"Hehehehe, just as I guessed. That jōnin leading the Takigakure squad this time, and that brat named Yumito, they're both your people, aren't they?"
"Although you did it very covertly, Chizan-kun, don't underestimate me too much."
Orochimaru broke into a soft laugh halfway through speaking, his voice brimming with arrogance.
That was only natural. After all, Orochimaru was one of Konoha's main pillars and a scientific expert. If he carried himself with a little arrogance, no one could really fault him.
One had to remember, before Namikaze Minato appeared as the chosen one, Orochimaru had been the best candidate for the Hokage's successor.
"Ha, I have to admit, sensei, your powers of observation are impressive."
"How did you notice?"
"I disguised myself very well, didn't I?"
Although Orochimaru had discovered him, Gekko Chizan showed no sign of worry. If he had truly been exposed, the ANBU would have already come to question him.
Chizan was careful in everything he did. Still, his curiosity was real. He didn't think his actions should have been spotted.
"Hehehehe, some days ago, I felt again that war was about to break out."
"I left many hidden sentries around the village. You flew out of the village with those two and happened to fall right under my surveillance."
"Now, tell me—how do you think I found out?"
As Orochimaru spoke, he raised his hand. A small snake slithered out, flicking its tongue in the air.
The snake stared unblinking at Gekko Chizan, and in that instant, he understood. This wasn't just a snake—it was a walking surveillance device!
"Tsk tsk, as expected, the older the ginger, the spicier. Sensei, no wonder you were Sarutobi-sensei's disciple."
"The old man invented the Telescope Technique, and here you've created the Multiple Snake Surveillance Technique."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Truly, like master, like student."
Chizan teased. People always grouped with their own kind.
Hearing that, Orochimaru couldn't hold it in anymore. This was the happiest laugh he'd had in days.
Everyone in Konoha already knew—the most troublesome delinquent in the village was right in front of him.
Once he opened Transparent Release, he did nothing good with it. At worst, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru himself could only be considered a little corrupt. But this brat? He was rotten to the core.
After all, neither Orochimaru nor Sarutobi would stoop to peeping or shady experiments.
But Gekko Chizan? He was like the combined incarnation of himself, Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade—gambling, drinking, womanizing, and worse, all rolled into one.
Sarutobi wasn't a good man. His disciple Orochimaru wasn't a good man. And his grand-disciple Chizan was even less of one.
"Chizan-kun, hearing those words from you, tsk tsk, it really is something."
"Enough. Let's not dwell on that."
"I've already packed up all of my research materials."
"Many of them have already been entrusted to people to send out of the Land of Fire. Their destination is a town on the border of the Land of Waterfalls."
Orochimaru showed no outward change, but Chizan could still detect a trace of reluctance in his tone and movements.
After all, he had grown up in Konoha. To suddenly have to leave, it was only natural to feel some attachment.
"Leaving during wartime, is it?"
"That's actually a good idea. It'll save you a lot of unnecessary trouble."
"But sensei, how do you plan to persuade the daimyo of the Land of Waterfalls? If you directly defect to their side, it might be troublesome, no?"
The highest authority of every country was its daimyo. Only after winning the daimyo over could one act without worry.
In the original timeline, Orochimaru had gone to the Land of Rice Fields by stuffing a large sum of money into the daimyo's hands. But things were different now.
Because of Chizan's interference, Orochimaru had lost Danzō's support. Scientific research consumed enormous amounts of wealth, and without Danzō—the wealthy patron—Orochimaru had to fund much of his research himself.
Even though, as an elite jōnin, he had completed many high-paying S-rank and A-rank missions, his funds had long since dwindled with the progress of his experiments.
"Indeed, that is a difficult problem."
Orochimaru narrowed his long eyes, deep in thought.
Chizan folded his arms across his chest, then said after a moment of pondering,
"Perhaps we can use technology as leverage. The Land of Waterfalls may be small, but they're eager to grow stronger. Why not trade them some basic techniques? For example, potion research?"
"You know how much these daimyos care about their health. No need for anything too fancy."
"Just something that can help them regain their vigor… endure until dawn… I believe they'll treat you like a god if you give them that."
"Who knows, not only will they let you join the Land of Waterfalls, they might even allocate you a massive research budget."
Orochimaru considered this for a moment, and realized Chizan's suggestion was correct.
He nodded slightly. These lofty figures had no interest in ordinary things. But what Chizan suggested? That mattered to them.
Enjoying life, after all...
"That is a workable plan. Still, we'll need an intermediary to connect us with the daimyo."
"This isn't something that can be done overnight."
Chizan grinned. If it were the daimyo of another country, perhaps he would struggle. But the Land of Waterfalls?
Too easy. Their village head had just died. Right now, the daimyo was desperate for a new headman who would dance to his tune.
"Leave it to me. Once the Chūnin Exams are over, I'll inform Yahiko and the others."
"Yahiko?"
Orochimaru softly spoke the name...
"Sounds familiar, doesn't it? From Amegakure. You met the three of them once. They were the ones Jiraiya volunteered to take care of."
"Sensei, there are some things I'll explain later. A lot of troublesome matters are involved."
With Chizan's reminder, Orochimaru suddenly remembered that rainy day.
Those three brats…
He hadn't expected his disciple would bring them together. Back then, Orochimaru himself had thought about killing them off…
So this was fate? Hehehe…
"It seems the threads of destiny are weaving in secret."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, the corner of his lips curling into an amused smile.
Chizan scratched his head. He knew Orochimaru must have recalled events from those years.
"No matter what, as long as we achieve our goal, that's what matters. Those kids have limitless potential. With them in Takigakure, everything will go far more smoothly."
Orochimaru nodded slightly in agreement.
"Indeed. Let them grow along their own paths for a while. In the meantime, we still have much preparation to do. But as for contacting the daimyo—Chizan-kun, that's in your hands."
"Don't worry, sensei. It's only the daimyo's mansion. Remember, I've made a name for myself as a ninja now."
"I doubt the daimyo will refuse this little gift we've prepared for him."
A confident gleam flickered in Chizan's eyes.