"Orochimaru! What exactly are you doing here!"
The dark figure was none other than The Third. Right now, his face was pitch black, and his eyes looked as though they would burst into flames at any moment.
Two Anbu stood beside The Third, gripping weapons of unique designs in their hands.
In their view, this underground lab, not particularly large in size, was littered with various remains, some of which were still continuously dripping reddish liquid downward.
This place didn't resemble a laboratory at all—it was more like a slaughterhouse!
The Anbu looked doubtfully at the figure still standing with its back turned to them.
Familiar long hair, familiar vest, familiar earrings, and that unforgettable silhouette.
Creak! Slowly, Orochimaru turned off the water valve and turned around to face the three figures blocking the entrance.
"So it's finally discovered, Teacher."
There wasn't much surprise on Orochimaru's pale face; instead, he seemed relieved.
His golden serpentine pupils reflected the three silhouettes. Orochimaru shook the water droplets off his hands onto the floor.
"As you can see, Teacher, all of this is your student's masterpiece!"
He spread his arms wide, as if welcoming the world itself to witness his masterpiece—clearly proud of what he'd created.
"And just...what purpose does all this serve!" Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was twisted by frustration, disbelief apparent in his eyes.
Had his beloved pupil truly chosen this path of ruin?
"Orochimaru, do you understand what consequences await these actions? Also, have you been behind the recent disappearances of several Chunin and Genin in the village!"
Hiruzen's face darkened, his hands tightening into fists.
"These?" He picked up several Konoha forehead protectors belonging to the missing shinobi and gestured toward Sarutobi with them.
"Lord Orochimaru…why must you go this far!" one of the Anbu muttered in a low voice.
The Third said nothing further. It seemed he was already preparing for battle, determined to capture this troubling disciple.
"Are you ready to fight then, Teacher!" Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, staring at The Third.
Likewise, the two Anbu tensed their bodies and crouched lower, locking eyes on Orochimaru.
"Teacher, you've grown old!" Looking at the white beard and frail body before him, Orochimaru muttered unexpectedly, seemingly lost in thoughts about something unrelated.
Bang! A cloud of purple smoke rained down from the ceiling, quickly enveloping Sarutobi Hiruzen and the two Anbu within it.
"Oh no!" cried out The Third, while the two masked ninjas immediately staggered about weakly—clearly poisoned.
Looking calm and collected, Orochimaru took one last glance at the aged Kage trapped inside the toxic mist, his gaze turning icy cold.
With a press of a switch, a hidden door slid open behind him.
Battling dizziness, Hiruzen fixed his gaze on Orochimaru's retreating form, a faint smile touching his lips—part sorrow, part understanding. Perhaps this would be the last time he could offer any help to Orochimaru.
His eyelids grew heavier, finally closing shut as his last sight was Orochimaru's lone, arrogant silhouette vanishing into the dark.
Like a gambler who'd bet it all, he strode into the unknown depths of darkness!
"Goodbye, my disciple!" the Third muttered as he collapsed to the ground.
...
Walking through the tunnel, Orochimaru's expression was complex.
He could tell that Hiruzen had intentionally let him go. Otherwise, even in his old age, the Third Hokage would not have been so easy to defeat.
This tunnel had several exits. Orochimaru knew that outside the previous laboratory there were definitely more than just Hiruzen and his team waiting, so he chose to escape through this passage.
After ten minutes of walking, Orochimaru spotted a distant light.
But he didn't rush outside immediately. Instead, he cautiously used ninjutsu to scan the area for threats.
Already prepared to be discovered, Orochimaru was ready to defect from the village.
Konoha had raised and nurtured him, but at present, it only restricted his growth and obstructed his pursuit of truth.
Therefore, defecting from the village was inevitable. Even if the Third Hokage hadn't discovered him, he would soon have left on his own accord anyway.
Shun! Determining that there was no danger ahead, Orochimaru swiftly darted out of the exit and quickly moved in one direction.
This area was still under Konoha's sphere of influence and not entirely safe. Only upon reaching his previously prepared new secret base could he truly relax.
The Rice Country—a poor and remote small nation—was his final destination.
Shun! As his figure darted between trees, Orochimaru remained alert while contemplating alone.
Now marked as a missing-nin, he stood utterly alone. Therefore, he needed to seek assistance elsewhere.
Although he had considered taking his Konoha apprentices and subordinates with him, he eventually abandoned the idea.
Those who grew up rooted in Konoha would never truly betray the village to follow him.
With the Great Ninja World War drawing to a close, many orphans had appeared across the world—these were Orochimaru's ideal targets.
During this war, Orochimaru had also targeted numerous Kekkei Genkai that fascinated him. It was time to begin collecting them!
Puff! Orochimaru halted his steps and fixed his gaze toward a nearby figure.
Jiraiya! How come he's here? Orochimaru felt a slight headache. Wasn't this idiot supposed to still be guarding the frontlines?
"Orochimaru, come back with me!" Standing on the ground, Jiraiya looked upward toward Orochimaru perched on a tree branch. His voice remained calm.
"Do you really think there's still a chance now?" Orochimaru looked at his childhood companion. A cold smirk curved his lips, faint red hues accentuating his pale cheeks.
"I don't care what you've done, I will accept any punishment together with you—just return with me!"
Jiraiya still wore a serious expression, earnestly speaking to Orochimaru.
A towering, broad-shouldered presence, Jiraiya blocked Orochimaru's path like a mountain.
"If you insist on running, I'll break your limbs and drag you back!"
Jiraiya crouched into a battle stance, face hardening. His white hair lifted without a breeze, and chakra began to swirl violently around him.
"Fool," Orochimaru murmured at last, after a long silence.
Pfah! Jiraiya kicked off the ground with both feet, evading Orochimaru's attack. Mid-air, he twisted his body and reached for Orochimaru's collar.
Wham! Their hands clashed fiercely.
[Rasengan] [Evil Snake Arm Explosion]
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. With his other hand, he formed a glowing blue sphere of energy and smashed it into Orochimaru.
Orochimaru countered with his ninjutsu. Several snakes leapt from beneath him, wrapping around Jiraiya before exploding.
Boom! Smoke from the explosion spread outward as two figures rapidly separated.
Grunting, Jiraiya dug both hands into the ground and slid backward, frowning.
"Come at me with intent to kill, Jiraiya, or I'll kill you!"
Orochimaru rasped, his vertical pupils flashing dangerously.
"You..." Jiraiya stared at Orochimaru with mixed emotions, unsure what to say.
"Is there really no way back, Orochimaru?"
Jiraiya's voice carried anger now, growing louder.
"It's no longer a matter of returning, Jiraiya!"
Orochimaru revealed a crazed expression. He felt no need to return. Konoha had become a prison to him.
Jiraiya fell silent, locking eyes with Orochimaru. This comrade felt like a stranger now.
"Come then! Kill me or be killed by me! Sever the bond between us!"
Orochimaru spread his arms wide, uncharacteristically wildly.
A dangerous tension crackled in the air between them as the danger escalated.
Ahem! Excuse me!
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