Getting out of Orochimaru's tent, Asahi wandered aimlessly around the camp, looking at the busy ninjas thinking about his own problems.
Sunagakure's unknown conspiracy was of course the biggest problem at present, but this matter was for Konoha's high-level to worry about, and had little to do with him. What Asahi wanted to do now was to find out the evidence about the conspiracy of Sasori of the Red Sand assassinating the Third Kazekage, that way he could reveal the scandal and drown Chiyo in it too, and make a big contribution to Konoha on his own.
It's just that Asahi had no strength, no subordinates, and no information sources. He also had to perform missions every day. There was just no time to investigate this matter. And even if he had time to investigate, he didn't have any leads.
Going to meet Sasori in person was tantamount to courting death, the crime scene must have been taken care of by Sasori long ago, and he wouldn't find any clues now.
"Forget it, let's nature take its course."
The cold wind in the camp made Asahi feel slightly more awake, and with a slight smile, he sighed.
If he couldn't make this contribution, then so be it. The war still had a long time left before it could end. If he wanted to make a great meritorious service, there's still plenty of opportunities.
"Hey! Isn't this Asahi. Why would someone like you be here? What's with that sad face? Did you fail a mission and got scolded by Orochimaru-sama?" A murky voice came from behind him.
Turning around, it turned out that it was a team composed of Asuma, Kurenai, and an extra ninja. Asahi expressionless asked: "Is there any problem?"
"Hey! C'mon, we are old classmates, don't be so cold." Asuma had a slight awkward smile on his face.
"When did you arrive?" Asahi asked.
"We just arrived yesterday." Asuma shrugged, saying casually.
"Asahi, as soon as we got here, we heard someone talking about you, they said that you have been doing great since after graduation." Kurenai said with a smile.
"It's okay."
With a cold response, Asahi glanced at the trio, and curiously asked, "Are you three free?"
"We are here to transport some supplies, and we will escort a group of wounded people back to Konoha tomorrow." Kurenai explained.
"Hey! The mission is supposed to be kept secret!" Asuma whispered.
Kurenai stuck out her tongue and said softly, "Sorry."
"Well, isn't that Kakashi, Obito, and Rin?" Asuma said, pointing at three silhouettes not far away.
"It seems that many of us are in the camp this time." Kurenai said with interest.
Coincidentally, the three of them also saw Asahi and walked towards their side together.
"Didn't expect to meet you all here." Rin first greeted him warmly.
"Rin, I also didn't expect to see you." Kurenai said with a smile.
Looking at the group of students from the same generation gathered together and chatter continuously, Asahi rarely had the thought that at least today they were not very noisy to him. Back in school, he remembered to be disgusted with this noise, but now he had a feeling of nostalgia.
"Long time no see." Kakashi came over and greeted him.
"Well, how does it feel to go back to the village to execute D-rank missions?" Asahi teased.
"It's fine." Kakashi, as always, wore a mask and so Asahi couldn't see his expression.
"I feel like you've changed…" Kakashi glanced at Asahi, and said indifferently.
"Oh? Really?" With an indifferent expression, he said, "Maybe it's because more and more people are being killed and my heart is getting colder. I miss the time when I was in academy."
"Hey! What are you two talking about?" Obito saw Kakashi whispering to another men, and immediately came over vigilantly.
"Nothing, you guys keep talking, I have something to do." Asahi indifferently said: "Bye!"
"Asahi!" Kurenai yelled at Asahi before he could leave.
"It's rare for everyone to get together like this, why don't we talk some more?"
"Sorry, I still have stuff to do." Asahi said.
"Forget about it… He has always been like this." Rin glanced at Asahi, and said while shaking her head.
Leaving his classmates behind, Asahi walked into the forest outside the camp, breathed a sigh of relief, and thought with a hint of mockery in his heart, 'I really don't fit well in this kind of scene.'
Being like them, no worries, living the life of a carefree ninja and just focus on executing missions. Asahi had always asked himself "Why can't he do that", and the simply answer was that he doesn't want to do it. He had his own ambitions. He wanted to be the strongest. He wanted to interpret the mysteries of chakra, interpret the mysteries of this world, and even find out the secrets about his transmigration.
So Asahi must let himself abandon some of these chains, because once there was a fetter in his heart, it would be very burdensome.
Asahi and they were not on the same road after all.
"Meeting your old classmates is rare, why didn't you talk to them some more?" A hoarse voice belonging to Orochimaru sounded.
'Fuck! Isn't this guy in the camp with Jiraiya, how could he be here?'
Asahi immediately put away all of his emotions and calmly said, "I have nothing to talk about with them Orochimaru-sama."
"I think the two of us are the same kind of person. What do you think, Asahi-kun?" Orochimaru's hoarse voice seduced.
"Orochimaru-sama, could you please explain what do you mean by that?" Asahi said respectfully.
"I like to talk to smart people. I can see that you have ambitions." Orochimaru continued to seduce him, "In Konoha, your ambitions will not be realized. So, do you want to follow me?"
Orochimaru's words were like someone throwing a magic spell in Asahi's heart. Hasn't he been waiting for this moment?
'Calm! Calm down!'
"I have no ambitions." Asahi said nicely.
"Hehehehe…" Orochimaru seemed to have heard a joke, and his smile became gloomy and full of ridicule. After a while, Orochimaru's killing-intent flashed, and his hoarse voice continued, "Then what is it that you do at Konoha Hospital?"
'Fuck! This guy has investigated me.' Asahi cursed inwardly.
"Orochimaru-sama is really wise." Asahi said looking even more respectful.
"So what's your decision?" Orochimaru solemnly asked.
"I'm very happy with my current situation." Asahi said with a slight smile.
"Hehe… Then I look forward to your performance, Asahi-kun."
When his voice barely fell, he had already turned into a cloud of smoke and disappeared.
"Damn it! Still just a shadow clone!" Asahi cursed.
Orochimaru's invitation at this time was not expected by him at all. People like Orochimaru must have countless subordinates behind him. Even if he decides to leave Konoha in the future, he would still leave behind a lot of subordinates and followers.
So why did Orochimaru tried to invite him this time?
Asahi was a cautious person. Although Orochimaru's invitation was exactly what he was looking forward to, the reason behind it must be thoroughly understood before he joins him.
'Did Orochimaru make this decision on an impulse? Or did he has a long-term plan, or is there even any plan at all?'
*****
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