Chapter 73: Orochimaru

"Today's meal is surprisingly plentiful, there's even meat~" Little Kimimaro joyfully savored his dinner, which included meat. Confined to a prison cell year-round, his days consisted of little more than counting mosquitoes, eating, and sleeping; there were no other forms of entertainment.

This day, after finishing his dinner, a bored little Kimimaro picked up a bone blade and idly drew on the ground. This was the extent of his daily amusement.

He had no parents, likely killed in a great war. Raised by his clan from a young age, he was locked away in the prison as soon as they discovered he had awakened the Shikotsumyaku. This was partly to prevent him from overusing his ability and developing the 'bloodline disease,' and partly to suppress the madness that lay dormant within his bloodline.

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice came from the cell door: "Are you Kimimaro?"

Little Kimimaro, still an adorable young boy, opened his remarkably pure eyes and looked at Uchiha Nagi, curiously replying, "I am Kimimaro. And who might you be?"

Uchiha Nagi gazed into those pure eyes, devoid of any trace of guile. No wonder Orochimaru had such an easy time manipulating people like him. A child's worldview and outlook on life were not yet fixed; if indoctrinated from a young age, it would be strange if they didn't grow up to swear undying loyalty...

Coupled with Orochimaru's brainwashing skills, which had deeply absorbed the essence of his teacher Sarutobi—a grandmaster who had even successfully brainwashed Itachi and Shisui—it was no surprise he could sway anyone he targeted.

This child, when he encountered Zabuza and Haku, had mistaken their identities and even politely apologized...

"My name is Uchiha Nagi."

Clang!

With a screech of metal against metal, the prison lock was sliced open by Uchiha Nagi.

Uchiha Nagi walked up to Kimimaro and extended his hand...

Many years later, this image would remain deeply etched in Kimimaro's mind.

"Come with me. I'll show you the outside world, show you the stars and the vast ocean."

Young Kimimaro, lacking worldly experience, naturally didn't understand what "the stars and the vast ocean" meant. However, he had longed for freedom for a long time. But constrained by habit and his years of confinement, he had no idea where to go even if he escaped his clan. Still a young child, he relied on the clan for even his meals. If he were to escape the village on his own, he wouldn't know how to survive, much less where to go. Thus, even though the clan head had locked him in prison, he had never once thought of escaping.

Uchiha Nagi's handsome features gave Kimimaro a considerable sense of security. And so, the innocent and naive little Kimimaro, without Nagi needing to say another word, was successfully taken away by him.

Because his body was too small and he was slow, Uchiha Nagi simply carried him in one arm.

[Such a warm embrace. Is this what it's like to have an older brother or a father?] Kimimaro wondered. Other children in the village had fathers or similar figures to rely on. The naive little Kimimaro simply thought that if he had a father or an older brother, it would surely be like this.

Uchiha Nagi wasn't thinking that deeply. Age, appearance, name—they all matched. Since I've successfully acquired him, it's time to retreat—

Originally, everything was going smoothly. But, just when everything seemed to be going too smoothly, the unexpected occurred.

Uchiha Nagi was incredibly fast. Carrying Kimimaro, he left the Kaguya clan's territory and soon reached the outskirts of the area...

Suddenly, Uchiha Nagi frowned and put little Kimimaro down. Ever since leaving the Kaguya clan's territory, he'd had the feeling he was being followed.

Closing his eyes, Uchiha Nagi silently extended his senses.

[Beast Breathing, Seventh Form: Spatial Awareness!]

It had to be said, little piggy Inosuke's Spatial Awareness was extremely useful. It allowed Uchiha Nagi, who wasn't a sensory-type ninja, to detect hidden enemies. After all, some sensory ninjas in the shinobi world could sense enemies thousands of meters away. The Second Hokage, a character Kishimoto powered up after initially fumbling his portrayal, could even sense the aura of powerful individuals from vast distances.

"Come out, you who hide in the shadows," Uchiha Nagi calmly called out towards a large tree.

The evening breeze gently rustled by. Only the chirping of insects could be heard, as if there was nothing hidden behind the large tree, so even the insects hadn't noticed anything and continued their calls.

Uchiha Nagi's posture didn't change in the slightest; instead, his Sharingan activated, its three tomoe spinning as he stared intently.

After a moment, a husky voice, full of magnetism and charm, drifted from behind the tree.

"Impressive. How did you find me? I may not boast about much else, but I am exceptionally skilled in stealth. You know, back when I left Konoha, countless Anbu couldn't track me down."

Indeed—a figure in a kimono emerged. Pale skin, jet-black sleek hair, purple eyeshadow, and those distinctive serpentine eyes. One of the Sannin, Orochimaru.

When Uchiha Nagi had used Beast Breathing's Spatial Awareness, he had sensed that the other's aura was extremely sinister and chilling, like that of a venomous snake.

"Orochimaru, is there a reason you're following me?" A slight smile began to play on Uchiha Nagi's lips. Although he wanted to make a deal with Orochimaru, this venomous snake... dealing with him before demonstrating sufficient strength could lead to being double-crossed. Just like a certain Fourth Kazekage who had sincerely wanted to cooperate with him, only to be pitifully killed, his face then peeled off and used for the Face-Erasing Appearance Technique.

"Truly unexpected. In just a few short years, the Uchiha clan has been annihilated, and yet, Nagi-kun, you've grown to such an extent. Konoha truly was a cage that restricted you," Orochimaru remarked with admiration.

Uchiha Nagi's Face-Erasing Appearance Technique had, of course, come from Orochimaru, exchanged for two pairs of two-tomoe Sharingan. Acquiring Sharingan wasn't difficult for Orochimaru, but he was intrigued by an Uchiha who actively sought him out. Perhaps thinking he could become a useful pawn in the future, he had agreed to the exchange. After a cautious transaction, Uchiha Nagi had successfully obtained this technique that neither sensory ninjas nor summoned creatures could discern.

"Long time no see, Orochimaru. It seems you have business in Kirigakure," Uchiha Nagi said with a smile.

"How saddening. Nagi-kun used to address me as Orochimaru-sama, and now you call me by my name directly. I wonder why that is?" Orochimaru's husky, magnetic voice was pleasant to the ear, exuding an air of mystery and lethality, yet the killing intent emanating from him grew increasingly intense.

Orochimaru coveted his body...

"That answer... you'll find out soon enough, won't you?" Uchiha Nagi smiled, then said to Kimimaro, "Kimimaro, get further away—"

Orochimaru also smiled without speaking, quietly watching Kimimaro scamper off towards a small river. His purpose in coming to Kirigakure this time was, of course, to find suitable "material." After some observation, he had set his sights on this child from the Kaguya clan, the one with the greatest potential. Unfortunately, before he could make his move, Uchiha Nagi had broken into the prison and spirited him away. Orochimaru was utterly speechless.

Seeing Kimimaro move to a safe distance, Orochimaru licked his lips in a predatory manner, his eyes filled with excitement. "Come then, Nagi-kun. Let me see what you're truly made of."