The sound of dripping water incessantly echoed in the passage.
At the end of the passage lay an iron door, inside was a spacious, well-equipped laboratory.
Bottles filled with limbs of animals were neatly arranged on all sides. There were many short and long tables lined up, with test tubes, distillation bottles, and other apparatus placed on top.
Cables spread along the corridor, the bright white lights were dazzling, making one instinctively squint when raising their head.
In front of one of the tables, a slender silhouette stood there, holding a notebook full of scribbles, deep in thought.
Cloaked in soft, black long hair, his skin was as transparent as a candle.
He opened his mouth lined with teeth sharp like venomous fangs, emitting a resonant and raspy laugh that sent shivers down one's spine.
"Just a little more... just a little more and it will be complete..."
What was about to be completed, no one knew except him.
"However, I must thank that guy Danzo for providing me with so many test subjects... a pity..."
Holding the notebook, his thoughts drifted away, he let out a soft sigh.
"Teacher Sarutobi seems to be somewhat wary of me, and there are still things I haven't obtained... should I wait a bit longer? But... the test subjects on hand are already insufficient."
To be bound by human ethics is sheer foolishness.
But... can I truly harden my heart? The man began to question himself.
Teacher Sarutobi, Jiraiya, Tsunade... this village that birthed and raised him...
A plethora of complex emotions surged in the man's eyes.
Ultimately, he simply sighed softly, saying nothing.
At that moment, the laboratory door opened.
A small head peeked through the door crack, searching the lab with curious eyes.
Seeing the man immersed in his research, she entered from the outside.
"Orochimaru-sensei, you really are here."
Speaking to the man was a girl of about eleven or twelve, her face adorned with a cheerful smile, familiar with the man.
"Is that you, Anko? Have you completed the assignments given to you?"
Orochimaru turned around, seeing the girl, a smile appeared even on his pale face.
The girl was his student, named Mitarashi Anko, a lively and adorable child.
"Assignments? I finished them easily, Orochimaru-sensei."
The girl replied with a smile.
"Then, what brings you here? I still have work to do."
Orochimaru said, putting down the notebook in his hand.
"Aren't you tired of being here all day, Orochimaru-sensei?"
Anko asked curiously.
"Not in the least, this is what seeking truth inevitably entails. If one cannot endure even this tedium, they cannot pursue truth."
"Truth?"
"I want to become an immortal ninja, to learn all the Ninja Techniques in this world, which is why I conduct various experiments."
Orochimaru revealed without concealment.
This wasn't a hidden matter, as his teacher and friends Jiraiya and Tsunade knew of this ambition.
They merely regarded it as a childish, unrealistic fantasy of his youth.
In their knowledge, no one is truly immortal, and mastering all the Ninja Techniques in the world is mere nonsense.
"Why must you do this, Orochimaru-sensei? In my eyes, you're already remarkable."
Anko said.
Orochimaru shook his head, patiently answering Anko's query: "No, this power is not enough. On the path to seeking truth, there are no limits."
"Oh? I still don't quite understand."
Anko tilted her head, looking puzzled.
Orochimaru paid no mind, suddenly recalling something, he looked at Anko and said: "Speaking of which, you've become a Chunin now, is there any gift you'd like?"
"A gift?"
"Exactly, as a present for you becoming a Chunin."
Orochimaru laughed as he patted Anko's head.
"Anything is possible?"
Anko asked.
Orochimaru nodded: "As long as it's within my abilities, I will fulfill your wish."
"I have only one wish, and that is to travel with you, Orochimaru-sensei."
Anko looked into Orochimaru's eyes, filled with expectant colors.
"Travel?"
Orochimaru furrowed his brows slightly.
"Is it impossible, Orochimaru-sensei?"
"It's not impossible, but I cannot leave the village for too long. We might have to return within a week."
"That would be enough. I will eagerly anticipate this trip, Orochimaru-sensei."
"Since you don't oppose, then it's settled. We'll set off the day after tomorrow. Before then, select the location."
Orochimaru
"Okay, I understand. I won't disturb your work any longer, Orochimaru-sensei. We'll meet at the village gate the morning after tomorrow."
With a smile, Anko nodded, then left the laboratory.
"Such a hasty child..."
Orochimaru shook his head with a helpless smile.
Then, he turned around to look at the notebook placed on the table, his snake-like pupils deepening.
"But, how long can these peaceful days last? It's really something to anticipate... immortality..."
◎
Night fell, and the streets were brightly lit, bustling with people, lively as can be.
"Unexpected that you returned to the village first, so much happened, and Tsunade didn't come back."
In the barbecue restaurant located in Konoha Center, invited as a guest by Jiraiya, Orochimaru was here dining with him.