Returning to his room, Orochimaru habitually checked for any traps. Not because he distrusted the employer ,just ninja instinct.
Finding nothing unusual, he walked back to the courtyard.
His brief absence hadn't dampened the scholars' enthusiasm. They lowered their voices slightly when they saw him approach.
In most people's eyes, "ninja" meant "military force." Though there were exceptions,Tobirama Senju was known for his research,those exceptions proved the rule. Stereotypes existed because they were often true. Despite Akai Jun's introduction, the scholars couldn't easily associate Orochimaru's cold, ominous presence with "academic discussion."
Orochimaru didn't mind. Glancing at the papers on the table, he recognized the ruins from the images—not their destination, but a town ruin he had visited before.
When the discussion turned to the relationship between ancient town layouts and defensive barrier techniques, Orochimaru's expertise surprised most of the scholars.
In other fields, he also offered unique insights, making him seem like a well-rounded dilettante.
But the scholars, experts in their respective fields, could tell that Orochimaru's knowledge was highly purposeful.
He was skilled in linguistics, easily distinguishing writing habits of different nations, and knew multiple languages—including regional dialects.
His astronomy was limited to navigation. His geography was similarly practical, though more extensive.
His botany was skewed: he could identify all edible and poisonous plants, and was well-versed in plant toxins—how to prepare them and how to neutralize them.
His biology focused on dissection and meat processing. He knew much about mechanics. In chemistry, he was an expert among experts.
His literary knowledge was abysmal, but he was deeply familiar with ancient documents, folklore, and strange legends.
It made perfect sense.
A pragmatist with limited time, Orochimaru naturally focused on knowledge he needed.
For the same reason, despite the strange déjà vu he felt from Akai Jun, Orochimaru found himself drawn to the historian.
"Bloodlines and traditions carry power. Many kekkei genkai ninja are, in a sense, limited 'historians.' Even without systematic study, they know their family histories intimately."
In this world, though ninja were a tiny fraction of the population, that fraction shaped history.
Ninja history and world history were nearly interchangeable—woven together, inseparable.
Countless powerful techniques, secret arts, bloodlines, and ninja tools had been lost in the millennium of warfare. Orochimaru, who sought to master all ninjutsu, was naturally interested in what history had buried.
Like Hii Kōri's planned world tour, Orochimaru had intended, after finishing his Hashirama cell research, to search for ancient ruins.
But his finances made that unlikely anytime soon.
Another reason he had accepted this private commission.
Getting paid to explore ruins on someone else's dime? He came out ahead.
"True. That's why I've studied ninja knowledge. It's the same for all of you, isn't it? Advancing in your fields requires knowledge from other disciplines."
Akai Jun agreed with Orochimaru's point. "To dig up history, you need ninja knowledge. And ninja seeking power naturally look to history for inspiration."
"Precisely."
Orochimaru glanced sidelong at Akai Jun, sitting primly at the table, and nodded.
Two days later, when the last scholar, four samurai from the Land of Iron (also serving as guards), and a few guild coordinators arrived, the refined little team set out.
En route to the ruins in northwestern Land of Fire, the scholars' discussions continued.
Orochimaru noticed that Akai Jun's thinking wasn't rigid like some scholars he'd met. He was adaptable, and his breadth of knowledge far exceeded the average scholar. On historical matters, they were in sync.
To outsiders, they seemed to get along splendidly the two most congenial members of the team.
But for that very reason, Orochimaru's suspicion of Akai Jun didn't fade. It grew, like a fire fed by constant fuel.
They were too compatible.
Orochimaru knew what kind of person he was. Anyone who could converse so easily with an "anomaly" like himself was definitely not normal.
Finally, one night on the road, Orochimaru found an opportunity to test him.
The team made camp on a leeward slope. Guard duty fell to Orochimaru and the four samurai.
Chakra wasn't exclusive to ninja. Though most chakra users became ninja, some chose other paths or were simply unsuited for it.
The monks of the Temple of Fire. The samurai of the Land of Iron.
Regardless, these four samurai combined couldn't match Orochimaru.
So guard duty was split: samurai took the first half of the night; Orochimaru took the second.
That night, Akai Jun—probably having drunk too much tea during the day—emerged from his tent. He nodded to Orochimaru by the campfire and walked into the darkness beyond the camp.
Just as he was about to disappear into the shadows, about ten meters away, with his back to Orochimaru—
Orochimaru appeared behind him like a phantom. A black kunai materialized in his hand, its sharp blade silently stabbing toward Akai Jun's back.
The sound of blade piercing flesh never came.
Not because Orochimaru stopped—but because, when the blade was centimeters away, Akai Jun caught it between two fingers.
"…We were having such a good time, and you don't hesitate at all. So cold, Orochimaru-san~"
The voice that came from ahead was different from the serious historian's—it carried a teasing lilt.
