"Of course," Kuja said, answering all of his statements and his gratitude with those two words.

Gone were the days when the doors of the Desert Palace were closed to Kadaj. He was no longer a prisoner. He could come and go as he pleased, like the rest of them. Now was a good time for him to start exercising that privilege. His running around with Skite had given him ample opportunity to stretch his wings. Now was the time for him to use them.

"I will go and see Illua," he said quietly, returning his gaze. "I have no doubt that she will want to discuss with me the extent of Orochimaru's will."

So, he was to have underlings again. He had only ever had Kadaj before. He used and manipulated people on the outside easily enough, but it wasn't quite the same. He had new responsibilities. The Sound Five would not be the only ones who would have to grow accustomed to a new situation. He had not accounted for this so soon, but he could easily improvise.

"Go on," he gave his sides a gentle squeeze. "Try not to get into too much trouble?"