Orochimaru's movements were unhurried, and his tone matched the same casual demeanor.
But beneath his words lay an undeniable sense of authority.
It didn't matter the reason or the consequences. If he said no, it simply wasn't going to happen and that applied to anyone who might try to argue otherwise.
Hearing his declaration, Aburame Ryoma and Aoi couldn't help but frown.
The Orochimaru before them seemed entirely foreign.
What did he mean by saying that Konoha's fate had nothing to do with him?
What could have possibly happened to make one of Konoha's legendary Sannin say such a thing?
Meanwhile, the older woman and bespectacled man standing nearby looked at Orochimaru with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. Wasn't Orochimaru still part of Konoha?
How could he speak to someone like Danzo with such confidence and disdain?
Nono, however, remained silent, her thoughts in turmoil.
From the conversation between Orochimaru and Danzo, it was clear Orochimaru was no longer affiliated with Konoha. But what exactly had happened? And why was Danzo, of all people, tolerating such defiance?
For a moment, the room was thick with unspoken tension. Everyone's thoughts were racing, their eyes darting between Danzo and Orochimaru.
Finally, Danzo let out a sigh, breaking the heavy silence.
"Very well," he said in a resigned tone. "Since you've made yourself clear, I'll find another way."
Danzo's voice carried a hint of helplessness, though his expression remained as cold and composed as ever.
"Ryoma, Aoi—let's go."
In truth, Danzo had little choice.
Despite their complicated history, Danzo knew Orochimaru's current strength was beyond what most could handle. Even he had no desire to provoke the man unnecessarily.
"Thank you, Danzo-sama, for your understanding," Orochimaru said, his playful smile deepening.
Danzo's only response was a curt nod. Without another word, he turned and left, followed by Aburame Ryoma and Aoi, who cast cautious glances back at Orochimaru as they exited. ᚱáΝȫBĘS
During their departure, Danzo refrained from speaking further to Orochimaru.
While he was curious about the nature of Orochimaru's connection to Nono, now was not the time to ask. Orochimaru's status as a rogue ninja and his sheer unpredictability made him far too dangerous to confront directly.
Danzo silently decided that any lingering questions would have to wait for a more opportune moment.
With Danzo gone, the room now felt oddly still.
The older woman and the bespectacled man stood stiffly, their gazes shifting nervously toward Orochimaru.
Neither dared to speak, fearing that they might somehow disturb him.
The air was heavy with tension once again.
"Why don't you go to bed first?" Nono suddenly spoke, breaking the awkward atmosphere.
"Huh? Oh—yes, of course!" the older woman stammered, quickly nodding.
Sensing that Nono and Orochimaru needed privacy, both she and the bespectacled man wasted no time in leaving the room.
Neither of them wanted to linger any longer in the stifling presence of Orochimaru.
Once the two had left, Nono turned to Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru… what exactly is going on?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion.
From their earlier exchange, she had pieced together that Orochimaru no longer worked for Konoha.
But Danzo's attitude had been telling, this wasn't as simple as a standard defection. There was more to the story, and Nono was desperate to understand.
Orochimaru leaned back slightly in his chair, his demeanor still calm. "It's a long story," he replied. "Why don't you sit down? I'll explain everything."
"I'll brew some tea first," Nono offered, her tone polite and measured.
Orochimaru gave a small nod, silently agreeing.
After Nono returned with a fresh pot of tea, Orochimaru began recounting his story.
He spoke simply, laying out the events that had led to his defection from Konoha.
Since Nono had left the village before everything unfolded, this was the first time she was hearing about it.
By the time Orochimaru finished, Nono's expression was one of utter disbelief.
"A victim?" she muttered, her voice barely audible. "How could that be?"
The Orochimaru she knew—the one who had contributed so much to Konoha—had been discarded by the village he had served. It was unthinkable.
"Unbelievable?" Orochimaru's lips curled into a faint smirk. "What exactly are you finding hard to believe?"
"All of it," Nono admitted honestly.
The fact that Konoha had abandoned him. The fact that he had survived a siege by three of the Five Great Nations. It all sounded like something from a legend.
And yet, it had all happened to Orochimaru.
"So…" Orochimaru's voice interrupted her thoughts, his tone calm but piercing. "Are you still willing to work for me, now that I'm a rogue ninja?"
His golden eyes locked onto hers, unblinking.
Though Nono had known Orochimaru since she was young, he was under no illusions about her loyalty.
Her allegiance, like that of most shinobi, was deeply rooted in the village. Accepting someone labeled a traitor was no small matter.
Nono, however, gave a faint smile. "Why would you even ask me that? Of course, I—"
Before she could finish her sentence, she noticed something unusual.
Her voice trailed off as she stared at Orochimaru's scarlet pupils.
"I gave you Magnet Release," Orochimaru said casually. "It shouldn't surprise you that I have the Sharingan as well."
As he spoke, his scarlet eyes faded, returning to their usual golden hue.
Then, his tone shifted, becoming colder.
"Nono, you know more of my secrets than most. Regardless of how you feel about my status as a rogue ninja, I need to ensure your loyalty."
"Lord Orochimaru… what do you want me to do?" Nono asked hesitantly, her voice tinged with unease.
Trust was a rare and fragile thing among shinobi.
Having worked under Root, Nono knew better than most how easily trust could be broken and how swiftly those who weren't trusted could be eliminated.
The idea that someone she respected so deeply might now view her as a potential liability weighed heavily on her.
Her discomfort was palpable, and Orochimaru could see it clearly.
Rather than answering her immediately, he stood and walked toward her.
"I need you to dedicate your entirety to me: your body, your mind, and your soul."
Nono's eyes widened in shock.
For a moment, she was completely still, her breath caught in her throat.
"Are you serious?" she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Of course," Orochimaru replied.
"But… but…" Nono stammered, clearly conflicted.
"Although you're an excellent shinobi," Orochimaru interrupted, "you're still just one person. There are things you can't handle alone. Like what just happened with Danzo."
Nono bit her lip, struggling with the weight of the decision before her.
After a long pause, she finally spoke. "I… I just have one question."
"Go ahead," Orochimaru said.
"If I refuse, will you kill me?"
"Of course not," Orochimaru replied calmly. "At most, I would have to… persuade you until I'm satisfied with your loyalty."
"Then…" Nono hesitated, taking a deep breath. "It seems I don't really have a choice, do I?"
"No," Orochimaru admitted, his voice as steady as ever. "You don't."
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