"Akai Jun"—or rather, Hii Kōri disguised as Akai Jun—still held the kunai between his fingers. Still speaking in the historian's voice, he slowly turned, looking at Orochimaru with a faint smile.
"I thought we were becoming good friends."
Tossing the kunai back to Orochimaru, Hii Kōri shook his head in mock disappointment.
"That's exactly why I can't trust you."
Orochimaru flipped his wrist, easily stowing the kunai, as if nothing had happened. His eyes showed no hostility at being caught—or at facing a ninja from another village. Arms crossed, he chatted with interest.
"Getting along with me… that's your biggest flaw, Hii-kun."
"Ah… so that's it. The gravity between psychological anomalies."
Hii Kōri rolled his eyes and retorted bluntly.
To be honest, having his identity exposed by Orochimaru was a relief.
At least he didn't have to keep pretending.
Silence stretched between them.
"Why are you still here? Unlike you, who's been testing me, I actually need to go."
After a few seconds, Hii Kōri clicked his tongue, his expression one of barely suppressed exasperation.
"...Oh."
Orochimaru opened his mouth, then closed it, stepping back silently.
What's wrong with this guy? He's a dangerous infiltrator in the Land of Fire, and he acts like he has every right to be here when facing me, a Konoha jōnin?!
He wanted to demand that, but on second thought, what was the point?
He already knew the answer. They were two psychological anomalies drawn to each other. When they met, all they wanted was to exchange ideas—not worry about anything else.
Was that failing as a ninja?
Orochimaru wondered.
A moment later, Hii Kōri returned from the woods. Seeing Orochimaru unsure how to break the awkward silence, he spoke first.
"How's Tsunade?"
"Fine. Mother and child are well."
Hii Kōri didn't seem surprised by the question. "If you want to visit an old friend, after this excavation, you can stop by the Red Hot Sand main branch in the Land of Fire on your way back. That's where she and the child are staying."
"Why would I visit her now? I'm not Jiraiya."
Orochimaru snorted, then countered: "Don't forget, I'm still experimenting with her grandfather's cells."
Then he changed tack, eyes narrowing at Hii Kōri. "You just openly told me you're connected to this guild—and where Tsunade is. Aren't you afraid I'll do something?"
"Yes. I told you openly. And you said it yourself—you're not Jiraiya."
Hii Kōri shrugged indifferently. "Besides, you just told me Konoha is experimenting with the First Hokage's cells."
"Heh..."
"Ha..."
They laughed almost simultaneously, then fell silent again.
When Orochimaru didn't speak, Hii Kōri rubbed his chin and asked: "So, how's the First Hokage cell research going? Come up with anything interesting?"
"I don't think our relationship is close enough for you to pry into Konoha's highest secrets."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing.
"Secrets? Highest secrets?"
Hii Kōri scoffed. "Don't make me laugh. That's not a secret. Every halfway notable power in the ninja world knows Konoha is working on this. At first it was a rumor, but lately you've been the ones spreading it, haven't you?"
As the original leaker, Hii Kōri was sensitive to the winds.
In his view, Konoha had been using Hashirama's name to intimidate. Once the news was out, they might as well use it.
Hashirama deterrence.
But this reaction suggested something else.
"The research hasn't produced any usable results yet, has it?"
He didn't need to check the original manga. Just looking at Konoha's current state told him: if they had something usable, they wouldn't need to bluff—they'd just deploy it.
"Ha. Usable results? We can't even afford to continue the experiments."
Seeing how much Hii Kōri knew, Orochimaru stopped hiding.
"Oh? Konoha's that broke? Can't even fund a project like that?"
"And whose fault is that?"
Orochimaru shot Hii Kōri a look that practically named him.
"Hmm... so you want me to kneel and apologize? I could do that, Orochimaru-san~"
Hii Kōri said, almost provocatively. Orochimaru cursed at him to get lost. Hii Kōri shrugged, then casually threw out a new topic: "Since money's so tight, how about coming to work for me? Money's no object."
At "money's no object," Orochimaru nearly dropped to his knees, grabbing Hii Kōri's hands and declaring, "I have wandered half my life and never met a wise lord…"
Nearly.
He steadied himself, suppressing the tremor in his eyes, and shook his head. "Casual chat like this is fine. I'm not planning to betray Konoha."
"…Betray? I'm not asking you to join Sunagakure."
Hii Kōri rolled his eyes. "It's an independent research organization. A society focused purely on study."
"A society? That's not bad."
Orochimaru's expression relaxed. "What's it called?"
"Hmm… 'Nine-Person Society.' What do you think?"
"Oh? You've already recruited a lot of people?"
"No. It's just us two."
"…Huh? Then why call it 'Nine-Person'?"
Orochimaru blinked, his face a mask of unprecedented confusion. But he didn't object to Hii Kōri's "us."
"How about 'Technical Coordination Alliance,' then?"
"I have no objection."
***
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