After meeting Orochimaru, I hurried straight back to the village. Only after reaching home did I let out a long breath. I couldn't understand why Orochimaru had made such a childish suggestion. Someone as pragmatic as him shouldn't act so naively!
My first thought was that he was pretending to be weak, hoping I'd underestimate him. But that didn't seem necessary either! Suddenly, a figure came to mind, a guy like a pitcher plant. Thinking of Zetsu, whose true nature was a mystery in the original story, sent a chill down my spine. Maybe Orochimaru was pretending to be weak in front of the Akatsuki. The original story seemed to mention that Orochimaru and the Akatsuki didn't get along, which was why he eventually left them.
Anyone who had read the original story knew that the Akatsuki was full of rebellious, unruly madmen.
This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.
