Return to Otogakure [Second update, seeking collection and flowers]

One day later...

Finally, after traveling incessantly from Rouge Town, Jun Tianlin arrived in the Land of Rice Fields, weary from his long journey.

Standing before the gates of Otogakure, Jun Tianlin gazed at the earthy-yellow entrance and couldn't help but reflect silently. A month ago, he had been nothing more than a naive boy desperate to fight for his freedom; a month later, he had returned as a powerhouse.

At least... that was how Jun Tianlin saw it himself!

Shaking his head to suppress the complex emotions swirling within him, Jun Tianlin offered a carefree smile, stepped through the gates of Otogakure, and walked without hesitation into the subterranean darkness.

It was still just as damp, with that familiar, unchanging chill.

Walking through the underground tunnels of Otogakure and feeling the familiar atmosphere pressing in from all sides, Jun Tianlin knew that he had truly returned to the place he would never forget for as long as he lived.

Seven years ago, Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro had barely escaped the massacre of the Kaguya Clan with their lives, only to stumble upon Orochimaru by sheer luck. He had saved them and brought them back to Otogakure.

Seven years later, after seven years of training and a series of fierce battles where he slaughtered his opponents to prove his strength and conviction, Jun Tianlin had once again walked into the place that had changed his life forever!

Otogakure—the birthplace of Jun Tianlin's dreams!

Even though Orochimaru had harbored ulterior motives when he first brought Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro back, it was undeniable that he was their savior. No matter what happened, that fact would never change.

Because of this, Jun Tianlin's heart was filled with complex feelings.

Although he had known of Orochimaru's nature and his tragic life and end from his previous existence, everything felt different now that he was living it himself.

The usually ruthless Orochimaru, while strict, treated him and Kimimaro with a strange, stern sort of affection.

It was a bond akin to that of a master and his disciples!

It was precisely because he had felt that genuine, unintentional emotion from Orochimaru that Jun Tianlin's feelings toward him were so complicated.

Otherwise, without that display of emotion, he and Kimimaro would likely have long since abandoned any harmony with Orochimaru, leaving hostility as the only path forward.

However, if things continued to develop as they were now, perhaps they could truly evolve into what he had imagined.

And if an unfavorable outcome were to arise... at the very least, he could leave with Kimimaro, stay far away from Orochimaru's sight, and avoid opposing him. That would be enough to repay the debt of saving their lives seven years ago, would it not?

Carrying these complex emotions, Jun Tianlin walked slowly to the end of the tunnel and stopped before a black door.

This was Orochimaru's private chamber within Otogakure!

Taking a deep breath, Jun Tianlin raised his right hand, gently pushed open the black door, turned sideways, and quickly stepped inside.

"Hiss... I didn't expect you to be the one to complete the mission and return first, brat!

I thought Kimimaro would be the one among you two brothers to finish the task I assigned, but it turns out to be you, Jun Tianlin. It seems you've been hiding your true strength quite well—you even managed to deceive me!"

The moment Jun Tianlin stepped into the room, Orochimaru's raspy voice echoed through the small space.

"It's nothing, really. I just had better luck. The last rogue ninja I had to deal with happened to be a jonin from the Hyuga Clan!

Heh, a guy who only knows close-quarters combat—what does it matter if he has the Byakugan and the Gentle Fist? Against my Shikotsumyaku, he was nothing but trash. Besides, the fool wouldn't stop running his mouth while we fought, so I took the opportunity to wipe him out in one go. You don't need to be so suspicious, Orochimaru.

Here, these are the heads you wanted. I've sealed them all in this scroll."

Hearing Orochimaru's words, Jun Tianlin didn't care in the slightest. Instead, he pulled the black sealing scroll from his chest and tossed it toward Orochimaru.

Thud.

Watching Orochimaru catch the black scroll steadily, Jun Tianlin, who had intended to report further details, felt a sudden jolt in his otherwise calm and indifferent eyes. A flash of shock appeared, followed by a surge of wild joy that flooded his entire body.

"Orochimaru, I've been traveling for a month and fought ten high-intensity battles during that time without a single moment of rest. I'm truly exhausted. If there's nothing else important, I'll take my leave. We can discuss the rest tomorrow."

Feigning fatigue, Jun Tianlin spoke to Orochimaru in a casual tone, then quickly turned, opened the door, and left.