Itsuki stared at Orochimaru’s mission list and sucked in a sharp breath.
This was absurd.
The lowest-ranked mission on the entire list was S-rank.
Compared to Orochimaru, Hiruzen’s missions suddenly looked almost ordinary.
And there was even an SSS-rank mission.
More importantly, these were only the missions Orochimaru had triggered so far.
As future events unfolded, there was every chance that even more would appear.
Then there were the rewards.
With prizes like these, would Orochimaru really be able to resist throwing himself into every mission?
Itsuki could barely suppress a grin as he looked up.
Sure enough, Orochimaru was staring at the Mission Panel with almost feverish intensity.
“An S-rank Soul Restoration Potion…” His eyes shifted downward.
“And cellular tissue possessing immortal properties?” Orochimaru could hardly look away from the two rewards.
After Itsuki explained their effects in greater detail, the temptation became even stronger.
For a moment, Orochimaru looked as though he wanted to leave immediately and complete the missions on the spot.
It took him quite some time to regain his composure.
Even then, the shock on his face had not completely faded.
“Itsuki-san, this really is…” Orochimaru slowly shook his head.
For once, even he seemed unable to find the right words.
Shock.
Excitement.
A complete overturning of everything he thought he understood about the world.
He had lived for decades and experienced countless extraordinary things, yet somehow today had managed to surprise him more than all those years combined.
“I understand.” Itsuki smiled.
“No matter who you are, when you first encounter something completely beyond your understanding, it takes time to process.” Orochimaru silently nodded.
Even someone as open-minded as him needed time to digest everything he had just learned.
Eventually, Orochimaru left the building with complicated thoughts and returned to his base.
Deep beneath Otogakure, Orochimaru stepped out of the glowing portal.
He turned around and watched as it gradually disappeared into thin air.
Only then did he relax slightly.
“That Itsuki…” Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
“He’s dangerous.” Several times during their conversation, he had considered testing Itsuki personally.
Every single time, however, an overwhelming sense of danger had stopped him.
His instincts had warned him not to make a move.
“Forget it.” Orochimaru murmured to himself.
“Perhaps he isn’t even from this world.” “As long as I don’t come into conflict with him, there shouldn’t be a problem.” Had Itsuki heard those words, even he might have been startled.
Orochimaru had come frighteningly close to guessing the truth.
“But the important thing now…” Orochimaru’s golden eyes gleamed.
“…is the missions.” The Fourth Kazekage immediately came to mind.
“Rasa.” “I had planned to speak with you one last time.” His expression turned cold.
“But now…
you have to die.” Orochimaru wasted no time.
He quickly summoned Kabuto and several of his strongest subordinates, preparing to head for Sunagakure.
Just then— “Cough…
cough!” Kimimaro suddenly doubled over and coughed up blood.
Orochimaru frowned.
“Kabuto.” “Kimimaro still hasn’t recovered?” Kabuto shook his head.
“There’s nothing I can do.” “His illness can’t be cured.” He answered without hesitation.
Although Kabuto and Kimimaro both competed fiercely for Orochimaru’s favor, this was not something he would lie about.
Orochimaru did not doubt him.
“Orochimaru-sama, there’s no need to worry.” Kimimaro wiped the blood from his lips.
“Even if I die, I’ll still help you kill the Fourth Kazekage.” His voice was perfectly steady.
Kimimaro had long since accepted his condition.
His only concern was helping Orochimaru find a suitable new vessel before his own body finally gave out.
Orochimaru shook his head.
Then a sudden thought struck him.
If missions could grant impossible rewards…
Could one of those rewards save Kimimaro?
At that exact moment, a new notification appeared.
Your mission has been updated.
Kill the Fourth Kazekage — S-rank This mission may be converted into a Team Mission.
The mission rank will remain unchanged.
Your personal reward will be calculated according to your contribution to the Team Mission.
Maximum team size: 4.
Convert this mission into a Team Mission?
Orochimaru’s pupils contracted.
He stared at the Mission Panel in shock.
It can read my thoughts?
The timing was too perfect.
For the first time since leaving Itsuki, a trace of unease crept into Orochimaru’s heart.
The Quest Giver System was even stranger than he had imagined.
After thinking for a moment, he silently answered, Convert it.
At the same time, he kept his eyes fixed on Kimimaro.
Kimimaro’s body suddenly stiffened.
His normally expressionless face changed completely.
His eyes widened as he stared at Orochimaru.
“What is it, Kimimaro?” Orochimaru’s expression darkened.
So the Mission Panel can activate even when we’re nowhere near Itsuki?
Kimimaro looked deeply shaken.
“A voice suddenly spoke to me.” “It said Orochimaru-sama wants to share a mission with me and asked whether I wished to accept.” He paused.
“And now…
there’s something called a Mission Panel floating in front of me.” Orochimaru fell silent.
The concern he had been trying to ignore had just become reality.
Itsuki’s abilities extended far beyond the boundaries of that mysterious building.
After a moment, Orochimaru finally spoke.
“Accept it.” “The mission really did come from me.” He then explained Itsuki, the Quest Giver System, missions, rewards, and everything else he had learned.
Kimimaro and the others listened in stunned silence.
Afterward, Kabuto also accepted Orochimaru’s Team Mission invitation and joined the group.
In the end, the mission team consisted of four people: Orochimaru.
Kimimaro.
Kabuto Yakushi.
Kidōmaru.
With the team assembled, they immediately set off toward Sunagakure.