After parting ways with Might Duy, Kawakaze and his group continued toward Orochimaru's residence.
"Is there anything special about this person?"
Tsunade's curiosity was piqued. She couldn't understand why Kawakaze had offered a Genin his assistance.
"I feel that there is something very precious about him," Kawakaze replied cryptically, a faint, inscrutable smile on his face.
This was a truth Kawakaze had gleaned from the original story. Even if he explained it, Tsunade wouldn't understand. Without Might Duy's teachings, there would be no Might Guy. It was Duy, as a father, who instilled in his son the most vital lesson: the Ninja Way.
"True victory lies not in defeating the strong, but in protecting what's most important to you until the end."
Might Duy sacrificed his life for this principle, and Might Guy risked his own to deliver the devastating "Night Guy" attack. If not for Six Paths Naruto, Guy wouldn't have survived either.
"So mysterious," Tsunade muttered, rolling her eyes in irritation. She gave Kawakaze a cold stare, too lazy to press the matter further.
Behind her, Nawaki and Minato whispered among themselves, speculating on what "precious" might mean.
Nawaki assumed it was something tangible, like priceless treasures—his mind clearly poisoned by Tsunade's habits. Minato, on the other hand, thought it referred to an intangible quality, like a noble spirit. He appeared more insightful than Nawaki.
No wonder Minato became Hokage, while Nawaki became cannon fodder in the original timeline.
"How much farther is it?" Kawakaze asked, his tone casual. He had never been to Orochimaru's home before, nor had he dealt with the man.
"It's just up ahead," Tsunade replied, pointing toward a cluster of buildings in the distance.
As they entered the residential area, Kawakaze couldn't help but groan inwardly. The houses all blended together, making it hard to tell where one ended and another began.
"Does Orochimaru keep a lot of snakes at home?" he asked, trying not to sound uneasy. He couldn't help but feel a little creeped out by the thought of cold-blooded reptiles slithering around.
"Who told you that? He only has a Summoning Beast that's a snake," Tsunade said, her tone dismissive.
"Haha, that's good," Kawakaze laughed awkwardly, gripping his sword a little tighter.
As they neared their destination, Nawaki took the lead, confidently approaching a mansion and knocking on the door.
"Sensei, my sister brought someone to see you!" he called out, his loud voice echoing in the quiet street. His outgoing demeanor extended even to Orochimaru, a surprising trait given the latter's reputation.
After a moment, the door opened, revealing Orochimaru clad in a kimono. His expression was calm, almost gentle, as he reached out and ruffled Nawaki's hair.
"I knew it—you're always so noisy. What a disgrace," Orochimaru said, his tone light but carrying a hint of reproach.
Kawakaze was taken aback. This Orochimaru was nothing like the sinister figure he remembered from the anime. Gone was the smug, cold smile; this version seemed far more composed, even approachable.
"Orochimaru, Kawakaze and I are here uninvited. I hope you don't mind," Tsunade said, her tone relaxed, as if the visit was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Why would I mind? I'm happy to see you. Please, come in," Orochimaru replied, his expression calm and his words polite.
"Hello, Kawakaze," Orochimaru greeted, flashing a faint smile.
"Hello, Orochimaru," Kawakaze responded, though he still struggled to reconcile this polite, composed figure with the sinister image of Orochimaru from his memories.
"Call me just by my name."
Kawakaze, however, wasn't one to miss an opportunity. With a slight push, he nudged Minato forward.
"Lord Orochimaru, I am Minato Namikaze," Minato introduced himself, his tone cautious. The young boy couldn't help feeling intimidated; Orochimaru didn't exactly exude warmth.
"Hello. You're a good boy, too," Orochimaru said with a small smile, observing that Minato's demeanor bore some resemblance to Nawaki's.
"Let's go!" Nawaki said casually, acting as if he were returning to his own home. Without waiting for anyone else, he strolled into the mansion.
Kawakaze followed Orochimaru inside. The mansion was spacious, its design cool and minimalist. The lack of servants stood out, but Kawakaze assumed Orochimaru valued solitude.
