[Orochimaru: Heh heh heh… Nagi, the fish you're waiting for won't bite so easily.]
At this moment, Orochimaru felt that the truth he had been pursuing was hidden within those books Nagi possessed.
But he, Orochimaru, was not someone who would take the bait so easily—
[Nagi: I also have a Mangekyō Sharingan.]
[Orochimaru: …Ahem. Nagi, perhaps we should arrange a meeting sometime soon.]
[Jiraiya: Well, well. Orochimaru, you sure changed your tune fast.]
[Orochimaru: Jiraiya, what do you know? This is the future direction of the shinobi world.]
[Kurenai Yūhi: If Nagi is trying to lure Lord Orochimaru, then will the Konoha Crush still happen?]
[Rasa: Ahem, let me clarify in advance—the invasion plan was led by Orochimaru. It had nothing to do with Sunagakure.]
[Ōnoki: Heh. And you expect us to believe that?]
None of the Kage were fools. Take the Fourth Raikage, for example—though he appeared brash, his mind was anything but simple.
Land of Rice Fields — Otogakure
Nagi arrived at Otogakure with Ryōma Aburame and Shigaraki Tanuki. With the Flying Thunder God Technique at his disposal, if anything went wrong, he could instantly retreat with them.
The guards at the entrance immediately stopped the three.
"This is Otogakure. State your business."
Ryōma stepped forward and took out the Chūnin Exams invitation letter from his robes.
"We are shinobi from Konohagakure. Under orders from the Hokage, we have come to invite your village to participate in the upcoming Chūnin Exams."
He handed the letter to the guards for inspection.
After scanning it, the two guards exchanged a glance.
"Understood. However, we must first report to our leader. Please wait here."
"No problem."
…
"Chūnin Exams? How interesting."
Orochimaru licked his lips as he examined the invitation.
Through a small white snake hidden near the village gate, he observed the Konoha delegation.
"Heh heh… this is hardly just an invitation."
Soon after permission was granted, a Sound shinobi arrived.
"Lord Orochimaru will see you."
Ryōma nodded.
"Lead the way."
The three followed the shinobi into the reception chamber.
Inside, Orochimaru sat leisurely on a sofa, scrutinizing them.
Behind him stood a pale young man with white hair, two red marks on his forehead, and red eyeshadow accentuating his cold gaze.
Kimi— Kimimaro Kaguya.
Even the name alone evoked connections to Kaguya Ōtsutsuki—let alone the Shikotsumyaku and its resemblance to All-Killing Ash Bones.
Nagi withdrew his gaze and turned his attention to Orochimaru. With his sensory perception, he could tell that Orochimaru's physical condition was unstable—especially his spiritual state.
After finishing his assessment, Orochimaru greeted them in his hoarse voice.
"Heh heh heh… Ryōma. Long time no see."
"Yes. It's been a while, Orochimaru."
"When Konoha first sent the Chūnin Exams invitation, I paid it little attention. But since you came personally, it must carry another meaning.
So tell me… was it the old man who sent you? Or perhaps the new leader of Root?"
As he spoke, Orochimaru's eyes shifted to Nagi.
His predatory gaze burned with undisguised desire. He had coveted this young man's body for quite some time.
Several years ago, after the Night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre, Orochimaru had intended to trade with Danzō Shimura for Sharingan. In exchange, he offered a newly cultivated arm of Hashirama Senju. He had been certain Danzō would not refuse.
Yet from that day onward, Danzō had become unreachable.
Spies within Konoha later reported that Danzō had been imprisoned.
Orochimaru initially paid it little mind. The "old man" had confined Danzō before—usually only briefly.
But months passed, and Danzō remained imprisoned.
Curious, Orochimaru sent one of his white snakes to infiltrate the prison. What he saw shocked him—Danzō in a miserable state.
When had Hiruzen ever shown such resolve? He had always settled for verbal reprimands.
Suspicious, Orochimaru activated the white snakes he had hidden within Root to investigate further.
And he did discover something unusual.
Nearly every night, the young man now standing before him would appear in Root's training grounds, engaging multiple shinobi in combat.
His battle prowess and powerful physique deeply captivated Orochimaru.
Though not an Uchiha, Nagi had already become Orochimaru's primary backup candidate for Living Corpse Reincarnation.
"Watch yourself, Orochimaru!"
Ryōma Aburame snapped sharply, recognizing that look all too well.
Orochimaru withdrew his gaze.
"Heh heh… forgive me. How rude."
"Then this must be the new leader of Root? Won't you introduce yourself?"
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Orochimaru. My name is Nagi of the clan. I am indeed the new leader of Root."
"A descendant of the clan? I truly cannot fathom why the old man would place someone so young in charge of Root."
Nagi smiled calmly.
"Sometimes, age and position need not correspond. The same goes for ability."
"An interesting answer. So, your visit today is about more than the Chūnin Exams invitation, I presume?"
Orochimaru decided to speak plainly.
"Correct. I have only one purpose in coming here.
You."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
"If you seek cooperation, are you not afraid of the old man discovering it?"
"It wouldn't matter," Nagi replied evenly. "Perhaps I've come to help you."
"Help me? How?"
Orochimaru did not underestimate him. The mere fact that Nagi had become Root's leader at such an age was reason enough for caution.
And that phrase—'It wouldn't matter if he found out'—intrigued him.
Nagi spoke directly to the core of Orochimaru's greatest weakness.
"The soul damage caused by Living Corpse Reincarnation."
—Clack.
Behind Orochimaru, Kimimaro instantly drew a bone blade and flashed to his side.
Orochimaru's greatest secret had just been exposed.
Without hesitation, Kimimaro prepared to defend him at all costs.
Ryōma Aburame and Shigaraki Tanuki likewise moved to Nagi's side, assuming combat stances.
As tension filled the room, Orochimaru raised a hand to halt them.
"Heh heh heh… As expected of Root's new leader. You offer a condition I cannot refuse right from the start.
So tell me… what do you want from me?"
Truthfully, Orochimaru had long been troubled by the incompatibility between soul and body caused by Living Corpse Reincarnation.
The resulting spiritual damage weakened his mental strength.
Being nearly killed by a single genjutsu from Itachi Uchiha remained a lingering humiliation.
From that day on, his obsession with the Sharingan—especially the Mangekyō Sharingan—had only deepened.