" Orochimaru, have you thought about the consequences of this? Sister Tsunade won't thank you for what you've done." She'll just beat you into a dead snake... Naoki Senju added in his mind.
"Hehe, I know Tsunade can't understand, but I believe Naoki-kun will. If death has meaning..."
"Then it will only exist when it can be used... We can discuss these philosophical topics later. Orochimaru, let's be more open. I don't think external factors like Danzo or Sister Tsunade can influence your decision."
Naoki Senju interrupted Orochimaru's philosophy lecture, otherwise it would have turned into Orochimaru's personal speaking stage.
"Philosophy... that word is interesting. Naoki-kun, you really understand me..." Orochimaru was in high spirits, as if he had met a kindred spirit, but noticing Naoki Senju's increasingly serious expression, he had to temporarily stop his philosophical contemplation on death.
"Alright, that's enough." Orochimaru sighed regretfully and continued:
" Teacher Sarutobi's physical condition is nearing its limit, like a candle that has reached its end. Naoki-kun, do you choose to gradually dim and eventually be extinguished by everyone, or to shine your brightest light in your final moments and be remembered by the world?"
Orochimaru's problem was so extreme that even Hiruzen Sarutobi himself would have been caught in a dilemma.
He chose to linger in the Hokage Position, slowly decaying until he was buried in his grave, replaced by a new Hokage, and gradually disappearing from the memories of Konoha Ninja, only occasionally mentioned: The Third Hokage... He was the Hokage with the longest tenure...
Or perhaps it will burn brilliantly, living on in the hearts of all Konoha Ninja...
Unable to make a choice... So, the Orochimaru the Cold-Blooded, with his understanding of death, made the choice for the Third Hokage.
After a moment of silence, Naoki Senju slowly said, "So, this is all your true thoughts?"
Orochimaru's smile vanished, replaced by a look of desolation and silence.
" Danzo... he can provide the funds to establish the Sound Ninja Village and conduct research on forbidden techniques, which is a bargaining chip I cannot refuse."
So this is: 'Dearest family and friends, brothers and sisters—more money?'
"Heh~"
After chuckling softly, Naoki Senju turned around, pushed open the door, and walked out of the room without hesitation.
" Lord Orochimaru, the plan has been leaked. Should we change the plan?" Kabuto Yakushi whispered to Orochimaru beside him.
Orochimaru nonchalantly raised his hand and said:
"The plan will proceed as scheduled. It doesn't matter if Tsunade and Teacher Sarutobi find out; Teacher Sarutobi won't refuse the plan..."
Only Tsunade is the sole variable in the plan... Orochimaru's expression was uncertain, worried about the plan's smooth execution, while the faint laughter of Naoki Senju echoed in his ears, a sound that seemed both contemptuous and regretful...
" Orochimaru, I agree to your conditions. The Sound Ninja Village will not be attacked by Konoha. However, the plan must not have any flaws. If it interferes with Sister Tsunade's succession to the Hokage Position... you understand..."
The outline of Naoki Senju's body appeared on the wall of the room, and then disappeared into the wall.
Kabuto Yakushi broke out in a cold sweat. It was Wood Clone! Naoki Senju had actually left a Wood Clone to monitor this place! Fortunately, he didn't dare to make a move because of the difference in strength, otherwise... even Lord Orochimaru wouldn't have been able to protect him...
Kabuto Yakushi, his back soaked with cold sweat, went back to change. After Kabuto Yakushi left, the empty laboratory was left with only Orochimaru lying on the operating table, Orochimaru pupils dilated, lost in a daze.
Orochimaru's consciousness wandered aimlessly as he began to recall the past. It was a long time before Orochimaru regained consciousness.
But once Orochimaru regained consciousness, he immediately began to laugh maniacally, his voice hoarse and sounding both suppressed and insane.
" Teacher Sarutobi, you once said that people are reborn somewhere after death, but I don't agree with that. Perhaps soon we'll see who's right—"
The next morning, Guren stood anxiously at the door of her room, pacing back and forth, not knowing how long she had been waiting.
While pacing back and forth did not alleviate Guren's tension, it did wake up Naoki Senju was fast asleep.
Although Naoki Senju wasn't grumpy when he woke up, he was still quite annoyed to be woken up. He pushed open the door forcefully, and the rapidly growing Naoki Senju was now tall enough to look down at Guren, who had disturbed his sleep.
" Guren, what are you up to, sneaking around at the door like that?"
But after waiting for a long time, Guren finally saw Naoki. Forgetting all pretense of modesty, Naoki Senju anxiously grabbed Naoki's sleeve, handed him the crumpled letter in her right hand, and explained hastily:
" Naoki, Lord Orochimaru left early this morning with Kabuto Yakushi, along with the kids we rescued. But Lord Orochimaru only left this note, instructing me to stay by your side and obey your orders..."
Oh~ Command... Naoki Senju instinctively wanted to tease Guren a bit, but his gaze fell on Guren's bloodshot eyes and her disheveled clothes, not even the iconic 'shimenawa' tied on her back.
Naoki Senju was well aware of the reason for Guren's nervousness: as an orphan of the war, Guren developed a dependency after being adopted by Orochimaru and was afraid of being abandoned again. Orochimaru also used this method to adopt many talented and extremely loyal subordinates.
However, Orochimaru never truly considered them as subordinates...
However, I definitely can't say this to Guren, otherwise the lucky cat I've already got will fly away.
"Alright, don't worry. Orochimaru already told me about this beforehand. You have a very important mission to accomplish by staying by my side."
Taiseki was finally lifted from Guren's heart; thankfully, she hadn't been abandoned by Lord Orochimaru...
"Yes, but what exactly is the task?"
The rascal snake who just left without warning never told me... But getting a good-looking lucky cat for free still puts Senju Naoki Senju in a good mood. Orochimaru doesn't have the instructions for using Guren and Crystal Release, but he does, so he doesn't mind wasting some breath to fabricate an important mission.
"Are you able to contact Orochimaru now?"
"Yes, but you can only contact a few fixed locations, not Lord Orochimaru himself..."
"That's enough!" Naoki Senju said decisively, adding, " Sister Tsunade and I must return to Konoha, but after we separate, we won't have a way to contact Orochimaru. Your mission is the most crucial link; you need to be responsible for the connection between Orochimaru and Konoha, and even the entire Shinobi World. Do you understand?"
" Konoha... the Shinobi World... I understand!" Guren's brown eyes regained their light, no longer showing the dejection she had just been. Maintaining the connection between Lord Orochimaru and Konoha, and even the Shinobi World, was such a great task. It was truly unbelievable that she had worried about being abandoned by Lord Orochimaru.
Orochimaru: "Meow meow meow???"
Naoki Senju wiped away non-existent beads of sweat. Orochimaru's thinking was extreme, and he had even led Guren, a teenage girl, astray. He would have to spend some time explaining and correcting him properly in the future.