Led by Nawaki, the group reached the living room and took their seats. Nawaki, clearly familiar with the space, went straight to preparing tea. Kawakaze watched him move with practiced ease, guessing that Nawaki must have done this many times before.
"Orochimaru, I hear you also like to use a sword," Kawakaze began. "I brought something special from my Hatake weapons workshop today as a token of respect. I hope you'll accept it."
Kawakaze presented the gift with a smile. Since he was here to ask a favor, a small offering seemed appropriate.
"You're too kind, Kawakaze," Orochimaru said, taking the sword. His slender fingers carefully inspected the craftsmanship. Drawing the blade slightly, the gleam of steel reflected his snake-like pupils. A faint chill seemed to emanate from him as he tested its weight and balance.
Unfortunately, the sword was rigid, making it impractical for him to store it in his stomach. However, it was undeniably a rare and valuable gift.
"A fine sword. I accept it with gratitude. Thank you, Kawakaze," Orochimaru said, setting the blade aside but keeping it within reach.
By then, Nawaki had returned, carrying a tray of tea. He poured cups for Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Kawakaze, serving them with a respectful demeanor before sitting to the side with Minato.
"You two don't need to be so formal. We're all friends now," Tsunade said, her tone exasperated as she watched Kawakaze and Orochimaru maintain an awkward politeness.
One was a close friend from her team, the other her future husband—at least in her eyes—so she had no qualms about breaking the tension with her bluntness.
Kawakaze and Orochimaru, however, felt slightly embarrassed by her directness.
Kawakaze's mind wandered to an old saying: "We're all bros, so there's no need to be polite." He glanced at Tsunade and imagined her drunkenly uttering those words. The thought suited her so perfectly that he almost laughed out loud.
"Kawakaze came today because he wants to help Minato expand his Ninjutsu knowledge," Tsunade continued, her straightforwardness unrelenting. "Minato is Kawakaze's new disciple."
Minato, hearing this, lowered his head respectfully, his demeanor earnest.
"Of course, there's no problem," Orochimaru replied without hesitation. "I'll be in the village for a while anyway."
Orochimaru's agreement seemed casual, as though taking on another responsibility wasn't a big deal for him.
"Nawaki will learn under the tutelage of Kawakaze," Tsunade declared. "And Minato will learn from Orochimaru in return. It's a way of giving back what we've received."
"Then I'll leave Minato in your care for now," Kawakaze said, completely at ease with handing over his "new, budget apprentice" without hesitation or remorse.
"Just have Minato and Nawaki come together when it's time," Orochimaru confirmed, setting the arrangement for their joint training.
The conversation shifted as Tsunade sipped her tea and casually asked, "You've been away from the village a lot lately. Were you on a mission?"
Her tone made it clear that even confidential topics didn't faze her.
Kawakaze took the opportunity to sip his tea as well, blending into the background for now. He didn't want to appear rude by leaving as soon as the discussion wrapped up.
Orochimaru sighed deeply, his face growing serious. The light smile he'd worn earlier was replaced by a somber expression, and Kawakaze thought he caught a flicker of compassion in his snake-like eyes.
"Sensei sent me to the Land of Rain," Orochimaru began, his voice low and contemplative. "We're attempting to borrow the way and launch an attack on other ninja villages. But Hanzō of the Salamander… he's no ordinary person. Negotiations have stalled—he refuses to allow passage."
His tone grew darker as he continued, "I don't know when the war will break out, but when it does, it will bring another bloody storm. So many fresh lives… so many partners will be lost. How many families will be broken? How many children will be homeless?"
Orochimaru's words hung heavy in the air, and his gloomy expression revealed a side of him rarely seen. Kawakaze could sense the sincerity in his voice, his disdain for war unmistakable.
For the first time, Kawakaze glimpsed the Orochimaru the anime had never shown—a man burdened by the inevitability of war, someone who perhaps loved his village and valued life in his own way.
If it weren't for the war, perhaps Orochimaru wouldn't have been consumed by ambition and obsession. Kawakaze couldn't help but think that war—and the demons it awakened in people—had shaped Orochimaru into the person he would eventually become.