"Gen-kun, this is our first official meeting. I've been watching you for some time now, and you've given me far too many surprises… and far too much delight."
Orochimaru stood atop a tree branch, gazing down at Uchiha Gen with unmistakable admiration gleaming in his slit-like eyes.
Uchiha Gen continued to look up at the moon hanging in the night sky and replied calmly, "Senior Orochimaru, you flatter me. I merely did what a shinobi should—eliminate the enemy."
Orochimaru let out a low chuckle.
"Gen-kun, I've been observing you since the very first day you arrived. You're… special. I can tell immediately that you're different from the other genin who just graduated from the Academy."
His lips curled upward.
"Heh heh. Ferocious Tiger. To earn a title from the enemy is not something an ordinary ninja can accomplish."
A flicker of surprise passed through Uchiha Gen's heart. He had expected his battlefield performance to attract Orochimaru's attention—but not from the very first day.
"Is Senior Orochimaru paying such close attention to me simply because I'm an Uchiha?" Gen asked.
Orochimaru turned, his snake-like pupils locking onto Gen with unsettling interest. A wicked smile spread across his face.
"No," he said softly. "It's the chakra you left behind… in the Forest of Death."
Gen immediately recalled their brief encounter there. A helpless smile appeared on his face.
"Then it must have been those snakes. I suppose they were all Senior's eyes."
Orochimaru merely smiled. He extended his tongue and slowly licked the corner of his mouth, his expression resembling that of a predator who had just found exquisite prey.
"Gen-kun, the more I observe you, the more fascinated I become. I'm this close to losing control. I truly want to place you on a dissection table and study you properly—right now."
As his words fell, an overwhelming killing intent erupted and crashed toward Uchiha Gen like a tidal wave.
Yet Gen stood firm—like a solitary rock amid a raging sea—completely unmoved.
Orochimaru's interest deepened. Slowly, he formed a hand seal.
Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique.
A genjutsu that attacked the psyche directly, forcing the victim to witness the deepest fear hidden within their heart.
The star-filled sky before Gen's eyes twisted violently. In an instant, he found himself beneath a dim crimson sky. Black mist rolled endlessly in all directions, filled with eerie howls and distorted roars as countless terrifying apparitions emerged.
Then—
A pair of massive golden eyes opened within the crimson heavens.
The entire illusion shattered with a thunderous bang.
The night sky returned, stars glittering as before. Orochimaru's genjutsu had been broken—brutally and decisively.
"Interesting…"
Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!
Orochimaru raised his right arm. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a writhing mass of serpents that shot toward Gen.
Swish!
Uchiha Gen vanished.
He reappeared instantly beside Orochimaru, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.
"Senior," Gen said lightly, "testing me with genjutsu is more than enough. I'd rather not touch those slimy snakes. They make me uncomfortable."
Orochimaru laughed softly.
"Gen-kun… you dodged it?"
At such a close distance, evading Hidden Shadow Snake Hands was no simple feat.
"You truly are formidable. I've heard that aside from Shisui, another genius has emerged among the Uchiha—the clan head's prodigy, Uchiha Itachi."
His gaze sharpened.
"They say he applied for graduation on his first day at the Academy. Even the Sandaime praised him, claiming he possesses the mindset of a Hokage. On the battlefield against Kirigakure, he's already killed several Mist jōnin."
Uchiha Gen smiled faintly.
"Itachi, huh? He is a genius of astonishing talent."
"But in my opinion," Orochimaru continued, "you surpass them all. Uchiha Shisui. Uchiha Itachi. These two so-called prodigies are far inferior to you."
"It's an honor to be held in such high regard by senior," Gen replied politely.
Orochimaru's expression suddenly turned serious.
"Gen-kun… you're wary of the Village. Or rather—you're wary of the old man and them."
Gen chuckled softly.
"Senior Orochimaru, such words are dangerous. People can die for less."
"The Sandaime is the most respected elder in the Village," he continued smoothly. "You shouldn't speak nonsense that might slander me."
At that moment, powerful gusts of wind surged around them.
Though he sensed no killing intent from Gen, Orochimaru felt an inexplicable chill—like a fatal lightning strike could descend at any moment.
For his instincts to scream so loudly meant only one thing:
Uchiha Gen possessed power capable of threatening him.
Orochimaru smiled again, interest burning brighter.
"Still… you are clearly not among those who revere the old man."
Gen shrugged helplessly.
"If Senior has already decided I'm a rebel, then why not arrest me right now?"
After a brief silence, Orochimaru asked, "What do you think of the Fourth Hokage?"
Gen paused, slightly startled by the sudden change in topic.
"The Fourth Hokage would have been a capable leader—perhaps even one who could revive the Village," Gen said after a moment. "It's a pity he died too early."
"Might?" Orochimaru echoed, turning his head sharply.
Gen met his gaze evenly.
"Although the Fourth assumed office, in my eyes he was little more than a puppet of the Sandaime."
He continued calmly, "Why is Senior stationed here? The Sand's current strength doesn't warrant your presence."
Orochimaru's lips curved playfully.
"Then why do you think it is?"
"To suppress Senior," Gen replied without hesitation. "To prevent you from accumulating enough merit."
"The Fourth's reputation as Konoha's Yellow Flash barely convinced the masses. And that was only because Senior chose to concede."
"After the Nine-Tails incident, the Sandaime reassumed the mantle of Hokage. Now, without a second Yellow Flash, Senior has no choice but to remain here."
Orochimaru's expression remained unchanged. He had long understood this truth.
"Gen-kun," he said quietly, "your insight is truly astonishing."
"Hahaha," Gen laughed softly. "Sarutobi-sensei's schemes can't even fool a child."
"After all," he continued, lips curling into a mocking smile, "power is the most intoxicating treasure. No one relinquishes it willingly. Perhaps only death can pry it from their hands."
Then, with genuine admiration in his eyes, Gen looked at Orochimaru.
"That's why I admire you, Senior. To abandon the Hokage's seat—something countless people covet."
"If you had truly chosen to contend back then," he added, "even with the Sandaime's support, the Fourth Hokage would have struggled to ascend."
"Hahaha…"
Orochimaru's laughter echoed through the silent night, low and chilling.
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