Chapter 326. It's Better Not to Go Back!
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A little earlier in ti—
Land of Rice Fields.
Over at Orochimaru's lab—
Yakushi Kabuto, who had been interning here for a while, seed to rember sothing. Taking advantage of a break, he quickly opened his computer, ready to watch so dance videos to relax.
Before he left, he had heard that the director planned to bring the children from the orphanage to participate in that competition.
While developing hobbies and relaxing a bit, maybe they'd even win a prize and help support the household.
He wondered how their performance had gone since he left.
Unfortunately, he couldn't witness it with his own eyes.
Kabuto picked up the hot tea he'd just poured, lazily sat back in his chair in his white coat, and slowly looked at his screen.
It had been about a month since he arrived, and he had learned quite a bit—not just in dical ninjutsu, but also in many other areas. In fact, he discovered... this kind of research really suited him.
So—he'd consider forgiving that guy!
However—
Wanting his approval? Dream on!
He would absolutely never agree to that!
His only dissatisfaction—
Was that the living conditions here were a bit bad!
Though the lab of the Konoha rogue ninja Orochimaru was full of strange and rare equipnt, the base itself was extrely rudintary—worse even than the makeshift labs of the Yuto Group.
The place was surrounded by cliffs and rocks, with little sunlight, damp air, and a musty sll. If soone stayed here too long, it might really ss soone up.
If not for the feeling that he still had more to learn, he would've already gone back to the village!
Of course—
Fortunately, there was still internet and phone access here.
Yesterday, the director even called to check on him. Though he thought better of ntioning anything about Orochimaru, he just gave a simple update on how things were going: Eating well, sleeping well, nothing to worry about. He'd be back soon!
And he made sure to remind the director not to be alone with that guy.
It's just too dangerous!
"It looks like since he started his own business, Orochimaru hasn't exactly been living the high life either~" Kabuto blew on his tea, shook his head, and muttered, "It makes sense. If life weren't so hard, he probably wouldn't have tead up with Iwagakure or even the Yuto Group."
After all, as one of the Sannin, there's no way he'd just do whatever soone else told him to—research whatever they said.
He must've been broke, desperate, and forced to swallow his pride.
Thinking back to how that guy defected from the village over 1 billion ryo... it's no surprise he'd throw away his dignity for money now.
And yet—
"He still wants to recruit ? I'd rather just go work for that guy directly."
Thinking back to not long ago—
Orochimaru had maybe noticed his talent and wanted him as an assistant. Kabuto curled his lip in disdain.
He doesn't have the basic five social insurances, ninja benefits, no welfare, no holidays—just a bunch of nonsense about unraveling the mysteries of the Ninja World and immortality, claiming if he did well, he'd be Orochimaru Group's future second-in-command, spouting dreams like "today's suffering is for tomorrow's glory" to get him to stay and work hard!
What a joke!
Does Orochimaru think he is stupid? Give up Konoha's high welfare benefits to follow a wanted criminal doing who-knows-what shady work which may cost him a lot of money?
What if he disappointed the director?
Plus, all Orochimaru ever did was dangle dreams and empty promises—no real substance. He heard that people hadn't been paid in months, and he still expected others to work for him?
Even pyramid sches aren't this cruel!
Kabuto set his teacup down and looked at the screen—
At that mont—
The competition was about to start.
It was right at the opening ceremony.
When he saw that guy acting as a referee, Kabuto, to be honest... was a little surprised!
And just then—
"Hey~ Kabuto is surfing the internet?"
After working a while and now ready to rest, Orochimaru saw Kabuto sitting at his computer. He stretched out his tongue, licking his lips, and his eyes glimred—
It was the look of a man who was moved.
Honestly—
He really was moved!
After spending ti together and ntoring him, Orochimaru had co to realize that this relative sent over by Boss Yuto through the back door—Kabuto—truly had talent.
