The night breeze in Konoha was slightly chilly, but it felt remarkably comfortable against the skin.
Jiraiya had already headed back to Minato's place. One could only wonder how he planned to explain his "material gathering" activities once he got home.
Diarmuid and Orochimaru walked together through the streets of Konoha. It wasn't particularly late; though the sun had set, the village remained vibrant and prosperous. The night markets were teeming with people.
Watching a group of kids nearby playing a game of "Ninja," a faint smile played on Diarmuid's lips. "Where the tree leaves dance..."
"...one shall find flames," Orochimaru murmured softly.
As soon as he finished the sentence, he paused for a moment, appearing slightly surprised that the words had slipped out so easily. He turned to glance at Diarmuid and frowned. "Are you laughing at me?"
"No. I just suddenly realized you're a very interesting fellow, hahaha," Diarmuid laughed.
"How nonsensical," Orochimaru huffed, sounding a bit annoyed.
"I'm now a wanted criminal across the entire Shinobi World, Orochimaru. The Yorozuya has been branded a terrorist organization. Do you truly intend to keep walking this path with us?" Diarmuid asked suddenly.
Without a hint of hesitation, Orochimaru replied, "Why not? Do you take me for someone who cares about such things?"
Diarmuid stroked his chin, studying Orochimaru. After a long silence, he shook his head. "No, I don't think you care at all. I just felt a sudden impulse to ask."
"A tedious question," Orochimaru responded calmly.
Diarmuid felt he understood Orochimaru quite well, yet the exact nature of the man's feelings for Konoha remained an enigma. In the original story, Orochimaru would eventually kill the Third Hokage, his own teacher, Hiruzen, and personally orchestrate the Konoha Crush. From that perspective, he was a cold-blooded traitor and a hater of Konoha.
Yet, at other times, Orochimaru seemed to embody that very mantra: 'Where the tree leaves dance, one shall find flames.'
After all, the second half of that phrase was: 'The fire's shadow will illuminate the village, and once again, tree leaves shall bud anew.'
Perhaps Orochimaru didn't want to inherit the "fresh leaves" from the Third's hand, but instead desired to be the "fire" that illuminated the village?
"I always thought you were more like a snake, but now that I think about it, you really are a human after all," Diarmuid said abruptly.
"What?" Orochimaru asked, puzzled.
"Humans... truly are complex creatures," Diarmuid said casually, offering no further explanation.
Just then, a crisp voice rang out. "Orochimaru-sensei? Onii-san?"
It was Mitarashi Anko. This young girl, clearly a beauty in the making, was currently at a stall buying fried skewers. She looked like a girl who loved her snacks; no wonder she ended up putting on quite a bit of weight once world peace arrived and high-intensity missions were no longer necessary.
Orochimaru blinked, then looked at his pupil. "What did you call him?"
"Onii-san?" Anko repeated.
"He is much older than you think," Orochimaru warned, his tone carrying a rare, heavy-hearted weight. His gaze flickered toward Diarmuid with a trace of wariness.
Diarmuid: "???"
What's with that look? I didn't make her call me that! I told her to call me 'Oji-san' and she refused! And weren't you supposed to be indifferent toward everyone in Konoha, Orochimaru? Since when did you become so protective?
Diarmuid understood that look perfectly. It was the look of a gardener sensing a wild boar was about to root up his prize cabbage. Orochimaru knew very well that Diarmuid was a charismatic and handsome man. He also knew his disciple was a total sucker for good looks. If Diarmuid had any ill intentions, his disciple would be led away in no time!
"Oh? Is that so? But calling him 'Oji-san' would be such a waste~" Anko chirped. She then asked curiously, "Sensei, are you really friends with him? Kakashi said he's an S-rank wanted criminal... that Rodriguez Diarmuid."
"It is indeed him," Orochimaru nodded, his expression returning to its usual coldness. "But he is also my friend. He has been granted temporary freedom of movement within Konoha."
Since the village authorities had no objections, Anko naturally wouldn't meddle. She affectionately handed Orochimaru a skewer of fried dango, and to Diarmuid's surprise, the man actually took it.
In that moment, Diarmuid saw through Orochimaru a little more. He understood why, in the original story, Orochimaru had passed up numerous opportunities to kill Anko, letting her go time and time again. It wasn't just because of the Cursed Seal on her neck; it was because he truly had feelings for her. She was the disciple he had raised himself.
Orochimaru was a human, after all, not a snake.
