Pursuit

"The Chakra of the Tailed Beasts is very strange..."

"And it's not just Chakra; the very existence of these 'creatures,' or rather, their very ability to exist, is an incredible thing..."

"However, I vaguely noticed something very unusual about it..."

During this year, Orochimaru's life was somewhat turbulent. Jiraiya, one of the Three Legendary Sannin, seemed to have gone mad, relentlessly pursuing him.

Perhaps they both knew each other well enough, because whenever Orochimaru landed, Jiraiya would follow closely behind.

Although Orochimaru remained calm and collected, he could not hide the gloom between his brows and the weariness in his eyes.

"Xu Jun always manages to discover secrets that ordinary people cannot..."

Snakes are naturally cold-blooded animals, and the depths of Ryūchi Cave are filled with dampness and cold. Even though Orochimaru is a contractor, Ryūchi Cave is not as welcoming to humans as Mount Myoboku. It seems there is no room for negotiation regarding Orochimaru's idea of placing his laboratory here.

Even more than Orochimaru, Kato Osamu entered Ryūchi Cave more times.

"Perhaps it's an innate love and awe for Chakra, this wondrous 'supernatural ability'..."

With a slight smile, Kato Osamu didn't say much more. Knowing that Orochimaru wouldn't stay long, she gently took out a scroll from her bosom and handed it to him.

"If one day someone tells you that the Tailed Beasts were created by humans, would you believe it, Orochimaru- sensei?"

"Oh?"

A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, seemingly dispelling some of the gloom between his brows. Orochimaru became even more curious about the scroll in his hand. However, having never come into contact with the Orochimaru -Yin–Yang Release technique, even with his extraordinary strength and almost no weaknesses, Orochimaru would probably find it difficult to fathom its mysteries.

"Compared to the Living Corpse Reincarnation, the Tailed Beasts' immortality—their ability to revive after each death, seemingly granting them endless life—seems closer to eternal life..."

"So, Xu-jun already has the leisure to study these 'big guys'? It seems his life is truly enviable..."

After giving it a brief glance, Orochimaru put the scroll away. Only then did he seem to have a bit more leisure time, quietly observing his disciple whom he hadn't seen for over a year.

The hooded robe he always wore seemed to have vanished long ago; his short, finger-length hair fell loosely, and his lake-blue eyes seemed to hold an unprecedented confidence, while his every move exuded composure.

"Perhaps it's because there's no one in Konoha who values my existence as much as Jiraiya Orochimaru- sensei, that I've been able to spend this peaceful year without any worries..."

"That's really good, completely severing the bonds with Konoha..."

"I've fallen behind Xu-kun again. Looks like this time I'll have to get serious with that guy..."

Orochimaru frowned slightly, seemingly feeling quite annoyed just thinking about the guy who was always following him around.

Kato Osamu looked at Orochimaru, a slight smile playing on his lips, and slowly said, "This is also the main purpose of my meeting with Orochimaru- sensei..."

"Oh?"

"It seems I really underestimated Xu-kun..."

Seemingly trying to discern Kato Osamu's thoughts, its golden Snake Eyes narrowed, staring directly into Kato Osamu's eyes.

"There will likely be a point in time where Jiraiya will have no chance of returning to Konoha..."

"Even though I'm currently in Ryūchi Cave, I have to admit, Summoning Technique is really a troublesome thing..."

Orochimaru glanced at Kato Osamu, the boy smiling lightly before him seemingly having no intention of explaining anything. This caused Orochimaru to narrow his eyes slightly, his expression hidden in the shadows unreadable, as if he were lost in thought.

"That's truly astonishing..."

Her tone was low and languid, yet there was not a trace of shock in her expression. Her voice seemed to come from all directions, rushing straight towards Kato Osamu.

As if suddenly, Orochimaru realized that in a moment he hadn't noticed, his former disciple had already reached a position of equality with him—an equality that came from strength.

"Orochimaru- sensei, there's no need to look at me like that. You know I can generally sense the emotions in other people's eyes..."

"Before, you were an enigma to me, a colossal black hole that filled me with trepidation, revealing not a single flaw..."

"But now..."

"I still respect you..."

"Just like before..."

Kato Osamu still wore a smile on his face as usual, but he could read a hint of fear in Orochimaru's eyes.

"It seems that Xu-kun is very confident in his abilities..."

A peculiar glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. This boy, whom he had practically watched grow up, now possessed enough strength to challenge him, even surpassing his own. This inexplicably stirred an unprecedented fighting spirit within Orochimaru. If this weren't Ryūchi Cave...

"Xu-jun, you'd better not disappoint me. I look forward to seeing what might happen next..."

Gently stroking the scroll in his hand, Orochimaru's figure gradually disappeared into the shadows. After standing quietly for a moment, the Shiro slowly emerged from Kato Osamu's neck, pressed against his cheek, and hissed as it flicked its tongue.

"Shiro, that's not an enemy..."

"Orochimaru -sensei has always been a genius..."

Gently stroking Shiro's head, Kato Osamu's figure suddenly disappeared into the deep, dark depths of Ryūchi Cave.

This year in Konoha is a year filled with hope.

Minato Namikaze's appointment swept away the shadow of war, leading the residents of Konoha out of the post-war desolation in a swift manner. Smiles soon returned to the faces of most civilians in Konoha.

"Minato Namikaze, go home soon... Kushina Uzumaki is waiting for you at home..."

In the Hokage Building, in the Kage's office, the power was no longer as absolute as it had been during the Third's tenure.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had stepped down from his Hokage Position, he still sat at his original desk, with Minato Namikaze sitting on the other side, learning to handle Konoha's affairs under Hiruzen Sarutobi's guidance.

"There's still a little bit left, we'll finish processing it in a bit..."

Minato Namikaze couldn't help but show a hint of weariness on his face. Although he had become Hokage and was intelligent enough, his humble origins and the things that only those in the upper classes could gradually come into contact with left him with a sense of mental and physical exhaustion, even though he had only been Hokage for a year...

"Minato Namikaze, take your time. Anyway, these old bones of mine should still be able to help you for a few more years..."

Tapping his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes held a hint of serenity. He was quite satisfied with Minato Namikaze over the past year. Minato hadn't interfered too much immediately upon taking office, and had mostly observed rather than spoken about matters. The war had already exhausted most people, and Konoha didn't need too many radical measures now; what it needed was rest and recuperation.

"Alright... Lord Third..."

Slowly setting down the scroll in his hand, Minato Namikaze gently pressed his head, feeling somewhat dizzy and lightheaded.

"Kushina Uzumaki is about to give birth... You should understand some things, this is no small matter..."

"Yes, she's about to give birth..."

Thinking that he was about to become a father, Minato Namikaze couldn't suppress the smile on his face. However, he also knew that Kushina Uzumaki's identity was special, and that this was a very dangerous time for Konoha.

"Don't worry, Lord Third..."

"Kakashi Hatake is always by my side, he should be fine in the village. If anything happens, I'll rush over immediately..."

"As for the delivery site, it has been thoroughly inspected..."

"Don't worry... nothing will go wrong..."

If the Third Hokage had some lingering attachment to power, his love for Minato Namikaze was genuine. After all, he had fought for Konoha for over thirty years, and the gains and losses of Konoha outweighed everything else in his eyes.

Humans cannot live forever, Hiruzen Sarutobi understood that Minato Namikaze was the best successor he had chosen.

"That's good..."

Taking a light puff of his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow furrowed unconsciously. It seemed that since Minato Namikaze, someone had become unusually quiet...