He was the only genius here who could actually keep up with Orochimaru's thinking!
However—
He had already tried to recruit him, but got flat-out rejected.
Even got verbally shut down, face red, speechless—didn't even know how to respond.
He even started to wonder privately, [Is Konoha's welfare really that good these days?]
Especially after his proud, hard-built lab got completely trashed by Kabuto's critique—he felt even more bitter!
Back when he left Konoha—
That lab Danzo built, the biggest in the village, was nothing special. But just a few years later... soone dared to tell him he'd fallen behind!
What a pity.
Still, a bit reluctant!
If that guy could beco his assistant, it would surely save him a great deal of ti.
But the guy simply didn't understand his great dream~
So for now, he could only give up temporarily.
Orochimaru poured himself a cup of tea, gently blew on it, then said with a smile, "A little rest is good too! When I'm tired, I also take a short break!" He glanced at the screen. "Is this another competition hosted by Konoha? These past few years, the Ninja World seems to love holding all sorts of competitions!"
"The Revival of Spring—a dance competition," Kabuto glanced at Orochimaru. Since he'd technically co in with backing, as an intern under the na of the Yuto Group, he had quite a bit of freedom here. "But compared to the previous competitions, this one doesn't seem to be drawing much attention."
"Dancing?" Orochimaru was briefly stunned, then lost interest. But rembering that he intended to recruit Kabuto and make him understand his dream, he still looked on with amusent. "It seems like the Ninja World has been quite bored these years! What do you think?" He flicked out his tongue, smiling slyly at him. "Want to join ? I'm researching the mysteries of the Ninja World—to make eternal life! Once I succeed, you'll be my second-in-command! You'll get to enjoy eternal life too!"
After he finished—
Kabuto glanced at Orochimaru again, then turned back disinterestedly to keep watching the screen.
See?
This guy's making empty promises again!
Never anything concrete—just talk about dreams!
He replied flatly, "Let's talk about it again after you return to Konoha."
"Fine. Looks like you still don't want to leave Konoha." Seeing Kabuto's expression, Orochimaru realized his words hadn't worked again. He shrugged, unconcerned. After all, there was still plenty of ti.
But—
Return to Konoha?
Orochimaru fell into thoughtful curiosity. [Maybe I could return to the village?]
Given everything he'd done... it probably wouldn't be too hard to go back if he really wanted to.
And a few days ago, his collaborator—Danzo—had even called him, saying sothing like, "As long as you co back, with my wisdom and your skills, we'll beco the richest n in the Ninja World!"
Lately, he'd been making things for Danzo as agreed.
Of course... Kabuto didn't know about this.
It was a secret partnership, after all!
He prided himself on being honest.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly, his feminine smile still on his face. He seed to think of sothing, his gaze squinting even more. "I wonder what that idiot and Tsunade are up to right now?"
Just as he said that—
A series of toad-like croaks ca from the computer.
Just earlier, he'd heard sothing like...
Three Princesses of Konoha?
What the heck was that?
It sounded so weird!
[T/N: As for why it sounded so weird, well, it is Sannin no Hi-sama in romaji. So, did you get it?]
But it still caught Orochimaru's interest, and he curiously glanced at the screen.
At once—
His eyelid twitched slightly.
Three figures appeared on screen.
One of them—
Dressed in a flowing white gown, graceful and curvaceous, long hair fluttering, fair skin, a familiar and seductive face, dancing with elegance and beauty.
What a stunning and alluring woman!
But why did she look so familiar?
His voice trembled slightly, mixed with disbelief, "Th-this... who is that?!"
Right then—
Kabuto looked up with an odd expression and glanced at Orochimaru. Then he looked back at the screen and replied faintly, "Orochi-hi."
"..."
Orochimaru's mouth twitched.
This Konoha...
It's better not to go back!
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Volu 1 has been completed on Patreon. If you want to read upto [Volu 2 - 20], go to: /kurato6180
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