Orochimaru Returns to the Village

Konoha Office

Orochimaru curled his lips slightly as he looked at the Third Hokage, saying in a tepid tone, "Why must you go to such unnecessary lengths? She is, after all, a member of the Uzumaki Clan."

The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe, his voice tinged with irritation. "Her identity must remain classified. My allowing her to study under you is the absolute limit of my concession. This matter is not up for negotiation!"

A flicker of anger crossed Orochimaru's serpentine eyes before it slowly dissipated. He replied in a raspy voice, "Since that is the case, then how I choose to instruct her shall be my decision!"

The Third Hokage stared him down, warning, "You had best teach her diligently and act as a responsible mentor."

Orochimaru chuckled in response. "Naturally. That goes without saying." After all, as long as he remained in Konoha, he had to maintain the facade of a Konoha ninja.

"Leave." The Third Hokage issued the dismissal directly, his eyes clouded with worry.

Orochimaru glanced at the Third Hokage, gave a light laugh, and turned to leave.

The Third Hokage gazed out the window as the wind swept fallen leaves past. "How exactly are you to be blown, my new leaf... Hui..." The Third Hokage let out a deep sigh, feeling exhausted in both body and spirit.

He did not know if Hui's conviction to become stronger was a blessing or a curse, but it was her own choice. Orochimaru, as his most brilliant student, certainly possessed the strength for it; it was rare to see Orochimaru, usually so obsessed with his research, actually wanting to take on a student.

Sasuke had been troubled lately, for he felt that in his recent sparring matches with Hui, he was constantly being suppressed.

Although he prepared new techniques every time, they always ended in a draw, and he couldn't help but feel that Hui was the reason for this.

Still, he had learned quite a bit from his brother. Though his brother was busy, he would guide him whenever he had the time and taught him many combat techniques—it would be even better if his brother didn't constantly ask about his sparring sessions with Hui.

Whenever the topic of Hui came up, his brother would always grow solemn and helpless. Sasuke felt that his brother seemed to know something, but he never said anything, merely teaching him a few new moves instead.

Hui was also very busy, spending her days reading who-knows-what. When he complained about this to his brother, his brother only told him to read more books as well.

Though he felt a bit indignant, he still sought out many books to read and found that he understood much more than before. Could it be that Hui was constantly growing stronger because she read books?

According to their agreement, he went to spar with Hui today, only to find her missing from their usual spot. He waited in place for a long time, growing increasingly angry. Doesn't this person know that punctuality is a virtue?

Sasuke complained to himself and was about to head home in a huff when Hui Youling finally appeared.

He complained irritably, "Is being late the only thing you're good at!"

Hui didn't speak, merely walking toward him with a faint, unreadable light in her eyes. Sasuke pouted and turned his head away, refusing to look at her, only to hear Hui let out a long sigh.

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

Sasuke looked at Hui in shock, his eyes filled with disappointment and surprise. "You've only been back for a few months!"

Hui shrugged and laughed, teasing, "What, afraid I'll come back even stronger?"

"I already told you not to get ahead of yourself! Hmph! I'll work hard on my training too!" Sasuke bristled.

Hui smiled softly. Sasuke was so easy to rile up at this age; it was rarely cute, and his personality was still so much like a child's, but...

Hui sighed softly and looked at Sasuke earnestly. "Sasuke, work hard to become strong. I'll be waiting."

Sasuke's lips curled upward, his face full of confidence. "Then you just wait!"

Hui chuckled inwardly. How nice, so easy to fool. "Right, I'll leave my idiot brother Naruto in your care. You've met a few times, so just keep an eye on him for me."

Sasuke curled his lip at her. "Hmph! Who would care about that guy!"

Hui pondered for a moment before saying, "I actually think you two could become best friends."

Sasuke immediately retorted with dissatisfaction, "I have no intention of becoming friends with that guy!"

Hui raised an eyebrow at Sasuke. He couldn't possibly imagine what the future held; the two would not only become friends but lifelong soulmates.

Hui said nothing, merely watching Sasuke with a faint smile. Sasuke glanced at her from the corner of his eye, trying his best to maintain his arrogant facade.

Shrugging, Hui didn't linger any longer. "I have to go prepare my things now. See you next time!"

Hui waved at Sasuke and turned to leave. Sasuke gave her a resentful look, huffed, and turned to walk away as well.

But the moment Hui turned her back, all traces of a smile vanished from her eyes, replaced by a cold, numb expression. Thinking of today's events, she felt only frustration and anxiety for the future.

She had intended to come here as promised this morning, but halfway there, she had run into the children from the orphanage. Their eyes had been flickering, as if they had something very important to tell her, but they had hesitated for a while without saying a word.

Unable to watch them struggle any longer, Hui finally asked, "Just say it. Aren't we friends?"

The older girl stepped forward, bit her lip, and hesitated before saying, "Kabuto has been in trouble lately. Someone keeps coming to find him, and that person seems very dangerous."

Hui was confused. Was the person they were talking about Danzo? But hadn't Nonō already gone to handle matters for him? She had been visiting Kabuto these past few days; why hadn't he told her about this, and why were they coming to her now?

"We had no other choice. Kabuto won't talk to us, but as our companion at the orphanage, we don't want him to be in danger. You're the only one he'll talk to..." another older boy explained, his eyes filled with conflict.

