Making Enemies

On the streets of Konoha, a young man walked along. He wore the standard-issue flak jacket of a Konoha ninja over a long black robe, the sleeves of which hung down low, concealing his hands entirely.

Perhaps because the robe was too long, the excess fabric dragged all the way to his thighs. Although his other garments were identical to those of an average Konoha ninja, this robe gave him a distinct, unconventional style.

Most eye-catching were the two short swords strapped to his back, arranged in a cross shape.

This fellow was Kagetsu Qi, though he didn't seem particularly happy about having acquired such precious chakra-infused weapons; instead, his face was full of bewilderment.

That remark... why would he say that to me? What on earth is Xiu's father getting at?

He muttered to himself, These people are such a pain. Can't they just speak plainly?

After hearing what Xiu's father had said, Qi was utterly baffled.

No matter how he looked at it or listened to it, the statement was incredibly strange—or rather, it simply didn't fit Qi's current situation or status.

To put it bluntly, the current Qi was nowhere near worthy of such a remark.

Orochimaru's disciple? Is that supposed to be impressive? In the eyes of the Uchiha Clan, if you aren't a true powerhouse, they wouldn't even spare you a glance for more than three seconds.

Yet, Xiu's father had said exactly that to him. It was bizarre to the extreme.

After thinking it over, Qi felt the only possibility was that the Uchiha Clan's resentment toward Konoha had grown so deep that they were at an impasse with the Senju lineage—a situation where only one could survive. Xiu's father was, in all likelihood, trying to leave an escape route for his son.

Regardless of anything else, he, Kagetsu Qi, was a disciple of Orochimaru, the only living Yuki, and a direct descendant of the Senju. If he worked hard enough and gained sufficient strength, he would still have a voice in Konoha. At that point, it wouldn't be impossible for him to protect Xiu. Hadn't Itachi managed to protect Sasuke?

The Uchiha Clan probably couldn't be certain of their own success; after all, if they lost, it would mean the total annihilation of their clan. Human hearts are made of flesh and blood, and Xiu's father likely didn't want his son to die alongside the elders. Any chance, no matter how small, was better than none.

Damn it! You lunatics, playing these stupid power games and dragging us juniors into it. You've got too much time on your hands! Ninjas are supposed to deal in power, not politics!

He thought bitterly.

Forget it... I just hope it was a casual remark. Still, I really shouldn't get close to the Uchiha Clan...

Shaking his head, Qi tried to push these headache-inducing thoughts out of his mind.

Let's head back to Master's place first. I can take a look at the scroll Orochimaru gave me while I'm at it.

He reached into his robe, where a scroll lay—one Orochimaru had given him before returning to the village. It went without saying that it was another round of instruction.

Orochimaru's way of teaching was truly unique; he completely left you to your own devices, offering only suggestions and experience without ever providing a clear direction. You had to figure it out yourself.

If you didn't understand, you could ask, but expecting him to hold your hand like a nanny was a pipe dream.

He figured Sasuke was the only exception, but that was only because Orochimaru was counting on taking over Sasuke's body.

"So, you're here."

A man whom Qi had seen once before at Orochimaru's estate appeared before him.

"I've been looking for you for a long time."

He glanced at the direction Qi had come from, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.

"Did you just come from the Uchiha compound?"

"Does Master Orochimaru have business with me?"

Qi decided that from now on, he would play dumb to these types of questions, or he would eventually be annoyed to death.

"Let's go to Lord Orochimaru's place now. You have a new mission."

Sensing Qi's displeasure—or perhaps his evasion—the man nodded and did not press the issue further.

"Fine."

Qi didn't stand on ceremony. Even though they hadn't met many times, he knew this man didn't require such pleasantries. As far as this man was concerned, his mind held only Orochimaru; social niceties were meaningless.

"Since you've taken the Third Hokage as your grandmaster, you're considered one of our own. For that reason, I'll give you a word of advice."

Just as Qi turned to leave, the man spoke up again.

"Don't get involved with the Uchiha Clan, or you'll be the only one who suffers for it."

"I don't understand what you mean, and I don't intend to! I was merely visiting a friend. Anything else, I don't know, and I don't want to know!"

Qi was getting irritated. Would these people ever stop? Did he need someone's permission just to visit a friend's house?

Qi had originally felt some regret about getting involved with the Uchiha, but now, that regret was gone.

That was just his temperament.

"Hmph!"

Hearing Qi's sharp retort, the man's expression changed instantly. It wasn't so much sinister as it was dismissive—even contemptuous.

"You brat, you have no real power, yet your tongue is sharp. Don't say I didn't warn you. If you become a burden to Lord Orochimaru, I'll kill you myself."

