A Small Showdown with Orochimaru

After parting ways with Kushina Uzumaki, Chiyu returned to Orochimaru's base.

Orochimaru was also packing up the things in the base.

When he saw Chiyu return, Orochimaru set down what he was holding, a curve lifting at the corner of his lips as he asked teasingly, "Not going to spend a little more time with Kushina?"

Chiyu's little face reddened. "Konoha hasn't been very safe lately, so I sent her home early."

Orochimaru continued packing, then casually asked, "Is that so? Then have you made your decision?"

Chiyu asked in confusion, "A decision?"

Orochimaru answered, "I'm guessing you already know why Kushina came to Konoha. You don't have any other friends, and the reason you've worked so hard to become stronger is probably largely because of Kushina, isn't it?

"Konoha wants Kushina to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. From your attitude toward Lady Mito, I assume you strongly oppose that decision. After all, I am your teacher, so I can roughly guess what you are thinking.

"Then you need to make a choice as well. Will you let Kushina become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, or will you find a way to stop her from becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?

"You must make this decision early. Lady Mito's condition is worsening by the day. Once it becomes a done deal, no matter how much you resist it, you won't be able to change anything."

Chiyu stared at Orochimaru and remained silent for a long time.

As if he had not noticed Chiyu's gaze, Orochimaru continued packing his things.

After a long while, Chiyu finally asked quietly, "Teacher Orochimaru, I don't understand. You clearly know that one day, sooner or later, I will leave Konoha, this place I see as a cage. Why are you still putting so much effort into training me?

"On the day I leave Konoha, Teacher Orochimaru, you and I may very well become enemies."

Orochimaru looked at Chiyu and chuckled. "Chiyu, I thought you would understand me."

Chiyu's breath caught.

He did know Orochimaru's future path.

But he truly could not understand the current Orochimaru. By all logic, Orochimaru had worked so hard to offer Konoha advice and strategies that, in Chiyu's view, he should have been devoted to Konoha right now.

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes fixed on Chiyu. "To me, things like the Will of Fire are not important. They are things that can be discarded at any time.

"Because in my eyes, such things only bind me and prevent me from doing certain things without restraint.

"A human life is too short. Being overly cautious because of such things is simply a waste of one's time.

"But these are not things you can simply cast aside just because you want to. Whether it is me or you, we both need an identity to survive in this ninja world, don't we?"

Chiyu asked, "Then... Teacher Orochimaru, will you help me?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "I can tell you clearly that, merely as your teacher, I will not. But if you can offer benefits enough to move me, then we can work together as partners."

A smile tugged at Chiyu's lips. "Teacher Orochimaru, then I can also tell you clearly that I made my choice long ago, and I have already thought of a way. I also hope that in the future, I can work with Teacher Orochimaru as partners."

Orochimaru said with a smile, "Then I will look forward to that day. However, Kushina, as the candidate for the second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, is extremely important to Konoha. I'm very curious what method you have come up with."

A sharp glint flashed in Chiyu's eyes. "Lady Mito is still alive. Kushina is only a candidate for a backup vessel for now. Konoha values Kushina's special Uzumaki Clan physique and has chosen her as a backup vessel. Wouldn't it be good to have one more backup vessel from the Uzumaki Clan sometimes?"

Orochimaru asked in surprise, "Oh? It seems you have already found members of the Uzumaki Clan who were lost outside."

Chiyu shook his head. "No, I haven't found them yet, but I have clues. I believe that if I search carefully when the time comes, I will definitely find them."

Orochimaru suddenly asked, "And if you cannot find them?"

After pondering for a moment, Chiyu answered solemnly, "Then it will depend on how strong I am by then."

Orochimaru looked at Chiyu, the smile on his face impossible to suppress. "How resolute, Chiyu."

Chiyu said in a low voice, "But I believe that moment will not come so soon. I still have time. Right now, I only need to increase my strength. As for the future, I will naturally learn how things develop when the time comes, and by then, I will certainly think of more ways."

Orochimaru agreed, "Indeed. The greater your strength becomes, the more choices you will have.

"Chiyu, you are very clever, and you are getting stronger and stronger. The memories of those three Cloud Ninja have already been decoded. Two Tokubetsu Jonin and one Jonin. As for those three ninja disguised as pirates, they were scouts sent by Kirigakure to investigate the Land of Fire, and they have already confessed as well.

"With such achievements, barring any surprises, you will be a Chunin starting tomorrow. If it were wartime now, you might already be a Tokubetsu Jonin or even a Jonin."

Chiyu was not surprised that he could become a Chunin.

After all, he had planned to capture those three Kirigakure scouts alive and bring back the heads of the three Kumogakure ninja precisely so that he could be promoted.

"All right, get some good rest tonight. Once we reach the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water, you won't have time to rest properly."

"Yes, Teacher Orochimaru."

After bidding Orochimaru farewell, Chiyu returned to his room.

Lying on his bed, Chiyu recalled the conversation he had just had with Orochimaru.

Their conversation had already amounted to a small showdown.

Chiyu was now certain that Orochimaru had begun developing the Immortality Jutsu by any means necessary.

That being the case, Chiyu had even less reason to worry about Orochimaru.

It could be said that he and Orochimaru were now tied to the same rope.

The next day.

Before dawn, Chiyu and Orochimaru first went to see Hiruzen Sarutobi. As expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi granted Chiyu the rank of Chunin.

After Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Orochimaru a few instructions, Chiyu and Orochimaru headed to Konoha's gate, preparing to leave the Land of Fire for the Land of Hot Water.

At Konoha's gate, Chiyu saw someone both expected and unexpected.

Kushina Uzumaki.

Chiyu walked over to Kushina Uzumaki and rubbed her cheeks, which had been reddened slightly by the predawn cold.

"Why didn't you sleep a little longer?"

"The thought of you going to the Land of Rivers for so long kept me from sleeping, and I wanted to come see you off too."

"You don't need to worry about me. I'll write letters and have my snake bring them to you. When you miss me, you can also have the snake that comes to see you bring your letters to me."

Kushina Uzumaki held out her little finger. "Then it's a promise!"

Chiyu hooked his little finger around Kushina Uzumaki's. "Yeah, it's a promise!"

After saying goodbye to Kushina Uzumaki, Chiyu and Orochimaru set out for the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water.