Leaving the Hokage Building, Orochimaru wore a playful smirk.
Ever since witnessing Minato's talent, he had been restless, as if a wild beast were clawing at its cage, desperate to break free.
He hadn't deceived Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Now, he felt no attachment to the position of Hokage.
For in Minato, he saw an impossible possibility:
The evolution of a stronger, more exceptional, and higher-level being—a sliver of a path toward immortality!
This agitation reached its peak upon learning that Minato had killed Danzo.
Was Danzo some weakling?
Far from it!
Under normal circumstances, a standard Konoha Jonin should possess at least one or two Chakra Nature Transformations and enough Chakra to unleash three to four A-rank Dōjutsu.
Yet Minato had already mastered four Nature Transformations, with his Wind Release nearing completion. By all accounts, he was an elite among Jonin.
But Orochimaru knew that, at least for now, he was no match for Danzo.
Though he had always viewed Danzo as shortsighted and narrow-minded, the man's combat experience and Ninjutsu skills were undeniably superior.
Yet such a Danzo had been killed!
The incident seemed absurd, but Orochimaru knew in his heart that Danzo hadn't fallen due to a gap in experience or ninjutsu. He had been crushed by a power of a higher tier.
He had experienced Minato's laser, a speed far beyond human reaction.
But even that alone shouldn't have been enough to kill Danzo. Orochimaru could think of at least a dozen countermeasures.
Danzo's death meant he couldn't control, attack, or interfere with Minato—not even escape.
This indirectly proved that Minato had established an absolute speed advantage.
If he could also achieve laser-like speed, or even transform into light itself...
Heh...
This is truly fascinating!
Orochimaru arrived at Tsunade's house just as Minato was returning.
"Senior Orochimaru," Minato nodded politely.
"It's been a while, Minato-kun," Orochimaru said with a faint smile. "Do you have time to talk?"
"With me?" Minato was surprised, having assumed Orochimaru was here for Tsunade. "Of course, Senior. Please come in."
Orochimaru said meaningfully, "What I mean is, let's talk privately about what happened last night..."
"Hmm, alright."
Minato nodded without hesitation, also curious about why Orochimaru had sought him out.
Some time later, the two appeared at a barbecue restaurant, where Orochimaru had reserved a private room.
After the dishes were served, he leisurely poured Minato a glass of juice, then poured one for himself.
The laws of the Land of Fire prohibited alcohol consumption before the age of twenty. Orochimaru, at nineteen, had not yet reached the legal drinking age, but he was old enough to marry at eighteen...
"I never expected that Danzo would end up dying at your hands, Minato-kun."
Studying Minato's handsome face, Orochimaru's tone carried a hint of wistfulness. "It seems you held back a lot during our previous sparring sessions."
"A ninja's battle is a battle of information," Minato replied modestly. "There are no techniques in this world that can't be countered. That's what the first-year textbook says. I simply relied on the advantage of my Bloodline Limit."
"Heh, how humble you are."
Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "Speaking of which, I should thank you. After Danzo's death, I took over his work, and it's been a great help to me."
"Congratulations, Senior," Minato replied.
Minato wasn't surprised. Orochimaru taking over Root was a perfect fit for his skills.
In terms of ability and cunning, he far surpassed Danzo and his ilk. At the very least, Orochimaru didn't wear his emotions on his sleeve...
It wasn't just Orochimaru who looked down on Danzo; Minato felt the same way.
Or rather, he despised this kind of fool who lacked self-awareness yet stubbornly clung to their own delusions.
Danzo's actions in the original story made it clear that he was completely immersed in a world constructed by his own distorted perceptions, utterly self-absorbed.
Anything that threatened him was equated with threatening Konoha.
He firmly believed that only he was worthy of becoming Hokage and that only he could lead Konoha to glory.
This was beyond the realm of mere mental illness...
Such people lacked the most basic capacity for understanding. They could carry on a conversation normally, but they would never accept information from the outside world, clinging instead to the "truth" they had fabricated for themselves.
In modern society, people like this are generally called: assholes.
This was why Minato had killed Danzo without hesitation.
But Orochimaru was different. Though he was obsessively driven by the pursuit of immortality, his scientific rationality made him value self-reflection.
He was fully aware of his actions, his desires, and could face his own motivations head-on.
Moreover, when dealing with intelligent people, he was straightforward and honest, avoiding unnecessary complications—just as people say: "It's easy to talk to smart people."
"So, Senior, you didn't just ask me here to express your gratitude, did you?"
"Heh, you're right."
Orochimaru licked his lips. "To be honest, ever since I witnessed Minato-kun's Bloodline Limit last time, I've been intensely curious about your body..."
This guy is being way too honest!
Minato got goosebumps and made a move to open the private room door. "I remember the Police Department is nearby."
Orochimaru wasn't offended. He chuckled. "Relax, I'm not so depraved as to have... those kinds of thoughts about a five-year-old child."
"Achoo!"
At that moment, Tsunade, at home, sneezed.
"I meant Minato-kun's power," Orochimaru said, his voice laced with seduction. "Aren't you curious about the source of your own strength?"
Not at all!
Minato knew exactly where his power came from, but he couldn't explain it to Orochimaru.
Still, he had to play along. Given Orochimaru's capabilities, his claim of leading the Shinobi World's core technological advancements was no joke.
At this point in time, if he could reveal the connections between Bloodline Limits, Orochimaru might evolve into an Ōtsutsuki by the time Kaguya broke free from her seal.
Minato didn't rush to answer. He flipped the grilled meat on the stove and asked softly, "If I may ask, Senior, what is your purpose in telling me all this?"
"Purpose..."
Orochimaru gazed deeply at Minato, sensing that his answer might influence the boy's choices.
Should he offer some hollow excuse, or tell the truth?
Orochimaru didn't ponder long. Minato was young, but not foolish—he wouldn't be easily deceived. Children possessed an uncanny intuition for lies.
Besides...
He secretly yearned for someone to understand him.
And Minato, who had also lost his parents, likely shared similar traits.
"Minato-kun, doesn't it seem to you that human life is too fragile?"
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