uzumaki Naruto?
"Hoo... hoo..."
Orochimaru's breathing became more rapid and chilling.
Like a snake's flicking tongue.
Interesting, truly too interesting!!
The discovery of new grudges, old hatreds, and interesting things. Orochimaru, who originally thought revenge was hopeless, suddenly found that teasing Minato Namikaze's son seemed quite interesting too.
"..."
Itachi observed Orochimaru, who had found amusement, and bid him farewell without hesitation.
"Goodbye."
With that, Itachi walked past Orochimaru.
—And nothing happened...
Days later, outside Konoha.
Danzo brought his subordinates to this forest, awaiting the arrival of an old acquaintance.
When Orochimaru arrived late, the surrounding subordinates became tense.
Because Orochimaru was unchanged from when he left the Village, still looking the same.
This was clearly unreasonable.
Because people all age.
By his age, Orochimaru should be in his mid-40s.
Approaching 50, his appearance was unusually young, which inevitably aroused suspicion among everyone.
"Don't be nervous..."
Danzo waved his hand, dismissing his subordinates and signaling them to retreat.
"Heh heh, Lord Danzo, it's been a long time..."
Orochimaru's attitude was very amicable, as if meeting an old friend he hadn't seen in years.
There was no hint of hostility.
Danzo gazed at the youthful Orochimaru, and just as he was about to say something, the latter spoke first.
"Lord Danzo... you seem to have encountered some trouble recently..."
The matter Orochimaru mentioned made Danzonarrow his eyes. Did this Orochimaru... know something?
"I heard Itachi say that the brat named Uzumaki Naruto also tricked you..."
Orochimaru's words made Danzo's face change directly.
Indeed... Orochimaru thought to himself.
Itachi didn't lie.
Then the information he provided was very likely true.
"Hmph... have you seen Uchiha Itachi?"
Danzo asked about Itachi.
Years of planning ruined in an instant, no one would be in a good mood.
The'slaughtering knife' Itachi, painstakingly cultivated, was actually outmaneuvered by that brat Uzumaki Naruto!
Danzo, extremely displeased with Naruto's actions, his heart was filled with killing intent.
"Heh heh, I actually have a good idea..."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a smile, indicating that he had a solution.
The next moment.
Orochimaru peeled off her face... in the literal sense.
As the skin fell away, a woman's face was revealed.
"You...!"
At this moment, Danzo was truly moved, his eyes widening sharply.
The Root Ninja were also inexplicably tense: "She... who is she?!"
Isn't it Orochimaru?
"Lord Danzo [female voice], as you can see, I have completed the method of eternal life... body snatching..."
Orochimaru tossed her hair, full of charm.
But the wickedness and evil on that beautiful female face were indelible, making one's hair stand on end.
Orochimaru was a heretic.
Everyone said so.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi thought so.
And now... had Orochimaru finally achieved her ambition?
"You... completed that jutsu?" Danzo asked in a deep voice.
"Of course."
Orochimaru, showing off her achievements, began to let loose.
After gaining eternal life, if one doesn't court death, what's the point?
However, the Living Corpse Reincarnation jutsu was not without flaws.
Each reincarnation required a three-year interval.
This time, it was a fresh reincarnation.