"Don't trouble yourself! I know exactly what I should and shouldn't do! Save that talk for when you actually come to kill me!"

Qi's gaze was venomous. He swore to himself that once he had the strength, he would definitely finish this guy off.

To openly threaten his life—this grudge was set in stone, with no room for reconciliation. If he could say it, it meant he intended to do it!

The humiliation of today would be repaid tenfold in the future!

Thinking this, he turned and walked away, refusing to look at the man again. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to stop himself from attacking, even though he knew he couldn't beat him right now.

Seeing Kagetsu Qi yield, the man sneered and followed behind. As a Special Jonin and a direct subordinate of Orochimaru, he did not take Kagetsu Qi seriously in the slightest.

A disciple? Please, why would Orochimaru take Kagetsu Qi as a disciple? Others might not know, but how could he be unaware that Orochimaru had already begun researching forbidden arts of immortality? He was the very person responsible for collecting "materials" for Orochimaru outside the village.

He knew even better that this Kagetsu Qi's foundation was already set in stone; it was impossible for Orochimaru to reshape him. Taking him as a disciple was purely out of a strong interest in the Ice Release bloodline.

How could he possibly take Kagetsu Qi seriously? In his eyes, Kagetsu Qi was destined to become one of Orochimaru's test subjects sooner or later—a piece of trash that would end up either dead or crippled. It would be a miracle if he cared.

Before long, the two arrived at Orochimaru's residence, one after the other.

Following the usual routine, the man led the way and Kagetsu Qi followed until they reached the courtyard, where Orochimaru was resting.

"You performed well on this mission."

Orochimaru was wearing casual home attire, sitting in a chair and basking in the sun, though Kagetsu Qi felt that no matter how much sun Orochimaru soaked up, he would never develop a tan...

"From now on, you are officially promoted to Chunin... No need to be so surprised. That is how it is during wartime; rising from Genin to Chunin is not difficult."

Kagetsu Qi understood the implication clearly: becoming a Jonin was still a very difficult feat.

However, Kagetsu Qi had never harbored such expectations. What kind of status was a Jonin? With his current strength, he should just forget about it.

"Combat is the best platform for training a ninja. I believe you have realized this as well. From now on, your training platform will also change."

Orochimaru kept his eyes closed, showing no intention of opening them. It was clear he was enjoying his "sunbath."

"Battles where Genin are the primary targets are no longer suitable for your practical training. As it happens, I have requested Minato to take you along to execute some special missions from now on."

Special missions?

Hearing this term, Kagetsu Qi's heart tightened instantly.

He had long since learned from Kaguya Ogata what "special missions" during wartime actually entailed.

Simply put, they involved infiltrating the rear to cause destruction—the typical type of hiding, sneaking, and being surrounded and killed. The White Fang had been a master of this trade during his lifetime.

Moreover, such missions were extremely prone to attracting enemy experts. In short, the danger level was top-tier, but it was indeed enough to "train" a person.

As for the danger, it meant nothing to a ninja, unless one wanted to remain a Genin for their entire life only to be slaughtered by someone else eventually.

There is death with danger, and there is death without it; by comparison, the former was at least more valuable.

Not to mention, he had been filled with indignation today precisely because his strength was insufficient. If he didn't settle this score in the future, he would have lived in vain.

"I shall follow your instructions, Master."

Kagetsu Qi naturally had no objections. Anyone could be afraid of death, but he didn't have the luxury. Although he spoke lightly, he hadn't forgotten the responsibility he carried—even if he couldn't revive the clan, he had to find a way to look after the survivors of the Yuki Clan.

Everything he had learned came from the Yuki and Kaguya clans. There was no hope for the Kaguya; they had been wiped out too cleanly, and the only remaining seedling had been brainwashed by Orochimaru. But there were many survivors of the Yuki Clan. If he didn't care for them, he might as well stop being human and just live like a beast.

"Stay here for the night, and tomorrow you will follow me to meet Minato."

Orochimaru nodded, signaling for Kagetsu Qi to withdraw.

"Yes."

Kagetsu Qi cupped his hands in a salute. The Naruto world didn't have this custom, but he enjoyed using it quite a bit.

After performing this gesture that no one understood but whose general meaning was clear, a servant led Kagetsu Qi away, while the man with the Special Jonin rank remained where he was.

"My Lord."

Seeing that Kagetsu Qi had gone far away, the man bowed to Orochimaru.

"Did he really go to the Uchiha compound?"

Orochimaru looked at the man.

"Did you see him enter with your own eyes?"

"Yes, my subordinate saw him enter the territory of the Uchiha Clan with his own eyes, along with his teammate."

