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31.txt
The bandit-clearing mission was done. Instead of heading straight back to Konoha, Orochimaru took Qianyu to meet the Daimyo of the Land of Rice.
Qianyu didn't go to the audience, though. Orochimaru left him at the inn to rest.
Lying on the bed, Qianyu pondered Orochimaru's visit. Otogakure, the Hidden Sound Village Orochimaru would found in the futureā¦ wasn't that located within the Land of Rice?
He bribed the Daimyo to establish it, but Otogakure wasn't employed by the country. Two separate entities. No ties.
Is he already making connections with the Daimyo at this point?
No wonder Orochimaru was destined for great things.
Wellā¦ He reconsidered. Not entirely successful, I guess.
But he did succeed in building his own village. And he did perfect the Living Corpse Reincarnationāa forbidden jutsu that grants virtual immortality.
Looking at his whole life, most of it was a success. It was only his later obsession with the Sharingan that tripped him up.
And even after tripping, the guy still landed on his feet. Alive and well.
Orochimaru didn't return all night. It was only the next morning, after Qianyu woke, that his teacher finally came back to the inn.
"Let's go," Orochimaru said simply. "Time to return to the village."
The journey back was quiet. Once inside Konoha's gates, Orochimaru first took Qianyu to submit the mission report, then to see the Hokage.
In the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, his expression kindly. "Qianyu. Your first mission as a shinobi was a C-rank. And you executed it flawlessly."
Qianyu bowed. "Thank you for your trust, Lord Hokage. And for my teacher's guidance."
"Your own efforts are what matter most," Hiruzen said warmly. "Orochimaru has spoken highly of you. Exceptional talent, he says. And relentless dedication."
"That is only because of my teacher's instruction," Qianyu replied, and he meant it. Without Orochimaru's direction, he'd likely still be grinding away inefficiently, wasting effort. A good teacher was crucial. They cut the winding path straight.
And Orochimaru had been instructing him diligently, thoroughly.
While Qianyu remained wary of the man's future obsession, he felt genuine gratitude now. Orochimaru's fixation was the Sharingan. As long as he didn't covet Qianyu's eyes, their interests wouldn't clash. Perhaps, in the future, Orochimaru would remain his teacher. And Qianyu, his student.
Orochimaru, for his part, didn't hold back his praise in front of the Hokage. "Qianyu is inherently outstanding. For a first mission, his planning and execution were impeccable. Surpassing even some Chuunin with multiple missions under their belt."
Hiruzen took a long draw from his pipe, exhaling smoke slowly. "First time I've heard you praise a shinobi so highly, Orochimaru. It seems you are quite satisfied with this disciple."
Orochimaru glanced at Qianyu, a slight smile touching his lips. "I am."
Hiruzen's own smile faded, his expression turning grave. He didn't bother sending Qianyu away. "Orochimaru. The shinobi worldā¦ a storm is brewing."
Orochimaru's voice lowered. "The other villages are stirring?"
"Correct." Hiruzen unrolled a map on his desk, pointing. "According to intelligence, Iwa-nin have been spotted near the border between the Land of Waterfalls and the Land of Fire.
"Kumo-nin have appeared on the border between the Land of Hot Water and ours.
"The Sandā¦ need I say more? They're always probing our borders, causing trouble.
"Kiri's situation is unclear. I've sent several letters to their Mizukage. No reply."
Orochimaru's brow furrowed slightly. "So, Iwa and Kumo are already testing Konoha's waters. If both are moving simultaneously, they may have reached an understanding. Add Suna to the mixā¦ Three of the Five Great Villages have their eyes on us."
Hiruzen exhaled a frustrated cloud of smoke. "Indeed. The outlook is not optimistic. I had hoped to form an alliance with Kiri. That seems a dead end now. If they simply refrain from joining the others, it will be a blessing."
Orochimaru studied the annotations on the map, silent for a moment. "The current probes. How aggressive?"
"Not yet." Hiruzen shook his head. "They haven't fully crossed into Fire Country territory. But the trend is clear. That day approaches. Right now, they are testing our resolve.
"I've dispatched Sakumo to guard the Land of Waterfalls border.
"Jiraiya is heading to the Land of Hot Water front. He's training Minato anyway. Good experience for the boy, to temper himself on a potential battlefield.
"With them there, we need not fear an immediate, full-scale war. But localized skirmishesā¦ they will likely begin within the next year or two."
Hiruzen's words were heavy, deliberate. "Only a few years of peace since the end of the Second Great Shinobi War. And already, the seeds of the next conflict are sprouting. This timeā¦ this war may be aimed directly at Konoha."
The First Great War had erupted primarily between Konoha and Kumo, soon after Hashirama Senju's death. His very presence as the God of Shinobi had been the sole pillar of peace. Once he was gone, Kumo struck first. The other villages followed.
The Second War's cause was economic imbalance. Widening gaps between nations. Military factions rose, advocating territorial expansion by force.
Neither of those wars had made the Land of Fire the primary battlefield.
Nowā¦ a Third Great War seemed imminent.
If four major villages targeted Konoha simultaneously, the Land of Fire would become the main stage. The devastation would be catastrophic.
Orochimaru's expression turned cold, analytical. He stared at the map, thoughts churning.
Listening, Qianyu felt a jolt of surprise. The war momentum is building already?
But thinking on itā¦ the timing fit.
If that's the caseā¦ A cold realization settled in his gut. Then the day Kumo-nin try to kidnap Kushina Uzumakiā¦ can't be far off.
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