Orochimaru stood still for a moment, then began to chuckle low in his throat.
The chuckle started softly, then slowly grew louder, until finally, he was clutching his stomach, roaring with laughter.
Like a madman.
Ignoring Shuten-doji and Kakashi Hatake, he headed straight for the secret base Danzo had built for him.
In their brief exchange, Shuten-doji had shown his caliber.
Excellent.
The kid was extremely cunning and trusted no one's promises.
His skills were impressive—he had mastered Tobirama Senju's Water Style: Water Formation Wall, and that last technique he used to escape... if Orochimaru wasn't mistaken, that was the S-Rank Flying Thunder God.
No wonder Danzo hadn't put a Cursed Seal on him. The boy possessed unbelievable potential.
The only question was, who was he in the village? Why had Orochimaru never heard of such a child before?
Shuten-doji had likely understood the subtext of his words. There were many things that couldn't be spoken aloud; once said, you became a slave to your words.
At Orochimaru's level, continuing to seek greater power inevitably meant crossing lines that ordinary people couldn't tolerate. The village's rules became chains.
Only by leaving the village and severing those bonds could he be like a fish in the ocean, swimming freely.
But there was another path.
Becoming the Hokage, the one who controlled the power of those bonds.
"I know Hiruzen-sensei, Danzo, Koharu, and Homura all see me as a useful tool. Heh. But if I achieve a merit in this war that no one can ignore, could I become the next Hokage?"
From Orochimaru's perspective, he was indeed a strong contender for the title.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was his teacher!
This was crucial.
Because the Second Hokage had been Hiruzen's teacher. To Orochimaru, the title of Hokage was passed down from master to student!
Jiraiya's personality made him completely unsuitable for the role. Tsunade had hemophobia. Only he, Orochimaru, was still risking his life for the village!
As for Minato Namikaze, whose fame had been rising lately, he was simply too young. He lacked the caliber and political experience. If he took the position, wouldn't the village still be controlled by those old fossils? That wouldn't do.
If he had the support of Danzo and his "Root," the Hokage's seat might truly be within his grasp.
Establishing a power base in the Land of Rice Fields was merely a backup plan for now. His main goal was still the Hokage.
"We live in a world of lies. Human interaction is just you deceiving me and me deceiving you. Only by mastering all ninjutsu, understanding the truths of the world, and becoming the ultimate being—transcending the limits of the flesh—can one achieve eternity."
"I will become the wind that never ceases, turning the windmill myself!"
Meanwhile, Byakuya—the target of Orochimaru's interest—woke up on Kakashi's back.
He had underestimated his own vitality and stamina, which had been boosted by the Destiny System.
Even with his chakra overdrawn, his tenacious body allowed him to regain clear consciousness in a short time.
"Kakashi, put me down."
"Senior! You're awake."
Overjoyed, Kakashi stopped running.
Byakuya stretched his body.
The Storm Release chakra stimulated his exhausted muscles, acting like a massage and promoting blood flow.
His spiritual energy had returned to safe levels.
He was tougher than he thought.
Standing under the moonlight, Byakuya looked at Kakashi, who was still just a child. The White Light Chakra Sabre in his hand still emitted a faint white glow; luckily, it hadn't been broken by the enemy yet.
"The person who wanted to kill you was Orochimaru."
He hadn't intended to tell him, but after thinking about it, there was no point in hiding it. Better to be honest.
"Orochimaru?" Confusion appeared on Kakashi's small face.
"One of the Legendary Sannin of the Leaf," Byakuya clarified.
"Why... why would he want to kill me?"
"With a dangerous man like Orochimaru, who knows? Maybe it was just a whim."
Kakashi bowed respectfully. "Regardless, thank you for saving me, Senior. I, Kakashi Hatake, will never forget this debt!"
Bathed in moonlight, Byakuya looked like a true Shuten-doji . "My favors aren't easily repaid."
"What do you need me to do, Senior?"
"Nothing for now. Just focus on your training. In the ninja world, weakness is a sin."
"Yes, I understand."
Byakuya took out a pouch of soldier pills and popped one into his mouth. The pouch was loot from a Sand ninja, but the pills were new.
The shop selling them had tried a new recipe, adding ground rose pollen.
It tasted weird. terrible, actually.
"Here, take these. Take care of yourself."
He tossed the pouch to a startled Kakashi. Then, gathering his chakra, Byakuya activated Storm Release: Body Flicker. Leaving behind a few floating wisps of blue-white lightning, he vanished.
Kakashi held the pouch of soldier pills, lost in thought.
"That technique he used to take me away... that was Minato-sensei's Flying Thunder God."
He pinched a soldier pill and put it in his mouth.
"Hmm? What is this flavor? It's... actually kind of good."
Since his father's suicide, the gloomy Kakashi felt like he had finally found a direction to chase.
"By the way, Kakashi."
"Ah? Senior, why are you back?"
Byakuya appeared like a ghost.
He chuckled, keeping his voice raspy. "Dwelling on the past is for cowards. It's better to look forward. Even if you can't find the answer you want right now, as long as you never stop moving, sooner or later, you will write the true answer with your own hands."
Kakashi stood dazed, his mouth slightly open. The Senior's words struck a chord deep in his heart, moving the genius who everyone else saw as cold and detached.
"Senior... you know about my situation?"
"The White Fang of the Leaf, Sakumo Hatake. I've heard of him."
Kakashi asked excitedly, desperate for validation, "Senior! Senior! Which do you think is more important: the mission, or your comrades?!"
Byakuya, standing a head taller, patted him on the shoulder. "If you save the land but lose the people, you lose both land and people. If you save the people but lose the land, you save both people and land."
"Senior..." Kakashi stared, repeating the words softly under his breath. It felt as if profound truth was hidden within those simple sentences.
Even his respected teacher, Minato Namikaze, had never taught him such a philosophy.
"Is this your Nindo, Senior?"
"Nindo, shmindo. Alright, I've said my piece. Kakashi, survive. Don't die easily."
This time, Byakuya made no extra moves. He returned home silently, took off his black windbreaker, and removed his mask.
His undershirt was soaked in cold sweat from the encounter with Orochimaru, so he washed it and hung it up to dry.
After a hot bath and a short rest, his stamina recovered a bit more. Feeling energized, he took the fresh fish he bought yesterday and started slicing it.
Thanks to the Kenjutsu Aptitude reward from his System, the slices were exquisitely thin and translucent, like works of art.
He mixed a dipping sauce.
Boiled a pot of water.
With chopsticks, he picked up a slice of raw fish and dipped it into the boiling water.
"Dip it slow, enjoy it slow."
He pulled it out quickly, dipped it in the sauce.
And put it in his mouth.
"Good. Now we're eating."