PS: It's Lunar New Year's Eve today, and tomorrow is the Spring Festival. The Madman wishes everyone a happy New Year's Eve and a wonderful year ahead! Also, I'd like to ask for a little support over the holidays. Please send the Madman a red envelope to bring some good luck and cheer. Thank you, everyone! Mwah~~
When Jun Tianlin saw how Orochimaru's tone had suddenly changed after hearing his words, and noticed the dangerous glint in his eyes, his scalp prickled. He felt uncomfortable all over.
Putting together what he knew of the story from his previous life, Jun Tianlin finally realized that his words had been somewhat ambiguous—and that ambiguity had caused Orochimaru to misunderstand him.
"Mm, that's not wrong. I do have a reason for going to Konoha this time, but I don't mean Konoha any harm. It's the Uchiha Clan I'm interested in.
"After all, I'm only going to Konoha for the Uchiha Clan's bloodline, not because I'm plotting against Konoha!"
Realizing that Orochimaru had apparently misunderstood what he'd said, Jun Tianlin pretended to be unconcerned and hurried to explain. He quickly clarified that he was going to Konoha only for the Uchiha, not to plot against the village—and certainly not for... a certain person!
After hearing Jun Tianlin's words, Orochimaru seemed to relax a little. The dangerous glint vanished, and his expression returned to its usual coldness.
"If that's the case, then I suppose I can give you the special technique for entering and leaving Konoha. Here, take this. The scroll contains the technique you need to come and go freely from Konoha...
"And to make things easier for you, I've written some additional information in the scroll. If you run into trouble in Konoha, just follow the information inside and find that person. He'll give you some help.
"All right, if you have nothing else to do, get out of here. Every time I see you, there's a pile of trouble waiting for me. It's irritating!"
Orochimaru pulled a scroll from his sleeve and tossed it to Jun Tianlin. Then he waved him away, closed his eyes, and impatiently showed him the door.
After catching the Black Scroll and getting what he wanted, Jun Tianlin was quite satisfied. He had no desire to stay any longer.
After all, facing the cold and foxishly cunning Orochimaru for so long was stressful—even for Jun Tianlin, who had lived another life and just acquired the Tenseigan, an incredibly powerful trump card!
Jun Tianlin slowly made his way to the door. As he opened the black door to leave, he glanced at Orochimaru, who sat with his eyes closed in the seat of honor, and spoke with an earnestness he had never shown before.
"Hey, Orochimaru. I know your past wasn't exactly happy. You could even say it was a little tragic.
"But I, Jun Tianlin, can say this with all sincerity: seven years ago, when you rescued Kimimaro and me from the Kaguya Clan's death trap in Kirigakure, we formed a bond that can never be broken!
"Seven years is a long time. Even a stone would gradually grow attached to someone, let alone people like us.
"After you rescued Kimimaro and me, you brought us to Otogakure. You didn't let us leave for seven whole years, but I know you did it for our own good. You didn't want us to face threats from the outside world.
"We trained for seven whole years. It was hard and exhausting, but under your tutelage, both of us grew stronger at an incredible pace. Now I can even kill a jōnin on my own. I'm sure Kimimaro has reached my level too—or perhaps he's even stronger!
"You're the one who brought about all these changes, Orochimaru!
"Whether you want to admit it or not, that's an undeniable fact. Even without the title of master and disciple, the three of us have truly become master and disciples in everything but name!
"You may not have noticed, but over these seven years, when you trained us, a trace of feeling would occasionally show in the depths of your eyes. It was the kindness and hope that only a master looking at his disciples could show!
"Perhaps, when you first brought Kimimaro and me here, you had bad intentions. Maybe you even wanted to take our bodies and bloodlines. But with the way you've treated us all these years, you can't honestly be called a villain!
"Perhaps you were once lonely, but I, Jun Tianlin, swear in the name of the Kaguya Clan that Kimimaro and I truly see you as our teacher—as the last family we have in this world!
"Orochimaru—no, Master. Stealing someone else's body isn't the only way to grow stronger. Your reincarnation technique is powerful, and it lets you take another person's body and everything that comes with it, but it comes at the cost of weakening your own soul!
"I hope you understand that immortality isn't everything. If all your family, loved ones, friends, disciples, and even enemies have died, and you're the only one left in the world, then what kind of lonely existence is that? If that's the price of immortality, I'd rather die!
"Orochimaru—no, Master—as long as you don't betray Kimimaro and me, we'll always be your disciples and your family. We'll always have your back. We'll never leave you, and we'll never betray you!
"Everything you hope to achieve will become something Kimimaro and I strive for. Helping you fulfill your wish is what we want with all our hearts...
"That's all I have to say. I hope you'll think carefully about what comes next, Master...
"After this, I'll be leaving for a while to go to Konoha. When Kimimaro returns, I hope you'll explain why I left.
"And when I come back from Konoha, I hope I'll see a different Orochimaru!"
With a complicated look in his eyes, Jun Tianlin finished saying the words he had buried deep in his heart for years. He glanced at Orochimaru once more, then turned and left without hesitation.
As he listened to Jun Tianlin and watched him leave, a rare softness appeared in Orochimaru's usually cold eyes. He murmured to himself, "Disciples... Could I... have disciples too? Teacher Sarutobi, was the path I chose back then really... wrong?"
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