Before defecting from Konoha, Orochimaru had used a forbidden jutsu to seal Anko's memories to prevent his secrets from being exposed. That in itself was strange, for a man of his character, killing her would have been the standard solution. Furthermore, when she discovered him leaving, he didn't kill her; instead, he asked her if she wanted to go with him!
For Orochimaru to issue such an invitation was beyond extraordinary. When Anko refused, he didn't force her or harm her. He simply let her be and departed. Later, during the Chunin Exams, Anko tried to use the Dual Snake Destroyer technique to take him down with her. Not only did Orochimaru survive, but Anko, who should have died by the technique's price, survived as well. Without a doubt, Orochimaru had saved her. And then, he let her go again.
There were very few people Orochimaru treated as special. It seemed his heart only had room for a select few. Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Hiruzen were among them. And Anko, this seemingly quiet girl who lacked a massive presence, clearly occupied a significant weight in his heart as well. Even during his previous missions outside the village, he had brought her along and hadn't hidden his taboo experiments from her. That was the level of trust he had in her.
"Sensei still has things to discuss with him. Go play on your own," Orochimaru said to Anko.
Anko really wanted to follow her Sensei and the handsome "Onii-san," but hearing Orochimaru's instruction, she nodded. "Okay, Sensei!"
Soon, Orochimaru and Diarmuid left the area. As they walked, Diarmuid suddenly asked, "Is it good?"
"If you like it, you can have it." Orochimaru casually shoved the skewer into Diarmuid's hand.
"Hahaha, don't mind if I do!" Diarmuid laughed.
Orochimaru found himself feeling a bit irritated by Diarmuid. This guy always acted as if everything was within his grasp, it was incredibly annoying!
"A disciple... ah... I kind of want one too," Diarmuid said suddenly.
Orochimaru blinked, then smiled mockingly. "Given your notorious reputation, I doubt that's possible."
"Who knows what the future holds," Diarmuid replied with a smile. After a few more steps, he finally asked, "You found me on my very first day in Konoha. Is something the matter?"
"Mm." Orochimaru didn't hide it. "Shimura Danzo. Are you familiar with him?"
"I know him. The Root of Konoha. A man who claims he'll do anything for the village, but in reality, he's just a bit nauseating," Diarmuid said.
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. He was certain he had never mentioned this to Diarmuid, nor was he the type to leak Konoha intelligence so casually. Yet Diarmuid spoke as if he knew exactly what was going on.
How had Danzo managed this? Root was an organization so secretive that few in Konoha even knew of its existence, yet Diarmuid seemed well-informed.
"It seems you know a bit about him? Good, that saves me the introduction. In any case, that man is very interested in you and wishes to make your acquaintance. He asked me to act as a middleman to introduce you," Orochimaru explained plainly.
Diarmuid's lips curled into a smirk. "To be honest, that was partly why I came to Konoha. I figured once I showed my face, Danzo would reach out..."
"So, you intend to cooperate with him?" Orochimaru asked.
"That is the idea. While I'm on good terms with Jiraiya and your Lord Third, that's strictly personal. Even the Third Hokage is only humoring me; sooner or later, our positions will force us onto opposite sides. But Danzo is different. Danzo actually has value as a collaborator, hahaha," Diarmuid laughed.
"So you mean Jiraiya and the old man will ultimately stand with the village, while Danzo will only stand with himself?" Orochimaru clarified.
"If you want to put it that way, yes. That's exactly what I think," Diarmuid confirmed with a nod.
Orochimaru was silent for a moment, then remarked, "You're an excellent judge of character."
"Can't survive in this world without a bit of insight," Diarmuid brushed it off. "Anyway, it's not too late. Why don't we go see him now? I'm quite interested in this 'Root' of his. I actually have an idea I'd like to discuss with the old senior..."
"What idea?" Orochimaru asked.
Since Diarmuid considered Orochimaru part of the Yorozuya's inner circle, he didn't keep it from him. "I plan to attempt an occupation of the Land of Rain."
Orochimaru: "???"
What kind of logic is that?
"Is there something special about the Land of Rain?" Orochimaru frowned.
"Yes, something very special. You'll find out when the time comes," Diarmuid smiled mysteriously.
Though curious, Orochimaru saw that Diarmuid had no intention of elaborating further, so he shook his head and dropped the subject. "Since you're looking forward to meeting Danzo, let's go. I'll take you to him now."
"Don't we need to notify him first?" Diarmuid asked.
"No," Orochimaru said flatly.
He didn't give a second thought to whether bringing Diarmuid into the secret base would cause trouble for Danzo. To Orochimaru, what did that have to do with him?
"Lead the way, then," Diarmuid replied.
It was time to exchange experiences with Danzo-senpai.