After parting ways with Matt Dai, Kawaki and his group continued their journey to Orochimaru's residence.
"Is there anything special about this guy?"
Tsunade was also curious as to why Kawaki had offered to help a Genin.
"I think there's something really precious about him," Kawaki said enigmatically, a mysterious smile spreading across his face.
This was something he knew from the original plot, and even if he told Tsunade, she wouldn't understand.
It could be said that without Matt Dai's teachings, there would be no Guy.
As a father, Matt Dai had taught Guy the most important thing: the Ninja Way.
"The real victory isn't about defeating the powerful. It's about protecting what's important to you until your last breath," Matt Dai had once said.
For this, Matt Dai had paid the ultimate price with his life, and Guy, in turn, had risked his own life to unleash Night Guy.
If it hadn't been for Naruto, Guy wouldn't have survived.
"Stop being so mysterious," Tsunade huffed, rolling her eyes at Kawaki.
Meanwhile, Nawaki and Minato were whispering to each other behind them, discussing what this "precious thing" could be.
Nawaki, being the one - track - minded type, thought it was a priceless treasure. Poor kid, he'd been influenced too much by Tsunade.
Minato, on the other hand, thought it might be a noble spirit. It shows that he is much smarter than Nawaki.
No wonder Minato became the Hokage in the original plot while Nawaki ended up as a mere pawn. This was a clear indication.
"How much further is it?"
Kawaki had never been to Orochimaru's place before and had never even interacted with him.
"We're almost there. It's right up ahead," Tsunade said, pointing to a cluster of buildings in the distance. It was a residential area.
Kawaki really didn't want to complain, but it was so hard to tell one place from another.
"Does Orochimaru keep a lot of snakes at home?"
Come to think of it, he was kind of creeped out by those cold - blooded reptiles.
"Who told you that? His summoning animal is just a snake," Tsunade said, not knowing where Kawaki had heard such a ridiculous rumor.
"Whew, that's good," Kawaki said, holding his sword and grinning like an idiot.
As they approached the residential area, Nawaki, who seemed to know the place well, walked up to a large mansion and knocked on the door.
"Teacher, my Onee - san has brought some people to visit you," he shouted while knocking. As expected of an outgoing kid, he was so casual around Orochimaru.
A little while later, the door opened, and Orochimaru, dressed in a kimono, appeared before them.
"What a mess with all this noise!" he said, reaching out to pat Nawaki on the head. This was nothing like the Orochimaru Kawaki had seen in the anime.
What was up with that indulgent yet cold smile?
"Orochimaru, Kawaki - kun and I are here unannounced. I hope you don't mind," Tsunade said casually, clearly not worried about it at all.
"Of course not. I'm more than happy," Orochimaru replied. "Please come in."
"Hello, Kawaki - kun," Orochimaru said politely, a faint smile on his face.
"Hello, Orochimaru - kun," Kawaki said, still having a hard time getting used to that pale face. It just didn't match the image in his mind.
However, it doesn't stop him from getting some benefits from Orochimaru.
"Say hello," Kawaki said, pushing Minato on the back of the head and bringing him forward.
"Lord Orochimaru, I'm Minato Namikaze."
Minato was still a bit scared. After all, Orochimaru didn't look like an easy - to - get - along - with person.
"Hello, you're also a good boy."
Orochimaru smiled, feeling that Minato and Nawaki had somewhat similar personalities.
"Let's go."
Nawaki walked into the house first, as if he were back at his own home.
Kawaki followed behind Orochimaru. The house was quite large, with a cold and simple decoration.
They didn't see any servants. Maybe Orochimaru liked a quiet environment.
Led by Nawaki, everyone came to the living room and sat down.
Then Nawaki went to make tea on his own. Seeing his skillful movements, Kawaki guessed that he usually did this a lot.
"Orochimaru - kun, I heard that you also like using swords."
"I've brought a fine sword from my Hatake Weapon Shop on this visit."
"I hope you'll accept it."
Kawaki smiled and presented the gift. After all, he was asking for a favor, so it was appropriate to offer a small gift.
"Kawaki - kun, you're being too polite."
Orochimaru took the sword from Kawaki's hand, admired it for a while, then held the hilt and pulled out a bit of the blade.
He could see his snake - shaped pupils in the blade's edge. A chill swept over him. It was indeed a good sword.
He exerted a little force on his wrist, but the blade didn't bend.
It was a pity that it was a rigid sword and might not be convenient for him to stash in his abdomen. However, it was still a rare gift.
"It's a great sword. I'll be so bold as to accept it. Thank you, Kawaki - kun."
Orochimaru thanked him, put the sword away carefully, and placed it beside him.
At this time, Nawaki came back with the brewed tea.
He poured tea for the three elders and respectfully knelt down and sat beside Minato.
"Stop being so polite to each other."
"We'll all be friends from now on."
Tsunade couldn't stand it. These two grown men were being so fussy.
One was her fellow disciple, and the other was her future husband. She had no qualms saying this.
It made Kawaki and Orochimaru feel a bit embarrassed.
Kawaki somehow recalled a saying: "We're all brothers. No need to be so polite."
He glanced at Tsunade and imagined Tsunade saying this after getting drunk.
It was a perfect fit, without any sense of awkwardness.
"Kawaki - kun came today hoping you could help guide Minato on his [Ninjutsu] knowledge."
"Minato is Kawaki - kun's newly - taken disciple."
Tsunade didn't have any concerns and directly stated the purpose of this visit.
Hearing this, Minato also lowered his head to show his respect.
"Of course, it's no problem. I'll be staying in the village for a while anyway."
Orochimaru didn't hesitate to agree. There wasn't much difference between teaching one student and teaching two.
"Nawaki is learning under Kawaki - kun's guidance."
"If I teach Minato, it'll be a way to return the favor."
"Then I'll leave Minato in your care for the next period of time."
Just like that, Kawaki entrusted his newly - taken disciple to Orochimaru without showing any reluctance.
"Just let Minato and Nawaki come together then."
Orochimaru also finalized the training arrangement for the two.
"You haven't been in the village often these days. Were you on a mission?"
Tsunade sipped her tea as she asked about these confidential matters without any hesitation.
Kawaki was also quietly sipping his tea at this moment. After all, it would be too rude to leave right after getting the matter settled.
"Ah~"
At this point, Orochimaru sighed, and his face gradually became solemn. Kawaki actually caught a glimmer of pity in his expression.
"My teacher sent me to the Land of Rain to request passage so that we could launch an attack on other ninja villages."
"But Hanzō of the Salamander is no ordinary person. The negotiation has reached a stalemate, and he's not willing to grant passage."
"I don't know when the war will break out. Once it happens, there will be another bloodshed."
"So many vibrant lives and companions will leave us."
"And so many families will be broken, so many children will be homeless."
As he said this, Orochimaru looked gloomy. It was obvious that he didn't like war; in fact, he hated it from the bottom of his heart.
Only then did Kawaki truly understand another side of Orochimaru beyond the screen. If it weren't for the war that made Orochimaru contemplate life,
Maybe he would also be a ninja who loved his village and life. At least, Kawaki didn't sense any darkness in Orochimaru at that moment.
The emotions in his eyes when he spoke were real. Ambition and war are truly the demons that transform a person!
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