Kiyoshi saw a familiar face.
Tsunade.
She seemed to be diagnosing someone.
Beside her was Shizune, around Kiyoshi's age.
"Kiyoshi."
A white-haired boy with messy hair emerged from behind the sliding door and approached the wooden fence in the yard.
"I came to see why you took the day off."
Kiyoshi found an excuse.
"Nothing in particular."
Kakashi's voice sounded colder than usual, the whites of his eyes streaked with red.
"Kakashi, if your friend is calling, let him in."
A voice came from inside the house.
"Yes, Father."
Kakashi stepped aside, making way.
"Come in, Kiyoshi."
"Sorry for the intrusion."
Kiyoshi followed Kakashi through the door.
Inside, there were quite a few people.
Tsunade, Shizune, and Orochimaru.
Two of the legendary Sannin had appeared together.
At the very back sat a man with long silver hair tied in a ponytail, his body wrapped in bandages, some stained faintly with blood.
"Lord Sakumo."
Kiyoshi bowed respectfully.
He also greeted Tsunade and Orochimaru with proper courtesy.
"It's been a while, Lady Tsunade."
"It's you, Uchiha brat."
Tsunade turned, her eyes narrowing slightly.
This young one's taijutsu talent was even better than she had expected. In such a short time, he already had a robust physique among his peers.
"I am Kakashi's father. You are friends—no need for such formalities."
Kikashi Sakumo smiled gently.
It was clear he had a kind personality. No wonder he had created the playful but deadly technique, the "Thousand Years of Death," and passed it on to Kakashi.
"Hehe… Uchiha…"
Orochimaru licked his lips, the purple patterns along his nose flaring slightly, earrings dangling from his lobes.
He had heard about Uchiha Kiyoshi from Danzo.
Orochimaru glanced at Tsunade, still assisting Sakumo, then looked at Kiyoshi.
"How does it feel to arrive in Konoha?"
Among foreign students who had qualified for ninja training, only Kiyoshi and Kushina Uzumaki had entered the academy. One from the Land of Lightning, the other from the already-destroyed Land of Whirlpools.
"My Lord Orochimaru," Kiyoshi began, "after arriving in Konoha, I realized how many jutsu there are to learn. If I have the chance, I want to master as many as I can."
In his remote village on the edge of the Land of Lightning, there had been so few jutsu to learn—he didn't even have access to the Triple Body Technique.
In a ninja world ruled by strength, only power could ensure survival through countless upheavals.
"Is that so?"
Orochimaru seemed surprised. He had expected Kiyoshi to gush about Konoha's advantages, perhaps claim its moon was rounder than the Land of Lightning's, or that its air was sweeter.
After all, Kiyoshi's life had been vastly different before.
"Hehe… pity that everyone's energy is limited. In a lifetime, only a few jutsu can be learned."
Orochimaru sounded reflective.
Learn more jutsu? He himself had always wanted the same. But human lifespans were limited.
"So I want to live longer. Only with a longer life can I learn more."
Kiyoshi's words caused everyone present to pause.
After all, birth, aging, sickness, and death were natural laws not to be defied. Few could truly commit to such a conviction. Most would dismiss it as childish nonsense—like kids declaring they want to become Hokage.
"Children understand nothing. When it's time to die, one should accept it. Living too long isn't necessarily a good thing."
Tsunade waved her hand, instructing Shizune to pack up the medical equipment.
Shizune stepped forward and sealed everything into scrolls.
The reactions of Tsunade and the others flashed past Kiyoshi's mind. Even as the ninja world advanced technologically, most people's thinking remained conservative, even rigid.
For a thousand years, even someone like Naruto, who desired peace, never considered abolishing the nominal rulers, the daimyo system. Instead, he submitted.
Even the Hyuga clan's cruel "Caged Bird Curse" remained, executed under Naruto's nose.
Living longer… even seeking immortality… was rarely pursued.
Except for one person.
Kiyoshi felt Orochimaru's gaze on him—sharp, venomous, like a snake.
"No, Tsunade… he's interesting."
Orochimaru realized for the first time that someone shared his thoughts on immortality.
He proceeded to ask Kiyoshi several questions, which Kiyoshi answered patiently.
"This Orochimaru…"
Tsunade frowned. Even someone as reliable as Orochimaru was discussing seemingly impossible ideas with a mere genin-level kid.
They had serious business here.
"Sakumo, focus on recovering. Don't mind the harsh words in the village."
Tsunade spoke. Even with Sakumo's strength, this mission had forced a choice between survival and comrades, highlighting its danger.
"All right."
Despite looking weary, Sakumo smiled and nodded at Tsunade's reassurance.
"This wasn't my fault! Anyone who doesn't value their comrades isn't worthy of being a ninja!"
Kakashi spoke up.
Since his father's return yesterday afternoon, the village had been filled with voices condemning him.
"Enough, Kakashi. It was my fault. A ninja failing a mission deserves criticism."
Sakumo's smile faded as he spoke gravely.
Kakashi wanted to continue, but Sakumo added:
"Go spend time with your friends. I have matters to discuss with Tsunade and Orochimaru."
"…Yes, Father."
Kakashi lowered his head, unable to comprehend why his father felt guilty.
Kiyoshi understood—the dismissal was clear. He followed Kakashi out. Only once outside did Orochimaru's intense gaze fade.
"Orochimaru will remember me now."
Kiyoshi thought silently. He had spoken deliberately, leaving a strong impression, tying a potential connection to Orochimaru.
Like a venomous snake, danger came with opportunity.
The Third Ninja World War drew ever closer. It was imperative to grow stronger and acquire techniques to survive.
Orochimaru was Konoha's greatest researcher, possessing many forbidden secrets. His survival skills were unmatched—resurrected multiple times, impossible to kill. Even the medical ninja Nono Yu couldn't compare.
Orochimaru had extensive knowledge of the human body and access to techniques like Cursed Seals and Sage Jutsu.
As for other ways to obtain Sage Chakra? Tsunade wouldn't teach him. Jiraiya only took the Child of Prophecy.
To access Sage Chakra, only Orochimaru could provide the path.
Future invasions by the Ōtsutsuki clan would require Sage or Taijutsu to inflict real damage.
And Sage Jutsu didn't just enhance ninjutsu—it also strengthened the body.
Chapter End