The Unlovable Disciple

At the sight of that familiar face, Sarutobi Hiruzen briefly lost focus. The image of Orochimaru as a child surfaced in his mind—that face had been young and innocent. But now, immense ambition lay hidden in Orochimaru's eyes, and his wicked expression was exactly like Shiraishi Yoshijo's when he had betrayed Konoha.

Orochimaru said, "Back when I was in Akatsuki, I said I wanted to kill you with my own hands, Teacher Sarutobi. You've become far too ugly. At the very least, I'll let you die like a ninja. I'm quite an adorable disciple, aren't I? Hahaha!"

"As long as there are comrades, as long as there are people worth protecting, as long as the Will of Fire remains, Konoha will still be Konoha. It is no false existence. Orochimaru, do you still not understand, my foolish disciple?"

"Idiot. Even now, you're still spouting that boring Will of Fire nonsense. Fine by me. It'll be nice to let you watch Konoha be destroyed by my hand."

Watching Kakashi and the other Konoha ninja being besieged atop the viewing platform, the enormous gray serpent wreaking havoc in the distance, and the fierce flames blazing all around, Orochimaru laughed with great delight. Yet for some reason, tears suddenly welled up in his eyes.

Although this Konoha was false, merely built in imitation of the original, the familiar scenery still stirred something within Orochimaru. He had spent the first half of his life in Konoha, yet now he was about to destroy it completely. He really was a little reluctant to do so.

A tear fell onto the kunai. Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru in surprise, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

"Are you crying because you're so happy? Or is there still a trace of sadness in your heart over personally