Chapter 48: A Teacher's Insight
After parting from Kushina, Kagenori returned to Orochimaru's underground base. The air was different; a palpable sense of impending departure had settled over the sterile rooms. Orochimaru was there, meticulously sealing scrolls and organizing equipment into storage pouches.
Seeing Kagenori enter, Orochimaru set down a vial of murky liquid, a thin, knowing smile curling his lips. "Did you not wish to stay with Kushina a while longer?" he teased, his voice a sly whisper.
Kagenori's cheeks warmed slightly. "Konoha isn't entirely safe at the moment. I thought it best she return home early."
Orochimaru resumed his packing, his tone shifting to one of casual, almost clinical, inquiry. "Is that so? Have you reached a decision, then?"
Kagenori frowned. "A decision?"
"I assume you've deduced why Kushina was brought to Konoha," Orochimaru said without looking up. "You have no other attachments. The driving force behind your relentless pursuit of power... I suspect it is mostly for her sake. Konoha intends for her to become the Nine-Tails' next vessel. Given your evident distaste for Lady Mito's situation, I imagine you are... resistant to this fate for your friend. As your teacher, I can surmise as much."
He finally glanced at Kagenori, his golden eyes glinting in the low light. "Therefore, you face a choice. Allow Kushina to become the Jinchuriki, or find a way to prevent it. You must decide soon. Lady Mito's health declines by the day. Once the matter is settled, even your resistance will be meaningless."
Kagenori stared at his sensei, a long, heavy silence stretching between them. Orochimaru seemed unbothered, continuing to methodically prepare for their journey.
Finally, Kagenori spoke, his voice low. "Orochimaru-sensei... I don't understand. You know that one day I will leave this place—this cage I call Konoha. So why train me so diligently? Why pour your knowledge into me? The day I leave, you and I... we may become enemies."
Orochimaru looked up, a dry chuckle escaping him. "Kagenori, I thought you of all people would understand me."
Kagenori's breath hitched. He did know where Orochimaru's path would eventually lead. But the man before him now was the Hokage's trusted advisor, a strategist for the village. His loyalty seemed absolute.
"Things like the Will of Fire..." Orochimaru waved a dismissive hand, "...are trivialities. Chains that can be cast aside when they become inconvenient. They constrain, they limit potential. Life is too fleeting to be bound by such fleeting ideals."
His serpentine gaze fixed on Kagenori. "But one cannot simply cast them off without consequence. Both you and I require an identity, a place within this shinobi world to operate from. Do we not?"
"Then..." Kagenori ventured, "will you help me?"
Orochimaru shook his head, his smile sharp. "I will be clear. In the capacity of master and apprentice? No. But if you can offer me a benefit that truly stirs my interest... then we could cooperate as partners."
A slow, understanding smile spread across Kagenori's face. The pieces clicked into place. "In that case, Orochimaru-sensei, I can also be clear. My decision was made long ago. I have a solution in mind. And I, too, look forward to the day we can cooperate as partners."
Orochimaru's smile widened. "I shall anticipate it. However, Kushina is critically important to Konoha as the secondary Jinchuriki candidate. I am... curious. What method have you conceived?"
A determined glint shone in Kagenori's eyes. "While Lady Mito lives, Kushina is merely a candidate. Konoha values her for her Uzumaki vitality, her suitability as a spare container. Would it not be beneficial for Konoha to have another Uzumaki spare, should the need arise?"
Orochimaru's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise. "Oh? It seems you have located lost members of the Uzumaki clan."
"Not yet," Kagenori admitted. "But I have leads. I am confident that with a dedicated search, I will find them."
"And if you cannot?" Orochimaru pressed, his voice a soft challenge.
Kagenori considered this, his expression turning grimly serious. "That... will depend entirely on the level of strength I possess at that time."
Orochimaru looked at him, a low, appreciative laugh rumbling in his chest. "How resolute you are, Kagenori."
"My belief is that moment is still far off," Kagenori stated firmly. "I still have time. For now, I must focus solely on growing stronger. The future will unfold as it will, and when it does, I will have devised more options."
"Indeed," Orochimaru agreed, a flicker of respect in his gaze. "Strength grants choices. You are clever, Kagenori, and your power grows swiftly. The memories of the three Kumo-nin have been analyzed; two special jounin, one jounin. The pirates from Kiri were spies, sent to scout the Land of Fire. They have confessed. With these accomplishments, barring unforeseen circumstances, you will be promoted to Chunin as of tomorrow. Were we not on the cusp of war, you might have even made Special Jounin."
Kagenori wasn't surprised. Capturing the Kiri spies alive and returning with the heads of three Kumo jounin-level operatives had been a deliberate play for this exact recognition.
"Rest well tonight," Orochimaru instructed, his tone returning to that of a sensei. "Once we reach the front in the Land of Hot Springs, rest will be a luxury."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sensei."
Kagenori retired to his room, lying on the simple cot. He replayed the conversation in his mind. It had been a subtle, yet profound, understanding between them. He was now certain: Orochimaru was already delving into the forbidden arts, seeking a path beyond the constraints of mortality and loyalty. Their goals, for now, were not in conflict. In fact, they might soon align perfectly.
The next morning, before first light, Kagenori and Orochimaru went to the Hokage Tower. As predicted, Sarutobi Hiruzen officially promoted Kagenori to the rank of Chunin. After a brief, solemn exchange with Orochimaru, the two made their way to Konoha's main gate.
There, waiting for them in the chill of the pre-dawn air, was a figure Kagenori had half-expected, yet whose presence still tugged at his heart.
Uzumaki Kushina.
He walked to her, reaching out to gently cup her cheeks, which were flushed from the cold. "You should be sleeping," he chided softly.
"I couldn't," she whispered, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "Not when I knew you were leaving for so long. I had to see you off."
"Don't worry about me," he said, his thumb stroking her cheek. "I'll write to you. I'll have my summons bring the letters. And if you miss me, you can send a letter back with them."
Kushina held out her pinky finger, a gesture from their childhood. "Promise?"
Kagenori linked his pinky with hers, a genuine, warm smile gracing his features. "I promise."
With a final, long look, he turned and followed Orochimaru through the massive gates. They did not look back as they set out, their path leading away from the village and toward the simmering conflict in the Land of Hot Springs. The first true test of his resolve, and his new partnership with his sensei, was about to begin.