Leaving the Hokage Building, a playful smile played on the corners of Orochimaru's mouth. Ever since witnessing Minato's talent, his heart had been restless with an uneasy agitation, as if a wild beast were about to break out of its cage. He hadn't lied to Hiruzen Sarutobi. Currently, he had no lingering attachment to the position of Hokage. Because in Minato, he saw an impossible possibility. It was the transformation into a stronger, more excellent, and higher level of life—a glimmer of a path toward immortality!
This restlessness reached its Peak after learning that Minato had killed Danzo! Was Danzo some kind of weakling? Not at all! Under normal circumstances, a standard Konoha Jonin should master at least one or two types of Chakra Nature Transformation, and their Chakra capacity should be enough to release A-rank Ninjutsu three to four times.
By now, Orochimaru had mastered four types of Nature Transformation, and his cultivation of the remaining Wind Release was nearing completion; his strength made him an absolute elite among Jonin. But Orochimaru knew very well that, at least at this stage, he was not yet a match for Danzo. Although he always felt Danzo was short-sighted and narrow-minded, in terms of combat experience and Ninjutsu methods, the man was indeed stronger than him.
And yet, such a Danzo had been killed! This matter seemed absurd, but Orochimaru knew in his heart that Danzo didn't die from a gap in experience or Ninjutsu, but was crushed by a higher level of power... He had experienced Minato's Laser; that was a speed humans simply couldn't react to.
But if it were just that, it shouldn't have been enough to kill Danzo; at the very least, Orochimaru could think of more than one countermeasure. Danzo's death meant he was unable to control, attack, or interfere with Minato, and couldn't even manage to escape. This also indirectly proved that Minato must have established an absolute speed advantage. If he himself could reach the speed of a Laser, or simply become an Incarnation of light... Hehe... This is truly interesting!
He made his way to Tsunade's house, and it just so happened that Minato had also just returned. Orochimaru Senior, Minato nodded politely.
It's been a long time, Minato-kun. Orochimaru smiled faintly. Is it convenient to chat?
With me? Minato was a bit surprised; he had thought Orochimaru was there to see Tsunade. Sure, Senior, please come in.
Orochimaru said pointedly, I mean, just the two of us chatting alone, about what happened last night...
Mm, alright. Minato didn't hesitate and nodded; he was also curious about what the man wanted with him. A while later, the two appeared at a Barbecue Restaurant, where Orochimaru had booked a private room. After the food arrived, he unhurriedly poured a glass of juice for Minato and then one for himself.
The laws of the Land of Fire stipulated that one must be $20$ years old to drink alcohol. Orochimaru was $19$ this year, not yet of drinking age, but having reached $18$, he could already get married... I didn't expect that fellow Danzo would end up dying at Minato-kun's hands. Observing Minato's handsome face, Orochimaru's tone held a touch of sentiment. It seems Minato-kun held back a lot during our previous sparring.
A Ninja's battle is a battle of intelligence. There is no technique in this world that is absolutely impossible to crack; that's content from the first-grade textbook. I'm just relying on the advantage of my Bloodline Limit, Minato said modestly.
Hehe, truly modest. Orochimaru chuckled. Speaking of which, I should thank you. After Danzo's death, I took over his work, which is a great help to me.
Then congratulations, Senior. Minato wasn't surprised; Orochimaru taking over Root was a perfect match for his expertise. In terms of ability and tactics, this man was far stronger than the likes of Danzo. At the very least, Orochimaru wouldn't wear his emotions on his face... Not only did Orochimaru look down on Danzo, but Minato actually looked down on him too.
Or rather, he looked down on this kind of fool who lacked a clear self-awareness yet was so self-righteous. It wasn't hard to see from Danzo's performance in the original story that he was completely immersed in a world constructed by his own self-perception and was extremely egoistic. Things unfavorable to himself were equated to being unfavorable to Konoha. He firmly believed that only he was worthy of the Hokage position and that only he could lead Konoha to glory.
This could no longer be explained by just saying he was sick... because people like him don't even possess the most basic ability to understand. He could have a normal conversation, but he would never accept information passed to him from the outside world; he only believed in the truth he constructed himself. Modern society generally calls this kind of person: an idiot. This was also the reason why Minato killed Danzo without a second thought.
But Orochimaru was different. Although he had a paranoid madness for immortality, his rationality as a researcher allowed him to understand the importance of self-examination. He knew exactly what he was doing and what he wanted, and he could face his own desires directly. Furthermore, when the other party wasn't a fool, he would act very candidly and wouldn't try to be clever with convoluted schemes. It was what people often said: talking to a smart person is easy.
So Senior looking for me shouldn't be just to express gratitude, right?
Hehe, you're right. Orochimaru licked his lips. To be honest, ever since I witnessed Minato-kun's Bloodline Limit last time, I've been filled with a desire to explore Minato-kun's body...
This guy is too candid! Minato immediately got goosebumps and made a move to pull the private room door open. I remember the Police Force is nearby.
Orochimaru wasn't annoyed upon seeing this and chuckled. Rest assured, I'm not so perverted as to have those kinds of thoughts about a five-year-old child.
Achoo! At this moment, Tsunade, who was at home, sneezed.
I'm referring to Minato-kun's power. Orochimaru's tone carried a hint of seduction. Aren't you curious about the source of your own power?
Not curious at all! Minato knew all too well where this power came from, but he couldn't very well tell Orochimaru that. However, he still had to play along, because with Orochimaru's ability, saying he led the core technology of the Ninja World was no joke. Looking at this current time period, if he could point out the connection between Bloodline Limits to the man, it was possible that by the time Kaguya broke her seal, Orochimaru might have evolved into an Ōtsutsuki.
Minato wasn't in a hurry to answer. He flipped the meat on the grill and said softly, If possible, I'd like to ask, what is Senior's purpose in telling me these things?
Purpose, huh... Orochimaru gave Minato a deep look. He felt that his answer might influence Minato's choice. Should he find some high-sounding reasons, or speak candidly? Orochimaru didn't consider it for long. Minato was young, but he wasn't a fool and wasn't that easy to deceive; moreover, children themselves have a super-strong intuition for lies.
Furthermore... in his heart, he actually longed for someone to understand him. And Minato, who had also lost his parents, very likely possessed qualities similar to his own. Doesn't Minato-kun feel that human life is too fragile?
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