Unexpected Encounter with Orochimaru

"If you don't want people to know, don't do it in the first place!

Since I need to find someone to treat my brother Kimimaro's illness, I naturally need to understand that person's background!

And human curiosity naturally makes me interested in the affairs of the other two Sannin as well!

Some things, through mere traces and clues, are enough to reconstruct the truth!

Unless~"

"Unless what?!"

Lin Cheng's words once again drew the attention of the other three.

"Unless those visible traces and clues were forged by someone else!

Then the question arises: why would someone forge false information? And what were they thinking?"

Watching Tsunade knit her brows, Lin Cheng chuckled softly: "A person who enjoys forging and fabricating information detrimental to others!

No matter how you look at it, you shouldn't think of them as a good person, right?"

"Hoo~ what you say makes sense! But your shrewdness, which is completely inconsistent with your age, makes it impossible for me to trust you!"

Exhaling deeply, Tsunade said in a low voice.

"...Is that so? Fine! Since that's what you think, any further effort on my part would be futile!

Farewell! Little Kimimaro! Let's go!"

Cupping his hands in a gesture of disappointment, Lin Cheng turned and left.

"Oh~"

Responding with some confusion, Kimimaro immediately followed cautiously.

"Lady Tsunade!"

Watching Lin Cheng and his brother walk away in an instant, Shizune couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"What? Do you want to help them?"

Glancing at Shizune, Tsunade turned and walked in the opposite direction from the two brothers.

"No~ no!"

"Then hurry up!"

"Oh~ oh!"

Hearing that Tsunade was angry, Shizune immediately quickened her pace to catch up.

On the other side, Kimimaro, also feeling puzzled, asked the question weighing on his mind.

"Brother! Are we just giving up like this?"

"What? Worried about your illness?"

Looking at the confused Kimimaro, Lin Cheng teased.

"No! I'll just leave everything to Big Brother!"

Blinking his eyes, Kimimaro pouted.

"Haha! Hahaha!"

After a burst of wild laughter, seeing Kimimaro's pout growing more pronounced, Lin Cheng reined in his laughter.

"Since she has become suspicious of me, no matter how hard I try, it will only make things worse!

Therefore, it is better not to pester her any further!"

"Oh! Little Kimimaro understands."

Nodding, Kimimaro grasped Lin Cheng's meaning.

"Then~ Brother! Where are we going next?"

"To find someone else! However, he is not to be trusted! So, you must not tell him about your condition!"

"Oh! Little Kimimaro understands."

In the blink of an eye, another year passed!

Time had reached the year 55 of the Konoha era!

After a year of searching, Lin Cheng and Kimimaro finally found Shennong, who was traveling around playing the good Samaritan!

However, before meeting Shennong, Lin Cheng and Kimimaro first encountered Orochimaru, who had also come looking for him!

For a moment, the scene froze!

"I don't know why, but I have an inexplicable sense of familiarity with you."

Looking at Lin Cheng and Kimimaro walking toward him, Orochimaru said with a meaningful smile.

The voice was eerie, yet it possessed an indescribable charm!

"Hmph! Is that so? Your sense of smell is truly extraordinary! We have indeed met before.

However, as for exactly where, you will have to figure that out for yourself!"

A mocking expression appeared on his face as Lin Cheng spoke quite nonchalantly.

By this day and age, Lin Cheng no longer feared a low-tier Kage-level ninja like Orochimaru.

On the contrary, he was looking forward to a battle with a ninja of Orochimaru's caliber!

Because he was eager to know exactly what his current strength amounted to.