Qianyu parted ways with Kushina Uzumaki. He returned to Orochimaru's base.
Orochimaru was also packing things inside.
He saw Qianyu return. He set down what he was holding, the corner of his mouth curling into a teasing arc. "Not spending a little more time with Kushina?"
Qianyu's cheeks flushed. "Konoha hasn't been very safe lately, so I sent her home early."
Orochimaru resumed his packing, then asked casually, "Oh? And have you made a decision?"
"A decision?" Qianyu asked, confused.
Orochimaru replied, "I assume you've already learned why Kushina came to Konoha. You don't have many other friends. I imagine most of your drive to grow stronger is for her sake, correct? Konoha wants Kushina to become the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. Judging by your attitude toward Lady Mito, I suspect you're quite opposed to this decision. After all, I am your teacher. I can guess what you're thinking.
"So, you must make a choice. Will you allow Kushina to become the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki? Or will you find a way to stop it? You must decide early. Lady Mito's health declines with each passing day. If you wait until the ship has sailed, even your strongest opposition won't change anything."
Qianyu stared at Orochimaru. He remained silent for a long time.
Orochimaru seemed not to notice Qianyu's gaze and kept packing.
Finally, after a lengthy pause, Qianyu spoke softly. "Orochimaru-sensei, I don't understand. You know I'll leave Konoha someday—this place I see as a cage. So why do you train me so diligently? Why invest so much? The day I leave Konoha, Orochimaru-sensei… you and I might become enemies."
Orochimaru looked at Qianyu and gave a light chuckle. "Qianyu, I thought you would understand me."
Qianyu's breath hitched.
He did know Orochimaru's future path. But the Orochimaru of now? Qianyu couldn't quite figure him out. Logically, given how hard Orochimaru worked and strategized for Konoha, he should be loyal to the village right now.
Orochimaru's serpentine eyes held Qianyu's gaze. "To me, things like the Will of Fire… they're unimportant. Things to be discarded when necessary. They only serve as constraints, preventing me from doing what I truly wish. A human life is too short. To be held back by such things is a waste of time. But one cannot simply cast them off. Both you and I need an identity to survive in this shinobi world, don't we?"
Qianyu asked, "Then… Orochimaru-sensei, will you help me?"
Orochimaru shook his head. "I can tell you clearly: as teacher and student, no. But if you can offer me benefits that stir my interest, then we can cooperate as partners."
A smile tugged at Qianyu's lips. "Orochimaru-sensei, then I can tell you clearly: my decision was made long ago. I've already thought of a method. And I, too, hope that in the future, Orochimaru-sensei and I can work together as partners."
Orochimaru smiled. "Then I'll look forward to that day. However, Kushina as the candidate for the second Nine-Tails jinchūriki is extremely important to Konoha. I'm quite curious about the method you've devised."
A sharp gleam flashed in Qianyu's eyes. "Lady Mito is still alive. Kushina is only a backup vessel candidate. Konoha chose her for her unique Uzumaki physique. As for a backup vessel from the Uzumaki clan… wouldn't having one more be just fine?"
Orochimaru looked intrigued. "Oh? It seems you've already found a lost Uzumaki clansman."
Qianyu shook his head. "No, not yet. But I have leads. I believe if I search carefully when the time comes, I will find one."
Orochimaru suddenly asked, "And if you can't find one?"
Qianyu pondered for a moment, then answered seriously, "Then it will depend on my strength at that time."
Orochimaru looked at Qianyu, his smile widening uncontrollably. "How resolute, Qianyu."
Qianyu's voice was firm. "But I believe that moment won't come too soon. I still have time. Right now, I just need to increase my strength. The future… we'll see how it unfolds when we get there. And by then, I'm sure I'll have thought of more methods."
Orochimaru nodded in agreement. "Indeed. The stronger you become, the more choices you'll have. Qianyu, you are clever. And your strength grows steadily. The memories of those three Cloud shinobi have been analyzed—two Special Jōnin, one Jōnin. And the three pirates, the Kiri spies sent to scout the Land of Fire, have already confessed. With these achievements, unless something unexpected happens, you will be a Chūnin starting tomorrow. If it weren't for peacetime, you might already be a Special Jōnin or Jōnin."
Qianyu wasn't surprised about becoming a Chūnin. He'd planned to capture the Kiri spies alive and bring back the Cloud shinobi heads precisely for this promotion.
"Alright, rest well tonight. Once we reach the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water, there won't be time for proper rest."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sensei."
Qianyu bid Orochimaru farewell and returned to his room.
Lying in bed, he replayed the conversation with Orochimaru.
That exchange had been a small showdown.
Qianyu now felt certain: this version of Orochimaru had already begun pursuing forbidden research into immortality, by any means necessary.
With that in mind, Qianyu had even less to worry about regarding Orochimaru.
They were, for now, two men on the same rope.
The next day.
Before dawn, Qianyu and Orochimaru first went to see Hiruzen Sarutobi. As expected, Hiruzen officially conferred upon Qianyu the rank of Chūnin.
After a few brief instructions to Orochimaru, the two headed for Konoha's main gate, preparing to leave the Land of Fire for the Land of Hot Water.
At the gate, Qianyu saw someone he expected, yet whose presence still caught him off guard.
Kushina Uzumaki.
Qianyu walked up to her. He gently rubbed her cheeks, slightly reddened from the cold early morning air.
"Why aren't you sleeping more?"
"Knowing you're going to the Land of Hot Water for a long time… I couldn't sleep. And I wanted to see you off."
"Don't worry about me. I'll write letters and have my snakes deliver them to you. When you miss me, you can give your letters to the snake that visits you."
Kushina held out her pinky finger. "Promise?"
Qianyu hooked his pinky with hers. "Yeah. Promise."
Qianyu said goodbye to Kushina Uzumaki. He set out with Orochimaru for the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water.