Chapter 88:
Others in the world of shinobi may believe Uchiha Madara is long dead, a relic of the past. But as a reincarnator, Orochimaru knew the truth.
Madara had indeed fought a legendary battle against the First Hokage at the Valley of the End, but he had escaped death using the Uchiha clan's forbidden technique, Izanagi. Since then, he had been lying in wait, hiding in the shadows while crafting his grand plan for the Infinite Tsukuyomi. And while Madara himself was unknowingly a pawn in Black Zetsu's machinations, it was undeniable that much of the chaos in the ninja world could be traced back to him.
After some hesitation, Orochimaru made a quick decision. He had to follow Madara. Discovering Madara's whereabouts could give him access to invaluable resources Madara's genetics, the secrets of the Edo Tensei (Reanimation Jutsu), and perhaps even Black Zetsu's long-term schemes.
If he could harness that knowledge for himself, it would give him a powerful edge in the years to come.
With that thought in mind, Orochimaru gathered chakra at his feet and darted after the mysterious figure he had seen earlier. He knew from his knowledge of the future that Madara would supposedly die during the Third Great Ninja War, but that was still decades away. In fact, Nagato, who would inherit Madara's Rinnegan, hadn't even been born yet.
"That means Madara should still have both of his Rinnegan," Orochimaru mused, excitement creeping into his voice. "This could be an opportunity."
He adjusted his pace. "But I can't get too close."
Even for someone like Orochimaru, getting too close to Uchiha Madara arguably the most dangerous man in the world was a risk not worth taking. Instead, he relied on his tracking skills, something he had picked up over the years as a ninja. While he wasn't as skilled as the Inuzuka, Aburame, or Hyūga clans in this regard, he knew enough to follow basic footprints.
As he reached the spot where Madara had been moments ago, Orochimaru could clearly see tracks in the dirt. Footprints. Madara likely didn't expect anyone would be following him, which explained why they were so easy to find. But after following the trail for a while, the prints suddenly stopped.