However, the next wave of intelligence reports quickly followed—
Ōtsutsuki Graywhite had been instantly killed and devoured by the Divine River Crab.
"Wangcai" had also been caught in the same crab's pincer.
That was enough to make Orochimaru slowly close his mouth, which had been slightly agape in surprise.
He licked his dry lips, and the confusion in his eyes was swiftly replaced by something far hotter—far more voracious.
Research desire.
"Ōtsutsuki… Graywhite… an 'outside' existence that regarded shinobi as food… the Divine River Crab…"
Orochimaru murmured the keywords under his breath. His golden, slit pupils gleamed with an unsettling light.
"I see… It would appear that beyond the shinobi world, there exist not only systems such as 'Demonic Gods' and 'divine arts,' but also more… primitive and powerful predators—and perhaps even 'enforcers.'"
"This Divine River Crab… fascinating. Truly fascinating."
"If I could obtain even a fragment of its shell… or study its biological structure…"
Almost immediately, Orochimaru elevated "researching the Divine River Crab" to a long-term objective—one that now ranked above studying Karin.
Of course, that was assuming he could find it—
And not get crushed to death by its claws.
"Karin is probably furious right now," Kabuto Yakushi remarked, adjusting his glasses. There was a faint trace of sympathy in his tone.
Being swatted away like a fly by a crab—
For someone as proud and volatile as Karin, that was nothing short of humiliation.
Kabuto could hardly imagine how unlucky anyone would be who encountered her after she landed.
Orochimaru merely smiled noncommittally. Compared to Karin's mood, he was far more interested in the crab—and in the biological structure and power system of the so-called Ōtsutsuki.
But before they could even finish processing the aftershocks of the "crab incident," another storm of intelligence swept across the shinobi world—
Uchiha Hikari.
This time, through his own discreet and highly efficient network, Orochimaru obtained information far more detailed—and far more disturbing—than what circulated publicly.
"Uchiha Hikari… A 'Dangerous Weapon' sealed during the Warring States Period by the Senju and the Uzumaki. In truth, a living Uchiha survivor. Possessor of the Mangekyō Sharingan…"
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with intrigue as he read the confidential report.
"Unsealed personally by the Five Kage, targeted for elimination… yet at the final moment…"
His voice paused. When he continued, it carried an almost delighted strangeness.
"She was rescued by a bizarre spatial gateway—seemingly created by the power of the 'Devil Fruit' itself, and aligned with the concept of 'toys'? Heh… interesting. Truly interesting."
Kabuto leaned closer, scanning the report. Shock was written plainly across his face.
"A Devil Fruit… possessing such strong autonomy?"
"It can actively interfere with reality to rescue its 'chosen' host?"
"This has completely surpassed the category of an 'item' or 'power container.' It's more like… some kind of highly intelligent, purpose-driven 'rule-based lifeform.'"
"Rule-based lifeform… An excellent description, Kabuto."
Orochimaru nodded approvingly. His long tongue flicked absently across his lips, and his gaze burned with the fervor of a man beholding a priceless treasure.
"This 'Toy Fruit' is of immeasurable value."
"Not only does it contain a powerful rule-based force that affects existence and cognition, it may even possess an independent 'will' or 'inclination.'"
"If I could study it… perhaps even capture it—analyze its binding mechanism with its host, and decipher the laws governing its autonomous actions…"
In his mind's eye, Orochimaru could already see a future in which he mastered such conscious, rule-based power—
Perhaps even created similar beings himself.
Compared to that, studying Karin's demonic inheritance—or Naruto Uzumaki's chakra–divine arts composite—felt almost mundane.
"Orochimaru-sama… what do we do now?" Kabuto finally asked, pulling him out of his reverie. There was faint uncertainty in his voice.
Karin was missing.
The Divine River Crab and the Ōtsutsuki were beyond reach.
Uchiha Hikari and the Toy Fruit were elusive, impossible to track in the short term.
Their original research trajectory had suddenly lost all clear direction.
Orochimaru fell silent.
Too many targets. Too many variables. Every path riddled with unknown danger.
He needed to reassess priorities.
And just then—
"Orochimaru."
A familiar voice rang out nearby—brimming with irritation and unmasked fury.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up.
Karin?
She found her way back on her own?
Excellent. He could obtain first-hand data about the Divine River Crab—
He turned around with visible satisfaction—
And the smile froze on his face.
The corners of his mouth twitched as he forcibly suppressed the laughter threatening to escape, struggling to maintain a solemn expression.
Because the Karin standing at the entrance looked…
Distinctive.
Her once-vivid red hair now resembled a clump of seaweed ravaged by a storm—matted with dust, dead leaves, and unidentifiable grime, hanging in chaotic disarray.
Her usually sharp or arrogant expression was replaced by a soot-smeared face, as though she had just crawled out of a coal pit.
Only her blazing red eyes, burning with fury, confirmed her identity.
Her clothes were torn in multiple places, the edges singed black, splattered with mud. She looked exhausted and utterly disheveled.
Where was the domineering "Demon Child" now?
In her place stood something closer to a scrappy little beggar who had been beaten down by the world—
One who might leap up and bite at any moment.
If she were holding a chipped bowl, the image would have been complete.
Orochimaru had never seen Karin in such a miserable state.
It seemed that the Divine River Crab's casual swipe had not only sent her flying who-knew-how-far—her journey back must have been equally grueling.
Her temper was clearly at the brink of explosion.
"Karin…" Orochimaru cleared his throat, forcing a measured tone. "Are you… all right? It seems this experience was… educational."
His gaze, however, instinctively swept over her body, assessing the extent of her injuries.
A researcher's instincts did not rest—even now.
Karin's anger flared like a tangible aura. She waved her filthy little fists in the air.
"Orochimaru! That damned giant crab! It's completely shameless!"
"It actually attacked a child like me!"
"And it hit so hard!"
Her cheeks puffed with indignation. Combined with the dirt smeared across her face, she looked both ridiculous and oddly pitiful.
"When I grow up—when I get stronger—I'm going to get my revenge! I swear I will! Ugh, I'm so mad!"
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