The Third's Summons

The evening passed amid the laughter and conversation of a shared meal. At some point, a crescent moon rose over the mountains, and night fell over the land. Pale moonlight spilled across the bustling village of Konoha, draping it in what seemed like a delicate gauze robe.

It was late now. The dim streetlights swayed like drunken revelers, and the once-bustling streets had grown very quiet. The great trees on either side creaked as they waved their branches from time to time, as though telling a story.

On the faintly yellow-lit street, two figures cast long shadows beneath the lights. One was tall, the other short; one was an adult, the other a child. Orochimaru walked in front, while Yemo followed behind, a thoughtful, puzzled look on his face.

It had started more than ten minutes earlier. Yemo had thoroughly enjoyed dinner, and Minato had stayed at the house for a long time. Yemo had chatted with him and asked him about the Shinobi World.

Just as Minato was preparing to leave, the doorbell suddenly rang. Orochimaru, an uninvited guest, had come to the house. He said he had been ordered by the Third Hokage to bring Yemo to the Hokage's office for a few brief questions about the Eight-Tails the previous night.

His sister was very worried, afraid that Yemo had gotten into trouble. Even though Orochimaru explained that it was only an inquiry, Kushina remained very worried. But the Third's orders had to be obeyed, which was how they had ended up here.

Yemo and Orochimaru had not exchanged a single word since leaving the house, maintaining their silence as they walked. Yemo did not know what to say to Orochimaru, who would become brutal in the future and even destroy Konoha. As for what Orochimaru was thinking, no one knew.

Suddenly, Orochimaru was the first to break the silence. "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing," Yemo replied instinctively.

Orochimaru smiled faintly. "I can tell from both your tone and your expression that you're lying. If I'm not mistaken, you're curious why the Third summoned you in the middle of the night."

"Why?" Yemo looked up. "Are you going to tell me what it's about, Lord Orochimaru?"

"I don't think I need to explain. You probably already have a rough idea," Orochimaru said calmly.

"How can you be so sure?" Yemo asked. "Maybe I haven't figured it out."

"It's only a guess. I could be wrong, but as far as I recall, my guesses have never been wrong before," Orochimaru said with a meaningful smile.

Yemo shook his head and smiled. Even he did not know what he was smiling at; perhaps it was instinct. He went on, "As I see it, the only reason someone as busy as the Third Hokage would summon me is my battle with the Nine-Tails last night. As for what caught the Third Hokage's attention, I think that aside from my unusual Chakra and my performance, the most important thing was the 'Wood Release' Ninjutsu I displayed last night."

Tilting his head, Orochimaru smiled faintly. "It seems I guessed right this time. I have to say, you really are clever."

Yemo shrugged, unconcerned. "Clever? It was a simple deduction. Other than that, I can't think of anything about me that would catch the Third Hokage's attention."

Suddenly, Orochimaru changed the subject. "Yemo, do you know what impression I got when I first saw you?"

"What impression?" Yemo asked without thinking. He was also very curious about the first impression he had made on Orochimaru, one of the renowned Sannin.

"Ambition!" Orochimaru slowly uttered the word, turning his head to glance sideways at Yemo. "I saw a fierce ambition in you: the ambition to conquer everything, to gain power, and to control everything."

"Is that so? Ambition." Yemo paused, then said calmly, "I think a lot of shinobi have the same ambition I do. Isn't the pursuit of power the reason many people become shinobi?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "No, no. Shinobi may pursue power, but you're different from them. Most shinobi might put everything they have into gaining power, but effort doesn't guarantee success."

"But you're different. In you, I see the talent to realize your ambitions. What interests me even more is your confidence. Take last night's battle, for example. An ordinary shinobi facing the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki would surely have been awestruck, wondering enviously when they might gain such power. But I saw none of that in you."

Yemo asked curiously, "Then what did you see in me?"

Orochimaru did not answer immediately. He thought for a moment before saying slowly, "If I had to describe it in one word, I'd say disdain. You disdained the Eight-Tails' strength. In your eyes, the Eight-Tails' power wasn't what you were pursuing. The power you care about is far greater than the Eight-Tails', standing above it."

Yemo smiled and shrugged. "What of it? It just means my ambition is a little greater than other people's."

But when it appears in a child only a few years old, one who isn't even a Genin, none of it is quite so normal, Orochimaru thought.

Neither of them spoke after that. They crossed most of Konoha, and Orochimaru finally brought Yemo to the Hokage's office.

The enormous building rose above every other structure in Konoha. From its top, one could look down over the entire village, and that was where the Hokage worked. It was not only a symbol of status but also a representation of power and authority.

As they walked down the long corridor, Yemo saw only one or two people here and there. It was already late at night, and the staff needed rest too.

But that was only how it appeared on the surface. Yemo could clearly sense Anbu hidden throughout the building. By his rough count, there were more than twenty concealed around them. Security was so tight that not even a mosquito could hope to get inside.

Following Orochimaru, Yemo finally arrived at the Hokage's office. Orochimaru raised a hand and knocked gently on the door several times. A voice immediately came from inside.

"Come in!"

Orochimaru slowly pushed open the closed door. Standing behind him, Yemo felt nervous for no apparent reason. After all, he was about to meet the Third Hokage, the man known as the Professor of Ninjutsu.

Yemo followed Orochimaru into the room. The enormous room contained only a desk and a chair, and the desk was piled high with thick stacks of documents. The Third Hokage was working on a document.

This gave Yemo a chance to take a closer look at the Third Hokage. He was not as old as he appeared in the anime. He was in his prime, at the height of his vigor. Dressed in the robes of the Third Hokage's uniform, he kept a pipe in his mouth as he concentrated on the document.

The recent fighting with Kumogakure had left the Third Hokage with much more work than usual, and he still had not finished even at this late hour.

After signing his name on the document, the Third closed it and placed it on his right, where the finished documents were.

Only then did the Third look up at Yemo, his sharp eyes swiftly sweeping over him. The moment the Third looked at him, Yemo felt as though everything about him was exposed beneath that penetrating gaze. The pressure on him suddenly increased, as though a great boulder were pressing down on him.

Only when the Third withdrew his gaze did Yemo feel the pressure ease dramatically. Even breathing became much easier.

"So you're Yemo," the Third said with interest. "You really are a young genius. I've heard Orochimaru say quite a few things in your praise. To be honest, this is the first time I've heard my student speak so highly of a youngster."

"Lord Orochimaru flatters me. I've never even attended the Ninja Academy. How could I possibly deserve his praise?" Yemo said modestly.

"It's good for a young person to be modest, neither humble nor arrogant, but you shouldn't be overly modest either," the Third said with a slow smile. "The Ninja Academy is important, but it isn't suited to geniuses like you."

"Thank you for the compliment!" Yemo replied, but his face showed none of the happy smile a child should have when praised.

At last, the Third turned to the main subject. "Yemo, I called you here today mainly because of what happened last night. Although Orochimaru has already told me everything in detail, there are some puzzling and unusual points I need you to clarify."