"Hehehe... there's no need to hide it…"
Orochimaru let out a raspy chuckle as he noticed Kaede lowering his head, seemingly trying to mask the ripple of emotion across his face.
"Whether it was your performance during the Chunin Exams or your quiet restraint over the years, you've never been able to hide that ambition of yours. I knew it the moment I first laid eyes on you... I just didn't know what exactly you were after."
"So, will you tell me, what is it that you want?"
Kaede appeared startled at Orochimaru's question, but he remained perfectly calm on the inside. He knew Orochimaru wasn't like Danzo. Orochimaru's desire for control wasn't nearly as obsessive, and he didn't mind if his subordinates or students had ambition.
In fact…
To Orochimaru, ambition was a virtue. It meant conviction. It made someone worth cultivating.
Kaede's body shifted slightly. After a moment's hesitation, he took a deep breath, lifted his head, and met Orochimaru's gaze. A spark lit up in his eyes.
"...What I want is power."
There was no way to completely conceal himself in front of Orochimaru. Kaede had thought through this scenario countless times, and the conclusion was always the same, don't hide it. Embrace ambition.
Different people required different approaches. Kaede had even prepared for the worst, being forced to join the Foundation after falling into one of Danzo's traps, and had mapped out multiple contingency plans.
"I think my father died... because he wasn't strong enough. If he'd had more power, he wouldn't have had to give up the mission to save a comrade, he could've done both!"
Kaede's voice grew louder. He clenched his fists tightly, unable, or perhaps unwilling, to suppress the surge of emotion.
It wasn't entirely an act.
In fact, everything he said reflected how he truly felt. There wasn't a single lie, not a single flaw anyone could find in his reasoning.
of course, his goal wasn't just to surpass the White Fang of Konoha.
He aimed to rise above all the ninja world had to offer, to stand at the pinnacle of the Six Paths!
"I see..."
Orochimaru smiled at Kaede, a thoughtful glint in his snake-like eyes.
Kaede took another breath, as if pulling himself back from the edge of an emotional outburst, then looked up with a slightly anxious expression.
"You're not wrong, you know."
Orochimaru interrupted him with a voice smooth and haunting, his gaze piercing into Kaede like he could see directly into his soul. A subtle, persuasive smile spread across his face.
"With enough strength, you really can do anything. You can overcome anything. That kind of ambition... no one would fault you for it."
"You may still be weak now, but as long as you stay by my side and keep moving forward, you'll grow stronger and stronger. You'll inherit the name of White Fang, and eventually surpass it."
Showing a bit of emotion here would've been ideal, but it could also be risky. Kaede had already chosen to expose part of his true thoughts to deceive Orochimaru. one wrong move now, and all that effort could unravel.
So instead, he simply took a steady breath and wore a confident smile.
"Orochimaru-sensei…"
"Mmmhmhmhm... You're impressive, and you have confidence, I believe you really can surpass your father."
Orochimaru's smile softened, slightly at odds with his usual eerie demeanor, giving him a faintly warm appearance.
"Now go. Keep training. If you ever run into trouble, you can come back and find me."
"Yes, sir."
Kaede answered respectfully and turned to leave.
once he'd left Orochimaru's laboratory and was a safe distance away, his expression remained composed, but inwardly, he finally let out a long breath of relief.
Revealing his desire for power in front of Orochimaru had likely bought him some short-term safety. Orochimaru wouldn't be bringing up any more dangerous topics for the time being.
As for the long term...
There was no need to think that far ahead.
The Great Ninja War was just around the corner. once the war began, everything would revolve around battle. And within that long, drawn-out conflict, he would continue to grow stronger.
As long as he gained enough power, even surpassing Orochimaru and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, then no matter what came his way, he'd be ready.
"My next goal... is Kage-level!"
Kaede's eyes gleamed as he murmured to himself.
…
Time passed quickly.
Two months flew by in the blink of an eye.
The Ninja Academy had finally reached the time for graduation and team assignments. Everyone, including Uchiha Obito and Might Guy, had passed their final exams.
At that moment, inside Kaede's home, Yuhi Kurenai sat on the couch, staring at the silver-haired boy in shock.
"o-one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru-sama, he actually took you as his student?!"
She hadn't seen Kaede's name on the graduation team list. Confused and concerned, she came to find him, only to be hit with that bombshell of a revelation.
"Yep."
Kaede nodded with a casual smile. "Apparently Orochimaru-sensei doesn't plan to take on a traditional three-man squad."
He could already guess what Kurenai was thinking. She was disappointed they wouldn't be placed on the same team now that he'd been taken in by one of the Sannin.
Honestly, Kaede felt a little regretful. In his original plan, he'd graduate normally, get placed on a regular genin squad, and quietly go about his missions as a typical Konoha ninja.
He'd have fun doing simple jobs with a team. Maybe even build a relationship with the girl in his squad. Enjoy some of the normal, youthful joys of this age.
But reality just kept getting in the way.
Now, even the chance to be part of a three-man team is gone.
Kurenai, recovering from her shock, looked slightly disheartened. "So we won't get to be on the same team after all…"
If it had been any other situation, she might've tried asking her father to change the team assignments, but with Orochimaru involved, that wasn't going to happen.
"Shizune was personally taken in by Lady Tsunade too," Rin Nohara chimed in from the side.
Kaede leaned back and said casually, "That means... only Jiraiya-sama hasn't taken a student yet."
Rin giggled. "Even if he hasn't, his only student has. Your little brother Kakashi was chosen by him."
"You mean Minato-sensei?" Kaede said with a light smile. "Let me guess... the other two on that squad are you and Uchiha Obito."
Rin looked surprised. "Wait, did you already see this term's team list?"
"Nope."
Kaede shook his head. "Kakashi told me."
"I'm pretty sure I never said anything about it…"
Kakashi's voice came from somewhere in the room as he appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. He let out a sigh.
"Why me... one's a dead-last dropout, the other's a troublesome girl... This team is going to be more of a headache than the last one."
"..."
Rin gave an awkward little smile as Kakashi roasted her without holding back.
Kaede rolled his eyes and pointed a thumb toward Kakashi. "You heard that, Rin? He said you're a bother. So next time he's injured, don't bother using medical ninjutsu. Let him bandage himself up."
"..."
Kakashi glanced at his brother and gave an exaggerated eye-roll.
Rin couldn't help giggling. She turned to Kakashi and said earnestly, "I'll work hard on my medical ninjutsu. I won't hold the team back."