People like him don't even qualify to be engraved on the Memorial Stone.
Thinking about this, he couldn't help but sigh.
His fingers tapped against the solid wooden table. A child full of hope had died just like that.
Even for someone like him, who had long grown accustomed to the deaths of ninjas, it was still heartbreaking.
Just as The Third often said, every child in Konoha was a new bud.
Their lives were filled with uncertainty, and dying at such a young age—how could anyone not feel sorrow?
Moreover, as a member of the Hyuga Branch House, perhaps only his parents would mourn for him.
At most, maybe one or two friends might grieve slightly.
"What a tragedy," muttered the chunin. Even in these times of peace, such a promising young life had been lost.
Still, no matter how regrettable it was, he needed to put this document away and file it properly.
He gave one last glance at the photo attached to the file—the boy's thin frame, his face showing a resolute determination, yet his brows were knitted together, as if perpetually unhappy.
He closed the file. It felt as though all traces left behind by this boy in this world had now vanished.
"Lord Orochimaru."
Hyuga Ao stood respectfully before the man before him.
Even though this person had his back turned, the boy still looked upon him with admiration.
This admiration, however, was mixed with something akin to faith.
Even if the man ordered him to go die right then and there, he wouldn't hesitate for a second.
Everyone had their weakest moments; everyone had something they wanted to protect and something they longed to gain.
What he wished to obtain, he believed only this man could grant.
Only Lord Orochimaru saw him as useful—saw his worth—even if Orochimaru himself had told him his value lay merely in being used.
But wasn't that exactly what human worth is all about?
While others treated him like nothing more than an accessory to the Main House—a mere decorative flourish beneath the Main House's splendid exterior—
Only this man before him had told him otherwise, telling him he could decide everything himself.
Orochimaru wanted to use him, but hadn't he also always wanted to become Orochimaru's tool?
"Ah, Hyuga Ao. It's you. Is everything ready?"
Orochimaru slowly turned around, his gentle smile making him seem like a loving family member.
Every talented child Orochimaru had ever taken an interest in received similar treatment during ordinary times.
Yet most also understood well enough—if you failed to provide value to Lord Orochimaru, what awaited you was an entirely different outcome.
"As you commanded, I am completely prepared. However…" Hyuga Ao hesitated slightly.
Orochimaru asked easily, "However what? Just speak freely."
Hyuga Ao, hearing Orochimaru's words, no longer held back and asked, "But will my mission truly benefit your plan?"
"Of course not," Orochimaru replied with a smirk, meeting Hyuga Ao's expectant gaze. "But isn't this what you've always wanted, Qing Mu?"
Hyuga Ao stiffened in shock. Even though he had doubted it all along, hearing those words from Orochimaru still struck him hard.
Orochimaru-sama was fulfilling his wish again.
Looking down at himself—his dark purple Chunin vest of the Oto ninja, and the forehead protector bearing the musical note symbol—Hyuga Ao felt a wave of sadness.
All this time, it had been Orochimaru-sama who helped him fulfill one wish after another, even if they were effortless for him.
Yet Hyuga Ao, once a member of the Hyuga clan, had never truly experienced such a feeling of being valued.
Even the Cage Bird seal on his body had been suppressed by Orochimaru-sama's sealing jutsu.
Orochimaru-sama had said that he lacked the ability to completely remove the Cage Bird seal because even the slightest activation would trigger the Cursed Seal and take his life.
However, Orochimaru-sama could suppress both the Cage Bird seal and the Cursed Seal together.
But...
Was he still not worthy of becoming Orochimaru-sama's tool?
Even unconsciously, Orochimaru-sama still sought to satisfy him.
He was no longer that same child from the past—one who thrived on showing off and bullying others for pleasure.
Now, he wanted to do something for Orochimaru-sama.
"Please reconsider—even placing me into a regular combat squad..."
But suddenly, a hand pressed against his forehead.
"Qing Mu, you're far from ordinary. Even as my pawn, you are an important one. Don't belittle yourself."
Hyuga Ao exclaimed, "But I want to do something for you!"
"You'll have plenty of chances in the future. This operation is already perfectly set up. You don't need to do anything else—just fulfill the desire you had back in the Ninja Academy. Wasn't there always someone you longed to defeat? Then go ahead."
With that, Orochimaru turned and waved dismissively, signaling Hyuga Ao to leave.
In that gloomy, damp hideout, Hyuga Ao hesitated, words caught in his throat. But eventually, he turned and left, unwilling to defy the command of the man before him.
Yet the moment he left, another voice echoed through the serpent-like lair.
"Lord Orochimaru, I must admit I'm curious. Why invest so much effort into someone without talent?"
It sounded like someone pushed up their glasses; a glint of light flickered from somewhere unseen.
Chapter 183: Peril at Every Turn
"Lord Orochimaru, investing so heavily in someone with no talent—this doesn't seem like your usual style."
Kabuto Yakushi stepped naturally out of the shadows. His presence was as fluid as ever, yet Hyuga Ao, who believed himself now to be quite powerful, hadn't sensed him at all.
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