"Tsunade, what are you trying to say..."
"Nothing in particular. Just surprised, really. Who would've thought our cold-hearted Konoha's Ice Prince actually had a warm side? Tsk tsk, that's rare."
Tsunade wasn't the least bit intimidated by Orochimaru. She smiled playfully at him, while his face remained cold and indifferent.
Without saying a word, she turned and walked away.
But just as she turned, a chilling voice sounded behind her.
"If your hemophobia's under control, you should spend more time studying medical ninjutsu instead of stirring up trouble."
"Hmph."
At the mention of hemophobia, a flicker of surprise crossed Tsunade's face, though she quickly masked it. Watching Orochimaru's departing figure, she couldn't help but purse her lips.
Her condition had indeed been under control lately, and she thought she'd hidden it well. She didn't expect Orochimaru to have noticed.
Orochimaru didn't return to his lab after leaving the conference room. Instead, he headed toward the Ninja Academy.
From the high platform, his gaze was fixed below.
There stood a small child, barely a meter tall.
His features were familiar, though his face was slightly pale. He was Hayate Gekkō, Kazuyama's younger brother.
He had already enrolled in the Academy, and his teacher was Pakura.
"What? Just going to watch? Why not go down there and train him yourself?"
A voice suddenly came from behind Orochimaru—so sudden that even someone of his level hadn't sensed it right away.
Still, he wasn't surprised. The presence was all too familiar. In the entire village, only a few could approach him unnoticed. Aside from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, there were three.
One was Minato Namikaze, the rising star of the village, whose Flying Thunder God technique had earned him the name "Yellow Flash" after cutting down countless enemies on the battlefield.
Another was his own student—Konoha's Ghost, Kazuyama Gekkō.
And finally, the man now standing behind him—Sakumo Hatake, head of the Ninja Academy and known as the White Fang of Konoha.
"With Pakura guiding him, that's enough. I'm just checking in."
"Still no word on Kazuyama?"
"..."
Kazuyama had been missing for several months now. Countless search parties had been dispatched, yet none returned with news.
Orochimaru's mood sank further into gloom.
Without responding, he disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique.
Sakumo watched him leave and shook his head.
He understood Orochimaru's reaction. After all, his own son had grown silent and withdrawn—also because of Kazuyama.
...
In Konoha's forest, Orochimaru made his way back to his lab.
Suddenly, he sensed someone approaching.
In a flash, he stood on a tree branch, arms hanging loosely at his sides. Two long snakes slithered out from his sleeves, curling protectively around him and flicking their tongues.
"Long time no see, Sensei. Is this how you welcome me?"
The familiar voice and tone made Orochimaru's eyes widen. A flicker of joy lit up in his gaze.
The summoned snakes withdrew at once as Kazuyama grinned and revealed himself on the branch across from Orochimaru.
"It's been months. Looks like you missed me."
"But this doesn't seem like the best place for a chat, does it, Sensei? How about we go somewhere more private?"
Seeing his student again at last, Orochimaru's nerves—tightened over the past few months—finally eased. A rare smile crossed his normally cold face.
"Follow me."
With those two words, he took off toward his lab, moving more than twice as fast as before.
Kazuyama reactivated his Transparent Escape Technique and followed nimbly.
In no time, the two arrived at the lab.
But as Kazuyama took in the sight, confusion crossed his face.
It wasn't anything specific—it was just how bare the lab looked.
"No way... Sensei, you didn't blow all your money, did you?"
"That doesn't add up. You're one of the Sannin. Just a handful of S-rank missions should've been enough to fund a few top-tier labs."
"Why's this place so run-down?"
Orochimaru gave him a helpless glare, clearly annoyed at the criticism.
"Don't look at me like that. Seriously, what is this place?"
"Compared to your old setup—this looks like a high-tech lab versus a roadside stand."
"How do you even work like this?"
Kazuyama wasn't exaggerating. The lab really was barebones.
Orochimaru pulled over two chairs, sat in one, and pushed the other toward Kazuyama. The latter sat down without hesitation.
"I've cut ties with Danzō. Yamato is still with me, but Danzō's already sent people several times to take him away."
"And my research has reached a critical point. The expenses are enormous."
"Without Danzō's support, I had to abandon part of the equipment."
Kazuyama frowned slightly at that.
He hadn't expected Orochimaru to break off with Danzō so soon.
What happened? Was it related to him?
Still, now that it was done, there was no turning back. It's not like Danzō was someone worth depending on—he was rotten to the core.
If Orochimaru wanted to continue his research, he could do it on his own. He didn't need Danzō.
"By the way, Kazuyama, where have you been these past six months?"
"What exactly happened after you teleported the One-Tail away?"
Kazuyama could feel Orochimaru's concern, and it moved him a little. Ever since he'd started following Orochimaru, he'd gained plenty.
And Orochimaru had treated him well—far better than he'd expected. It shattered the image he once had of the man.
Orochimaru, not yet fully consumed by darkness, was just sharp-tongued at worst.
"Sensei, I want to know—why did the war suddenly stop?"
"I can understand Sunagakure and Kumogakure pulling out, but what's going on with Iwagakure?"
"I trust you. I'm sure you know something."
Instead of answering, Kazuyama asked his own question.
He had completely lost track of the war's direction and needed to sort things out before deciding what to do next.
Orochimaru chuckled. When it came to war, he actually knew quite a bit.
His research often required contact with underground organizations, and some intel had even come through the Root Division.
"There's been some unrest in the Land of Earth."
"And apparently, a legendary ninja suddenly showed up—putting immense pressure on Ōnoki."
"The name of that ninja—Madara Uchiha."
"The strongest of the Uchiha, rival to the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju."