"You really want to know everything, don't you, Kabuto?"
Orochimaru gazed at Kabuto Yakushi calmly, his usual faint smile still present.
"No, I'm just a bit curious," Kabuto Yakushi replied evenly.
But deep down, he was lost in thought.
He fully understood that Orochimaru didn't completely trust him—even though their bond felt more like father and son than anything else.
Yet the closer they became, the more threatening it felt—just like when Orochimaru had told him before: the only way to stop him would be to kill Sasuke.
And under such circumstances, Kabuto himself couldn't be trusted either.
"Hehe, don't look so tense in front of me. Haven't I already said—you're going to become my right hand?"
Orochimaru seemed to have read his mind.
"Still, since you're so curious, I'll let you in on part of it."
"Alright."
Orochimaru turned his gaze back toward where Hyuga Ao had retreated moments ago, a trace of pride flickering across his face.
"In some ways, I'm quite similar to that man, Uchiha Itachi. A man's strength isn't just about ability—it's all about his will, his mindset, his inner strength. That man slaughtered his entire clan to prove his own. And from this child called Hyuga Ao, I see something fascinating as well."
Orochimaru's voice was dark, filled with both yearning and admiration for power.
So far, Orochimaru still believed that Uchiha Itachi killed his clan simply out of desire for strength.
If proving one's true capacity meant having the guts to slaughter your own clan, then that too was a form of extreme perfection.
Therefore, what he longed for most was the Sharingan. But after that man proved his strength, Orochimaru realized he could no longer defeat him.
So now, he could only settle for second best—Sasuke Uchiha's eyes and that body perfectly suited for carrying the Sharingan.
Kabuto Yakushi shook his head. "That child, Hyuga Ao—I don't think he has anywhere near the level of capacity that man did."
"Not at all, Kabuto. Back then when Mizuki came to me, I held the same belief. But over time, my views have gradually changed."
"Now *that* interests me."
"If you raise even the fiercest wolf among sheep, it will degenerate into a dog. Yet the Hyuga are a clan born with hatred in their eyes toward the world. As someone from their Branch Family, that very hatred pleases me—it makes me want to do something interesting."
Orochimaru spoke with growing excitement, finally even sticking out his snake-like tongue to lick his lips.
"So you placed the Earth Cursed Seal on him? Even though Kimimaro himself was merely an Earth Cursed Seal—an almost-perfect creation, second only to the Heaven Cursed Seal on Sasuke, which you truly desire. Don't you think that's excessive?"
"Kabuto, this is exactly what you need to learn. You still see only physical strength and natural talent when judging their futures. But that vicious glint in their eyes—that's what determines everything."
"I understand," Kabuto Yakushi nodded. "But that child wouldn't have drawn your attention if he didn't possess the Hyuga clan's talent, right?"
Kabuto spoke with confidence in his voice.
Despite his inner wariness of Orochimaru, Kabuto might have been the only one who could speak so freely with him.
Orochimaru nodded and walked toward a table.
"This is exactly what I appreciate most about you. Even after learning how to think with a new mindset, you never forget the fundamental issues. I'm very eager to see what kind of power will emerge from combining the Hyuga bloodline with the Cursed Seal of Earth."
Saying this, Orochimaru picked up the green Kazekage cloak resting on the table. This symbol of the Land of Wind's highest authority now lay carelessly here.
"The people from the Land of Wind probably never imagined their own Kazekage had already died long ago."
The cloak suddenly billowed open like a warrior's cape in the wind, concealing the serpentine man beneath its folds.
The next morning, excitement stirred the entire village as Konoha woke before dawn.
Today marked the official matches of the semiannual Chunin Exams.
Everyone's attention had been captivated by this grand occasion. After all, in a world dominated by ninja, how could people not follow such an important event?
Even curious children had already started gathering one after another at Konoha's main gate, watching the procession of prestigious figures' carriages arrive.
"Quick, look! That's the Fire Daimyo's palanquin!"
"That's the Kazekage's carriage. I really want to become someone as great as the Kazekage someday."
"Please! Our Hokage is way stronger anyway."
The onlookers enthusiastically discussed these important visitors.
Among the crowd were also orphans who had spent most of their lives confined behind the orphanage gates. Everything outside felt completely fresh and exciting to them.
"I wonder if Shiki-bro will win this Chunin Exam? I'm really excited about it!"
"Yeah. We originally thought Shiki-bro and Kabuto-bro would fight side by side in the exams together. But now that won't happen."
For these orphans, the people they looked up to most were definitely Shiki Uzumaki and Kabuto Yakushi.
Of course, they liked Kabuto more.
Because Kabuto had always been there accompanying them.
"Kabuto and Shiki..."
The person sitting inside the Kazekage's carriage suddenly spoke this phrase like a question.
"These two kids are actually pretty cool, you know. However, this exam might not give you the opportunity to witness any brilliant battles."
On top of a high building belonging to the Ninja Academy, the Third Hokage stood overlooking the entire village.
A soft breeze brushed past, wrapping everything in quiet serenity.
"The Chunin Exams are finally beginning."
After this reflection, the prosperous scene across the village brought some tranquility to his previously troubled mind.
"Oh, Iruka, has Shiki Uzumaki come back yet?"
The Third turned his head to ask Iruka, who was standing beside him.
Iruka shook his head. "Not yet, but I believe Shiki Uzumaki will make it back in time for the Chunin Exams."
"And what about Sasuke?"
"He hasn't returned either."
The Third nodded slowly, his gaze roaming over the flourishing Village.
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