Chapter 225: Orochimaru Took the Bait
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Orochimaru's sharp, serpentine eyes gleamed with interest. He said, "If I help you, what's in it for me? I know you're all about fair trades, and even half the chakra of the Nine-Tails is no small thing to ask for."
Orochimaru didn't particularly care about the Tailed Beasts. To him, they were just creatures with an endless supply of chakra.
He already had plenty of chakra himself—enough that obtaining a Tailed Beast wouldn't significantly boost his power.
Still, he wasn't about to let this opportunity go without getting something in return. If he could somehow take over this body—Uchiha Kitaro's body—it would be the ultimate prize.
"Eh? Orochimaru-sensei!" Kitaro's face shifted into a mask of disbelief. "You're my most respected teacher! And here you are, asking for payment from your dear, lovable disciple? That's just cold, man!"
"..."
The others—Kakashi, Guy, Itachi, and Shisui—couldn't help but cringe. Even with all his strength, Kitaro was still... this guy.
But Orochimaru didn't mind at all. He knew better than anyone just how valuable this disciple was. Kitaro had inherited his own love of learning and hoarding knowledge—especially about jutsu.
What set Kitaro apart, though, was his insane talent. Orochimaru might understand something conceptually but struggle to master it.
Kitaro? He'd see it once and instantly make it his own. That alone was enough to make him a prime candidate as a vessel for Orochimaru's ambitions.
"Fine," Kitaro said with a mock sigh. "Since you're my teacher, I'll cut you a deal. Once this is all over, I'll let you pick something from my collection—anything you want!"
"..."
Orochimaru smirked. He didn't buy Kitaro's exaggerated loyalty spiel, but he did believe the offer. This kid was generous—when it suited him. If Kitaro promised to let him choose, he'd follow through.
"Very well," Orochimaru said, but his tone carried a note of calculation. "However, you do realize that performing the Edo Tensei to bring back someone like the Fourth Hokage will require a living sacrifice, right? Not just any sacrifice—a host with Kage-level life energy. Who's your lucky volunteer?"
His snake-like eyes gleamed as they scanned the group. Kakashi and Guy instinctively tensed, their bodies on high alert. This was Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin. Even with their training, they weren't anywhere near his level.
Itachi stayed calm, completely unfazed by Orochimaru's probing gaze.
Shisui, on the other hand, was less patient. His expression hardened, and in a flash, lightning crackled at his feet as he shot a powerful surge of electricity straight at Orochimaru.
"What?!" Orochimaru was caught off guard. He hadn't sensed any chakra buildup—nothing to warn him of the attack. He couldn't dodge in time.
"ARGHHHH!"
The current struck him dead-on, coursing through his body. For a moment, his form was reduced to a scorched, smoldering heap on the ground.
"Shisui?!" Kakashi and Guy stared in shock, utterly confused. Wasn't this supposed to be a negotiation? Why had Shisui suddenly attacked?
Before anyone could react further, the charred body on the ground twitched. Then, in a grotesque display, Orochimaru's mouth began to stretch unnaturally wide. From within, a pair of pale hands reached out and began pulling the edges apart.
In a scene that could only be described as horrifying, a completely unharmed Orochimaru slithered out of his own mouth, leaving behind the burnt husk like a discarded snake's skin.
Kakashi and Guy recoiled, faces pale. It wasn't about bravery—this was just wrong on so many levels. Even Kitaro, who had seen this move before, couldn't help but feel creeped out.
No matter how many times you saw it, some things just stayed disgusting.
The newly emerged Orochimaru gave a low chuckle. "Impressive," he said, his golden eyes locking onto Shisui with fascination. "What was that?"
As one of the most knowledgeable shinobi in history, Orochimaru prided himself on his understanding of jutsu. But the attack Shisui had just used? It wasn't ninjutsu. The lightning hadn't carried any chakra signature he recognized.
This mystery had his full attention.
Seeing Orochimaru's curiosity, Kitaro couldn't help but smile. The bait had been taken.
"That," Kitaro said, his tone deliberately casual, "is the power of a Devil Fruit—the strongest Logia type, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit."
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