Orochimaru stood up and picked up the glass box containing the shed snake skins.
The first time he saw a white snake's shed skin was when he and Sarutobi Hiruzen visited his parents' memorial stone.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had told him that white snakes symbolize luck and regeneration.
So Orochimaru kept it as a protective charm.
Later, he witnessed Tsunade's younger brother Nawaki mistakenly step into an explosive tag and die; a life vanished suddenly before his eyes.
Orochimaru suddenly felt the fragility of life.
Later still, he witnessed the death of Kato Dan, who had almost become Tsunade's lover.
Orochimaru still remembered the scene clearly.
Kato Dan's internal organs had been blown out, and he was on the brink of death.
At that time, Konoha's best and strongest medical ninja, Tsunade, desperately tried to save him.
But even with her frenzied use of medical ninjutsu, she could not regenerate Kato Dan's organs.
"Rumors say that spiritual white snakes possess the power of regeneration and luck, but ultimately, these are just boring legends. Whether snake or human, at the moment of death, they are still ugly beings."
Orochimaru set down the glass box. On the table lay several specimens preserved in solution.
Rare white snakes were indeed hard to see.
But for Orochimaru, this was nothing remarkable.
"Lord Orochimaru,"
Kiyoshi spoke calmly. "Do you know why white snakes shed their skins?"
Orochimaru paused slightly, turning his head:
"Shedding is just a natural process for growth in living beings. Nothing special."
Kiyoshi smiled faintly, his gaze still on the white snake, and said: "Lord Orochimaru, I think shedding isn't merely a biological or physical process."
"Oh?"
Orochimaru's brow lifted slightly, his voice hoarse.
"What do you think shedding means?"
He wanted to see what this young boy, so similar to himself, would say.
Mitarashi Azuki, standing nearby, felt she couldn't understand the conversation between Kiyoshi and Lord Orochimaru.
The usually scientific and meticulous Orochimaru was actually discussing myths and legends with Kiyoshi?
Azuki wasn't interested.
She just wanted to know if Kiyoshi would pay her back for the tricolor dango later.
Those were high-quality treats! She had spent nearly all her allowance just to buy them.
"The so-called regeneration occurs because the old body can no longer sustain itself. By shedding the skin, it obtains a new shell. Each shedding discards past constraints and prolongs life."
Kiyoshi spoke again about the topic of "immortality."
In Konoha, such things were taboo.
Other ninjas would see it as blasphemy, an affront to the natural order of life and death.
But Orochimaru had spent his life pursuing this goal; all his actions were based on this foundation.
Orochimaru's brow furrowed slightly. He set down the glass box and said hoarsely: "What are you trying to say? Even white snakes cannot truly escape death. They shed their skins, yet they still die eventually."
"Lord Orochimaru, you said white snakes symbolize luck and regeneration. Their death is merely the end of the body, but their soul and will can continue through shedding. Just like Azuki asked about the snake skin—the white snake may no longer be present, yet its shed skin remains here."
Orochimaru was silent for a moment, his gaze returning to the preserved white snake specimens.
His fingers lightly tapped the table, producing a low sound, as if deep in thought.
After a long pause, he slowly spoke: "The continuation of the soul… the will… an interesting concept."
Kiyoshi's thoughts had suddenly shattered an old way of thinking for him.
Like a thunderclap in a clear sky.
White snakes still die after shedding—they cannot truly transcend life.
But ninjas are different.
The soul and will are not untouchable domains.
If a ninja could shed their aged body like a white snake and assume a young, powerful body, wouldn't that be a form of immortality?
The soul is tied to spiritual energy, which in turn is linked to the body's energy.
As long as a young body nourishes that spiritual energy, how long can the soul survive? Could immortality be achieved? Orochimaru didn't know, but he licked his lips. This technique had great potential.
In fact, he had already grasped some clues about "regeneration."
Activating the body made one stronger and simultaneously enhanced regenerative abilities.
The so-called "Cursed Seal"… a technique to activate the body.
Could he grasp the wind of "immortality" as well?
"Hoho, Kiyoshi-kun, your insight is unique. You will achieve great success in the future. Interested in becoming my assistant?"
Orochimaru extended an invitation.
"Lord Orochimaru, I am Teacher Yano U's disciple."
Kiyoshi shook his head, feigning reluctance to refuse politely.
"Teacher Yano U's disciple…"
Orochimaru still smiled.
No problem—he had time to wait.
Medical Ninja Yano U had already proposed to Shimura Danzo that he retire from the ninja world along with him.
By that time, what reason would Kiyoshi have not to join him?
"Since you are as connected to snakes as I am, I shall give this to you."
Orochimaru suddenly opened his mouth in an exaggerated motion.
Along with the movement of his Adam's apple, he spat out a scroll.
He wiped off some slime on it and handed it to Kiyoshi: "This is the 'Orochimaru-Style Substitute Technique.'"
Orochimaru gave Kiyoshi the ninjutsu scroll.
He had already been thinking about shedding and regeneration, but had not connected it to the soul and will.
To make someone work for you, appropriate rewards were essential.
Mitarashi Azuki looked on in disbelief at Orochimaru and Kiyoshi.
He actually gave Kiyoshi a ninjutsu right away?
Nowadays, could ninjutsu be handed out as souvenirs?
Azuki suddenly felt uncomfortable; she hadn't even received any teachings from Orochimaru yet!
"Thank you, Lord Orochimaru."
Kiyoshi accepted the scroll.
Orochimaru, still barely maintaining orderliness at this stage, was not as reckless as in later years.
Even his methods of recruiting subordinates and assistants were much gentler.
"Azuki, escort Kiyoshi back."
Orochimaru said to Mitarashi Azuki, who had been waiting nearby.
He had a good impression of this girl and considered taking her as a disciple.
After Azuki graduated, she might become a team-leader Jonin.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."
Even though she felt Kiyoshi didn't deserve that ninjutsu, hearing Orochimaru's command, Azuki lowered her head and replied obediently.
Then she escorted Kiyoshi out. He kept the scroll safe and followed her.
"Remember to pay me back for the tricolor dango, the tricolor dango."
Mitarashi Azuki once again requested her compensation.
"Alright."
Kiyoshi, in high spirits from obtaining a new ninjutsu, agreed to buy a new tricolor dango in the street to compensate Azuki.
(End of Chapter)