Farewell, a New Crossroads

Farewell, a New Crossroads

"Lord Orochimaru, please accept me as your apprentice!"

Anko's voice rang out with unusual clarity in the empty corridor. Orochimaru's raised foot froze in midair. He turned around and looked at her calmly.

Anko did not raise her head, remaining bent at the waist. Yet the face buried against her chest was filled with unprecedented determination.

"Why do you want to become my disciple?"

A hint of amusement appeared in Orochimaru's smile as he looked Anko over.

"Anko..."

Inside the hospital room, nearly everyone was stunned by this sudden scene.

Uchiha Rin's eyes held a trace of surprise. That was Orochimaru, one of the Sannin. She had never expected Anko, that timid girl, to possess such courage.

But why was she so determined to become Orochimaru's disciple?

Teacher Shibi sighed. He had noticed Anko's recent changes as well, but he had not expected her to have such courage.

Still, he held little hope that Anko could become Orochimaru's disciple. Among the Jonin, Orochimaru was famous for his discerning eye. Anko had been under his command for so long, yet her talent could not be considered outstanding.

I just hope she can endure this blow.

A faint smile appeared on Hyuga Satoru's face. Was this a fateful encounter?

Or was it the timeline correcting itself?

Anko, who had originally not become Orochimaru's disciple due to his influence, had actually gathered the courage to ask Orochimaru to take her as his apprentice.

Why did you want to become my disciple?

In the corridor, Orochimaru's voice continued to echo in Anko's ears, leaving her slightly dazed.

Why do I have to become Lord Orochimaru's disciple? Anko asked herself inwardly.

Suddenly, one scene after another surfaced in her mind...

Her, running desperately when faced with an enemy she could not defeat...

Her, seeing Hyuga Satoru covered in injuries amid the ruins during a torrential downpour...

The memories surged in like a tide and instantly swallowed her whole. She unconsciously clenched her fists, tears streaming down her face as her voice trembled.

"Because I hate my own helplessness. I hate my own weakness."

"Lord Orochimaru, please accept me as your apprentice! I want power. I want to protect my companions... I want to..."

Anko bent even lower, her fists tightly clenched. Her tears dripped onto the floor before her.

At some point, the hospital room had fallen completely silent.

Anko's grief-stricken voice drifted in from the corridor, sentence by sentence, like a hammer striking their hearts again and again.

Teacher Shibi sighed.

Perhaps I have been an irresponsible teacher. I never brought out her true potential...

He could not help but blame himself.

A faint smile rested on Hyuga Satoru's lips as he gazed at the ceiling.

In the corridor.

Orochimaru suddenly laughed, his voice hoarse.

"You want to protect your companions? An interesting idea."

"I agree."

What?

Still bent over, Anko wondered whether she had misheard. She slowly raised her head and looked at Orochimaru with hesitation.

Orochimaru smiled faintly at her and repeated himself.

"I agree. From now on, you are my disciple."

"R-Really? Lord O-Orochimaru, no, Teacher Orochimaru."

Orochimaru smiled and nodded at her.

"That's wonderful!"

Anko was so excited that she nearly jumped up. The sudden rush of happiness almost made her faint.

In truth, she had not held much hope of becoming Orochimaru's disciple. She had only thought that as long as there was even the slightest chance, she had to try.

She had never expected to actually succeed.

She happily rushed into the hospital room and grabbed Hyuga Satoru's hand.

"Wu, did you hear that? Lord Orochimaru agreed to take me as his apprentice."

"I heard." Hyuga Satoru smiled helplessly at her. "Could you be a little gentler? I'm still injured, you know."

"Oh, sorry!"

"Rin, did you hear?"

"Mhm. Congratulations."

"Teacher Shibi..."

"Congratulations, Anko. Orochimaru is one of the renowned Sannin. I hope you won't slack off under his guidance."

Aburame Shibi pushed up his sunglasses. Though he had never expected Orochimaru to agree, he was genuinely happy for Anko.

"Mhm, I definitely won't!"

Hyuga Satoru let out a breath and looked toward the ceiling. The Ninja World seemed to have undergone many changes because of his arrival. He wondered whether Orochimaru would still defect from Konoha.

He was a little curious about how Konoha would change in the future.

"Congratulations, Anko." He smiled at her, a trace of complexity in his eyes. "From now on, you'll be training under Orochimaru."

"Mhm." Anko answered softly and unconsciously lowered her head slightly.

Becoming Orochimaru's disciple also meant separating from Team 3.

"Anko, don't worry. I'll handle things with the Hokage."

Teacher Shibi spoke in a low voice. Now that Anko had become Orochimaru's disciple, she would inevitably have to leave Team 3 for the time being. He could take care of the necessary procedures with the Hokage.

"Thank you, Teacher Shibi."

Anko's voice grew much softer. Though she had become Orochimaru's disciple, the thought of parting with these companions still made her heart ache faintly.

"Anko, don't overthink it." Hyuga Satoru said with a smile. "We're all happy that you became Orochimaru's disciple. Go on. Orochimaru is waiting for you outside. I'm looking forward to the day you grow stronger."

"Mhm."

Anko responded softly, looking reluctantly at the people in the hospital room as if she wanted to firmly etch their faces into her mind...

After Anko left, the hospital room remained quiet for a long time.

Teacher Shibi pondered for a moment, then looked at Hyuga Satoru and spoke.

"I had planned to tell you this later, but since Anko has already left, it doesn't matter if I tell you sooner."

"The Hokage has specially promoted you to Chunin. That means..."

"From now on, you may have to lead a team or carry out missions alone. Team 3 is going to disband..."