Chapter 27: Orochimaru's Sudden Departure
The street outside the shop was already packed with onlookers, forming a tight circle three layers deep.
Some stood on their toes, trying to peek inside. Others huddled together, whispering. Even passing shinobi couldn't help but stop.
The news that "Lord Jiraiya is back!" had spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of Konoha in no time.
"Is it really Lord Jiraiya? I heard he was traveling, that he hadn't been back in ages!"
"It has to be! I just saw his white hair, no mistake!"
"I wonder if he'll stay long this time. The atmosphere in the village has felt... off, lately."
And, of course, many of them were pointing at Orochimaru.
"Who is that lady? She's beautiful."
"Yeah, seriously, she's gorgeous! Her skin is so pale, and her eyes are so bright. She's even prettier than the stars on the posters."
"Maybe she's Lord Jiraiya's friend? They look like they know each other well," another villager guessed, motioning toward Jiraiya, who was still bickering with Naruto.
"Maybe she's a shinobi from another village? Someone that beautiful must be strong, right?"
The chatter grew louder. Some even began to quietly debate if "this lady was married," completely oblivious to the fact that the 'girl's' expression was beginning to change.
Orochimaru had never imagined that simply changing her appearance would attract so much... irrelevant attention.
Inside, Jiraiya heard the commotion and poked his head out. When he saw the villagers pointing and staring at Orochimaru with "admiration," he flared up. "Hey! What are you looking at! That's not a 'lady,' he's..."
"Lord Jiraiya!" Kakashi quickly tugged on his sleeve, hissing, "Don't reveal his identity! There are too many people. It'll cause a panic."
He did not want the villagers of Konoha thrown into a panic over Orochimaru's return.
Naruto also peered out at the crowd, then looked back at Orochimaru and scratched his head. "So I'm not the only one who thinks she's pretty. But... when she licked my face earlier, it was super gross!"
Orochimaru scanned the crowd and made a decision. "It seems... it is time for my departure."
"Jiraiya... we will meet later."
And with that, Orochimaru vanished.
From the conversation, she had already gathered a lot of information. She was now in a hurry to verify it.
She had originally assumed that possessing these memories was an extremely rare event, something that had only happened to her. After all, she hadn't found a single case in all of Otogakure and had even investigated other villages with no success.
But Jiraiya's sudden arrival with Tsunade's letter had piqued her interest. Could this phenomenon be widespread? Or was it limited to a few powerful shinobi?
Jiraiya, however, seemed to have no such memories. He didn't even know why Tsunade sent him.
He just got a letter and then foolishly charged into Otogakure alone.
Now, here in Konoha, she finds that some Chunin seem to know that Naruto is Jiraiya's future student. But based on their reactions, neither Jiraiya nor Naruto knows.
Jiraiya has no memories. Naruto has no memories. But Konoha's Chunin know things that haven't happened yet.
This contradiction led her to a realization.
Could it be... a fragmented broadcast of memories?
Orochimaru suddenly considered a possibility. Perhaps not everyone was "reborn" with their full memories. Perhaps... certain pieces of information were spreading like a virus, in scattered fragments, among different people.
"Like a dream," she mused. "Some remember clear fragments. Some are left with only a vague intuition. And the vast majority... know nothing at all."
This hypothesis excited her. If it was true, then Tsunade was likely the "information source."
She remembered the most, which is why she would say something like, "The enemies of the future won't wait for you to get strong."
"But why her?" Orochimaru pondered.
She decided to find Tsunade and ask her directly.
However, just as she was about to move, she sensed a familiar chakra from behind.
"Lord Orochimaru."
A young man with glasses stepped out of the shadows, kneeling respectfully on one knee.
"Kabuto?" Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here?"
Kabuto Yakushi pushed up his glasses. "I have been monitoring you since you entered the village. When you left alone, I followed. After all... the current situation is very 'special'."
"Special?"
"Yes. Someone is spreading rumors in the village... that Lady Tsunade has returned to challenge the Third Hokage for his position."
"Oh? And who is spreading such a boring rumor?" Orochimaru asked, intrigued.
Kabuto replied, "My investigation points to Danzo's men."
"Danzo?" Orochimaru snorted. "That old relic just can't sit still, can he."
"You came all this way to tell me this. What are you implying?"
Kabuto bowed his head slightly. "I just thought... this might be an opportunity for you, my lord."
"An opportunity?"
"Yes." Kabuto looked up, a sharp glint in his eyes. "If an internal power struggle begins in Konoha, then your... relationship... with Lady Tsunade could become a key factor."
Orochimaru suddenly laughed. "Kabuto, you are even more interesting than I thought." She reached out and gently lifted his chin. "Tell me... what is your real objective?"
Kabuto's pupils trembled slightly but quickly steadied. "I only... wish to be of service to you."
"Oh? Is that so?" Orochimaru released his chin. "In that case, do something for me."
"Your orders?"
"Investigate Danzo's recent movements," Orochimaru's voice was low and dangerous. "Especially... if he has any contact with the Akatsuki."
A flash of surprise crossed Kabuto's face. "You suspect Danzo and the Akatsuki..."
"Just a theory." A cold smile touched Orochimaru's lips. "After all, in times like these, every coincidence is worth investigating."
"I understand." Kabuto bowed deeply. "I will report back as soon as possible."
Just as Kabuto was about to leave, Orochimaru called out again. "Wait."
"Further orders?"
"Regarding Tsunade..." A complex look flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. "What other... unusual things has she done recently?"
Kabuto thought for a moment. "She held a secret meeting with the head of the Hyuga clan, Hiashi Hyuga. Other than that, she has just been training those genin."