Chapter 18 The Road to the Future
Orochimaru looked at his friend beside him with a helpless expression.
He first ordered two bowls of ramen from his friend, then used his hand to push away the hand that was pressing on his shoulder.
Not yet.
"It's almost there. People are already calling you the Fifth Hokage.
What's wrong, Hokage?
You won't become this heartless after becoming Hokage, will you?
I'll really be sad."
Seeing this guy still acting silly, Orochimaru sighed inwardly.
He couldn't help but think to himself, "He's always so unreliable; no wonder he's always failed to win Tsunade's heart."
Tsunade doesn't like guys like that.
Finally, the ramen was served and placed in front of Orochimaru and Kabuto, with Kabuto's portion being smaller.
They picked up their chopsticks, broke the food in half, and began to eat.
I must say, Ichiraku Ramen really does taste great.
Ramen made with genuine focus, dedication, and care will be considered delicious and flavorful even by the most discerning person.
"Phew, I'm full, I'm full!" The man next to him placed another large bowl on the high stack of bowls.
He patted his bulging belly, looking extremely satisfied and content.
"Lord Jiraiya, are you satisfied with your meal?" Teuchi asked with a squinting smile.
The man known as Jiraiya waved his hand and said, "Satisfied, satisfied.
It tastes just like I remember.
No, it tastes even better than I remember. You've improved, hand-typed."
"Hahahaha! What are you saying, Jiraiya-sama?
Anyway, I'm just glad you're satisfied." Teuchi laughed heartily.
Finally, Orochimaru and Kabuto finished their ramen, gulping down the soup in one go before putting down their bowls.
"What brings you back this time?"
Regarding Orochimaru's question, Jiraiya picked his teeth and said, "You're about to become the Fifth Hokage, of course I'll come back to celebrate."
"You're leaving after the celebration, right?"
"What? You can't bear to part with me?" Jiraiya asked in a teasing tone.
But there was a hint of expectation in her eyes.
However, he only had a slight expectation, because he knew that Orochimaru was not the kind of person who liked to say things that made people feel warm.
That stinky snake is probably going to mock him again.
Of course, having a fight with him is also a good thing.
Come on, Orochimaru, Jiraiya is ready! This time, you're in for a beating!
"I really hope you can stay."
"I only know... what?"
"Stay and help me, Jiraiya."
Orochimaru looked at him with a rare, earnest and earnest request.
"..."
Jiraiya stood there dumbfounded, feeling as if he were in a dream.
Orochimaru, that arrogant guy, actually made such a earnest request to him?
Is this... finally acknowledging him?
For a moment, Jiraiya was not as happy as he had expected; instead, he felt somewhat melancholy.
"...If you become Hokage, you'll change, right?"
People always change.
"That's right, people always change. Just like you, just like me, just like Tsunade, and just like the old man…
However, some things will never change.
Orochimaru, I don't want to stay and fight for power with you, that's not what I want."
Indeed, in Jiraiya's view, Orochimaru's request for him to stay was probably to consolidate his power.
After all, with the support of Orochimaru's good friend and one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha, Orochimaru's position as Hokage would undoubtedly be more secure.
Jiraiya was truly disgusted by such power-grabbing tactics.
"You're still so naive, Jiraiya," Orochimaru remarked.
Jiraiya pursed his lips.
Get up.
Feeling bored, he no longer wanted to deal with Orochimaru and wanted to find a place to be alone.
"I know you yearn for peace.
What if I said I wanted you to stay and help me so that the world could be a more peaceful place?"
He paused in his steps.
Jiraiya turned around and sat down.
"You stinking snake, explain yourself!"
"My teacher and I have a plan."
Orochimaru stared intently at Jiraiya, who was looking at him with a slightly serious expression.
"This plan would be even better with your help."
Some time later, Orochimaru walked out of Ichiraku Ramen, while inside, Jiraiya was lost in thought with his head down.
"Why does it have to be me?"
He had asked Orochimaru this question earlier.
"Only you would take this matter seriously. I believe in you and that you will not let it get out of control.
You yearn for peace more than anyone else, and you will not allow anyone to desecrate any possibility that could bring peace."
"For peace?
I don't believe you would be so kind."
"It's always better to create your own dreams than to indulge in illusory dreams called prophecies."
"Are you concerned about me, Orochimaru?"
"If you insist on thinking that way."
"...You're right, Orochimaru. I won't let anyone desecrate the possibility of peace. It's rare for the old man to make such a decision.
Since you're going to do this, I really can't just stand by and do nothing.
Let me make this clear first: if I get involved in this matter, I won't consider the so-called factional interests of the village!
If anything happens that displeases me in the process because of interests, Orochimaru, I won't hold back!"
"Perfect."
Orochimaru's smile was sinister.
"I also dislike the corrupt factions in the village. Jiraiya, go ahead and eliminate them."
"Oh, Orochimaru, aren't you going a bit too far..."
Seeing Orochimaru's mocking smile, Jiraiya realized what was happening.
"You stinking snake! You're asking for it!"
We had a rare chance to play around, and it felt like going back to the past, which made me nostalgic.
In short, recalling everything that had just happened, Jiraiya covered his face with his hands, hiding his wide smile.
This feeling is that the whole world seems to have come alive.
A feeling of longing for the future.
Just like when he was young, he, Orochimaru, and Tsunade were together.
Tsunade.
He leaned on the table and wiped away the tears that welled up in his eyes from being so moved.
Honestly, he's such an old man.
But he really wanted to shout it out loud.
Tsunade! I miss you so much!
If you come back too, and join us, the three of us—Tsunade, me, and Orochimaru—will continue our journey together in this world, stumbling and struggling, filled with boundless hope for the future…
"Orochimaru-sensei seems to be in a good mood."
On the way, Kabuto looked at Orochimaru beside him, thinking to himself but not saying it aloud.
Yes, Orochimaru was indeed in a very good mood.
He was not a particularly kind or peace-loving person.
However, he does not reject continuing on the road to the future with those he is connected with.
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End of this chapter...