"Yuan-kun, this is our first official meeting, isn't it? I've been watching you for some time now… You've given me far too many surprises, far too many delights."
Standing atop the tip of a tree branch, Orochimaru gazed down at Uchiha Yuan, his eyes gleaming with appreciation.
Yuan, however, kept his gaze fixed on the bright moon above. "You flatter me, Orochimaru-senpai. I've merely been doing what any shinobi would—killing the enemy to the best of my ability."
Orochimaru chuckled, the sound low and smooth. "Yuan-kun, from the very first day you arrived, I've been observing you. You're… different. I could tell immediately that you weren't like those greenhorn genin straight out of the Academy."
He licked his lips slightly, his voice slipping into a hiss. "Heh… The Deadly Tiger. To earn a moniker from the enemy—now that's not something just any ninja achieves."
At that, Yuan's expression flickered with mild surprise. He had known his performance on the battlefield would draw attention, but not that Orochimaru had been watching him since the day he arrived.
"Orochimaru-senpai pays me such attention… is it because I'm an Uchiha?" Yuan asked calmly.
Orochimaru turned to look at him, his snake-like eyes glinting with amusement, a crooked, almost charming smile curling his lips.
"No," he replied softly. "It's because of the scent you left in the Forest of Death."
Yuan immediately recalled their first, brief encounter there and couldn't help but let out a helpless smile. "Ah, those snakes, then. They must have been your eyes, weren't they, senpai?"
Orochimaru's tongue flicked out, tasting the air, his face twisting with a predator's thrill. "The more I observe you, Yuan-kun, the more fascinating you become. I can barely restrain myself anymore… I want to lay you upon my dissection table and study you—inch by inch!"
As his words fell, a suffocating killing intent exploded outward, rolling over Yuan like a crashing wave.
But Yuan stood as unmoving as a rock in the sea. The murderous pressure washed over him, yet he did not even blink.
Orochimaru's smile thinned. Slowly, his hands formed a seal.
Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique.
A genjutsu that forced its victim to confront the deepest fears within their heart.
The starry night before Yuan's eyes suddenly shifted—he now stood beneath a blood-red sky, the air heavy and gray. Black mist coiled around him, and monstrous shapes rose from the shadows, snarling, howling, clawing toward him.
But then, from the scarlet heavens, a pair of immense golden eyes opened—and the illusion shattered like glass.
The glittering stars returned. Orochimaru's genjutsu had been brutally broken.
Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!
Orochimaru thrust out his right arm, which split into a writhing mass of serpents that shot toward Yuan like arrows.
Swoosh!
Yuan's figure blurred and vanished—then reappeared at Orochimaru's side, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.
"Senpai," he said lightly, "testing me with genjutsu is fine, but I'd rather not touch those slimy snakes of yours. They make my skin crawl."
Orochimaru's laugh was soft and amused. "But Yuan-kun, you did dodge them, didn't you?"
Their distance had been no more than a single step—few in the world could evade Orochimaru's attack from that close.
"You really are strong, Yuan-kun," he continued. "They say another Uchiha genius has appeared besides Shisui—the clan head's son, Uchiha Itachi. He applied for early graduation on his first day at the Academy, and even that old man, the Third Hokage, praised him—said he had the mind of a Hokage. I hear he's already slain several Mist jōnin on the front lines."
Yuan smiled faintly. "Itachi, hm? Yes… his talent truly is extraordinary."
"But if you ask me," Orochimaru said, his voice dropping to a whisper, "you're the real prodigy of the Uchiha. Compared to you, both Shisui and Itachi fall short."
"I'm honored that you think so, senpai."
Orochimaru's expression turned suddenly solemn. "Yuan-kun, you're wary of the village… or rather, of the old man, aren't you?"
Yuan chuckled lightly. "Orochimaru-senpai, that's a dangerous thing to say. Such words can get a man killed. The Third Hokage is the most respected leader in the village—best not to slander him in front of me."
A gust of wind swirled between them.
There was no overt hostility from Yuan, yet Orochimaru's instincts screamed of danger—an unspoken threat, sharp as lightning, that could strike at any instant.
It thrilled him.
"Among all those who claim to respect the old man," Orochimaru said with a sly grin, "you're not one of them, are you?"
Yuan shrugged. "So, senpai's already decided I'm some sort of traitor. If that's the case, why not arrest me right now?"
After a brief silence, Orochimaru asked, "What do you think of the Fourth Hokage?"
That caught Yuan off guard. "The Fourth? …He would have made a fine Hokage. Perhaps he could've brought new life to the village. Unfortunately, he died too soon."
"Perhaps?" Orochimaru repeated, tilting his head, his eyes narrowing.
Yuan met his gaze. "Yes. Because in truth, he was still just the Third's puppet. Tell me, senpai—why are you stationed here? The Sand Village isn't strong enough to warrant your personal oversight."
Orochimaru's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Then tell me, Yuan-kun—why do you think I'm here?"
"To keep you under control," Yuan replied without hesitation. "So you can't earn enough merit to challenge their power. Back then, the Fourth's 'Yellow Flash' reputation was barely enough to convince the people—but only because you, senpai, stepped aside.
And after he died the night of the Nine-Tails' attack, the Third reclaimed the Hokage's seat. Yet without another 'Yellow Flash' to overshadow him, he made sure you'd be stuck out here."
Orochimaru's face did not change. Clearly, he already knew every word of it.
"Yuan-kun," he said softly, "your insight never ceases to amaze me."
Then he laughed—a dark, delighted sound. "Hahaha… Sarutobi-sensei, even a child can see through your little games."
Yuan's lips curved in a mocking smile. "Power is the most intoxicating treasure of all, senpai. No one gives it up willingly. Only death can truly make a man let go."
He paused, then added with a look of genuine respect, "That's why I admire you, Orochimaru-senpai. You turned away from the position everyone covets most—the Hokage's seat. I believe that if you had fought for it back then, even with the Third's backing, the Fourth would never have ascended."
Orochimaru laughed again, the sound echoing through the silent night—low, drawn-out, and full of unspoken menace.
"Fufufu… hahahaha…"
In the dark, his laughter slithered through the trees like a serpent's hiss.
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