I love that guy more than anything.
In an inn somewhere in Tanzaku Town, Land of Hot Water, the golden-haired beauty gazed at the flame-patterned jade pendant hanging against her chest. A silver light flickered in her eyes once more.
"I think I dreamed about you again."
She sat up, fingers closing around the pendant at her chest, and felt as though she had returned to that dawn more than twenty years ago.
Back to the Land of Rain, where a raging inferno had consumed most of the country's borders.
Nawaki, you too... You were both there that day...
"Lady Tsunade? Lady Tsunade, are you awake?"
Outside the door, a young woman knocked.
"...Shizune? What is it?"
Hearing her apprentice's voice, Tsunade snapped out of her memories.
She carefully tucked the pendant against her chest, got up, and opened the door.
On the other side, the dark-haired girl held out a letter.
"Someone I didn't recognize delivered this letter this morning. They said it was specifically for you."
"A letter for me? Don't tell me those debt collectors are back again."
Tsunade took it suspiciously, but before she could open it, she caught the familiar stench of a snake.
"Orochimaru..."
Realizing who it was from, Tsunade's expression darkened at once.
"Orochimaru... Lady Tsunade, you mean the one who defected from the village because of his human experiments...?"
Shizune looked startled.
"Yes. That's the one."
Tsunade nodded, tore open the envelope, and glanced at the letter. Her expression darkened further.
"Tsunade, it's been a long time. I hope you're well..."
Shizune leaned closer and quietly read the words on the page.
"...Recently, during an interesting experiment, I discovered a fascinating phenomenon... Tell me, do you think chakra can be reincarnated?"
"Damn snake. Defiling the dead again. He'll never change..."
Tsunade stared at the words, her eyes bloodshot, like a volcano about to erupt.
Shizune could tell the letter had made Tsunade furious. She didn't dare say anything and quickly skimmed the rest.
...Besides that, there's something I'd like to tell you, Tsunade. I know you're furious right now, but I'm sure you'll be very interested in what comes next.
"A few days ago, I found an interesting fellow near death downstream from the Naka River. And, as it happens, he bears the same blood as that person."
Biting her lip, Tsunade read the letter's final lines one word at a time.
"I got an even more interesting piece of information from this little fellow. Tsunade, would you like to come see me? I promise you won't be disappointed."
"Whew..."
Seated in a dango shop, Sakuya closed his eyes and happily savored the sweetness in his mouth.
The Uchiha were a clan that wielded fire. Their secret Fire Release techniques were numerous and varied, and nearly every Uchiha raised under the clan's tutelage became exceptionally skilled in Fire Release.
Sakuya was no different.
The Uchiha prodigy identity he'd been given in this simulation came with superb Taijutsu, expert ninja tool throwing, and absurdly fast reflexes. His Fire Release skills were also among the best.
No, to be more precise, Fire Release was what this body excelled at most.
This body had mastered every secret Fire Release technique of the Uchiha Clan, and had trained each one to an extraordinary level.
In his hands, flames came as naturally as breathing. He could unleash them and make them burn exactly as he pleased.
The only shame was that this body had a pure Fire chakra nature, so he knew nothing about techniques of other elements. That meant he couldn't make use of the Sharingan's ability to copy ninjutsu.
Even so, with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, Fire Release Ninjutsu, excellent Taijutsu, Shuriken Manipulation Technique, and more, he had already reached the pinnacle of Konoha's elite jonin. He was far stronger than the Sannin at this point in time—he could even stand alongside the White Fang of Konoha.
You're right. That's the Uchiha for you. The Three-Tomoe Sharingan improves observation, and its dynamic vision guarantees a baseline level of Taijutsu. It can make Taijutsu as graceful as a dance, copy ninjutsu, and pull off all sorts of fancy ninja tool throws. Their Fire Release is incredible, and any other ninja who sees it can only scream...
"Lord Sakuya, how are the dango here?"
Seeing how enthusiastically he was eating, Orochimaru asked with a smile.
A little ash clung to his clothes and hair, and a faint scorched smell lingered about him. Earlier, he'd been spying on Sakuya while he got used to his body. When Sakuya noticed, the two had ended up having a brief match.
As for the outcome...
Orochimaru had lost badly.
Sakuya's astonishing Fire Release skills were another conclusion Orochimaru had reached during their recent spar.
"Mmm, they're delicious."
Sakuya nodded. "Thank you for treating me, Orochimaru."
"Heh, it was only a little money."
Orochimaru watched Sakuya's dark eyes, harboring a hint of forbidden longing.
But those dark thoughts lasted only an instant before he buried them deep inside.
At least for now, Orochimaru was still a renowned jonin of Konoha, the Third Hokage's most prized student—a thoroughly upstanding figure.
"Impressive, Sakuya."
Seated across from him, Orochimaru couldn't help but marvel. "That's the Sharingan for you. The village's prestigious clan."
"You're giving me too much credit, Orochimaru. I'm only this good because I've put in more effort and sweat than most people."
Sakuya smiled lightly.
I didn't see any effort. All the sweat was on me just now.
Orochimaru's eyelid twitched. He nearly lost his composure, but managed to maintain the bearing of the Cold Lord.
"By the way, Sakuya, do you always push yourself this hard? With so many Ninja Tool Launchers, even the Sharingan can't save you if you slip up."
As a comrade, Orochimaru politely offered a word of caution. "Even when you train, shouldn't you take it slowly?"
"Normally, maybe. But things out there are getting worse by the day. If I don't train like my life depends on it now, it'll be hard to... survive the war."
Sakuya didn't show off his eyes like most Uchiha, nor did he spout empty words about doing it for Konoha or the Will of Fire. Instead, he said something that struck a chord in Orochimaru.
"...Survive?"
"Right."
Sakuya nodded. "When people are killed, they die. I don't want to die. That's all."
"How... fascinating."
Orochimaru's gaze gradually grew more fervent.
He, too, had always been deeply interested in living and in eternal life. But under Hiruzen Sarutobi's guidance, he had long suppressed those thoughts with the Will of Fire. Now Sakuya's words had brought them surging to the surface. They nagged at him like a cat's claws, and he could hardly bear it.
"Sakuya."
He pressed, "Why do you want to live forever?"
"Of course, so I can see more beautiful sights."
Before you continue