Uchiha Shigure stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening as the pale figure stepped out of the market crowd. Of all the people he expected to encounter inside Konoha, this man was not one of them.
"Orochimaru…?" Shigure's lips curled into a half-smile. "What are the odds? Konoha feels small today."
The Sannin's serpentine eyes narrowed, a faint smile tugging at his thin lips. Unlike the sinister monster Shigure remembered from the future, this Orochimaru still wore the mask of civility, his voice as smooth as silk.
"Junior Brother Shigure," he said with exaggerated politeness. "Word of your deeds has spread even to the borderlands. Since fate has allowed us to meet, would you grant me a demonstration of your… strength?"
Shigure chuckled. He recognized the honeyed tone for what it was. This was Orochimaru—more dangerous in conversation than in direct battle. "Since you address me as junior brother, refusing would be rude. But why should I cross blades with one of the Sannin for no reason? Where's the benefit in that?"
For the briefest moment, Orochimaru's brows rose. Then, a sly grin crept across his pale face. "Greedy, are you? Extorting favors from me so boldly upon our first meeting? I wonder if Sarutobi-sensei knows about this side of you?"
Inside, Shigure's mind raced. So, that's your game—you want me to defend myself, to stumble, to show weakness?
He grinned wider, his expression disarmingly confident. "Brother Orochimaru, human nature is complicated. People take different paths, chase different futures. Just look at the three of you—each headed toward a destiny worlds apart. Speaking of which, I wonder… does Sarutobi-sensei realize that you are dabbling in the art of immortality?"
The smile froze. Orochimaru's reptilian pupils shrank to pinpoints. A blur of motion followed—faster than most shinobi could track. In less than a heartbeat, Orochimaru's cold hand clamped around Shigure's neck.
From the folds of his sleeve slithered several dark snakes, hissing and poised to strike.
"Boy," Orochimaru hissed, his yellow eyes boring into Shigure with venomous intent, "I don't know what you think you're implying."
Shigure's lips twisted into something darker, almost taunting. "Oh, you'll understand soon enough."
With a puff of smoke, his body dissolved into a wooden training log—it had been nothing but a substitution.
Orochimaru didn't even turn, already calculating. His voice slithered out cold and sharp. "Snake Hand!"
The snakes lashed out, but they struck only air.
A kunai clattered to the ground beside him. Before Orochimaru could react, the air shimmered, and Shigure appeared in front of him in a burst of chakra.
The child's small fingers clamped onto Orochimaru's sleeve, while the tip of an ethereal-bladed kunai pressed unerringly against the Sannin's heart. A matter of centimeters separated Orochimaru's life and death.
Orochimaru blinked. For an instant, he couldn't comprehend what had happened. Then recognition flared in his eyes.
"Flying Thunder God…?! Precise placement, directly at my heart… Impossible. Besides that Minato brat, who else could wield this accursed jutsu with such mastery?"
Five years old. Barely tall enough to reach Orochimaru's chest. Yet this boy, this nephew of a ruined clan, had neutralized one of the Legendary Sannin in less time than it took to blink.
"A true monster," Orochimaru whispered under his breath. Then, more loudly, "Sarutobi-sensei has indeed taken in a terrifying genius. Tell me, Shigure, what else do you know… and what is it you desire so much that you dare to threaten me?"
The snakes receded, slithering back into Orochimaru's sleeves. For all his pride, even Orochimaru knew better than to provoke chaos in the village streets.
Shigure withdrew his kunai deliberately slowly, still meeting Orochimaru's gaze with unblinking confidence. Good. He understands. I've won the first round.
"Since you're offering, shall we continue someplace quieter?" Shigure asked easily.
Orochimaru's lip twitched upward. "Ha. Very well. Come with me… if you're not afraid."
"I think it's you who should be afraid," Shigure muttered under his breath, though he followed nonetheless. His right hand lightly brushed against Orochimaru's sleeve as they walked, inscribing a silent Flying Thunder God mark on the Sannin's body.
If the snake tried anything treacherous, Shigure would carve right through him before he could hiss.
Orochimaru's Lair
They left the bustling avenues behind, wandering into more deserted districts of Konoha where only the occasional patrol passed by. Orochimaru led Shigure into a dimly lit compound nestled at the far edge of the village.
Shigure was taken aback the moment he stepped inside. The house was spotless. Furniture neatly aligned, scrolls meticulously catalogued. Not a speck of dust anywhere, despite its owner constantly being out on missions.
Orochimaru gestured toward a cushion. "Sit. You expected cobwebs and bones, didn't you? Not all of the Sannin live like Tsunade. As for Jiraiya…" Orochimaru's thin lips curled. "Well, I hardly need to describe his messes."
Shigure smirked, loosening the tension in the air. "You've got more self-control than they do, that's for sure."
The snake Sannin wasted no more time. His amusement faded, replaced by sharp intent. "This place is secure. Speak freely. What exactly do you want from me, and how much do you know of my research?"
Shigure tapped his chin thoughtfully, pretending to debate how much to reveal. Then he asked with deliberate calm: "Tell me… are you familiar with the Summoning of Spirits?"
Orochimaru tilted his head. "The Summoning Technique? Of course. You want my summoning contract?"
Shigure shook his head slowly. "No. What I want is entry into Ryūchi Cave."
The silence that followed was almost suffocating. Even for Orochimaru, the words came as a shock. His eyes widened in genuine disbelief.
"Ryūchi Cave… You know of such a place? That secret is known only to a handful even within my circle. Even I have yet to complete the White Snake Sage's trial. I merely signed minor contracts with her kin." His voice lowered. "Child, how do you know such things? Do your eyes see that which others cannot—both the past and the future?"
"I know enough to want what I want." Shigure's voice was steady, his expression resolute. "Your doubts are irrelevant. I don't need your excuses. Just send me there."
Orochimaru studied him with open fascination, as though peering at a rare specimen in a jar. At last, he chuckled darkly. "What an audacious child. Very well. But then you must answer me—how do you know of my research into immortality?"
Shigure leaned back, lips curved into that same infuriating smirk. "Rest assured. No one knows but me. And if you want an answer—I'll give you this. My eyes can see the future."
Orochimaru bared his teeth, halfway between skepticism and amusement. "A pitiful lie. And yet, there's something in you that makes me want to believe it."
Shigure leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Then here is advice—free of charge. The soul and the body should share equal strength. To seize the body alone will scatter the spirit. If you want true immortality, Orochimaru, don't chase corpses. Study nature itself… study natural energy."
The words struck like poison. Orochimaru gazed at him in silence, absorbing the hint. For most shinobi, natural energy was nothing more than legend. But for Orochimaru, who had already delved into forbidden arts since the war, this was a revelation. A new path.
He nodded slowly. "Very… intriguing. But know this. If anyone else learns what you've said, even Sensei himself—I won't let you leave alive."
Shigure only laughed softly, unbothered. I'll blackmail you again before long, old snake.
Without further preamble, Orochimaru bit into his thumb and flew through hand signs. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
A cloud of smoke erupted in the courtyard. When it cleared, a massive serpent uncoiled itself, tongue flickering. Its golden eyes flickered with recognition.
"Orochimaru? What service do you require?" the snake hissed.
Orochimaru gestured to the child at his side. "This human seeks Ryūchi Cave. Take him."
The serpent turned, its enormous head dipping to leer at Shigure. "This… human child?"
The snake's laughter rattled the air like sliding bones.
And yet, Shigure only smiled.
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