"Mount Myoboku?"
"Ryuchi Cave?"
Both men felt a subtle shock. As they emerged from the passage, a familiar sensation washed over them—like entering a sacred land via Reverse Summoning.
However, that rich natural energy was absent. This confirmed it wasn't some peculiar Sage Region.
A highly specialized barrier.
Orochimaru's snake-like pupils swept the surroundings before locking onto the two figures standing ahead.
He glanced at the sour-faced young man, then fixed his attention on the girl.
"Are you the one maintaining this barrier?"
Tengen ignored the snake-faced stranger entirely. "The Clan Head wishes to see you. Follow me."
"I advise against acting rashly." Choso's warning carried an edge of hostility.
"Don't worry." Minato's tone remained gentle, completely unruffled by the tension. "We're also eager to speak with that gentleman."
Orochimaru chuckled coldly but said nothing, his attention absorbed by their surroundings.
He noted the marks on the ground. The layout of the buildings. The musty smell permeating the air.
Signs of decay covered every structure. Scattered dust lay undisturbed.
This place could house perhaps five hundred people at capacity. Looking at it now, there are probably fewer than fifty.
Basic literacy for any ninja.
Exactly as I expected, Minato thought. Aside from that old man, the rest are likely all young.
Tengen and Choso led them to a large gate. Beyond it lay a spacious courtyard.
In the reception room at the courtyard's rear, an old man sat cross-legged on the wooden floor. Cold, gloomy energy radiated from him in waves.
If Orochimaru possessed the chill of a cold-blooded animal, this man was the source of fear itself—an aura saturated with death.
Orochimaru's pupils contracted to slits. His cold blood seemed to quicken.
It was the subconscious vigilance that arose when encountering a similar predator—one slightly stronger than oneself.
His presence has grown more powerful, more extreme, Minato observed keenly. But the feeling of a living person has weakened considerably.
Like a castle built on clouds.
"Senior." Minato stepped forward, genuine apology in his voice. "I am Konoha Jonin Minato Namikaze. This is Orochimaru-senpai, one of the Sannin. I apologize for our earlier intrusion."
He had the lowest seniority here. That made him the most appropriate person to humble himself.
Zenshu regarded Minato without speaking. He simply extended his left hand, expression unchanging.
Minato's gaze paused. Understanding dawned instantly.
He withdrew an old book from his coat and placed it in Zenshu's hands with both palms.
At this distance, even with his reaction speed, the danger was immense.
But trust required one party to lower their guard first. Otherwise, it could never be established.
"You are bold." Zenshu looked at the young Jonin standing before him.
Several hypotheses formed in his mind.
He wants reconciliation? Why?
This couldn't be Hiruzen Sarutobi's directive. Compared to the major ninja clans, the Third Hokage trusted talents cultivated from civilian backgrounds far more.
Could he be thinking along the same lines as me?
Zenshu searched his gathered intelligence and arrived at a bold conjecture.
He wanted to join Konoha to acquire research materials—and to claim the main storyline of this world, which centered on Konoha itself.
For unknown reasons, Minato Namikaze seemed to want him to join as well.
It was merely speculation without evidence. Yet Zenshu felt increasingly certain this was precisely what Minato was thinking.
"Didn't Senior already welcome us as guests?" Minato smiled, stepping back several paces. "I figured you wouldn't start a fight without at least having a conversation."
"May I ask how to address you, Senior?"
"Zenshu." The name came flatly.
Many people in this world lacked surnames. Nagato, for instance—despite various theories about Uzumaki heritage, he'd never claimed a family name.
Orochimaru's eyes flickered. His eerie, hoarse voice cut through the tension.
"I didn't expect a powerhouse of your caliber to be a nameless nobody."
"A nameless nobody?" Zenshu's gaze shifted to Orochimaru. A hint of surprise flickered in his eyes.
"Active in the same era as Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, who isn't a nameless nobody?"
"You, however..." His attention sharpened. "You actually possess a rather decent Yin-Yang Release technique."
"There are traces of modification on your body. A cold-blooded animal—a snake? The technique shows promise, but the execution remains mediocre."
"There are also traces upon your soul. It seems you have a plan but haven't implemented it yet."
"But looking at you now... you must have been drawn here by my jutsu."
Orochimaru had maintained his cold, practiced smile throughout. When his plan was called mediocre, disdain flickered in his eyes.
But upon hearing the word soul, his expression shifted. His heart sank.
What did this old thing see? How did he see it? What exactly is his technique?
"Hehehe." Orochimaru's presence turned icy and piercing—a venomous snake locking onto prey.
That cold sneer immediately put Minato on edge. "Orochimaru-senpai, don't be impulsive."
"Minato, I'm here to assist you—not take your orders." Orochimaru didn't even glance at him.
"Your Excellency saw through my technique at a glance. That makes me very curious." His voice dropped dangerously. "What exactly is your jutsu?"
The moment the atmosphere shifted, Choso turned toward Orochimaru.
He clapped his hands together in a seal-like gesture. Blood-red chakra surged from the tenketsu in his arms, converting to crimson liquid in his palms.
The Death Painting Blood Technique's fundamental ability—converting chakra into blood. A variant of Water Release.
I woke too late. Only had time to cultivate to the second stage. This level probably isn't enough to handle this guy.
Choso's expression darkened with frustration.
The Death Painting Blood Technique was a secret art Zenji had localized—using the Death Painting Wombs as the core, Blood Manipulation as the method, and combining the Three-Tails' chakra characteristics with various Water Release nature transformations.
In Choso's implanted memories, the technique's early and middle stages relied heavily on physical development. The late stages also required bodily participation. After changing bodies, he could only cultivate from scratch.
But my technique is perfect. As long as I complete all the steps...
Minato felt genuine anxiety stirring. If they provoked the enemy here, safety was the least of his concerns.
With his abilities, he could always escape. But that wasn't necessarily true for Orochimaru-senpai.
Just as he prepared to intervene, a gaze fell upon him.
Tengen had formed a sword-finger with her right hand, ready to activate a Barrier Technique at any moment.
"You want to see my jutsu."
Zenshu tilted his head upward. Pale blue hair hung by his ears.
His eyes resembled dim blue glass—in the faint light, his pupils were completely invisible.
He raised one hand and gestured dismissively. Tengen and Choso both withdrew their aggressive stances.
Seeing this, Minato could only retreat to the side.
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