Fortunately, Orochimaru has extensive knowledge of poisons, and Kabuto is smart enough at detoxification. Under Orochimaru's guidance, they successfully formulated an antidote.
"If you die, I can't escape Scorpion's pursuit."
Orochimaru lay behind a rock, watching Kabuto take the antidote, finally relaxing: "Next time, don't rush to save me. I won't be killed by Scorpion's poison..."
Kabuto shook his head, indifferent to his own life: "If something happens to Orochimaru-sama, Dean Nonou and I will eventually be forced to death by Kagura."
"Hehehe... rest assured, neither of us will die."
Orochimaru looked at Kabuto, sinisterly smiling as he made his promise: "As long as we can survive this ordeal, I'll find a way to further perfect the Reanimation Jutsu. I won't let that little brat Kagura continue to be arrogant..."
"Yes."
Kabuto lowered his head.
Orochimaru took out a scroll and resumed his teaching: "Let's continue learning the Reanimation Jutsu! During this period, you must quickly master the Reanimation Jutsu..."
Three months passed...
Orochimaru's injuries were almost healed.
It seemed Kabuto still hadn't learned the Reanimation Jutsu.
One day in the afternoon.
The sun was at its hottest.
Kabuto secretly slipped out to fetch water, taking the opportunity to meet with Red Sand Sasori.
"Orochimaru's injuries are almost healed."
"Then what should we do?"
Hearing Kabuto's words, Red Sand Sasori immediately frowned: "I'm not good at Genjutsu. Even if I injure Orochimaru, his Orochi Style Substitution Jutsu can instantly heal his injuries."
"No need anymore."
Kabuto shook his head, continuing: "I've already learned the Reanimation Jutsu taught by Orochimaru. Based on my understanding of Kagura, I should also be able to teach him this Kinjutsu."
During this period, Kabuto had already mastered this Kinjutsu.
Kabuto's goal was merely to help Akihara Kagura obtain Orochimaru's Reanimation Jutsu, so he tried his best to find out all the details of the Jutsu.
To prevent future problems in teaching due to his translation issues causing Akihara Kagura to be unable to learn the Jutsu, Kabuto already understood the details of the Reanimation Jutsu well enough, and with Akihara Kagura's exceptional talent, he should be able to learn it.
"The goal is achieved."
Kabuto looked at Red Sand Sasori and continued: "Now let Orochimaru go. I will accompany him to further perfect this Jutsu. During this period, thank you for your hard work, Sasori-san..."
"It's okay, just a small matter."
Red Sand Sasori shook his head and continued: "I'll have another fight with him tomorrow, casually chasing after him, pretending to pursue him."
"Will you get back to the Akatsuki Organization unable to account for it?"
Kabuto acted with great understanding. He didn't know the relationship between Red Sand Sasori and Akihara Kagura, but Red Sand Sasori seemed to respect him out of consideration for Kagura.
As expected.
Kabuto was also appropriately respectful, not wanting his rudeness to reduce Red Sand Sasori's goodwill towards Akihara Kagura.
"Don't worry."
Red Sand Sasori never worried about issues with the Akatsuki Organization: "The Leader of the Akatsuki Organization trusts me greatly. He also understands Orochimaru's cunning deceit, and won't blame me, only placing the hatred on Orochimaru."
"..."
Kabuto nodded with a strange expression.
"Actually, this is also a good thing."
The voice coming from Red Sand Sasori's Hiruko sounded somewhat weary: "Constantly accompanying you in acting while worrying about accidentally killing you and Orochimaru; now that Orochimaru's injuries have healed, I can finally make a move without holding back, not worrying about killing you..."
"..."
Kabuto's eye twitched.
These blunt truths can be quite hurtful.
Two days later.
When Orochimaru's injuries healed, he gave up continuing to teach Kabuto the Reanimation Jutsu: "Kabuto, it seems you're not quite suited for learning this Kinjutsu. Slowly study it on your own in the future, I've already taught you all I can."