Hui smiled faintly. Even though these kids didn't talk to Kabuto much, they still cared about their companion, and Kabuto's personality was indeed quite difficult.

Without thinking, Hui agreed, "Alright, I'll go with you today. I'll ask him what's going on, okay?"

The group let out a sigh of relief and exchanged happy glances. The boy said anxiously, "Let's go quickly! I hope he hasn't run into any trouble!"

Hui nodded and quickened her pace to keep up, though she worried about how angry Sasuke would be for being stood up.

When they arrived at the orphanage, Hui never expected to see Orochimaru. He was in the middle of negotiating something with Kabuto, but Kabuto's expression remained flat, saying nothing. When he saw her arrive, his eyes were filled with dissatisfaction and wariness.

Orochimaru looked back and noticed her arrival, his lips curling into a smile as his serpentine gaze fixed on Hui Youling.

Hui suddenly felt as if she were being targeted again. She didn't know what Orochimaru was planning, but coming to find Kabuto now, and having perfectly missed her so many times before—it looked like it had been planned from the very beginning.

Hui braced herself and walked up. Kabuto's gaze toward her grew even more hostile. Hui felt wronged; although she had come to find Nonō at Orochimaru's request, she had genuinely been trying to be friends with them during this time.

Seeing the smile at the corner of Orochimaru's mouth, Hui had no choice but to speak first, "Teacher, why have you come here?"

Orochimaru looked at her with a smile, sending a chill down Hui's spine. Kabuto furrowed his brows as he looked at her, but his eyes soon returned to a state of indifference, calm and devoid of any emotion.

The few people behind them stared at Hui Youling in astonishment. If this guy was her teacher, then was Hui...

Hui didn't think playing dumb would be of any use. Even if she were misunderstood, she had no intention of opposing Orochimaru. She never doubted that Orochimaru had countless ways to kill her; she didn't possess anything Orochimaru wanted, nothing that could compare to Sasuke's Sharingan.

"Hui, you also know that Kabuto is a rare genius. How could I, someone who loves geniuses, ever give him up?" Orochimaru said calmly in his raspy voice.

Kabuto turned his gaze toward Hui Youling, as if he had long anticipated these circumstances.

Hui could not discern any emotion in his eyes; they were calm and indifferent. For some reason, she felt a sense of loss in her heart.

In truth, Kabuto had likely stopped trusting her long ago, but he had never said anything, barely maintaining their strange relationship. Perhaps he was simply too lazy to bother with it.

Yet, no matter what, she still felt very sad. The heart with which she had sought to be his friend was not fake. Why deny all of this? She had never intended to scheme against them, but looking at it now, she had been wrong from the very beginning. Coming to find them precisely after receiving Orochimaru's orders—regardless of her sincerity, it was meaningless now. No one would believe her.

Anything involving Orochimaru was never simple; he had always been a man of great purpose. Hui gave a powerless, self-deprecating smile. She had truly never imagined things would turn out this way. Since she had once thought about doing something for them, she should now take action.

Hui chuckled lightly and said with feigned indifference, "Teacher, you really hold Kabuto in too high regard. Right now, he isn't even half as skilled as Qingsi, and I believe I can do much more for you, Teacher."

Hui could already imagine how furious those older children must be looking at her. If not for Orochimaru's presence, they would surely have rushed up to attack her. Still, she couldn't help but turn her head to look at Kabuto, only to see what appeared to be mockery in his eyes.

"Heh heh... Qingsi is not enough, but I do indeed have need of your power," Orochimaru said calmly. His snake-like pupils stared straight at Hui, and she could feel that gaze as cold and viscous as a serpent.

"Naturally. It is time for me to return as well," Hui chuckled softly and raised her eyes to meet Orochimaru's.

Orochimaru squinted at her, his eyes filled only with scrutiny, yet the smile remained on his lips. After a moment, he said slowly, "I like your intelligence."

Hui smiled lightly and said, "Then I hope you will allow me to go pack my things, Teacher?"

"Very well. I will wait for you at the village entrance." Orochimaru gave Hui Youling a flat look before turning and walking away.

Hui watched him leave, her eyes filled with melancholy. She felt as though she had been schemed against once more. Orochimaru actually needed her power; thinking of this, she reckoned she would have to shed another layer of skin once she returned. She had grown too lax...

Those older children all turned their heads to glare at her indignantly, their eyes filled with nothing but resentment and suspicion. She reckoned they believed Nonō's departure had something to do with her. Seeing the group preparing to strike, Hui suddenly didn't know what to do, but then she heard Kabuto's cold voice from behind her, "Don't ever come here again. Leave this place at once!"

Hui turned to look at Kabuto and saw that his eyes held no emotion, despite how dissatisfied he had been just moments before.

Hui felt a shiver in her heart. She looked back at the children; they were all staring at Kabuto with confusion, yet they truly did not move to attack. It was rare to see them care so much about what Kabuto said.

Hui turned and left without a shred of lingering attachment. Before long, the group could no longer see her. Kabuto turned and walked into the house, his indifferent face becoming even colder than before. The children frowned as they watched him, then turned their heads toward the direction where Hui Youling had departed, their eyes filled with resentment.