After making his wager with Shisui, Kei continued operating his clinic while secretly monitoring news from the village. Yet three days passed, and still there was no public announcement about Orochimaru's betrayal.
Knowing Shisui, there was no chance he hadn't reported to the Third Hokage. The lack of any immediate reaction only confirmed Kei's prediction, half of his bet was already a success.
And as long as the first half succeeded, the second was just a matter of time.
That morning, Kei opened the clinic early. His reputation had been spreading, and more villagers were visiting each day. It wasn't until noon that he finally had a break.
But before he could eat, Kei sensed someone approaching. The moment the visitor stepped inside, the air in the clinic turned cold.
"Orochimaru-sensei. What brings you here?" Kei greeted calmly.
This timing… shouldn't Orochimaru be busy hiding or fleeing? Why would he show up, so brazenly, right now?
Did he find out that I helped Shisui? No, if that were the case, he would've attacked me immediately…
Thoughts raced through Kei's mind, trying to make sense of the situation.
"Why? Am I not welcome?" Orochimaru asked, his golden slit pupils gleaming.
"I'm just surprised, that's all. Someone of your stature must be very busy," Kei replied with his trademark gentle smile.
"You're not wrong. I've been preoccupied with certain… matters lately."
"With your power, I'm sure they'll be resolved soon enough."
Orochimaru didn't respond. After a pause, he said flatly, "I may be leaving the village."
Can I even hear this right now? Kei cursed inwardly, though his face showed only innocent confusion.
"Are you heading out on a mission?" he asked.
"Kei-kun, are you truly this clueless… or just pretending?"
"I don't understand," Kei answered with wide-eyed innocence.
"That might fool others, but not me." Orochimaru's gaze sharpened, lingering on Kei's lifeless eyes. "Why don't you come with me?"
"…Thank you, sensei, but I've already decided not to be a shinobi anymore. I'm afraid I can't accompany you on your mission."
"That's your true answer?" Orochimaru glanced past Kei, his eyes landing on Hyuga Haru. "You don't need to worry about her. I can… take care of it."
His tongue slithered out and licked his lips as a wave of killing intent surged from him like a tide, smothering the room and crashing directly toward Haru.
She trembled beneath the pressure. There was no doubt in her mind, Orochimaru would kill her.
Facing one of the Legendary Sannin, she had no means of resisting. No one would save her here. No one, except…
Her eyes turned instinctively to Kei. But almost immediately, despair followed. Given their relationship, he had no reason to protect her. If anything, agreeing to let Orochimaru eliminate her would benefit him more.
A bitter smile tugged at her lips. How ridiculous, she thought. In the face of death, she was hoping her enemy would save her.
"I'm just a blind Hyuga, Orochimaru-sensei," Kei said softly, lifting his blind cane and rising to his feet. "There's little I could offer you."
He faced Orochimaru directly, his sightless eyes unwavering, silently declaring his stance.
Orochimaru paused, surprise flickering in his golden eyes. He hadn't expected Kei to refuse, especially not when he had offered to personally deal with the aftermath.
With his influence, the Hyuga clan wouldn't dare retaliate. No one would invoke the Caged Bird Seal for this. If the Hyuga truly had that kind of backbone, they wouldn't have sent Hizashi to die back then.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Kei was giving it up?
"Kei-kun," Orochimaru said slowly, "do you understand what it means to refuse me?"
Kei took a steady breath. "Sensei, perhaps I'm more useful to you inside the village."
As he spoke, Kei made up his mind: if Orochimaru refused to back down, he'd bolt immediately. With Phantom Body Flicker, he could escape the clinic before Orochimaru struck, and then leave Kakashi, who was surely still watching, to deal with him.
Seconds ticked by. Kei braced himself to flee.
Then, to his surprise, Orochimaru withdrew his killing intent. He studied Kei in silence, then said:
"Remember what you've said today."
"Safe travels, sensei," Kei replied calmly.
Only when Orochimaru's presence vanished from the area did Kei finally exhale.
That had been too close. For a moment, he truly thought he wouldn't make it out alive.
Luckily, his gamble paid off. And in psychology, gambling is what it's all about, except in his case, the odds were stacked in his favor. With a deep understanding of Orochimaru's character and behavioral patterns, he increased his chances of survival.
Just as he'd said: he was more valuable inside the village. A compromise, yes, but one that yielded results.
And it was a two-birds-one-stone outcome.
On one hand, he now had a potential link to Orochimaru, a cooperation that could bring many advantages.
On the other…
Psychological research shows that compared to men, women are generally more emotionally driven.
No matter their age, their hearts remain like young girls'.
Give them something sweet, and they smile.
The "candy" in this case?
Kindness.
Kei turned around to face Hyuga Haru. She was still pale, clearly shaken.
"Why… why did you refuse?" she asked, trying to steady her voice.
"If you'd accepted, maybe…"
"And besides, I'm your enemy, right? I was sent to monitor you."
Kei simply nodded. "You're not wrong."
"Then why save me?"
Instead of answering, he asked, "Are you asking as a patient?"
"What does it matter?" she snapped. "Just answer me."
"Well, since you're so sincerely asking, I'll mercifully give you an answer."
He smiled as always, gently handed her a napkin. "Wipe your face. The reason is simple: in the Elders' household, you're a servant.
But here, you're my assistant."
"…That's it?" she looked stunned. "You expect me to believe that?"
"What else were you hoping for? That I'd pity you?" Kei tilted his head.
"I just don't want to lose a helping hand. Don't overthink it."
Haru went quiet.
Her pale eyes flickered with something unreadable. The more Kei downplayed his words, the more she felt there had to be something deeper.
Normally, she would have questioned him relentlessly.
But for some reason…
This time, she didn't want to.
As Haru fell into silence, Kei knew he was close to success.
Because at that moment, a familiar voice echoed in his mind:
[Psychological Counseling Complete. The patient was moved by your words and subconsciously avoided pursuing the flaws in your logic. Emotional Disturbance Level: Excellent Effect.]
[Based on results, you have received: Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists]
[Note: An advanced Hyuga secret taijutsu technique. Haru was granted special access due to her father saving Hyuga Taihiro's life in battle.]
<150 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter>