Each of Their Journeys
"Should. Probably, probably... or maybe not."
Bai Ye's first reaction to the news was disbelief. But after thinking it through, he realized the manner of his arrival in this world had always been murky and inexplicable.
It wasn't entirely impossible that someone else had transmigrated here as well. Who was to say time-travel wasn't a shared phenomenon?
Orochimaru, as expected, didn't offer an explanation—he merely smiled, deliberately vague, leaving others to puzzle it out on their own.
"Teacher Orochimaru," Bai Ye said, stepping forward as he gently detached the "moon" clinging to him like a koala—likely Yue. "Can I make a request?"
He hadn't attempted the other two jutsu Orochimaru had mentioned, which was, in its own way, a silent agreement to the arrangement.
"Very well," Orochimaru replied with interest, his eyes glinting. "Go ahead."
This disciple of his... was turning out to be far more intriguing than anticipated.
"It's nothing complicated," Bai Ye said. "I just want some discretionary free time during our normal schedule."
The real reason? He wanted the freedom to return to Konoha on his own when necessary.
Before leaving, Bai Ye had intended to speak to Might Guy directly—leave a message that, if he were ever absent too long without explanation, Guy should tell his father, Duy, to look for him.
He knew Guy's personality well. The boy wouldn't ask too many questions. This was Bai Ye's way of protecting himself—just in case Orochimaru tried anything shady. Like human experimentation.
"If you don't ask, I won't impose restrictions," Orochimaru replied calmly. This same freedom applied to Anko—still going by her given name, Mitarashi Anko, at the time.
He had no ill intentions yet. Orochimaru was primarily interested in studying Bai Ye's unique body and understanding how far his potential could be pushed.
At this point in the timeline, Orochimaru had not yet perfected his Living Corpse Reincarnation technique. His ambition was vast, but his plans were still gestating.
"You'll have to call me Senior Sister from now on~" Anko chirped smugly from the side, puffing up with pride. She had been accepted as a disciple before Bai Ye and didn't hesitate to assert her seniority, slapping him lightly on the shoulder like a big sister.
"What was that? I didn't quite hear you."
Bai Ye blinked innocently at her, his tone warm—but there was a subtle threat in his eyes, as if he were not imagining a Zanpakutō at her throat.
"You're so not cute," Anko huffed, lightly slapping the imaginary blade aside. She snuck a glance behind him at Yue, her cheeks suddenly flushing with color.
"Alright, alright, take your conversation elsewhere. Don't interfere with my work," Hiruzen Sarutobi—the Sandaime Hokage—finally spoke up, waving them away like buzzing flies.
"Old man, aren't you forgetting something?"
Jiraiya's voice cut in just as the kids began obediently shuffling out. He wasn't done here.
Bai Ye turned instinctively at the noise. He saw the Hokage toss a small bag toward Jiraiya and then wave him off with tired impatience.
"Let's go. Quit gawking."
Yuyan gave Bai Ye a little shove, pushing his turned head back around. Because of that, he never saw what Jiraiya pulled out of the bag.
"Why the rush?" Bai Ye complained, frustrated. He had just gotten curious.
"No whining. You kept us waiting all morning. You're treating us to lunch," Yuyan quipped.
Their voices faded into the distance—this would be their last shared meal for quite a while. When they saw each other again... no one could say how much time would have passed.
---
"Teacher Orochimaru, why are we leaving so suddenly?"
Bai Ye had hoped to spend the afternoon with Yue and Yuyan. But he was whisked away by Orochimaru just after the farewell meal.
He hadn't even left a message for Guy. Now he would have to take care of it next time he returned.
He, Anko, and Orochimaru had spent nearly five months living together in the village. Being separated so suddenly left Bai Ye a bit disoriented and quiet during their journey.
"Didn't I promise you?" Orochimaru said softly, eyes forward. "You'll have plenty of time to return in the future."
In truth, Orochimaru had been patient long enough. His objective—recruiting Bai Ye—had been achieved. Now, his mind was already on the experiments to come.
"Can you two slow down?"
Anko was the most annoyed of them all. They'd just eaten, and now she was sprinting through the forest. Her stomach was cramping from the sudden exertion.
They were en route to Orochimaru's new hideout, a temporary base he had constructed recently.
For now, there was nothing illegal there—just medical equipment. Orochimaru didn't want Bai Ye or Anko getting suspicious too early. The... less ethical materials would come later.
Whether or not they found out in the future would depend on how things played out.
---
Elsewhere, Yue was walking with Jiraiya—technically.
There was over ten meters of distance between them.
At dinner, Bai Ye had taken the opportunity to "warn" Yue about Jiraiya's eccentricities—specifically emphasizing that he was a perverted old man.
Now, Yue kept her distance like a cautious rabbit, observing every step Jiraiya made with wide, wary eyes.
As they walked, the streets gradually emptied. Eventually, it was just the two of them.
"Where'd he go?"
Yue blinked—Jiraiya had vanished from sight.
Then—
"Why are you so far behind?"
She jumped. A large hand had landed atop her head, and Jiraiya's voice rumbled behind her.
Yue froze completely. Her heart thudded rapidly in her chest, her breath caught in her throat. She dared not move.
"Alright, quit spacing out. Go on in," Jiraiya said, chuckling with exasperation. "Honestly, next time I see Bai Ye, I'm giving him a proper scolding. He's been feeding you nonsense."
"Ah—oh, right."
Yue blinked again. She hadn't realized she'd wandered all the way home.
---
And Yuyan?
She was having the worst day.
She trudged through the village streets, Tsunade—completely drunk—draped over her tiny frame.
While Bai Ye was settling into Orochimaru's base and Yue was saying goodbye to her mother, Yuyan had been dragged around all afternoon by the Tsunade of the Sannin.
This was the fifth time they'd passed the same dango stand.
"Is Tsunade-sensei really one of the Legendary Sannin? Because she's nothing like what the clan intelligence records say…"
Yuyan was beginning to wonder if the woman beside her was an imposter.
Because in terms of reliability, Tsunade ranked lower than Yuyan herself.
Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters