Orochimaru suggested Qianyu take on a genin team, explaining his reasoning in detail.
Qianyu's expression turned serious as he listened.
Orochimaru was right.
Even if he found Karin's mother, why would Konoha choose her over Uzumaki Kushina, who was already trained and integrated?
He'd been naive. He thought finding Karin's mother would simply solve the Kushina problem.
Qianyu nodded. "Understood, Orochimaru-sensei. I'll take a team."
Orochimaru replied, "I knew you'd agree once you understood. I've already spoken to Sarutobi-sensei. You don't need a full three-person squad. Just one. But that one will be your official apprentice."
"An apprentice…" Qianyu murmured.
An apprentice meant teaching them real skills. His true skills.
But the elemental jutsu Orochimaru had taught him—aside from Wind Style—were more than enough to pass on.
"Fine," Qianyu agreed. "I'll select a genin as my apprentice."
"Good. Three genin could be a burden. An apprentice? That's different. Choose carefully. When are you leaving?"
"Now. I'm heading back to Konoha."
"Very well. This is a summary of the current situation in the Land of Hot Water. Deliver it to Sarutobi-sensei." Orochimaru tossed a scroll to him.
Qianyu caught it. "I'll deliver it to the Hokage. Then, sensei, I'll take my leave."
"Go."
Qianyu returned to his quarters, slung his pre-packed bag over his shoulder, and left the camp.
He hadn't gone far when a familiar voice called out.
"Qianyu."
He turned. That blonde idiot. A flicker of annoyance ran through him.
The blonde idiot was, of course, Minato Namikaze.
In a blink, Minato was beside him.
Qianyu's lip curled. "You're like a persistent ghost. Don't tell me you're here to see me off."
Minato flashed his annoyingly sunny smile. "No. I told you before, I'm heading back to Konoha too. Looks like you're going today. Might as well travel together. Company's good."
Qianyu tsked, eyeing Minato up and down. "Minato. Question. Are you a girl or something? Need a travel buddy to get back to the village?"
Minato's smile froze. "Getting a single kind word from you is impossible."
Qianyu ignored him, walking ahead.
Minato, unfazed, fell into step behind him. The road to Konoha stretched before them.
The rest of the journey passed in total silence. Each minded his own business.
Four days later.
Qianyu's pace was fast. One more day's travel would see them home.
He wanted to see Kushina. Wanted it badly. He decided to push through the night, to reach Konoha sooner.
As he prepared to move under the moonlight, Minato finally spoke.
"Qianyu. If I had chosen to help Kushina back then… would we be comrades?"
Qianyu glanced at him, puzzled.
Minato met his gaze, eyes uncertain. "Our only conflict was that one time, right? I didn't know she meant that much to you. I… I regretted it afterward. If I had stopped them from bullying her that day… maybe we could have been good friends."
Qianyu stared at him, calm. Then he let out a short, derisive laugh.
"No, Minato. Even without that incident, we wouldn't be friends. We're fundamentally different kinds of people. And honestly? I'm glad you didn't help her."
Minato frowned. "Why? Jiraiya-sensei and Orochimaru-sama are complete opposites in personality. Yet they trust each other with their lives. Why can't we?"
"Still so idealistic," Qianyu shook his head. "There's a fundamental difference between us and them, Minato. I despise you. From the bottom of my heart."
"Why?" Minato's confusion was genuine. "There has to be a reason. Tell me."
"And if I did? What then? Some things just aren't meant to be. Don't force it. We just happen to live in the same village. That's all."
Qianyu shouldered his pack. Kept walking.
Minato stood there, watching Qianyu's receding back. He didn't understand.
A long moment later, he finally stirred, sighing quietly.
"Jiraiya-sensei… I don't think becoming friends with Qianyu is possible for me."
…
Qianyu traveled through the night. By noon the next day, the gates of Konoha were in sight.
He didn't go straight to Kushina. First, to the Hokage Tower. Deliver Orochimaru's scroll to Hiruzen Sarutobi. Get his official mission scroll for the Land of Grass while he was at it.
He knocked on the Hokage's office door.
"Enter," came Hiruzen's voice.
Qianyu opened the door and stepped inside. He paused, surprised. Besides Hiruzen, another man of similar age was in the office.
Brown hair. Neat sideburns. Narrow, calculating eyes that held a deep, cunning light. An X-shaped scar on his chin. A face etched with deep wrinkles, giving off an aura of sinister, scheming age.
Though he'd never seen him before, Qianyu recognized the man instantly.
Hokage's Advisor. Root Commander. Danzō Shimura.
Qianyu bowed respectfully. "Hokage-sama. Danzō-sama."
Hiruzen's stern expression softened into a grandfatherly smile at the sight of him. "Qianyu. It's been a while. You've grown. I've been keeping an eye on your progress. Your performance against the Cloud in the Land of Hot Water has been exceptional. You've completed many difficult missions."
Qianyu fell into his habitual flattery. "It's thanks to Orochimaru-sensei's teachings and your trust, Hokage-sama, that I've been able to grow."
Hiruzen nodded, pleased.
Who would have thought that boy no one wanted would grow to this point? He'd become a truly reliable shinobi of Konoha.
The village's situation was tense, but excellent new talents like Qianyu, Minato Namikaze, and the new generation of Ino-Shika-Chō were beginning to shine.
With these young sprouts, Hiruzen felt increasingly confident about the wars to come.
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