The Truth of the World

"Hello, sir!" Orochimaru approached, feeling somewhat nervous. Even he did not know where that nervousness came from, and he instinctively used an honorific.

"Hm?" Shin turned his head slightly, his eyes clearing from their somewhat clouded state. He was currently walking the path of seeking truth, and his condition these past few days had been rather strange, unlike any of his previous training. Naturally, he could clearly sense Orochimaru, but he had not been in the mood to pay attention to him. He had come before Senju Hashirama's grave to better recall the memories of those bygone years and cleanse his heart, as though walking the path of the past once more. By all rights, in such a state, Shin should have merged with the surrounding nature and been impossible for outsiders to detect. Yet unexpectedly—

Orochimaru was extraordinarily gifted. At such a young age, he already possessed a snake's sharp senses and had actively sought him out.

"Did you know the First Hokage, sir?" Naturally, one needed a topic to start a conversation. Seeing him standing before the First Hokage's grave, Orochimaru subconsciously asked this question.

The moment he asked, he regretted it. Though the other person wore a black robe, his face had been clearly visible when he turned around. Orochimaru had also caught a fleeting glimpse of him at the academy before. He looked only around twenty—far too young.

The First Hokage had died early. This man had probably only been a few years old at the time. How could he possibly have known him?

Shin chuckled but did not answer. Instead, he asked softly, "Is there something you need?"

Orochimaru took a deep breath and calmed his nerves. Raising the white snake in his hand, he said, "It died, sir. Why is life so fragile?"

Shin