Orochimaru rolled down with a grimace of pain!
"I'm saving you."
The Red Sand Sasori's voice was hoarse as he responded, continuing coldly, "This is me giving you a little face for the sake of our past missions together."
"I'm going to meet Pain now and report your attempt to kill the organization's newcomer and your betrayal of the Akatsuki. I've long wanted to drive you out of the Akatsuki..."
"Escape now..."
"Today is your time to flee..."
"Starting tomorrow, I'll come to hunt you down. Enjoy the time you have left; your eternal life can never compare to my eternal art..."
"Bastard!"
Orochimaru could only curse bitterly!
The aftereffects of the Tsukuyomi Genjutsu were still lingering, leaving Orochimaru without any strength to resist as he rolled down the cliff, with no chance to even grab onto a lifeline!
That bastard Sasori of the Red Sand...
Taking advantage to strike at this moment!
Orochimaru was well aware that in his current state, he stood no chance against Sasori's pursuit. He had to figure out a way to save himself!
Orochimaru tumbled to the bottom of the mountain, hurriedly releasing a small white snake from his side, instructing it to bring Kabuto as quickly as possible to save him!
"..."
Sasori of the Red Sand glanced at Orochimaru rolling down the steps, then turned and walked slowly toward the hideout; he still had to report Orochimaru's defection to Pain.
"..."
Uchiha Itachi also witnessed the scene.
This newcomer to the Akatsuki Organization had seen firsthand the relationships between teammates within the Akatsuki and felt the internal power struggles of its corporate culture.
"Newcomer."
Sasori looked at Uchiha Itachi, calmly giving him a lesson: "If you also lose to another newcomer in the future, today's Orochimaru will be your fate."
"..."
Uchiha Itachi lowered his head.
Inside the cave at the Akatsuki Hideout.
Without a second thought, Deva Path Pain agreed to Sasori's request, reclaiming Orochimaru's ring.
To Deva Path Pain, Sasori, who has truly experienced hardship, is the real comrade, while Orochimaru is at best a disposable pawn.
"Since Orochimaru wants to betray the Akatsuki, it's up to you to eliminate him, to prevent him from leaking Akatsuki's information."
"Understood."
Sasori nodded.
Deva Path Pain even proactively asked Sasori for his opinion: "During this time, Konan will find a more suitable partner for you. Sasori, do you have any thoughts?"
"The stronger, the better."
Sasori made no complicated requests.
Land of Rain.
In a hidden cave.
Kabuto was still obediently waiting for Orochimaru here, but instead of Orochimaru's arrival, he received a message from a little white snake sent by Orochimaru to go rescue him.
When Kabuto followed the white snake to the foot of the Akatsuki Hideout, he saw Orochimaru, covered in blood, even with tattered clothes, his body covered in scratches from rolling down the mountain steps, helplessly nestled in the grass...
Orochimaru was currently in a truly pathetic state...
You could hardly see any resemblance to a Sannin of Konoha!
Since Orochimaru's brain was still suffering from the aftereffects of the Tsukuyomi Genjutsu, he couldn't even perform the Orochi Style Substitute Jutsu, and moving his fingers was painful.
Kabuto was puzzled.
What the hell happened?
It hasn't been that long since they last met, how did Orochimaru end up like this?
During their last departure, he had vowed confidently to Kabuto not to move and wait, as he would soon return with Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan. Yet now, he looked as if he'd been tossed out like a beggar?
"Lord Orochimaru!"
Kabuto squinted his eyes slightly, ultimately taking no action, just swiftly squatting beside Orochimaru with a worried expression, using Medical Ninjutsu to heal his wounds.
"Kabuto."
Orochimaru finally saw his savior.
At that moment,
Orochimaru was even a bit gratified that the person by his side was Kabuto.
Because Kabuto was a Medical Ninja who could heal his wounds; because Kabuto's strength wasn't too great, still within Orochimaru's control.
"Take me away from here first."
Orochimaru looked at Kabuto, who was full of concern, and commanded in a deep voice, "Find a place to hide first. That bastard Sasori will pursue us tomorrow..."
"Yes."
Kabuto immediately carried Orochimaru on his back and asked in a low voice, "What exactly happened? Did Sasori of the Red Sand and Lord Orochimaru have a conflict?"
"..."
Orochimaru slowly closed his eyes.
He really didn't want to talk much about this incident, let alone mention that he had been instantly defeated by that Uchiha Itachi brat's Genjutsu and tortured for three days and nights inside the Genjutsu world...
"Let's go first."
Orochimaru didn't want to recall those painful memories, only instructing, "I can't concentrate enough to use Ninjutsu right now, I'm no match for Sasori..."
As for Akihara Kagura and such...
Orochimaru could only set it aside for now.
What mattered most at the moment was evading Sasori's pursuit; he didn't think Sasori was a soft-hearted guy, likely viewing him as a toy to be toyed with at any time now!
Kabuto carried Orochimaru to his hidden cave.
Orochimaru still lay immobile on the ground, unable to get up, the aftereffects of the Tsukuyomi Genjutsu too severe, affecting even his reincarnated soul more intensely.