(Zabuza's POV)

The houses around me burned as I watched what Katsumaro ended up doing.

What the hell did I just see?

Katsumaro, though his clan is in decline, was a capable leader nonetheless.

He was strong. If he wasn't, I wouldn't have been sent by Mei so far and undercover to get his help.

At his best, he could give anyone in Kirigakure a run for their money, bar the Mizukage.

And to see such a man, forced to be reduced to shards...what kind of monster does this person have to be?

I crouch and grab a fragment of his bone. Katsumaro hid it well; nobody had any idea.

Everyone who knew about the existence of Kimimaro thought only Kimimaro had the Shikotsumyaku.

Katsumaro turned out to be pretty smart, and he played the dumb man all his life.

What a scary man.

The man had ignored me and went in a certain direction. I don't know where, but I'm sure he is going after Kimimaro. After all, only he is the only one in this whole clan who is worth all this trouble, considering he already killed the clan leader.

If I can get the help of such a man for our cause...

Yes! It doesn't matter what happens, but I'm going to ask him!

But that jutsu. I wonder what that is. He didn't make any hand signs when he cut off the heads of those normal members of the clan. He simply drew a line in the air.

Was it some kind of space-time ninjutsu? But, I've only heard of such ninjutsu being used to teleport. Never have I ever seen or heard of space-time ninjutsu being used as an attack.

How terrifying!

Most importantly, he has four arms. Is he even human? Or is he some experiment perhaps? That and he also has a big mouth on his stomach.

This guy is something straight out of a horror novel.

I'll need to be careful around him.

But I'm afraid to deal with a jinchuriki like the Mizukage, getting the help of something akin to a monster is only fair.

....

(Orochimaru's POV)

While that freak wreaked havoc, I decided to find Kimimaro first.

I didn't know what he planned to do with Kimimaro. The kid is going to be my vessel; I cannot take any chances.

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Using transformation jutsu, I transformed into a snake and slithered through the forest. I made sure to use enough chakra to travel quickly, and within a few moments, I was inside the clan compound.

I slithered up a tree to get a good view of the compound.

"We are under attack!"

"Grab your weapons and head East!"

Hearing the commotion, I made sure to camouflage myself in the branches. No matter how strong that man was, the Kaguya clan isn't something that anyone can walk over like it's nothing.

It will take him time, and using that opportunity I will grab Kimimaro for myself.

The Kaguya clan members rushed out of their compound, wielding katanas, spears, and naginatas. Seeing that, I dropped from the tree and mid-air transformed back into a human.

Now then, my dear future vessel, where are you? I couldn't help but slip out my tongue in excitement.

I made my way into the yashiki (clan mansion), one by one I searched the rooms to see where they held Kimimaro. After a few unsuccessful attempts, I stop and think about where they could have held him.

The Kaguya clan aren't really known for their intelligence. So, there really is only one place they can keep him.

I have heard much about how Kimimaro is treated like a prisoner in his own clan, reduced to a mere commodity that people enjoy as he kills people.

He must be in prison.

Body Flicker Jutsu!

I have wasted too much time, I think it's time I sped up. I think I got too hung up making it an exciting meeting.

Soon, I appear in what appears to be a fighting ground. There were many iron gates around me; I had just entered from one. I make a hand sign and spread out my chakra.

There!

To save time, I used my chakra-sensing ability and was able to locate the prison.

I open the iron gate to the prison where Kimimaro is held. I sense there are other prisoners with him. They must be the ones Kimimaro is made to fight, I think.

As I walk down the corridor, prisoners on both sides shout at me.

"Who are you?" one yells.

"Hey, snake freak! What do you want?" another taunts.

Some just insult me for no reason. Their words mean nothing to me. I keep my eyes straight ahead.

There he is!

Kimimaro stands at the end of the corridor. My excitement grows, and my tongue slips out yet again in anticipation. This is the moment I've been waiting for.

I can't wait to see what secrets your bloodline holds~

....

(Kimimaro's POV)

The sound of the explosion ruined my sleep. But, I wasn't really angry.

I was having a nightmare, after all.

In my dream, I was over 90 and still in this prison, fighting yet another prisoner as the people of the clan scream my name in joy.

Though I was aware I was in a nightmare, as I'm confident I won't keep myself alive for such a long time in the same condition.

I'd rather be dead.

The prisoners, who too were woken up, were cursing the whole family of whoever caused the explosion.

Such foul mouths.

While I was not angry that I was woken up, I'm certainly getting angrier the longer I stay awake. These people are beyond annoying.

However, as I am deciding if I want to get out of my cage and cut their tongues so they can no longer speak, the iron gate at the front opens up and a pale man with snake-like features enters.

He walks through the corridor, his eyes searching for something. When they finally land on me, they remain unmoved.

He is here for me?

I ignore whatever nonsense the other prisoners are spouting and focus on the man in front.

"Who the hell are you?" I ask.

The man grins and opens his mouth, "I am Oroch-"

*Slash!

But he only manages to say half his name as his head from the corners of his mouth suddenly slid off. The yammering prisoners suddenly quiet down.

What a clean cut.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Orochimaru...what are you doing coming after someone I have my eyes on?" I see a pink-haired man say.

I squint my eyes, trying to see who he is, but since he is behind the iron gate, I can't see clearly as he is enveloped in the shadows.

He walks slowly, his footsteps echoing in the now silent prison.

Four arms.

Four eyes.

And a mouth on his stomach.

"Don't try to act smart with me, Orochimaru, get up already."

What in the world is he?