"You want to leave the village… to forge a ninja sword?"
Kakashi Hatake looked at Aoki Yoru with visible surprise. It was early morning, and the mist of dawn still lingered faintly in the air. The training grounds were quiet, yet this request immediately broke the calm.
Aoki Yoru nodded without hesitation.
"Yes. There's nothing suitable for me in Konoha anymore. I want to visit other countries and find—or forge—a weapon that can withstand my Lightning Release."
Kakashi narrowed his visible eye slightly, clearly weighing the request.
"That… shouldn't be a problem," he said slowly. "The war has just ended, and things are relatively stable. But this isn't something I can approve on my own."
He straightened.
"You'll need the Hokage's permission. Come on—I'll take you to see him."
Hokage Office
Inside the Hokage's office, sunlight filtered softly through the window, illuminating the room in a warm glow.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, pipe in hand, calmly listening as Kakashi explained the situation.
Aoki Yoru stood respectfully before him.
After a moment of silence, Hiruzen exhaled a slow stream of smoke. A faint smile appeared on his aged face.
"I see…"
He tapped the pipe lightly.
"If that is your wish, then go."
Aoki Yoru blinked slightly, not expecting such a straightforward response.
But Hiruzen wasn't finished.
"In fact," he continued, "there's no need to rush back."
His voice became gentler, yet carried weight.
"I will grant you one year."
"One year to travel the ninja world… to see its lands, its people, and its realities."
Aoki Yoru's pupils contracted slightly.
"One year?"
Hiruzen nodded.
"This experience will shape you far more than remaining within the village ever could."
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then Aoki Yoru took a deep breath and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama. I won't waste this opportunity."
Hiruzen watched him quietly, a trace of satisfaction in his eyes.
"Go," he said softly. "But remember—"
"Konoha will always be your home."
"No matter how far you go… come back."
Outside the Hokage Building
The moment Aoki Yoru stepped out, he inhaled deeply.
The air felt different.
Free.
Behind him, Kakashi approached slowly.
"Be careful out there," he said.
His tone wasn't casual this time.
"The ninja world isn't just about strength. There are traps, schemes, betrayals. One mistake… and even the strongest can fall."
He paused.
"And don't forget—there are countless hidden monsters out there."
Aoki Yoru nodded.
"I know."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"If I can't win… I'll run."
He added lightly:
"And I still have Yatagarasu."
Kakashi chuckled softly.
"Good. At least you're realistic."
The Next Day – Konoha Gate
The massive gates of Konoha stood open.
Morning sunlight bathed the entrance, casting long shadows across the ground.
Aoki Yoru arrived with a simple backpack slung over his shoulder.
But he wasn't alone.
Tanaka Kenta and Shimizu Yui were already waiting.
Kenta leaned on a crutch, grinning.
"Man… I'm jealous. You get to travel the whole ninja world."
Aoki Yoru laughed.
"Once you recover, you can apply too."
Kenta shook his head.
"Not the same. You're a special case."
He wasn't wrong.
Such permission was rare—something usually reserved for elites like the Sannin.
At that moment, Yui stepped forward and handed him a scroll.
"This is a map," she said. "Compiled by the Shimizu Clan over decades."
Aoki Yoru opened it briefly.
Detailed terrain.
Hidden routes.
Even minor village paths.
His expression grew serious.
"This… is invaluable."
He carefully stored it.
"Thank you."
Yui smiled softly.
"Just come back safely."
Aoki Yoru slung his backpack over his shoulder.
Then turned.
He waved without looking back.
"I'm off! I'll bring souvenirs!"
"Stay alive!" Kenta shouted.
"Write to us!" Yui added.
Aoki Yoru paused for just a moment.
Then glanced once at Konoha.
And walked forward.
His figure disappeared into the forest.
Outside the Village – The Forest
The deeper he went, the quieter it became.
Birdsong.
Wind through leaves.
Peaceful.
For the first time, Aoki Yoru truly felt the vastness of the ninja world.
But suddenly—
He stopped.
His expression changed.
A cold, unfamiliar chakra… hidden ahead.
Like a snake watching its prey.
Silent.
Patient.
Deadly.
Aoki Yoru didn't turn.
His hand rested on his sword.
"Come out," he said calmly.
"You've been hiding long enough."
"Clap… clap… clap…"
Slow, deliberate applause echoed through the trees.
From behind a trunk, a figure stepped out.
Pale skin.
Golden, vertical pupils.
A smile that felt… wrong.
Orochimaru.
"As expected of Yoru-kun," he said softly. "Such sharp perception."
Aoki Yoru's grip tightened.
"The Cold Lord… Orochimaru."
Orochimaru's smile widened slightly.
"To be recognized… I'm honored."
His tongue flicked out briefly.
Predatory.
Curious.
Aoki Yoru's gaze hardened.
"Danzo sent you."
Orochimaru chuckled.
"You're quite perceptive."
He tilted his head.
"I know everything about you, Yoru-kun."
His voice lowered.
"With your talent… staying in Konoha is a waste."
"Come with me."
"I can help you reach heights you cannot imagine."
He paused.
"And Danzo?"
"I can deal with him for you."
Silence.
Aoki Yoru slowly drew his cracked blade.
The steel gleamed faintly.
"I'll deal with that rat myself."
His eyes sharpened.
"As for you…"
He pointed the blade forward.
"Let me see how you compare to the other Sannin."
Orochimaru's smile faded slightly.
Then—
He laughed.
"Hehehe… how interesting."
Battle Begins
Suddenly—
His sleeves flared.
Several black snakes shot forward like arrows.
Aoki Yoru moved instantly.
"Swish—!"
One clean motion.
Every snake was cut in half mid-air.
Orochimaru didn't react.
Instead, his hands formed seals rapidly.
"Ninja Art: Myriad Snake Net Formation!"
The ground erupted.
Snakes poured out—
From the soil.
From the grass.
From his robes.
Endless.
Coiling.
Hissing.
A sea of scales surrounded Aoki Yoru completely.
The stench was suffocating.
Yet—
Aoki Yoru remained calm.
"Oh… this technique."
He glanced around.
"But numbers don't matter… if they're weak."
Lightning exploded from his body.
"Crackle—!"
The current surged outward.
Every snake that touched it—
Burned.
Charred.
Collapsed.
The swarm vanished almost instantly.
Orochimaru's pupils narrowed.
"Such lightning chakra… I—"
"Too slow."
A blade pierced his chest.
From behind.
Blood dripped.
Aoki Yoru stood there, expression cold.
"I'm tired of your talking."
He twisted the blade.
"Your strength hasn't improved."
His voice was sharp.
"You've already been left behind."
He pulled back instantly.
Creating distance.
Because he knew—
This wasn't over.
Orochimaru's "Death"
Orochimaru's body went still.
Then—
His head snapped back.
His mouth opened.
Wider.
Wider.
Unnaturally wide.
And then—
Another body slid out.
Whole.
Alive.
Covered in fluid.
Aoki Yoru froze for a split second.
Then frowned deeply.
"…Disgusting."
Orochimaru stood upright again, smiling.
"Ah… as expected."
"You're far more interesting than I imagined."
Aoki Yoru flicked blood off his blade.
His eyes turned colder.
This wasn't going to be simple.
And deep down—
He understood something clearly now.
Leaving Konoha…
Was never going to be a peaceful journey.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)