Orochimaru Returns to the Village

The Konoha office

Orochimaru watched the Third Hokage with a slight smile and said evenly, "Why go to all that trouble? She was an Uzumaki Clan member to begin with."

The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe, a hint of anger in his voice. "Her identity must remain secret. I've already made the greatest concession by allowing her to study under you. This is not up for discussion!"

A trace of anger flickered in Orochimaru's serpentine eyes, then slowly faded. In his hoarse voice, he said, "In that case, I'll decide how to teach her."

The Third Hokage stared at him and warned, "You'd better teach her properly and act like a responsible teacher."

Orochimaru chuckled. "Of course. You don't need to tell me that." After all, he was still in Konoha, so he had to consider his standing as a Konoha Ninja.

"Leave." The Third Hokage dismissed him outright, sorrow in his eyes.

Orochimaru glanced up at the Third Hokage, chuckled, and turned to leave.

The Third Hokage gazed out the window as the wind swept young leaves past. "How are you going to guide this new leaf of yours... Hui..." He sighed deeply, feeling exhausted in body and mind.

Whether Hui's determination to grow stronger was a good thing or a bad one, he couldn't tell. But it was her own choice. Orochimaru was his prized student, and naturally powerful in his own right. It was rare to see Orochimaru, who was so absorbed in research, want to teach a student.

Sasuke had been troubled lately. He'd noticed that during their last few sparring matches, Hui always seemed to have the upper hand.

He came up with new techniques every time, but their matches always ended in a draw. He couldn't help feeling that it was because of Hui.

Still, he'd learned a lot from his older brother. His brother was busy, but whenever he had time, he still gave Sasuke pointers and taught him plenty of combat techniques. It would've been even better if he didn't keep asking how Sasuke's fights with Hui were going.

Whenever Sasuke asked about Hui, though, his brother always grew grave and seemed at a loss. Sasuke felt like his brother knew something, but he never said anything about it. He just taught Sasuke a few more new techniques.

Hui was busy too. Sasuke had no idea what she spent all day reading. When he complained about it to his brother, his brother only told him to read more, too.

Though he was a little annoyed, Sasuke still found plenty of books to read. He felt like he understood a lot more now. Was Hui getting stronger all the time because she read so much, too?

They'd agreed to spar today, but Sasuke didn't find Hui at their usual spot. He waited there angrily for a long time, but she still didn't show up. He grew even more upset. "Doesn't that idiot know being punctual is basic courtesy?"

Sasuke grumbled, then turned to go home, still fuming, when Hui Youling appeared.

He complained indignantly, "Are you only capable of showing up late?"

Hui said nothing. She simply walked toward him, her eyes shining with some inexplicable light. Sasuke puffed out his cheeks and turned away, unwilling to look at her, but then he heard her sigh.

"Sasuke, I'm leaving. My teacher is taking me on a trip to study."

Sasuke stared at Hui in surprise, dismay and shock in his eyes. "You've only been back for a few months!"

Hui shrugged and teased him with a smile. "What, are you afraid I'll come back even stronger?"

"I told you not to get your hopes up! Hmph! I'll train hard, too!" Sasuke bristled.

Hui chuckled softly. Sasuke was so easy to rile up at this age. He was adorable, and his personality was so childlike, but...

Hui sighed and looked at Sasuke seriously. "Sasuke, work hard and get stronger. I'll be waiting."

Sasuke's lips curled into a confident smile. "Just you wait!"

Hui giggled to herself. So easy to fool. "By the way, please look after my idiot little brother, Naruto. You've met him a few times, at least, so keep an eye on him for me."

Sasuke glanced at her with a pout. "Hmph! Who cares about that guy?"

Hui thought for a moment, then said, "I actually think you two could become the best of friends."

Sasuke immediately protested, "I don't want to be friends with that guy!"

Hui raised an eyebrow at him. He could never have imagined what the future held: the two of them would become not only friends, but lifelong confidants.

Hui said nothing, only watching Sasuke with a faint smile. Sasuke glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, trying his best to look aloof.

Hui shrugged and didn't linger. "Well, I need to go pack now. See you next time!"

Hui waved to Sasuke and turned to leave. Sasuke glared at her in a huff, then turned and walked away, too.

But the moment Hui turned away, every trace of a smile vanished from her eyes. They were cold and numb. The events of the day filled her with frustration and worry about the future.

That morning, she'd planned to come here as agreed, but on the way she'd run into some of the children from the Orphanage, who'd come looking for her. Their eyes darted about, and they seemed to have something important to tell her. They hesitated for a while, but none of them said what it was.

Unable to bear it any longer, Hui finally asked, "Just tell me. Aren't we friends?"

The older girl stepped forward, pressed her lips together, and hesitated before speaking. "Kabuto's been having trouble these past few days. Someone keeps coming to see him, and that person seems dangerous."

Hui was confused. Did they mean Danzo? But hadn't Nonō already gone to work for him? Hui had visited Kabuto every day lately, so why hadn't he told her any of this? And why had they come to her now?

