Should I continue being a villain in the ninja world after transmigrating?

Chapter 84 The Bystander Sees More Clearly: Orochimaru's Keen Insight

The strongest mage under Zeref's command?

Orochimaru and Sasuke both felt a chill run down their spines.

The word "strongest" isn't something that can be used casually. A figure like Zeref would undoubtedly have extraordinary followers, and among these followers, is there anyone who is undeniably the strongest...?

Sasuke's gaze immediately became fixed intently on August. Uchiha's innate admiration for strength, coupled with his later experiences, made Sasuke have an extraordinary interest in the strong.

August's gaze swept indifferently over Orochimaru, whose eyes were deep and unfathomable, and Sasuke, whose gaze was fiery.

Having already learned roughly what kind of person Orochimaru was from Mavis and Deidara, August's voice was calm yet subtly oppressive: "Wherever we are, I will be the strongest sword and shield to protect His Majesty."

"I will not allow anyone to harm His Majesty!"

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly as he realized that Orochimaru was speaking to himself.

At this moment, Mavis also returned to her original appearance and walked up to Orochimaru, saying, "Mr. Orochimaru, I wonder if August and I could stay in Otogakure for a while?"

Upon suddenly seeing Mavis's original appearance, Orochimaru's pupils contracted sharply.

He suddenly understood where the sense of familiarity he felt when he saw August's childhood appearance came from.

August's current aged appearance doesn't reveal his true age, but his recently transformed youthful appearance bears a strange resemblance to Mavis!

According to Jelf, Augustus's appearance just now was that of himself when he was young.

Is it just a coincidence? Orochimaru's eyes flickered.

Upon hearing Mavis's request to stay in Otogakure, Orochimaru smiled, spread his hands slightly, and said with a smile, "Of course, no problem. I welcome you just as much as Lord Zeref did."

……

Staying in Otogakure was much easier than Mavis had imagined; Orochimaru's behavior was even more hospitable than his appearance suggested.

After obtaining a room in the dark underground base that was different in style from the one in Amegakure, but equally simple, Mavis looked at the empty room and couldn't help but sigh.

Before I knew it, I had changed residences three times in three different places. What they had in common was that these ninjas basically didn't care about their living environment.

Looking at the room, which now didn't even have windows, Mavis couldn't help but sigh. Was enjoying life a luxury in the ninja world and among ninjas...?

Meanwhile, in Zeref's reception room, Sasuke, seeing that Zeref's mood had clearly improved since Mavis and August arrived, couldn't help but purse his lips before asking, "Zeref, just how strong is that August? Is he stronger than Kimimaro after you modified him?"

Before being modified by Zeref, Kimimaro was already exceptionally strong. His Shikotsumyaku bloodline limit made him virtually unbeatable in taijutsu.

After being modified by Zeref, the burden of the Shikotsumyaku on his body was completely eliminated, and his physical attributes and chakra reserves both saw an astonishing improvement.

Sometimes Sasuke even wondered if Kimimaro was now stronger than Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin.

At this moment, August also walked over. After hearing Sasuke's question, he asked with some doubt, "Who is Kimimaro? Is he a demon newly created by His Majesty?"

Zeref sat in his chair, propping his cheek with his right hand, and chuckled, "He was a poor, dying child. I happened to be somewhat interested in how ninja chakra works, so I transformed him into a half-human, half-demon."

Auguste understood: "I see. In this world, Your Majesty should indeed cultivate some capable subordinates."

Thinking of Kimimaro's unwavering loyalty to Orochimaru, Sasuke slightly pursed his lips.

……

Deep within the base, candlelight flickered, making Orochimaru's face appear even more enigmatic in the dim light.

"Kabuto," Orochimaru said calmly, "what do you think of that August?"

Standing opposite, Kabuto Yakushi was clearly used to the current environment and Orochimaru's questions. He calmly pushed up his glasses and said very objectively, "Whether from what he looks like or from Zeref's description, August is undoubtedly a very powerful mage. His strength must be no weaker than a Kage."

"Moreover, he has an obvious loyalty to Jelf."

“Loyalty, huh?” Orochimaru couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “If he’s so loyal to Zeref, then why is he paying so much attention to Mavis?”

Kabuto was somewhat surprised to hear this. After recalling for a moment, a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

Looking back, August did indeed have a portion of his attention focused on Mavis; he initially thought it was just August's concern for someone from the same magical world...

Orochimaru formed a hand seal, and a puff of smoke appeared, revealing a clone that looked exactly like August in his younger form before appearing in front of Kabuto Yakushi.

Kabuto Yakushi, who had never seen Augustus as a child before, looked puzzled and asked, "Lord Orochimaru, who is this?"

Orochimaru leaned back slightly and looked at Kabuto Yakushi, asking, "Kabuto, don't you think this child looks a lot like someone?"

Like someone? Like whom?

Kabuto quickly realized that Orochimaru wouldn't ask this question without a reason.

He carefully examined the child's features. The child's originally gentle and childlike features had become more angular in the dim environment. When those deep black pupils looked over, Kabuto Yakushi had a particularly familiar feeling.

"Lord Zeref!" Kabuto Yakushi called out instinctively.

Orochimaru, who had been lounging lazily against the back of his chair, suddenly narrowed his eyes and straightened up instinctively.

He suddenly turned his head to look at the clone he had created, his gaze fixed on the small face, and he didn't look away for a long time.

"Hehehehe—"

Orochimaru's laughter echoed throughout the room for a long time before finally subsiding.

In an instant, more candles were lit, illuminating the dim room. Orochimaru carefully examined August's young face.

Kabuto Yakushi, not understanding why Orochimaru reacted this way, subconsciously looked at the child again, and suddenly his expression froze.

In the dim light, the child gave him a strange feeling of being similar to Zeref, but once the lights came on, that feeling of similarity diminished considerably.

Although his features looked somewhat familiar, they didn't immediately remind him of Zeref like they had just appeared.

Suddenly, August's younger clone vanished instantly. Orochimaru, a smile playing on his lips, waved to Kabuto and said, "Step back, Kabuto."

Completely bewildered, Kabuto obediently left and walked along the road, pondering what had just happened.

The child's features flashed through his mind again, and Kabuto suddenly stopped in his tracks, turning his head sharply to look behind him, a look of shock in his eyes.

He suddenly understood where the familiarity in the child's eyes and brows came from, and finally understood why Orochimaru's reaction was so different before and after.

That's because, compared to Jelf, the person that child truly resembles is Mavis!