Chapter 46

                                    

                                          
"So you did come after all." Orochimaru said with a slight grin when Shika appeared in the lab. "Didn't think you'd listen to Kabuto."
Shika, who had been leaning against a chest of drawers, crossed her arms. "He would have kept bugging me and you wouldn't have left me in peace anyway. So I'd better come here and get it over with."
"How forward-thinking you always are, but you're still behaving as usual." came out of his mouth, amusing but also reprimanding. He found it quite admirable that his curse hadn't completely destroyed her laziness.
"So, why am I being called to you so early?" Shika wanted to know and looked at the latest experiment. She still remembered well when a small explosion had occurred six years ago and Orochimaru had come out of the lab coughing slightly.
"I wanted to talk to you about little Guren." said the black-haired man, who continued to experiment on the side. "She hasn't improved, if that's what you're asking."
"It's more about whether she has what it takes to become my vessel." Orochimaru broached the subject. Shika knew that he had an Uchiha in mind. But until he could even get a body like that, he would have to get a little stronger himself.
"Your Kistall stash has a high value and is very rare in this world. But when I found it, it was weak and useless. It was only here, when I was training her, that I thought she could become a vessel." Orochimaru began to speak and revealed his thoughts.
"Kimimaru, who I took from Kabuto and brought to another hiding place, would also be a good option. But his body is pretty weak, which is why I've decided on Guren. Still, I'm worried that she would be good for this."
Shika understood why she was here. So she had to weigh up whether it was good or bad. If he took Kimimaru's body, she would be rid of Orochimaru sooner. As for Guren, Shika herself wasn't quite sure how she would develop. As a vessel, the girl was better than Kimimaru.
"Guren is still too naive to use her body yet. I also don't think she would do you any good in the long run." Shika gave her opinion. Her stash could still improve, as could her general physical strength. But Shika doubted that Orochimaru would be happy with it in the end.
"So before you venture into anything bigger, you should take a transitional body that will buy you time. Guren is too uncertain." came her conclusion, which made Orochimaru nod briefly.
He could almost have guessed that it was still too early for Guren. So far, he had never regretted bringing the Nara into his team. Together with her and now also with Kabuto, he could achieve much more. But Shika would never give up her life for him. Guren and Kimimaru would.
Despite the curse mark, Shika was still cautious and acted with caution. Orochimaru didn't know what exactly was going on in her head. The nara couldn't afford to betray him at the moment anyway.
"Then I guess I'll have to find someone else." Orochimaru said, exhaling slightly. "I would advise you not to choose an Uchiha." came from Shika, who could already see the look on his face.
"I can't afford to lose the skills of an Uchiha just yet. When the time comes, I hope you have a good tactic for me to win." the man grinned. He just didn't learn. Sometimes Shika wondered if he was really stupid or just too naive to believe that he would get an Uchiha.