"What a lively night this has turned out to be."
"Kazuyama, it seems traveling with you really does come with its rewards."
"Come on, let's take a look."
Orochimaru quickened his pace, his body gliding forward like a serpent.
Kazuyama Gekkō's mouth twitched slightly at the sight. Inwardly, he thought, As if this has anything to do with me. With Orochimaru's nature, even if I weren't here, he would've made it tonight regardless.
"Haku, I'll go ahead first. You follow. Tagitsuhime, keep an eye on him."
"Understood, Sensei."
Tagitsuhime slipped out from Kazuyama Gekkō's body, transforming into a red serpent that coiled protectively around Haku.
After these past days, Haku was already familiar with her and felt no discomfort. In fact, Tagitsuhime rather liked him. With the Ice Shield Kekkei Genkai, his body temperature was naturally low—refreshing and comfortable for her.
Kazuyama Gekkō and Orochimaru reached the mountainside, where the scene below came into view.
Flames lit up the outskirts of Kirigakure.
The fighting had already begun.
"Tsk, tsk. Where there's oppression, there's resistance."
"Kirigakure has enforced this 'Blood Mist Village' policy for years. Now? Retribution."
The policy was truly loathsome. Every time he heard the name, Kazuyama Gekkō felt that killing the Third Mizukage back then had been the right decision.
After all, he was the one who started it. A pity, really. He should have struck him down a few more times.
"Hehehe, Kazuyama, can you see who's attacking?"
"Mm. Twin red dots at the forehead. If I'm not mistaken, that's the Kaguya clan—a people who pursue strength above all else."
With his Hive Eyes active, their traits were clear as day.
After all, those brows resembling Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's were far too distinctive.
"Shall we go down? The view from here isn't clear enough."
"Let's."
At the mention of the Kaguya, curiosity gleamed in Orochimaru's eyes. Together, the two advanced further toward the village.
Behind them, Haku struggled. Young, forced to march at night—without Tagitsuhime's support, he would have fallen behind long ago.
By the time he finally reached halfway up the mountain, the two were already gone. Haku's heart sank.
"Tagitsuhime, where did Sensei and the others go?"
"Oh, they've already gone down. Listen, little Haku, don't chase after them. Look down there—Kirigakure is in chaos. What business would a kid like you have in that mess?"
"But I want to follow Sensei..."
"Hey, hey, listen to me. Just stay here. Didn't you want to learn how to build a house like your teacher? Want me to teach you?"
Knowing the battle below was no place for Haku, Tagitsuhime decided for him.
To ease him, she used a trick: spark his curiosity.
It was nothing more than imitating Kazuyama Gekkō's methods, but it worked. And it worked very well.
"Really?"
"But my ice can only form a single sheet. Any more, and it shatters."
Haku had already learned to use chakra and could form ice, but his limited reserves meant the creations were small.
Tagitsuhime gave him a simple solution.
"That's just because your chakra is too little."
"But who am I? I'm Tagitsuhime, one of the Three Snake Princesses of Ryūchi Cave!"
"For me, chakra is nothing."
"Watch closely!"
Crimson chakra flared around her, then wrapped itself around Haku under her control.
Suddenly, he felt overflowing strength coursing through him, a sensation so invigorating it widened his eyes.
Just as he was marveling at the surge, Tagitsuhime's voice rang out again.
"Don't just stand there, little Haku. Try forming your ice shield."
"Oh, okay!"
With her chakra bolstering him, Haku quickly conjured an ice shield. This time it appeared swiftly, and its size was far larger than before.
"So fast! I never thought I could form such a huge block this quickly!"
"Tagitsuhime, you're amazing!"
She smiled faintly, thinking, Hah, raising kids really is simple.
...
Kazuyama Gekkō, meanwhile, knew nothing of what was happening on the mountainside.
He now stood outside Kirigakure with Orochimaru, watching the village burn under the glow of flames.
"Good grief, this clan is fearless. Barely a hundred of them, daring to attack Kirigakure?"
"Tsk. Pitiful, really."
"Hm?"
Kazuyama Gekkō's gaze shifted to a boy wielding a pale short blade. Each strike cut down an enemy.
Calm. Steady. Exuding a killing aura.
"Hehehe, you saw him too, didn't you, Kazuyama?"
"What a fine seedling. Splendid."
Orochimaru's eyes were also fixed on the youth. He was extraordinary—just a boy, yet already a deadly warrior.
Even against much larger foes, he showed no fear, cutting them down with ruthless stabs.
"A genius of the Kaguya clan, hm..."
"Tsk, tsk. I can't help but want to collect such a talent... Sensei..."
"Hey, what's with that look?"
Kazuyama Gekkō had already recognized him. Kimimaro! Such a treasure had to be secured.
But as soon as he spoke, he felt Orochimaru's eyes lock onto him, sharp and unrelenting.
It made his skin crawl.
"Kazuyama, over the years, how many potions have you taken from me? Have I ever demanded repayment?"
"No..."
"And the prodigies you've brought me—have I ever slighted them, or tried to keep them for myself?"
"No..."
Kazuyama Gekkō knew exactly where this was going, but he couldn't accept it. This was Kimimaro!
"Wait, Sensei, you're suited for research. Wouldn't nurturing talent be better left to me?"
"Hehehe... no."
Kazuyama Gekkō: ...
"I feel this boy and I share a bond. He belongs with me."
"He will become a great warrior—one who belongs to no one."
"So, Kazuyama, this time I won't yield. This boy is mine."
And just like that, Kimimaro was claimed.