That line struck exactly where it needed to.
Karin's eyes lit up at once. The idea of "showing it to the Lord of Demons" clearly tempted her, and she immediately looked eager to act.
Seeing this, Orochimaru followed up smoothly.
"Why not let these experimental subjects handle it? Consider it your offering to the Lord of Demons."
Karin hesitated for a moment, clearly moved—then shook her head.
"But… they're too weak. If such weak power is used to cleanse the world, the Lord of Demons will definitely be disappointed."
She held herself to extremely high standards. If she was going to offer something to her god, it had to be perfect.
The corner of Orochimaru's mouth curled ever so slightly.
This was the key.
He leaned down slightly, speaking with absolute certainty, as if stating an undeniable truth.
"No. That won't happen. Karin, you must understand something."
He paused, making sure her full attention was on him.
"In my eyes, you—Karin—are the Lord of Demons' one and only true, and most precious, believer."
"And these experimental subjects…" His gaze swept over the cages with faint disdain. "They are merely materials I provided. Tools for you to cleanse the world and demonstrate your devotion and ability to the Lord of Demons."
"A tool only needs to function. Its strength does not affect your merit."
"You, Karin, are the only one."
The words hit like a revelation.
The hesitation vanished from her face instantly.
"That's right!" Karin's eyes shone brilliantly, a wild grin spreading across her face. "You're absolutely right! They're just tools! I'm the Lord of Demons' best believer!"
"Orochimaru—you're not bad. I approve of you!"
She even hopped once in excitement, now looking at him with far more favor.
Orochimaru smiled inwardly.
Children were easy to guide.
Even dangerous ones.
This way, he could test external reactions using Karin and her "tools," gather combat data—
And at the same time satisfy her urge to "cleanse the world," keeping the volatile Demon Child stable.
Two birds with one stone.
"Then let's go," Orochimaru pressed smoothly. "We'll see exactly how strong your tools are. It will also help you use and develop better tools in the future."
This time, Karin nodded without hesitation.
"You know this area. Where's a place filled with enough evil to cleanse?"
Orochimaru smiled outwardly.
Internally, he rolled his eyes.
Evil? This base is probably the greatest concentration of evil for miles.
But he did not say that.
After a brief pause, he lifted his hand and pointed in a direction.
"You may be interested in the Land of Fire. In Konohagakure."
"There are two… very 'special' things there."
His meaning was clear.
Naruto Uzumaki.
Sasuke Uchiha.
The unusual chakra revealed by the mysterious sky phenomenon.
Orochimaru was deeply interested in both.
And Karin could perceive such anomalies.
Karin waved dismissively.
"Doesn't matter. As long as it's evil, we cleanse it."
She turned toward the fanatical subjects, who were barely containing their fervor.
With a sharp motion of her hand, she gave the order.
"Move out! Target—the Land of Fire! Cleanse all evil along the way!"
She did not define what "evil" meant.
She didn't need to.
Everyone present—including Orochimaru—understood.
Anyone who did not believe in the Lord of Demons.
Anyone not aligned with them.
That was evil.
"For the Lord of Demons!"
"Cleanse evil!"
The subjects roared with fanatic devotion and surged out of the base like a released flood.
They were no longer numb experimental material.
They had become a tide of zealots, carrying destruction in the name of faith.
Orochimaru stood at the entrance, watching the chaos he had indirectly set in motion.
His golden eyes flickered thoughtfully.
This was a test.
And the beginning of upheaval.
He did not know how much turmoil this force would cause—but the border of the Land of Fire, perhaps even Konoha itself, would soon know unrest.
All because he wanted to "test the tools."
And because of Karin's pure desire to "cleanse."
Perhaps… he could even use these experimental subjects to—
A shadow of a once-admired figure crossed his mind.
Meanwhile, Karin eagerly stepped forward, intending to follow and personally witness the cleansing.
But Orochimaru extended an arm, stopping her.
"Hm?" she asked, turning toward him.
He shook his head.
"We don't need to go in person. That would draw too much attention."
"Both your identity as the 'Demon Child' and my own are better kept out of direct view—for now."
Karin frowned slightly.
"Then what do you suggest?"
Without answering immediately, Orochimaru formed hand seals.
"Ram—Snake—Tiger."
"Shadow Clone Technique."
With a puff of smoke, a perfect duplicate of Orochimaru appeared beside him.
"This technique creates a physical clone using chakra," he explained. "It shares vision and memory with the original. Even if destroyed, the information returns to the user. We can observe remotely."
Karin's eyes lit up with genuine interest.
"That's a good technique. Teach me."
Orochimaru nodded and explained the seal sequence and chakra control required.
Karin followed the instructions carefully.
But what happened next surprised them both.
She formed the seals correctly.
She gathered chakra.
And attempted to release the technique—
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789