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"Hmm…?"
Jaxon sat quietly atop the Hokage Rock, gazing out at the snowy night that blanketed Konoha Village in peaceful silence. A light breeze brushed across his face, carrying with it a sharp chill, but his expression remained still and unreadable.
A flicker of confusion passed through his eyes—but it vanished just as quickly, like a spark swallowed by darkness.
Then, as if conjured from the shadows themselves, a figure appeared mere meters away from him—silent, graceful, ghost-like.
The newcomer wore a flowing kimono, simple yet refined. Its cool, pale colors mirrored the snowflakes fluttering gently in the air, lending the figure a serene, otherworldly aura.
Long, black hair cascaded smoothly down his shoulders, brushing against skin so pale it seemed untouched by sunlight. His features were androgynous—delicately balanced between masculine sharpness and feminine elegance.
But what truly set him apart was the chilling presence that accompanied him.
His aura was cold. Not just in temperature, but in spirit—like winter's deepest frost, creeping through bone and marrow.
"What excellent taste, Jaxon-kun," the man said with a soft smile, his voice calm and composed. He didn't hesitate to walk forward and settle down beside Jaxon atop the Second Hokage's carved stone head.
He sat cross-legged, poised, refined—his snake-like golden eyes fixed on the horizon.
Jaxon didn't need a name to know who stood beside him.
"Orochimaru."
It wasn't a question—it was a statement.
Even though they had never spoken face to face before, Jaxon could never forget that aura. It radiated ambition and secrecy, like a deep well whose bottom you could never see.
And then there was the habit—so distinct and so telling. That unconscious, serpentine motion of licking his lips when intrigued.
"You remember me?" Orochimaru said, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Well… I suppose it would be strange if you didn't."
Jaxon tilted his head slightly, a small smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You're not exactly forgettable."
Orochimaru chuckled, elegant as always. "I only returned to the Village recently. But I heard you were here, Jaxon-kun. I intended to seek you out… I just didn't expect to run into you under such beautiful snowfall."
"Hmph. If you didn't know I was here, you wouldn't have come," Jaxon thought to himself, but aloud, he said, "What a pleasant coincidence. I came to enjoy the silence, and instead, I found you. This trip truly has paid off."
Orochimaru's smile faded slightly. His gaze turned distant, almost melancholic.
"Tell me, Jaxon-kun," he said softly. "Why must people die?"
The question hung in the air, weightless and yet heavy with meaning.
Jaxon inwardly sighed. Here we go… he's already slipping into that phase. Life and death, the search for immortality. Typical Orochimaru.
But Orochimaru continued.
"Do you think immortality is possible? That perhaps… somewhere in this world… we can defy fate?"
Jaxon narrowed his eyes. He could easily guess the root of these questions: the death of Nawaki, Tsunade's younger brother. A boy Orochimaru had once mentored. His passing had struck something deep in the Sannin—an emotional wound that had never quite healed.
But why bring this to him?
Jaxon didn't answer. He didn't need to.
Orochimaru didn't push. Instead, his expression shifted, and he leaned in slightly. "I've heard you've entered a… partnership with Danzo."
Finally, Jaxon thought, his eyes sharpening. Now we get to the real reason you're here.
He adjusted his posture to match Orochimaru's, sitting cross-legged and facing the Sannin directly.
"I wonder," Jaxon said coolly, "what does Orochimaru-kun have in mind?"
The other man gave a subtle grin.
"What Danzo offers… I can offer more. No—better."
His tone was confident, almost seductive. "You require experimental compounds to distribute among the general population. I can produce two specialized formulas per year. In addition, I can conduct ten supplementary research projects annually—far more than Danzo's people ever could."
Jaxon's brow rose slightly, but he said nothing.
Encouraged, Orochimaru pressed on. "And beyond that—because I understand what you truly value—I'm offering five hundred Ninjutsu scrolls. All types, all elements. Two of them are S-rank techniques. And one is a complete set of Forbidden Jutsu, developed in secret."
Now Jaxon's eyes widened ever so slightly. That… was an offer few could resist.
Orochimaru's lips curled into a sly smile. He knew he had dropped a bomb.
But Jaxon was no fool. He knew Orochimaru well enough to realize this was only one side of the deal. The other half—the price—was yet to be named.
Still… he couldn't deny the temptation.
He'd come here just to clear his mind under the snow. Now, he was being handed a treasure trove of forbidden knowledge and raw power.
Jaxon leaned back slightly, arms crossed, and studied Orochimaru. "You're generous tonight."
The snake Sannin gave a low laugh. "Am I?"
"More generous than Danzo, at least," Jaxon replied. "Truthfully… between the two of you, I'd rather work with you."
"Oh?" Orochimaru tilted his head, feigning curiosity, though a glint of satisfaction danced in his eyes.
"You're efficient, ruthless, and brilliant," Jaxon continued. "Danzo is… expendable. You are not."
He paused, then added, "You've already gotten a lot of intel, haven't you? That tells me you're either close to Danzo or someone inside Root is leaking to you."
Orochimaru gave a slight shrug, offering neither confirmation nor denial.
"But that doesn't concern me," Jaxon said with a smirk. "Here's what I gave Danzo: two hundred million ryo annually. Fifty sets of standard experimental equipment."
He said it plainly. There was no risk in telling Orochimaru—especially not now.
Orochimaru didn't even blink. He was far past the stage of being surprised by numbers.
"So," Jaxon continued, "I'll offer you three hundred million ryo a year. And twenty sets of advanced experimental equipment—high-grade, top-of-the-line."
His tone turned serious.
"For someone like you, genius isn't enough. You need freedom. Resources. Space to push boundaries no one else dares touch. Let me give you that."
The wind blew harder now. Snow whipped past them, yet neither man flinched.
Their conversation had turned from philosophical musings to a quiet, deliberate war of influence and ambition.
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Only the soft sound of falling snow filled the space.
Then Orochimaru spoke, his voice little more than a whisper.
"A better world… is one built by those who dare to ignore the rules."
Jaxon smiled.
"In that case, shall we build it together?"
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