"Haku, don't eat too many sweets. You'll get cavities."
"Oh... understood, Sensei..."
Haku had been devouring ice cream in big bites. Truth be told, someone with the Ice Shield Kekkei Genkai really could withstand the cold.
Even as Kazuyama Gekkō felt chilled eating his own meal, Haku sat there in the middle of a snowstorm eating ice cream as if nothing were wrong.
The sight was so oddly heartwarming that Orochimaru let out a laugh.
"Hehehehe, Kazuyama, you're looking more and more like a proper babysitter."
"By the way, how are those two kids, Michihito and Senko? Want to send them to me for a round of training?"
Michihito Gekkō had remarkable talent. Though still a bit behind his father, he was undoubtedly a prodigy among prodigies. Orochimaru clearly had his eye on him.
"Don't even bring up that little brat. Who knows what got into him—he's dead set on learning kenjutsu. No, more precisely, blade techniques."
"He spends every day chasing after Sakumo Hatake, learning under him, and has practically forgotten about me, his own father."
"As for Senko, she's apprenticed herself to Tsunade."
With Tsunade?
Orochimaru froze for a moment. It wasn't that he doubted her ability, but his mind couldn't help but recall her notorious habits—drinking, gambling...
Was she really a reliable teacher?
Seeing Orochimaru's silence, Kazuyama Gekkō stepped in to defend her.
"She's gotten over her hemophobia now."
"As for gambling and drinking—hardly a big deal."
"The main thing is, Tsunade inherited the Shikkotsu Forest. Of the three great Sage Lands, I already have Ryūchi Cave under my control."
"As for Mount Myōboku... well, I've never cared for the toads. And if Senko had to work with snakes, I doubt she'd like that either."
"So after weighing it all, Tsunade turned out to be the best option for my daughter's future."
"Though, to be honest, I can't say I find slugs all that appealing either."
He made no attempt to hide it—what he truly sought was the Shikkotsu Forest and its Senjutsu.
And of course, Tsunade herself would be a formidable ally.
"Hehehe, Kazuyama, you've always thought ahead of the curve."
"There's a reason behind your choices, no doubt."
"Tsunade is one of the Sannin, after all, and the princess of the Senju clan. Her status and strength both make her a suitable teacher."
Orochimaru sipped his water, a faint smile tugging at his lips—perhaps remembering the past, or perhaps thinking of the future.
Kazuyama Gekkō, however, didn't find it worth overthinking. With him around, he himself was his children's strongest shield.
"By the way, Sensei, you said you came to the Land of Water for materials."
"What kind of materials?"
Kazuyama Gekkō knew Orochimaru's habits well—he'd been holed up in the Land of Waterfalls and on Turtle Island for experiments.
Never had he expected Orochimaru to come wandering into the Land of Water.
"Hehehe. I've gotten word that the turmoil in the Land of Water is worsening."
"Chances are, it's tied to the Akatsuki."
"Wherever chaos grows, there's always something worth seizing."
As he said this, Orochimaru's gaze shifted toward Haku.
He studied the boy with an intent, measuring look. His snake-like eyes gleamed faintly with interest.
That very gaze made Haku's skin crawl. Orochimaru's eyes weren't normal—they were serpentine.
The aura of danger radiating from him set Haku's nerves on edge.
"Hey, Sensei, don't scare the kid."
"Haku's just someone I happened to come across."
"You know how things are in Kirigakure. With the turmoil spreading everywhere, it's nearly impossible for people like us to survive."
The Blood Mist wasn't a joke—it was slaughter.
A tyranny within the village itself, where Kekkei Genkai wielders were massacred by their own comrades.
"Hehehe, and that's exactly the opportunity."
"I plan to head into Kirigakure myself. With luck, I'll find something valuable there."
"My research has hit a wall. More experiments won't get me anywhere—I'd be better off testing my luck in the field."
Heading into the Mist Village, huh?
Kazuyama Gekkō found it reasonable. After all, he'd stumbled across Haku. Who knew who else he might find if he ventured deeper?
He'd need to keep a close watch on Orochimaru. A talent like Haku should fall under his guidance—not risk being claimed by his teacher first.
Otherwise, Orochimaru might well lead him astray.
Orochimaru: ...So, you mean to steal your teacher's chance?
Kazuyama Gekkō: Hey, we're all family. Stealing's too strong a word. Borrowing. Let's call it borrowing.
"Fine. I'm tracking the Akatsuki's whereabouts anyway."
"Shall we go together?"
Orochimaru nodded. Truthfully, the moment he had run into Kazuyama Gekkō, he'd already decided they should cooperate.
The situation in Kirigakure was complicated. Having an extra ally—especially one as mobile as Kazuyama—was only a benefit.
For the next few days, Kazuyama Gekkō, Haku, and Orochimaru traveled together.
Before long, they arrived at the central island of the Land of Water, where Kirigakure was located.
The moment Kazuyama Gekkō stepped onto its shores, a heavy, familiar oppression sank over him.
It wasn't the presence of a powerful enemy. It was the weather.
The fog on this island was even denser, shrouding everything in a suffocating gloom.
"No matter how many times I come, this feeling never changes."
"Hard to imagine how people actually live like this."
"Feels like you could wring water straight out of your clothes."
Kazuyama Gekkō twisted at his sleeve in annoyance—and sure enough, droplets fell.
"Hehehe. Land shapes people. Kirigakure has endured this long for a reason."
"Kazuyama, don't be so harsh."
Orochimaru chuckled, prompting Kazuyama Gekkō to roll his eyes.
Soon after, the three of them pressed on toward the village.
As they drew nearer, the sky began to darken.
"Sensei, do you hear that?"
"Mm. I hear it. Seems we've come at the perfect time."
Orochimaru's gaze drifted into the distance. Even without sensory abilities, his instincts as a seasoned ninja told him enough.
"Tagitsuhime, sense it."
"Already did. A large group is heading straight toward Kirigakure. Looks like a battle's about to break out."
"A battle?"
Kazuyama Gekkō's mind raced, dredging up old memories.
Then it struck him.
The Taketori Clan uprising!
Also known as the Kaguya Clan.
They had appeared during the Third Great Ninja War—a clan of battle fanatics.
A people who revered strength above all else, and one who also bore a Kekkei Genkai.