Ah, that's not how I read the chapter at all. hee. What i see is: Itachi probably just croaked (eyes open blankly after he falls; if he were unconscious he'd close them,) so Oro can't take him. The snake hasn't reached either of them yet, but I think it's more likely he's aiming to get Sasuke while Sasuke is still weak and reeling.

... would be kinda cool if he possessed Itachi, though -- but why would he? Itachi's eyes and heart (or lungs? some major organ anyway, for him to cough up blood) are failing, whereas the only problem with Sasuke is that he needs a lot of rest. Oro wants a body that lasts, imho. Still, interesting theory... *__*