The Truest Self 4/5 [1000 Reward Bonus Chapter]

"Mother, forget it, forget it. I just finished a ninjutsu experiment not long ago, so I don't have any malicious intentions toward you two brothers right now. Even if I did, I'd have to wait a few years to act on them.

So, since I have nothing better to do anyway, little brat, I will agree to your request!"

Orochimaru narrowed his snake-like eyes, a strange glint radiating from them. A sly smile appeared on his face as a hoarse voice gradually emerged.

Jun Tianlin, who had originally expected Orochimaru to attack him directly, felt as if he had been granted a reprieve upon hearing those words. After letting out a heavy sigh, his entire body relaxed.

Great, I really thought Orochimaru was going to kill me this time. I didn't expect him to let me off so easily!

As his body relaxed, Jun Tianlin began to cheer inwardly. It wasn't just because he had dodged a crisis so easily, but more so because of the excitement over Orochimaru helping him track down the whereabouts of the Senju Hashirama and Uzumaki Clan members.

"What is it, little brat? I've already agreed to your request, yet you still haven't left. Is there something else you need to tell me?"

Just as Jun Tianlin was catching his breath, Orochimaru's signature hoarse voice echoed slowly in his ears once again.

Hearing Orochimaru's voice, Jun Tianlin immediately snapped out of his relaxed state. He flashed a brilliant smile at Orochimaru, nodded heavily, and then blinked his large black eyes with a solemn, cute expression.

"Now that you mention it, Orochimaru, I actually do have something else I need your help with!

I think you probably already realize that I did indeed obtain something on this trip; otherwise, I wouldn't be so desperate to find the members of the Senju Hashirama and Uzumaki Clan.

But for the sake of my own life, I won't tell you exactly what it is, lest our legendary Sannin—the Cold Lord Orochimaru—decide to silence me by killing me in one strike. If that were to happen, we wouldn't be able to play together happily anymore...

Ugh, alright, let's get down to business. Orochimaru, I know you defected from Konoha. Furthermore, before you left Konoha, as one of its highest combat powers, you must have known some secrets that ordinary people don't.

For instance, a special technique that allows one to enter and exit Konoha freely without being detected by the warning barriers set up by the village..."

At first, Jun Tianlin kept acting cute toward Orochimaru, but upon seeing a "#" vein pop up on Orochimaru's forehead, he decisively stopped, changed his tone, and began to state his true purpose.

"Oh? You want a special technique to enter and exit Konoha freely? Don't tell me you intend to go to Konoha with malicious intent!"

One has to say, Orochimaru is truly worthy of his name. The moment Jun Tianlin spoke, Orochimaru knew his purpose for asking for the special technique. Such wit is truly one of a kind in this world!

However, Orochimaru is still Orochimaru. Although he defected from Konoha years ago, deep down, he still held a fondness for the village. He even deeply respected his teacher—the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi. Because of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru had once even desired to become the Hokage himself, to inherit his teacher's will!

It was a pity, however, that time was not on Orochimaru's side...

Following a series of events, not only did Orochimaru fail to become Hokage or inherit the will of Hiruzen Sarutobi, but he was also forced to defect, becoming the first S-rank missing-nin in the history of Konoha!

Yet, even after becoming a missing-nin, having long since abandoned his emotions and treating cold-heartedness as a daily routine, having no more feelings for Konoha or desire for the position of Hokage, he still reserved that final shred of respect in the deepest part of his heart for his teacher—the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.

It was precisely because of this shred of respect that, in the original story, Orochimaru joined forces with Sunagakure to launch the Konoha Crush Plan!

If one were to truly get to the bottom of it, destroying Konoha was merely an accessory to Orochimaru's plan. His primary goal was that he did not want his teacher—the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had once shone brilliantly across the Ninja World and surpassed an entire generation—to simply wither away miserably as time passed.

For such a hero, a man of such spirit, rather than dying a miserable death, it would be better to let him die in a blaze of glory at his most magnificent moment. It would be a fitting end to a life that had moved the Ninja World, placing a final period on a brilliant and splendid past!

Summoning Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama via Impure World Reincarnation, combined with his own power as the Cold Lord Orochimaru—he had gone to such great lengths, expending countless resources and manpower, all just to send his teacher, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, on his final journey with a super-luxurious lineup!

To have three super-powerhouses who had shaken the Ninja World bury his teacher—that would surely be worthy of his teacher's lifelong reputation, would it not?

This was the true thought buried in the deepest part of Orochimaru's heart!