Stay!

Under Orochimaru's lead, the group headed toward the central command tent, and Hyuga Shin took the opportunity to observe the state of the entire camp along the way.

Overall, it was orderly enough. There was no sense of chaos or laxness, nor did he hear any voices expressing dissatisfaction with the commander. Most people were attending to their own duties.

After all, this was Orochimaru's first time serving as commander, and being able to manage things to this extent was already quite impressive.

Even Danzo had been a little worse than him, because when Hyuga Shin had been on the Sand Village front, he had often heard ninja privately criticizing Danzo's mission arrangements and battle plans.

Of course, it might also have been because Danzo's motives were impure. Many of the missions carried tremendous risk, so it was only natural for ninja to complain.

After all, everyone only had one life.

When they arrived at the main tent, Orochimaru, as their host, arranged seats for the two of them and welcomed them after their journey.

Nawaki finally managed to escape safely under Tsunade's barrage of persuasion. After Tsunade sternly ordered him not to run around, he was driven out.

What came next was a matter between adults.

As the close comrade of Hashirama Senju's own granddaughter, Orochimaru had a certain understanding of how powerful Hashirama Senju had been.

As for Hyuga Shin, someone from the same era as Hashirama Senju who was also regarded as a powerhouse by Tsunade, Orochimaru inevitably felt curious about him.

Yet for some reason, despite still being alive, Hyuga Shin was not widely known to the world.

Even someone like Orochimaru knew very little about Hyuga Shin.

"Was he sealed away by the higher-ups?"

"Why has he returned to the Shinobi World now?"

"Did he come to the battlefield in search of a glorious ending?"

Although Orochimaru had not said anything on the way to the command tent, the questions in his heart about Hyuga Shin only grew more numerous.

As for Tsunade, because she had been worried about Nawaki earlier, she had not had a detailed conversation with Hyuga Shin.

Now that she had calmed down, there were truly too many things she wanted to ask Hyuga Shin.

"Little Tsunade, if there's anything you want to ask, just ask. There's no need to look at me like that," Hyuga Shin said gently when he saw Tsunade sitting beside him and looking at him with doubtful eyes.

Hearing Hyuga Shin say this, Orochimaru, seated opposite them, also became interested. Though his expression did not change, the curiosity leaking from his eyes gave him away.

"Grandpa Shin, since you were still alive, why didn't you come to see me all these years? I remember you especially doted on me when I was little."

"Why has your existence gradually been forgotten by the world?"

"What exactly happened back then that caused you to all but disappear from the Shinobi World?"

"Logically speaking, no matter what, I shouldn't have gradually forgotten you or even overlooked your existence."

Tsunade poured out all the doubts in her heart in one breath.

"It was indeed my fault, though there were some other factors as well."

"You should know that I took part in the battle at the Valley of the End."

"In the battle between your grandfather, Madara, and me, I was gravely wounded and left on the verge of death. My foundation was damaged, and I could no longer cultivate Chakra. I lost all my strength."

"During that period, I was also targeted by a very powerful existence, and I was once persecuted by the Hyuga Main Family line. Disheartened, I withdrew from the world."

"As for why the world forgot my existence, that was mainly because I did it deliberately. After all, the great power of time's erosion surpasses all ninjutsu."

"As for you overlooking me and even forgetting me, I asked your Second Grandpa to do that. In order not to affect your growth, and so I could withdraw from the world in peace, I had him place a psychological suggestion on you."

"As for why I didn't come to see you, I truly am sorry. Once you saw me, the psychological suggestion in your mind would have been broken through by the memories buried deep in your brain, and it would have failed."

Hyuga Shin answered Tsunade's questions one by one.

After hearing Hyuga Shin's answer, Tsunade also recalled a few things.

It was indeed as Hyuga Shin had said. She had once heard her Second Grandpa mention the battle at the Valley of the End.

At that time, she had not yet been given the psychological suggestion. After learning that Hyuga Shin had lost all his power, she had gone to play with him many times.

Back then, Hyuga Shin had seemed to change into a different person overnight. Although he still cared about her, he no longer had the patience and enthusiasm he used to have when teasing and playing with her.

It was as if something had always been urging him on.

"What kind of expert could make you wary? I remember when I used to play with you, Grandpa said your strength wasn't much different from his," Tsunade immediately continued pressing him.

This was something Orochimaru very much wanted to know as well.

"I won't tell you too much about that. Knowing too much won't do you any good. The waters of the Shinobi World are far deeper than you imagine! The two of you are not prepared for it yet!"

This time, Hyuga Shin did not directly answer Tsunade's question. Instead, there was a meaning hidden in his words, the kind that made it sound as though there was some earth-shattering secret behind them.

It left Orochimaru and Tsunade itching with curiosity.

And given his identity, his words carried even greater credibility.

"Then, Senior, what is your purpose in coming to the Rock Battlefield this time?" Orochimaru asked. Not getting the answer he wanted did not stop him from posing another question.

"This old man came here specifically for you, Orochimaru," Hyuga Shin said without hiding anything, stating it bluntly.

"For Orochimaru?"

"You came for me?"

Both Tsunade and Orochimaru were somewhat surprised.

What surprised Tsunade was that after living in seclusion for so many years, Hyuga Shin had come out and, instead of going to see her, had specially made a trip to see Orochimaru.

If she had not run into him by chance, she might never have seen him again in this lifetime. What she did not know was that this meeting had not been a coincidence either, but a foreseen encounter.

"Is there something special about Orochimaru?" Tsunade could not help feeling a little puzzled.

Orochimaru was completely different. He had no idea what Hyuga Shin was really up to.

After all, aside from today, he had never had any contact with Hyuga Shin! Even today, they had barely exchanged more than a few words.

For Hyuga Shin to suddenly say he had come specifically for him—how could Orochimaru not be surprised?

"I wonder if there is anything this junior can do for you, senior?"

Although Orochimaru did not know why Hyuga Shin had come, he still expressed his respect in a very tactful manner.

After all, he was Tsunade's elder, one of Konohagakure's founders, and a former powerhouse!

Basic respect still had to be given.

Even though Hyuga Shin was speaking in riddles and baiting him, it had to be said that he had successfully piqued Orochimaru's curiosity.

"I wouldn't call it doing anything for me. I want to stay here for a while, and while I'm at it, see if I can change the direction of the wind! Or perhaps create a new wind altogether!" Hyuga Shin continued to turn himself into a riddler, making veins throb on Orochimaru's and Tsunade's foreheads as they listened.

This old man really cast out bait by the handful. He always made people itch with curiosity, yet refused to explain himself clearly. It was truly maddening.

An itch scratched from afar was the hardest to endure!

Hyuga Shin understood fishing.

His baiting techniques were growing ever more practiced.

"Since you have such intentions, senior, this junior naturally has no objection. However, I must ask you to abide by the corresponding regulations. After all, we are in a wartime state."

Although Orochimaru was unhappy with Hyuga Shin's riddling and baiting, he still agreed.

However, he made one request of Hyuga Shin—that he obey the wartime regulations, using it to express his dissatisfaction.

Tsunade was also left rather speechless by Hyuga Shin's riddling behavior, so she did not ask any further.

Just then, a messenger ninja came in to report on his work, and the conversation ended there.

Let me try and see whether I can change the direction of the wind this time.

Little Tsunade, I'm doing all this for you!