"As long as you show promise and a willingness to learn," Orochimaru said, "this teacher will never be stingy with ninjutsu."
He turned, glancing at the battlefield they'd just wrecked. "Come. Let's find a quiet place to talk."
He walked toward a shaded patch untouched by their clash, where the trees blocked out the sun completely. In the training grounds, no matter how loud the explosions or how fierce the fight, no one interfered, privacy here was a given, as long as nothing spilled beyond the borders.
Uchiha Gen followed, settling in the grass a short distance from Orochimaru, who leaned lazily against the tree trunk. Legs crossed, hands pillowed behind his head, golden eyes gazing at the sky, he asked,
"Gen… do you have a dream?"
Why does everyone in this world love that question? Gen thought.
Can't they pick something else? Or is he testing if my ideals match his?
He kept his face calm. "Of course. Everyone has dreams. Otherwise, what's the difference between you and a salted fish?"
Orochimaru's lips curved faintly. "Interesting. Then—what is your dream?"
"I have two. Maybe more will come later."
"Greedy, are you? Let's hear them."
"My first dream… is to live freely."
A faint crease formed between Orochimaru's brows. This disciple has a rebellious streak, he noted. But rebels can be tamed, power makes even the wildest horse bow their heads.
"That," Orochimaru said, "is a difficult dream. The world binds us with family, with the rules of the shinobi, with the comforts of society, with the authority of the village, with the state of the ninja world itself… and with the limits of life." His eyes narrowed.
"To live without chains, to do whatever you please, it's nearly impossible."
Gen shook his head. "Freedom doesn't mean doing whatever I want. It means having the right to say no when faced with something I don't want to do."
"Ah… that makes it much easier," Orochimaru said. "With the strength and standing I have, no one can force me into something I refuse. Not even my teacher."
Gen inclined his head, true enough.
If Orochimaru had truly refused human experimentation, even Hiruzen and the elders couldn't have made him. The same applied to Jiraiya and Tsunade wandering as they pleased. Ordinary shinobi could only dream of that kind of freedom.
"And your second dream?"
Gen hesitated, his expression tightening. Orochimaru leaned forward slightly, curiosity sharpened. "Come now... spit it out. No need to be shy."
With a faint grimace, Gen said, "I want ultimate strength. To hold the power I desire. To enjoy the women I want, see the scenery I want, taste the food I want… And if there's a deadline for achieving it..." his gaze steadied "I hope it's forever."
Forever.
Orochimaru's pupils lit up. Immortality.
His own ambition; the master every jutsu, uncover every truth, was loftier in scope, but in its core, it shared the same forbidden yearning. Power was noble; influence, useful. But women, landscapes, food? Trivial distractions.
Still… to aim for eternity at all marked Gen as the same kind of man as himself.
Everyone else scoffed at immortality as 'impossible', mere fantasy.
They were frogs staring at the sky through a well. But Orochimaru… would be the first to seize it.
His excitement rose, golden eyes burning hotter than ever. The heat of that stare sent goosebumps across Gen's skin, but he held his composure. He knew Orochimaru's interest was not carnal, it was the thrill of finding a kindred spirit.
Orochimaru, who walked the path to eternity alone, longed for someone who understood.
Gen truly did want eternal life. The ultimate desire, the sum of all others.
Between life and death lay the greatest fear; to step beyond it was the ultimate victory. And in this world, where eternity was possible, why not chase it?
He coughed lightly. "Maybe my second dream is too unrealistic. What about you, Sensei? Is your dream… to be Hokage?"
Orochimaru's gaze cooled, the fever in it dimming to something wry. "I'm greedy too. Hokage is only my first dream—and not even my most important."
"And the second?" Gen asked, leaning forward.
"I want to learn every jutsu in existence. To explore and understand every truth in the world. And to do that… I must pursue immortality."
There was no hesitation, no disguise, his truest ambition laid bare.
Gen was silent for a long time before saying, "Your dream is far greater than mine, Sensei."
Orochimaru's pale lips curved in satisfaction. "Don't be discouraged. Your dream may be a touch vulgar, but in seeking immortality, we share the same ambition. That alone puts you far above the shallow pride most of your Uchiha-kin chase."
Gen 's voice was steady. "Then let me follow you, Sensei. Let me contribute to the path of immortality."
A low chuckle swelled into open laughter. Orochimaru rose, head tilting back, joy rolling from him like waves.
"Then I won't allow you a moment's laziness," he said at last. "That's enough for today. Come to my mansion tomorrow at two in the afternoon. You know where it is?"
"I'll ask Anko."
"Good."
Without another word, his body sank into the ground and vanished.
When he was gone, Gen turned to leave as well—smiling.