The Bonds Between Master and Student

After leaving Danzo, Orochimaru didn't return to the inn. Instead, he quietly made his way to a secluded spot.

"Lord Orochimaru!"

Three figures suddenly appeared before him.

The one at the front was fair and clean-cut, wearing glasses and an innocent smile. He was none other than Orochimaru's trusted assistant, Yakushi Kabuto.

Two more ninja followed behind Kabuto: his teammates, Akado Yoroi and Tsurugi Misumi.

Though the three were officially Genin of Konoha, they were in fact spies Orochimaru had planted in the village.

"It's been a long time!"

Orochimaru smiled at the three of them.

Of the three, Kabuto was the one he valued most. The boy was a genius ninja; the other two were there purely to provide cover for him.

"Lord Orochimaru, we've confirmed the information you asked for!"

Kabuto pushed up his glasses and said, "Danzo hasn't obtained Shisui's eyes. Also, because of Shisui's death, the Uchiha clan has started to grow dissatisfied with the village's leadership. A clash between them is imminent."

"Well done!"

Orochimaru ran his tongue over the corner of his mouth, pleased with Kabuto's performance.

If nothing unexpected happened, the boy would surely become one of his most trusted aides.

"The Akatsuki have invited me to join them,"

Orochimaru said calmly.

Kabuto looked slightly surprised. "You mean that mysterious organization from Amegakure?"

He had started out as a Root spy and had spent years traveling through the Five Great Nations, so he knew the situation in each country fairly well.

The Akatsuki were a new organization that had risen to prominence in recent years.

Rumor had it that their leader possessed the Rinnegan and had killed the leader of the Rain Ninja, Salamander Hanzo, seizing control of Amegakure.

The organization recruited only S-rank missing-nin.

"Has Lord Orochimaru taken an interest in the other party's Rinnegan? But the Rinnegan won't be easy to deal with."

Kabuto pushed up his glasses.

The Rinnegan!

A flash of greed crossed Orochimaru's eyes.

They were the eyes of the Six Paths. Of course he wanted them, but Pain's strength was unfathomable, and Orochimaru was no match for him.

Still, the appearance of the Rinnegan had sparked Orochimaru's interest. He had grown increasingly fascinated with the Six Paths.

In fact, the reason he'd decided to join the Akatsuki was to uncover the secrets of the Rinnegan.

Joining the Akatsuki offered great benefits, but it also brought trouble. He would have to go on missions as a member.

That meant someone would have to manage Orochimaru's bases.

"Kabuto!"

Orochimaru's gaze suddenly fell on him. "From now on, you'll be in charge of the various bases."

Orochimaru trusted Kabuto very much.

Kabuto nodded. "Understood!"

His strength had long since reached the level of an elite ninja, but to maintain his cover, he'd had to keep a low profile in Konoha.

Still, being a Genin had its advantages. He often got low-difficulty missions, and with two teammates to serve as cover, Kabuto had plenty of free time. He could easily manage the bases as well.

"Do you know where my Kusanagi Sword is?"

Orochimaru asked impatiently.

The main reason he'd come to Konoha, aside from negotiating with Danzo, was to retrieve his Kusanagi Sword.

It was his most beloved weapon.

Kabuto hesitated, then said quietly, "The Third sealed the Kusanagi Sword away. It's in the Hokage's private chamber."

The Hokage's private chamber!

Orochimaru frowned. This was going to be troublesome.

The Hokage's private chamber was where successive Hokage stored confidential items. It was protected by a barrier and guarded by at least one squad of Anbu.

"You can go now."

Orochimaru waved them away. He had his own way of handling this.

Kabuto and the other two immediately scattered.

The Hokage's Secret Chamber?

A smile appeared on Orochimaru's lips.

Back when he'd been in Konoha, he'd sneaked in more than a few times and made off with plenty of valuable things.

The Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was a ninja of all elemental natures, proficient in every jutsu. He was known as the Professor of Ninjas.

Nine-tenths of Orochimaru's abilities came from this Professor of Ninjas.

It could be said that Orochimaru owed his achievements to this learned and talented ninja.

Orochimaru had once deeply admired Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But as time passed, Orochimaru's disagreements with his teacher grew more and more serious.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was a cautious man who always put the village first.

Though he was a genius proficient in every jutsu, he worried about too many things and had no choice but to seal away some of the most powerful techniques.

This displeased Orochimaru, who pursued power.

He felt no attachment to the village and devoted himself to researching jutsu. As a result, he fell in with Danzo, who shared his interests.

The Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, knew a little about it, but because he was fond of Orochimaru, he never called him out.

Though master and student held different beliefs, Orochimaru still respected his teacher deeply—until one thing happened: the selection of the Fourth Hokage.

Orochimaru had commanded the southern front during the Third Shinobi World War and won great renown. It seemed only natural that he would succeed as the Fourth Hokage.

Danzo had already recommended him for the position. All that remained was for Hiruzen Sarutobi to approve it.

But to Orochimaru's utter surprise, Hiruzen Sarutobi nominated Jiraiya's student, Namikaze Minato.

Minato became the Fourth Hokage, while Orochimaru was passed over.

That directly drove a wedge between master and student.

From then on, Orochimaru threw himself into researching forbidden jutsu. Eventually, his activities were exposed, Hiruzen Sarutobi discovered what he was doing, and Orochimaru defected from Konoha.

Of course, this was during the period when Hiruzen Sarutobi had taken up the position of Hokage for the second time.

Orochimaru knew the Hokage's office well. After subduing several Anbu, he made his way to the Hokage's Secret Chamber.

Orochimaru formed several hand signs, and the invisible energy barrier was dispelled.

The seal was broken!

Only then did Orochimaru lower his hands.

He had already learned all of Hiruzen Sarutobi's barrier techniques and Sealing Jutsu.

"Orochimaru, you dare come back!"

Just as Orochimaru was about to push open the chamber door, a voice suddenly rang out.

The Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, appeared behind him, with two Anbu standing behind the Hokage and watching Orochimaru warily.

Orochimaru slowly turned around, a smile on his face.

"It's been a long time, Teacher Sarutobi."

They hadn't seen each other since Orochimaru had defected from Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked even older than he had a few years ago, his figure more stooped, but his gaze remained sharp.

"Orochimaru!"

A strange glint flashed in his eyes. "I told you: as long as I'm alive, I won't let you endanger Konoha."