"Sorry, Orochimaru-sama."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, his face showing some regret and shame: "It's my lack of talent and intelligence. I will do my best to learn it."
"No problem."
Orochimaru didn't mind this, chuckling lightly: "Don't be discouraged, Kabuto, everyone has their own innate talents, and yours isn't in this, but in medicine and technology. Moreover, this Jutsu still needs us to slowly perfect it."
"Yes."
Kabuto lowered his head as if resigning to fate.
"However..."
"Now it's time to deal with that bastard Scorpion."
Orochimaru recalled the humiliation of having his ring snatched by Red Sand Sasori and being thrown down the mountain steps, a fierce look flashing across his face: "The humiliation that bastard subjected me to, this time, I'll give it back to him all at once!"
"Yes."
Kabuto's eyes showed a trace of concern.
This concern wasn't for Red Sand Sasori's safety, but worry about what might happen to Orochimaru, as Orochimaru's promises always seem to go unfulfilled…
As expected.
Orochimaru had a great battle with Red Sand Sasori.
As one of the Sannin of Konoha, Orochimaru's combat power was indeed formidable, battling Red Sand Sasori to a draw, even faintly suppressing Scorpion!
"It was only because I was injured..."
Orochimaru's fingers raised slightly, looking at Red Sand Sasori with a low laugh, a multitude of snakes tightly winding around the puppet controlled by Red Sand Sasori: "If we were really fighting, you're far behind... Reveal your true form, Scorpion, I know this Hiruko Puppet is just your disguise."
"Not yet."
Red Sand Sasori's Hiruko shook its head slowly, then opened its mouth.
From Hiruko's mouth appeared a bizarre launch tube, from which rockets fired out, almost instantly sweeping the ground free of snakes!
This is Red Sand Sasori's new technique!
Red Sand Sasori had been secretly researching his abilities as an Asura Path Puppet, and with the slight development of some new techniques, he once again drove Orochimaru into a desperate escape!
"..."
Kabuto watched this scene, falling into silence for a long time.
After Orochimaru successfully fled with Kabuto, it seemed Red Sand Sasori sensed Orochimaru's recovery of strength and did not pursue further.
"This guy's puppetry has improved again!"
After successfully escaping with Kabuto, Orochimaru couldn't help but have a gloomy expression: "No wonder that bastard was so arrogant at Akatsuki's base back then..."
"..."
Kabuto hesitated as he nodded.
Orochimaru looked at Kabuto and instructed: "Kabuto, return to Konoha and stay by Kagura's side. Help me continue to spy on Akihara Kagura and Konoha's intelligence. Report to me immediately if anything comes up..."
"Alright."
Kabuto quickly nodded, providing a reason: "I've been away from Konoha for so long, I'm also worried about Dean Nonou's situation..."
Kabuto worried that the Jutsu Akihara Kagura wanted wasn't the Reanimation Jutsu and became concerned about Orochimaru's whereabouts: "What about Orochimaru-sama? It seems unlikely that the Akatsuki Organization would give up the pursuit, right?"
"I'll take a trip to the Land of Rice Fields."
Orochimaru's mouth twisted into a grin, laughing lightly: "The people of the Akatsuki Organization can't kill me. I'll find a way to talk with someone from the Akatsuki. I bet they don't want the Ninja World to know Akatsuki's information, right?"
Orochimaru looked at Kabuto, and after the chase battle with Red Sand Sasori, Orochimaru's goodwill towards Kabuto greatly increased. He reassured him with a sinister smile: "Kabuto, don't worry. Once I complete the Reanimation Jutsu, I'll return to Konoha to eliminate the threat of that brat Kagura to you..."
"Oh, by the way."
Orochimaru revisited an old topic, mentioning that retired ally, chuckling lightly: "If there's a chance, help me contact Danzo. Though he may have lost power, based on my understanding of Danzo, he won't just give up like that, and certainly won't be satisfied with losing power; he must have some backup plan..."
"Hmm..."
Kabuto nodded knowingly.
Could it be that Danzo indeed has some backup plan?