"Sister Ayame's noodles are always delicious—no matter how many times I eat them!"
Uzumaki Naruto beamed as he slurped down another mouthful of ramen. His voice was cheerful and full of appreciation.
"Really? I'm glad you like it, Naruto!" Ayame responded with a bashful smile, clearly delighted by Naruto's compliment. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her expression softened with genuine happiness.
Just as the two were about to slip into a warm, heartfelt conversation, a chilling voice broke the moment.
"Naruto-kun, it's been a long time…"
A tall figure stood at the entrance of the ramen shop. Slowly, the stranger removed the wide-brimmed Rain Shinobi Village hat, revealing a pale, snake-like face that was all too familiar.
Orochimaru.
His skin was ashen, eyes golden and slit like a serpent's, and his sinister presence sent a shiver down Ayame's spine.
Which poor kunoichi has this monster targeted now? Naruto thought grimly.
"Orochimaru… you dare to show your face in Konoha?" Naruto stood up, his expression serious. Though he was fully aware of Orochimaru's dangerous reputation, he didn't sense any immediate malice from the man at this moment.
And if that was the case, there was no need to act rashly—yet.
"Sister Ayame…" Naruto said gently without taking his eyes off Orochimaru.
Ayame instantly understood. She gave Naruto a quick glance, then cautiously looked at Orochimaru. Although her features were delicate and pretty, framed by soft eyebrows and a pure expression, her instincts screamed that this "person" wasn't human at all.
More like… a lurking lion in disguise.
Tactfully, Ayame retreated into the shop's back room, leaving Naruto alone to confront the infamous Sannin.
"Naruto-kun," Orochimaru said, his voice disturbingly soft and almost affectionate. "It took quite some effort for me to see you again."
"You knocked out the ANBU just to come say hello? Or was it just to show off your strength?" Naruto asked, unfazed as he took another casual mouthful of ramen.
"I'm not that childish," Orochimaru chuckled, a faint rasp in his voice. "I came because I recognize your strength."
"You recognize my strength?" Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. In fact…" Orochimaru leaned closer, lowering his voice as if to share a secret. "I know very well that you harbor resentment toward Konoha."
Naruto's chopsticks paused mid-air. His eyes narrowed.
To prove his sincerity—or perhaps to provoke Naruto further—Orochimaru pulled out a small bottle from inside his cloak. It looked ordinary at first glance, but Naruto's eyes locked onto it instantly.
That was Karin's perfume bottle. The very one she had purchased before leaving the village. Naruto wasn't knowledgeable about perfumes, but even he knew it was expensive.
His voice dropped a degree. "What did you do to Karin?"
"Don't be so tense, Naruto-kun," Orochimaru said calmly, waving one hand dismissively. "I have no interest in that girl."
"Then what do you want?" Naruto demanded, though he already had an inkling.
"I'm interested in the Uchiha clan."
"You want Sasuke," Naruto said flatly.
Orochimaru didn't deny it. He merely smiled, eyes glinting with twisted anticipation.
It was clear. Orochimaru wanted to exchange Sasuke for Karin.
Sasuke was currently training under Kakashi, and though Kakashi might not be a match for Orochimaru, Konoha's reputation for last-minute reinforcements and holding off stronger enemies gave them a decent fighting chance.
"What's your obsession with the Uchiha anyway?" Naruto asked.
He recalled the Forest of Death, where Orochimaru had gone after Sasuke with almost manic determination.
Orochimaru's grin didn't waver. "Surely you've heard of the Uchiha's bloodline limit."
Naruto thought of the Sharingan—the unique eye technique possessed by both Sasuke and Kakashi. It was powerful and versatile. Even Naruto couldn't deny that it was useful.
"Only the most gifted Uchiha can awaken the Sharingan," Orochimaru said, his tone reverent. "And once awakened, the Sharingan grants the user unparalleled abilities. Those who possess it rise to greatness without exception."
Orochimaru's gaze darkened as he remembered that man. The one who had crushed him effortlessly, with a flick of the wrist and a whisper of a jutsu. Orochimaru hadn't forgotten. He never would.
"If I had the Sharingan," he muttered, "maybe I could defeat even him…"
He snapped out of his reverie and leaned toward Naruto once more.
"Do you know, Naruto-kun, the relationship between the Sharingan and the Tailed Beasts?"
Naruto didn't answer. His expression remained unreadable.
Orochimaru continued anyway. "The genjutsu of the Sharingan can control any of the tailed beasts."
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You understand what that means, don't you?" Orochimaru asked, a gleam of excitement flickering in his eyes. "With the power of a tailed beast, one could instantly elevate a minor village to the status of a Great Nation."
He coughed—a deep, hoarse rattle. Clearly, his current body was failing him again. It wouldn't be long before he sought a new vessel.
"So your goal is to control the Tailed Beasts?" Naruto asked coldly.
Orochimaru gave a sly smile and shook his head.
"Not quite. I'm not particularly interested in the beasts themselves…"
His tone grew darker.
"But if I could use the power of the Tailed Beasts to bring down Konoha, I would do it gladly."
Naruto's lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile.
As he suspected—Orochimaru wasn't here for a friendly chat. His motives ran deeper. And surprisingly, their goals seemed to align.
"Let's work together, Naruto," Orochimaru said finally, dropping all pretense. "You and I—we both want the same thing."
To tear down Konoha.
Naruto, however, slowly shook his head.
Orochimaru blinked in surprise.
Does he not trust me? Or does he think I'm too weak?
He thought back to their last encounter in the Forest of Death. Had Naruto truly seen him as a threat back then?
But before Orochimaru could ask, Naruto clarified.
"No, Orochimaru. That's not what I meant."
He stared into the older man's golden eyes, his expression calm but firm.
"Sasuke cannot be handed over to you… not yet."
Orochimaru tilted his head. "Oh?"
"But," Naruto added, "if you can stall the Third Hokage—just long enough—I'll handle the rest."
Silence fell between them.
Orochimaru studied Naruto carefully, his mind racing. What gives this boy such confidence?
After all, the Third Hokage wasn't Konoha's only powerhouse. The village still had formidable shinobi backing it.
Unless…
Has he already released the Nine Tails? Orochimaru's thoughts darkened. That had to be the reason. It was the only possible explanation.
But if Naruto released the Nine Tails, wouldn't that kill him too?
Orochimaru smiled inwardly. If he dies in the process, so be it. It changes nothing for me.
"In that case, Naruto-kun," he said softly, pulling his hat back over his head, "I look forward to that day."
With that, Orochimaru turned and began walking away. The symbol on his hat had quietly changed—from the Rain Village insignia to that of the Sand Village.
Just as he reached the door, Naruto's voice called out again.
"Wait, Orochimaru—there's something important I forgot to tell you."
Orochimaru paused. "Oh? What is it?"
Naruto gestured to the massive stack of empty bowls in front of him.
"Please settle the bill."
Orochimaru stared, speechless.
"...???"