The arrival of Orochimaru surprised Nara Shikakichi and his wife, especially when they saw Nara Haruki being led by Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru is very interested in my bug and wants to come and see it," Haruki said simply, his face composed and obedient.
"Don't worry about me. This is just a coincidence. I'll take a look at the insect and leave," Orochimaru nodded to Shikakichi and his wife, emphasizing this was just a casual visit. As for what the clever Shikakichi might be thinking, Orochimaru didn't care.
Watching Orochimaru and Haruki head toward the backyard, Nara Shikakichi and his wife, Nara Yuno, exchanged a glance, seeing a mix of concern and helplessness in each other's eyes.
The Ino-Shika-Cho alliance had remained low-key and stable in Konoha for generations. This wasn't just because they were clever, but because they knew when to compromise and where to stand politically. They had long been trusted advisors to the Hokage.
If possible, Shikakichi didn't want his son getting too close to Orochimaru. The man was treading an increasingly dark and dangerous path, one closely tied to Root, Konoha's shadowy underbelly. He didn't want Haruki entangled in such things.
"Your parents seem worried about you following me," Orochimaru said softly as he followed Haruki.
"You might have seen it wrong," Haruki replied, shaking his head.
"I didn't see it with my eyes," Orochimaru said calmly. "I sensed it from their chakra."
"Chakra?" Haruki raised his head, curious.
While Orochimaru was famous for his forbidden techniques and obsession with immortality, his true genius lay in his understanding of chakra.
"Chakra is formed from a balance of spiritual and physical energy. Some say it can connect hearts, share emotions, even memories. That's a bit of a stretch, but those with experience can sense emotional shifts through chakra."
He continued, "Of course, elite ninjas can mask their inner feelings or give misleading signals."
Haruki nodded thoughtfully. Orochimaru, strangely, seemed almost like a teacher—if he decided someone was worth teaching.
Inside Haruki's workshop, Orochimaru glanced around and instantly grasped the nature of the research. Without permission, he began flipping through Haruki's notes.
Startled, Haruki moved to the insect he had been raising.
The green insect, once palm-sized, was now the length of an adult's arm. Its soft, green skin had become paler.
[Name: Unknown Larva] Quality: Blue (You have chosen an evolutionary path. Upon maturation, it will cocoon and evolve.) Traits: Exceptionally strong vitality, adaptability, and transformation potential. Skills: Crawling, Eating, Spinning Silk, Multiplication (Hidden) Evaluation: Its potential depends on the skill and care of the cultivator. Summary: It has limited current combat value but could become powerful.
Placing the insect on the table, it began sniffing and moving toward Haruki. Suddenly, Orochimaru picked it up.
Panicked, the insect's skin changed to multicolored hues, oozing black venom. Orochimaru winced, activating chakra to protect himself.
As Orochimaru still didn't let go, the insect swelled, using its body mass to force itself free. It landed on the table, rolled over, and curled up beside Haruki, making soft gestures as if complaining.
Haruki soothed it with a black paste, and the insect quickly began eating, calm again.
"Interesting... Was that liquid its venom?" Orochimaru asked.
"Yes," Haruki nodded.
"And the swelling? That wasn't instinct. That was... the Akimichi Clan's multiplication technique, wasn't it?"
"Yes," Haruki admitted.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed.
He recalled the Akimichi Clan's secret art—quick digestion and conversion of energy to body mass. A process not unlike a butterfly emerging from a cocoon.
But to see it on an insect?
Orochimaru speculated the bug might possess Yang Release affinity—associated with vitality and recovery. The Senju clan's famous Wood Release was rooted in Yang Release, something Orochimaru deeply coveted in his quest for immortality.
This insect might be a key.
More than that, Haruki himself intrigued him.
"Next time we meet, I'll bring you a gift," Orochimaru said, closing the notebook.
Haruki escorted him to the front yard. Alongside his parents, he watched Orochimaru disappear into the night.
That night, Shikakichi questioned Haruki briefly about the visit. Learning Orochimaru held no ill will, he let his son rest. Still, he remained uneasy.
If Orochimaru ever turned on them, there would be little he could do.
...
At the Hokage's Residence
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up, surprised by a rare late-night visit from Orochimaru.
He had sensed his student's growing detachment. He hadn't expected a visit like this, unless Jiraiya had managed to soften things.
"You haven't visited me on your own in a long time," Hiruzen said.
Orochimaru stood silent for a moment. His aging teacher looked older, smaller, and more disappointing.
Part of his turn toward immortality came from the horrors of war, the deaths of Nawaki and Dan, and his own failure to protect them. But another part came from watching his once-glorious teacher wither away.
He couldn't let that happen to himself.
But he couldn't say that aloud.
"I came to tell you I want to lead a team," Orochimaru finally said.
Hiruzen froze.
"Why the sudden change?"
Before, neither Orochimaru nor Tsunade had shown interest in teaching. Orochimaru had even claimed his failure to protect Nawaki had ended his motivation.
"I found an interesting child," Orochimaru said, licking his lips slightly.
"Who is it?" Hiruzen asked, intrigued.
"A child of the Nara Clan. Nara Haruki."
"Shikakichi's son?" Hiruzen immediately recalled the promising boy's performance.
If someone else had requested to mentor Haruki, he might hesitate. But with Orochimaru? He nodded without question.
"He's gifted. If Shikakichi agrees, I do too. Anyone else?"
"Mitarashi Anko. Add her as well," Orochimaru said, referring to another familiar young ninja.