"We had no choice. Kabuto and the rest of us didn't want to say anything, but he's one of our Orphanage's companions, and we don't want him in danger. You're the only one who can talk to him..." another older boy explained, looking conflicted.

Hui smiled faintly. These kids might not talk to Kabuto much, but they still cared about their friend. And Kabuto really was an awkward sort.

Without a second thought, Hui agreed. "All right, I'll go with you today and ask him what's going on, okay?"

They all breathed a sigh of relief and exchanged pleased glances. The boy said anxiously, "Let's hurry. I hope he hasn't run into trouble!"

Hui nodded and quickened her pace to catch up with them. Still, she couldn't help thinking about standing Sasuke up. She wondered how angry he'd be.

When she reached the Orphanage, she never expected to see Orochimaru there. He was discussing something with Kabuto, who wore a blank expression and said nothing. When Kabuto saw Hui, his eyes were full of displeasure and wariness.

Orochimaru turned around and noticed her arrival. He smiled faintly, his snake-like gaze fixed on Hui Youling.

Hui suddenly felt as if she'd been targeted again. She had no idea what Orochimaru was planning, or why he'd come to see Kabuto now. He'd also managed to avoid her every time she'd come by. It looked as if this had all been planned from the start.

Hui steeled herself and walked over. Kabuto's gaze grew even more hostile. Hui felt wronged, too. It was true that she'd come here to find Nonō at Orochimaru's request, but she'd genuinely wanted to be friends with them all this time.

Seeing the smile on Orochimaru's lips, Hui had to speak first. "Teacher, what brings you here?"

Orochimaru smiled at her, sending a chill down Hui's spine. Kabuto furrowed his brows as he looked at her, but his expression had returned to its usual calm, utterly undisturbed and devoid of emotion.

The others behind her stared at Hui Youling in astonishment. If this man was her teacher, then did that mean Hui was...

Hui didn't think playing dumb would help. They could misunderstand her all they wanted; she had no intention of opposing Orochimaru. She'd never doubted that Orochimaru had countless ways to kill her. She had nothing he wanted, and her eyes were no Sharingan like Sasuke's.

"Hui, you know Kabuto is a rare genius. How could I, someone who loves geniuses, give him up?" Orochimaru said casually in his hoarse voice.

Kabuto turned his gaze to Hui Youling, as if he'd expected all this.

Hui couldn't read a thing in his eyes. They were calm and indifferent, and for some reason, she felt a little disappointed.

Perhaps Kabuto had stopped trusting her long ago. He just hadn't said anything, and had kept up their strange relationship out of politeness. Maybe he simply couldn't be bothered to deal with her.

No matter what, it still hurt. Her desire to befriend them had been genuine. Why did they have to deny all of it? She'd never intended to scheme against them, but now she could see that she'd been wrong from the start. She'd come to see them only after receiving Orochimaru's orders. Whether her intentions were sincere no longer mattered; no one would believe her.

Nothing involving Orochimaru was ever simple. He was always so calculating. Hui gave a helpless, self-mocking smile. She'd never expected things to turn out this way. If she wanted to do something for them, she had to act.

Hui smiled, speaking as if she didn't care. "Teacher, you really think too highly of Kabuto. He's not even half as skilled as Qingsi yet, and I think I could do much more for you."

Hui could already imagine how angry the older children must be as they looked at her. If Orochimaru weren't here, they'd probably rush over and hit her. Still, she turned to look at Kabuto without meaning to. His eyes seemed to hold nothing but mockery.

"Heh... Qingsi isn't enough for me, but I do need your strength," Orochimaru said flatly. His serpentine pupils stared straight at Hui. She could feel his gaze, cold and clammy like a snake.

"Of course. It's time for me to go back, too." Hui smiled and met Orochimaru's eyes.

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes at her, his gaze full of scrutiny, though a smile remained on his lips. After a moment, he said, "I like how clever you are."

Hui smiled. "Then I hope you'll let me go pack my things, Teacher."

"Of course. I'll wait for you at the village entrance." Orochimaru glanced at Hui Youling, then turned and left.

Hui watched him go, sorrow in her eyes. She felt as if she'd been manipulated again. Orochimaru needed her strength, and thinking about it, she figured she'd be put through the wringer again once she returned. She'd let herself slack off...

All the older children turned to glare at her, furious, their eyes full of resentment and suspicion. They probably thought she was involved in Nonō's departure, too. When she saw that some of them were about to attack, Hui didn't know what to do. Then Kabuto's cold voice came from behind her. "Don't come here again. Leave now!"

Hui turned to look at Kabuto. His eyes were utterly emotionless, despite how displeased he'd been before.

Hui's heart tightened. She looked at the other children. They were all staring at Kabuto in confusion, but they didn't attack. It was rare to see them care so much about what Kabuto said.

Hui turned and left without a trace of reluctance. Before long, no one could see her anymore. Kabuto turned and walked into the building, his usually impassive face colder than before. The children frowned as they watched him, then looked back toward the direction Hui Youling had gone, their eyes full of resentment.