"Some things, if you don't want people to know about them, you shouldn't do them in the first place!
Since I was looking for someone to treat my younger brother Kimimaro's illness,
I naturally needed to learn about that person.
And human curiosity would obviously make me interested in the other two Sannin as well.
Sometimes, just a few clues are enough to piece together the truth.
Unless—"
"Unless what?!"
Lin Cheng's words once again drew the attention of the other three.
"Unless those clues out in the open were fabricated by someone else!
Then the question is, why would someone forge false information? What was going through their mind?"
Looking at Tsunade, whose brows were tightly furrowed, Lin Cheng chuckled. "Someone who likes to fabricate and make up information that harms others—
however you look at it, you shouldn't think of them as a good person, right?"
"Phew... You make a good point! But your shrewdness, which is completely at odds with your age, makes it hard for me to trust you!"
Tsunade let out a deep breath and spoke in a low voice.
"...Is that so? Fine! Since that's what you think, there's no point in me trying any harder.
Goodbye! Little Kimimaro, let's go!"
Looking somewhat disappointed, Lin Cheng cupped his hands and turned to leave.
"Oh..."
Kimimaro answered, a little confused, then carefully followed after him.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Watching Lin Cheng and his younger brother disappear in an instant, Shizune couldn't help feeling confused.
"What? You want to help them?"
Tsunade glanced at Shizune, then turned and walked in the opposite direction from Lin Cheng and Kimimaro.
"N-no!"
"Then hurry up!"
"Oh—right!"
Hearing that Tsunade was angry, Shizune hurried after her.
Meanwhile, just as confused, Kimimaro voiced the question on his mind.
"Big brother! We're just giving up like this?"
"What, are you worried about your illness?"
Lin Cheng teased the puzzled Kimimaro.
"No! I'll leave everything to you, big brother!"
Kimimaro blinked and pouted.
"Haha! Hahaha!"
After laughing heartily, Lin Cheng saw Kimimaro's pout deepen and stopped laughing.
"She's suspicious of me now. No matter how hard I try, I'll only make things worse!
So it's better not to keep pressing her."
"Oh! Little Kimimaro understands."
Kimimaro nodded, understanding what Lin Cheng meant.
"Then... big brother! Where are we going now?"
"To find someone else! But he can't be trusted, so don't tell him about your illness!"
"Oh! Little Kimimaro understands."
In the blink of an eye, another year passed!
It was now the year 55 of Konoha!
After a year of searching, Lin Cheng and Kimimaro finally found Shennong, who had been traveling around and doing good deeds.
However, before they could meet Shennong, Lin Cheng and Kimimaro ran into Orochimaru, who had also come looking for him!
For a moment, the atmosphere froze!
"I don't know why, but you seem strangely familiar to me."
Looking at Lin Cheng and Kimimaro as they approached, Orochimaru smiled meaningfully.
His sinister voice had an inexplicable charm to it!
"Hmph! Is that so? Your sense of smell really is something else! We have met before.
But you'll have to figure out where for yourself!"
A mocking look appeared on Lin Cheng's face as he spoke casually.
By now, Lin Cheng no longer feared a low-level Kage like Orochimaru.
On the contrary, he was looking forward to a fight with a shinobi of Orochimaru's caliber!
He really wanted to find out how strong he was now.
Before you continue