Perhaps it was because Orochimaru was, at his core, a researcher, that Uchiha Hayashi never felt the cold, snake-like aura people often associated with him. Instead, Hayashi sensed a kind of melancholic temperament, almost artistic in its quietness.
It seemed the Third Hokage's three disciples all had the potential to be writers in their own strange ways. Jiraiya could pen endless smut novels, Orochimaru could produce scientific treatises, and Tsunade… well, hers would probably be a tragic memoir about gambling away fortunes.
Yet, beneath Orochimaru's current gentleness, Hayashi knew human nature was far more complicated. No one remained pure forever. Even the kindest person would eventually change after facing enough hardship.
The most striking example, Hayashi mused, was Nawaki. Once pure, lovable, even someone you could trick out of his allowance now and then, Nawaki had recently developed a habit of clinging to Orochimaru, calling him "Big Brother Orochimaru" after hearing Hayashi refer to him as "Uncle Snake."
What was with this sudden closeness? Hayashi rolled his eyes at him, choosing to ignore it.
For now, Orochimaru was still a devoted shinobi of the Hidden Leaf, a youth considered a rising star. But Hayashi couldn't help but wonder: what kind of despair would transform him from a loyal hero of the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars into the cold, ruthless man he would one day become? The legendary Sannin who sought immortality, who abandoned his humanity, even changed his form, and eventually turned against his own teacher.
Perhaps, Hayashi thought darkly, killing one's master to pursue one's path was a tragic tradition in the shinobi world.
"Hayashi, what are you thinking about?" Orochimaru's hoarse voice pulled him back from his thoughts.
Hayashi blinked, refocusing. "Nothing much. I was just wondering about your dream, Orochimaru-sensei."
"My dream…" Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed. For a moment, a conflicted expression crossed his face before he closed them, speaking slowly, his tone bitter yet resolute.
"To learn every jutsu in this world. That is my only wish."
Hayashi nodded without hesitation. "An interesting dream. And if it's you, I believe you could truly achieve it."
A rare chuckle escaped Orochimaru's lips. "Hah… You really are an interesting child."
Hayashi smirked faintly, then poked the roasted boar with a stick and tore off a piece of meat.
Just then, a pale white snake slithered out from beneath his clothes.
"Hiding a snake in your pants? Now that's a bold move," Nawaki blurted, laughing nervously.
Hayashi grinned mischievously.
The Great White Snake flicked its tongue, then turned its head toward Nawaki.
"Little Hayashi, is this the 'high-quality man' you promised to introduce me to?" she asked, her gaze filled with disdain as if Nawaki were little more than a discarded sandal.
"That's right," Hayashi replied with a straight face. "Isn't he handsome?"
"W-what are you talking about?!" Nawaki recoiled toward Orochimaru in shock.
"Come on, Nawaki, this is the girlfriend I'm introducing you to. Didn't you say you wanted someone interesting and beautiful? Look at her—slender, elegant waist, and a personality full of fire."
"I-I never said that!" Nawaki flailed his arms in protest.
Hayashi turned back to his summon. "Well? Interested, Great White?"
The snake scoffed. "Don't insult me. He wouldn't even qualify as my fifth backup."
And just like that, Nawaki's first blind date ended in failure.
Great White then slithered closer, sniffing at the roasted meat in Hayashi's hand. Her meaning was clear.
Chuckling, Hayashi tore off a piece and offered it. She snapped it up eagerly.
"You only signed the summoning contract yesterday, yet your bond is already this strong," Orochimaru observed with a faint smile.
Hayashi tapped the snake's head gently with his finger. "What can I say? I might not excel at everything, but when it comes to building affinity, no one in the academy can beat me."
Great White flicked her tongue at him in mock annoyance, yet still brushed her head against his finger in the end.
At that moment, Mikoto, who had been quietly eating nearby, finally spoke. "Orochimaru-sensei, what exactly is our mission this time?"
"There is a group of bandits east of the Land of Fire," Orochimaru replied calmly. "Our task is to eliminate them."
"Then isn't it bad for us to be wasting time here?" Nawaki asked hesitantly.
"It doesn't matter," Orochimaru answered coldly. "As long as we wipe them out, the mission will be complete. But the true purpose isn't the bandits themselves—it's to train you. To sharpen your survival skills. Missions like these prepare you for war."
Hayashi tilted his head. "So the other teams have similar assignments?"
Orochimaru nodded. "Yes. By the time these missions are done, most of the bandits and raiders within the Land of Fire will be eliminated. Whether they are true outlaws or spies from rival villages, their removal will ensure Konoha's rear remains stable during wartime."
He didn't mention the other order given to all jōnin leaders: to bring back every scrap of food and wealth from the bandits using storage scrolls. After years of plundering merchants, their hoards were considerable. It was, in truth, a strategy that served multiple purposes at once—training the genin, weakening potential threats, and enriching the village.
The cunning of the Hidden Leaf ran deep, and Orochimaru had long since grown used to such shadows.
At last, he rose to his feet. "That's enough for today. The three of you will divide the watch among yourselves. I'll leave it to you to decide who takes which shift."
Without another word, he turned and walked toward his tent. "Good night."
The campfire crackled softly as silence settled over the group.
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