The Ōtsutsuki clan has a method to record the life signatures of its members, along with a unique ability to travel through space.

So, just a few minutes after Orochimaru dealt with the two of them, members of the Ōtsutsuki clan arrived to investigate!

However, Orochimaru wasn't concerned. As long as they didn't realize the one who had returned was Kaguya, the infiltration plan could continue as planned.

Finding an empty room, Orochimaru hesitated briefly before taking two steps forward. In an instant, the distinct characteristics of the Ōtsutsuki clan appeared on him—silver-gray hair, gray pupils, and a white robe adorned with magatama patterns.

"Is anyone there?"

"Please open the door!"

After knocking on two doors in a row, he received no response.

At the third house, looking at the tightly shut door, Orochimaru smirked coldly. "You're all standing behind the door, eavesdropping. Why not just open up?"

Yet, there was still no movement from inside.

"It seems force is the only option." Orochimaru sighed helplessly at Kaguya before slowly raising his hand, placing it on the door.

From his posture, it truly looked like he was preparing to break in.

Orochimaru was never a good person to begin with. In a situation like this, it was already a rare show of patience that he hadn't simply kicked down the door.

"No, don't do it! I'll open it now! Right away! Please don't act rashly!"

As if sensing Orochimaru's intent, a voice hurriedly responded from inside.

The voice sounded like a young man in his twenties, filled with anxiety and fear.

Orochimaru frowned slightly, feeling a hint of curiosity. What exactly is he so afraid of?

When the door finally opened, his suspicions were confirmed.

A young man, seemingly in his twenties, with a sickly complexion and dressed in tattered clothes, stood at the doorway, gripping the doorframe while looking at Orochimaru with terror in his eyes.

His gaunt features and ragged attire made it clear—he was poor and malnourished.

Orochimaru pretended not to notice and strode into the room with Kaguya. The young man hurriedly shut the door behind them.

Plop!

The young man dropped to his knees, his voice trembling with desperation.

"Sir…! I am like this, but she's still young… If you must take someone, take me instead!"

After speaking, he began kowtowing frantically to Orochimaru.

"Take you?" Orochimaru smirked. "What would I need you for? You make it sound like something grand is happening."

He had only just stepped inside, and the man was already bowing in submission, clearly mistaking him for someone else.

Hearing Orochimaru's response, the young man was momentarily stunned. He then glanced nervously at Kaguya, hesitating before cautiously asking, "Then… Your Excellency, you're not here to take us to worship the God Tree?"

"Worship the God Tree?"

Orochimaru exchanged a glance with Kaguya and immediately understood the situation. He turned his gaze back to the young man.

"Yes, we were indeed ordered to take you to worship the God Tree. Given your earlier request, I'll show some mercy and grant it. However…" Orochimaru's tone grew cold. "Pretending no one was home wasn't the best way to greet us."

The young man turned pale with fear and began kowtowing again, his expression full of panic.

"My lord, please spare me! I beg for your forgiveness! We… we had no other choice!"

His voice cracked as he pleaded.

"Oh?" Orochimaru remained calm. "So, you knew pretending to be absent wouldn't work, yet you still did it? Was it truly your only option?"

The young man nodded bitterly, his face full of despair and helplessness.

Orochimaru could understand.

In the face of overwhelming power, the weak could only struggle in vain to protect those they cared about. But in the end, they were simply powerless.

Still, doing nothing was never an option.

After some subtle questioning, Orochimaru finally grasped the situation.

This planet was much like Earth—not only inhabited by the Ōtsutsuki clan but also by other races and civilians.

However, after the last civil war, the Ōtsutsuki clan had established absolute dominance over the planet.

They had planted multiple God Trees, and naturally, these trees needed to be nourished.

But their method of worship was far crueler than Kaguya's, each ritual required nearly ten thousand sacrifices.

And such ceremonies could happen at any time.

Apart from the Ōtsutsuki clan, all other races and civilians were considered nothing more than offerings for the God Tree.

Yet, this planet's human population was already sparse compared to Earth. And after years of ritual sacrifices, their numbers had dwindled even further.

To maintain a steady supply, the Ōtsutsuki had no choice but to reduce the frequency of sacrifices.

At the same time, they began raising humans in captivity—treating them like livestock.

Yes, livestock.

Just like pigs and sheep raised for slaughter. Each person had an assigned number and was managed by a specific Ōtsutsuki overseer.

In a sense, these people were no longer human. They were merely nutrients for the Ōtsutsuki clan's God Trees.

And the most terrifying part?

From birth, each captive was branded with a seal similar to the Hiraishin no Jutsu mark, preventing any chance of escape.

No matter how far they ran, they would be caught within a day.

And once captured… their fate would be worse than death.

"I see."

After gathering the information he needed, Orochimaru casually patted the young man on the shoulder, then turned to leave with Kaguya.

The young man was utterly dumbfounded.

Just like that… he left?

Wasn't he here to take us to the God Tree for sacrifice?

[To be continued.]