A day later...
At last, after a long, hard journey from Rouge Town, Jun Tianlin finally reached the Land of Rice Fields.
Standing before Otogakure, Jun Tianlin gazed at its ochre-yellow gates and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. A month ago, he'd been a silly little fool willing to risk his life for freedom. Now, a month later, he'd returned as a powerful warrior.
At least... that was what Jun Tianlin thought!
He shook his head, pushing down the complicated emotions in his heart, then smiled and strode through Otogakure's gates, descending without hesitation into the darkness below.
It was just as damp as ever, with that same unchanging, bone-chilling cold...
As he walked through Otogakure's underground passages, feeling the familiar surroundings all around him, Jun Tianlin knew that he had indeed returned to a place he would never forget for the rest of his life!
Seven years ago, Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro had barely escaped the massacre of the Kaguya Clan. Then, by a stroke of luck, they had encountered Orochimaru, who saved their lives and brought them back to Otogakure.
Seven years later, after seven years of training and a series of intense battles, he had slain his opponents and proven his strength and resolve. Now, Jun Tianlin had returned to the place that had changed his life seven years ago!
Otogakure—the starting point of Jun Tianlin's dream!
Even though Orochimaru had brought Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro back with ulterior motives, there was no denying that he had saved their lives. Whatever happened, that fact would never change!
That was why Jun Tianlin's feelings were so complicated now.
In his previous life, he'd known all about Orochimaru's character and the tragic course and ending of his life. But now that he was involved himself, everything felt different.
Orochimaru had always been ruthless, and though he was strict with Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro, there was an unmistakable warmth beneath that sternness...
It was the kind of bond between master and disciple that only a teacher could feel for his student!
And it was precisely because Jun Tianlin had sensed the genuine affection Orochimaru had let slip in an unguarded moment that his feelings toward him had become so complicated.
Without that affection, Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro would likely have long since fallen out with Orochimaru, leaving hostility as their only option, wouldn't they?
But given how things stood now, if they continued to develop this way, perhaps things really could turn out as Jun Tianlin hoped?
If things took a bad turn... at worst, he and Kimimaro could leave, keep out of Orochimaru's sight, and avoid becoming his enemies. That would still be a way to repay him for saving their lives seven years ago, wouldn't it?
With his thoughts in turmoil, Jun Tianlin slowly reached the end of the underground passage and stopped before a black door.
This was Orochimaru's private room in Otogakure!
Drawing a deep breath, Jun Tianlin raised his right hand and gently pushed open the black door. He slipped inside.
"Heh heh, I didn't expect you to be the first to finish your mission and return, brat!
"I thought Kimimaro would be the first of you two brothers to complete the task I gave you. I didn't expect it to be you, Jun Tianlin. It seems you've been hiding your true abilities very well all this time—even from me!"
"That's nothing. I was just lucky. The last missing-nin I had to take care of turned out to be a jōnin from the Hyuga Clan!
"Heh, so what if that guy only knew close-combat techniques and had the Byakugan and Gentle Fist? Against my Shikotsumyaku, he was still useless. Besides, he wouldn't stop running his mouth during the fight, so I took the chance to finish him off in one strike. So don't be suspicious, Orochimaru.
"Here. These are the heads you wanted. I sealed them all in this scroll!"
Hearing Orochimaru's words, Jun Tianlin didn't look bothered. Instead, he reached into his chest, pulled out the Black Scroll, and tossed it to Orochimaru.
"Smack!"
As Orochimaru caught the Black Scroll securely, Jun Tianlin—who had been about to explain a few things—suddenly felt his usually placid gaze tremble. A look of shock flashed across his face, followed by a surge of joy that filled his entire body.
"Orochimaru, I've been traveling nonstop for a month, and I've fought ten intense battles during that time without getting any rest. I'm really worn out. If there's nothing important, I'll head out first. I'll tell you the rest tomorrow."
Putting on an exhausted expression, Jun Tianlin spoke casually to Orochimaru, then quickly turned, opened the door, and left...
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