"Teammate..."

Orochimaru revealed a cold sneer.

"That person from the Uchiha Clan probably wants to leave a backup plan for the younger generation. Everyone knows that with Kagetsu Qi's talent and the Yuki Secret Scroll he possesses, becoming a Jonin is only a matter of time. The high-level officials of Konoha have long since investigated Kagetsu Qi's background; only he himself thinks it is a secret."

"Since that is the case, why did you only have me follow him, My Lord, and not stop him? That group of Uchiha doesn't know the current situation. If Kagetsu Qi gets involved with them, it might implicate you, My Lord."

"Do you think his personality would listen to you?"

Orochimaru smiled, yet not quite.

"This type of person eats soft tactics but not hard ones. The Uchiha are taking the emotional route, which is just right for dealing with someone like him."

"He doesn't have the right to refuse! He is your disciple, My Lord. There is no reason for a disciple to defy his master!"

The man didn't care at all.

"At worst, I will just restrain him. Perhaps I am not his match in the future, but right now, he cannot last a single move before me."

"You are not allowed to lay a hand on him."

Orochimaru shook his head.

"It is not just you who is following him; there is someone who is more concerned about him than any of us."

"My Lord, are you referring to Kaguya Ogata?"

The man revealed a trace of disdain.

"He is nothing more than a brute who only knows taijutsu."

"You are quite mistaken there. Kaguya Ogata is one of the few who survived a clash with the White Fang of the Leaf. Even I must be cautious when facing him, let alone you."

"The Kaguya Clan also relies on hard techniques. I have fought those who practice the Eight Inner Gates before, and since he lacks the Shikotsumyaku, aren't you overestimating him, my lord?"

The man was somewhat unconvinced. In the ninja world, taijutsu users were generally regarded as a support system. Although there were certainly first-class powerhouses among them, they were ultimately too few. It was only natural for the man to look down on taijutsu.

The mere fact that they could not use ninjutsu was a massive weakness.

Konoha had many schools of taijutsu, but only the Eight Inner Gates and the Gentle Fist had truly produced powerhouses. And the latter, relying on the Byakugan to be executed, could no longer be considered pure taijutsu users.

As for the Eight Inner Gates, it was extremely difficult to master, yet its power was immense. Once achieved, one became a humanoid tyrannosaurus, quite famous in the ninja world; no one dared to look down on it.

However, what the Kaguya Clan was truly famous for was their bloodline limit, the Shikotsumyaku. Truth be told, while their taijutsu was excellent, it could not be called top-tier; compared to the Eight Inner Gates and the Gentle Fist, it was far behind.

In the man's view, since Kaguya Ogata lacked the Shikotsumyaku, no matter how strong his taijutsu was, he was merely an average expert.

"Overestimating him?"

Orochimaru's face sank instantly.

"Are you implying that I am blind? Or that the White Fang of the Leaf's reputation is unearned? Does that make me, one of the Sannin, a mere paper tiger as well?"

These words were heavy, instantly scaring the man half to death. He collapsed with a "thud," prostrating himself on the ground.

"This subordinate spoke out of turn! Please, my lord, forgive me!"

Cold sweat drenched his entire body in an instant. Orochimaru's killing intent, which felt almost tangible, gave him the illusion that his very skin was about to split open!

"I despise those who do not know their place, especially when that person is my subordinate. That makes them all the more deserving of death!"

The killing intent in Orochimaru's eyes diminished slightly.

"Do you know that when you were following Kagetsu Qi, Kaguya Ogata was following you? Did you think I sat here just to wait for your useless report? I ordered you to track Qi to see how you would handle the situation, yet you actually threatened him to his face!? If he hadn't been able to restrain himself, who do you think would have died?"

Upon hearing this, the man's body stiffened instantly.

"Whoever dares to harm Kagetsu Qi, Kaguya Ogata will risk his life to stop them! Given that you couldn't even detect that you were being followed, how many lives do you think you have to throw away!?"

Orochimaru let out a scoff.

"If it weren't for the fact that Ogata knew I was following behind you, you would have been slaughtered by him before you even had the chance to see me! And the high-ranking officials of Konoha would not stick their necks out for a fool like you! Do you have any idea how important Ice Release is to the current Konoha?"

He was indeed very dissatisfied. This subordinate was far too arrogant, and arrogant people always inadvertently provoke those they shouldn't, causing unnecessary trouble.

"I only give a chance once. In light of your past performance, I will not pursue this further. Go and reflect on yourself."

Waving his sleeve to signal the man to withdraw, Orochimaru closed his eyes once more, enjoying the rare, pleasant weather.