In the alley, Shisui's Adam's apple bobbed again.
The struggle faded from his eyes, replaced by the excitement of being persuaded. He ground his fingertips forcefully into his palm, as if making a decision.
Itachi's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly. Although doubt about Orochimaru still hid in the depths of his eyes, Makoto's words, "Everything we do is for the Will of Fire!" were like a massive rock, smashing into the softest part of his heart… those were the very words Hiruzen often said.
Neither of them spoke, but in their silence, they acquiesced.
The snow continued to fall, landing in the puddles at the alley's entrance, splashing up tiny ripples, as if gently keeping rhythm for this 'conspiracy'.
Another large water droplet dripped from the icicle under the eaves, hitting the snow with a plop, crisp as striking a clapper.
Just then, Shisui suddenly looked up, his eyes extremely bright: "Then shall we go to Orochimaru-sama's place now? I know a place he occasionally stays."
When he returned from a mission before, he happened to see Orochimaru just coming out of a secret base. He found the place particularly remote at the time, so the impression was deep.
Hearing this, the corner of Makoto's mouth hooked up almost imperceptibly, vanishing as quickly as a snowflake melting upon landing.
'Having connections sure made things easier.'
If he were alone, just finding Orochimaru's location would be extremely difficult. Inquiring about whether Orochimaru had defected was easier. He could learn that through the Military Police Force by beating around the bush, but specifically inquiring about Orochimaru's location was hard… that guy was a recluse, very hard to find.
Then, Makoto nodded with a serious expression: "No time to waste, let's go!"
Serious on the surface, but overjoyed inside. Wanting to go fishing, he finally had the fishing rod ready.
With these two 'bodyguards' around when borrowing money from Orochimaru later, the danger level was greatly lowered. At least he wouldn't be stripped bare by Genjutsu.
Makoto had studied the 'Book of Ninjutsu' in detail in his previous life. Orochimaru scored full marks in using Genjutsu.
Once he borrowed the money, he'd spend it, spending makes him stronger. Perfect!
Itachi followed silently behind. His black eyes still held contemplation, but he didn't object. Moreover, from beginning to end, he had only been suspicious of Orochimaru, never of Makoto.
Snow landed on his hair, melting into droplets that slid down his cheeks, like un-wiped sweat, or like a stone yet to fall in his heart.
Shisui led the way at the front, his steps light and quick, clearly truly believing in the vision Makoto described of 'Orochimaru becoming the Godaime Hokage'.
The lantern at the alley entrance still swayed. Its orange light stretched the three's shadows long, overlapping as they walked towards Konoha's remote areas, gradually disappearing into the bustling wind and snow.
…
As time passed, the houses before the three grew increasingly sparse until they completely vanished.
The cold wind, carrying snow powder, whipped against their faces, carrying a bone-chilling coldness. In the distance, a few crows cawed, adding to the desolation.
Makoto tugged his collar tighter, his gaze sweeping the surroundings.
There were almost no footprints visible on the snow here, clearly untouched by 'decent people' for a long time.
Shisui suddenly stopped before a half-collapsed earthen wall and lowered his voice: "It's behind here."
He reached out and pushed aside the withered grass hanging from the top of the wall, revealing an opening only wide enough for one person. The opening was half-covered by accumulated snow, impossible to spot if not looking carefully.
A faint fishy smell drifted from the opening, making Makoto frown.
Shisui slipped in first, truly bold because of his skill. Makoto followed closely behind, and Itachi entered last, ensuring Makoto was protected from both front and back.
Just after passing through the opening, the scene before them suddenly opened up.
It was an abandoned clearing. In the center stood a dilapidated stone door, covered in vines.
The stone door was tightly shut, engraved with some strange symbols, radiating an eerie aura in the dim light.
In the surrounding wild grass, scattered snake sheds lay about. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the branches, reflecting a cold sheen off the sheds.
"Sss… Sss…"
A few faint sounds were heard. Makoto followed the sound and saw several small, pitch-black snakes poking their heads out from cracks in the stones, flicking their tongues, watching them warily.
Seeing these small snakes around, Makoto knew they had come to the right place. Orochimaru was most likely here. These small snakes were his spies.
The moment they arrived, Orochimaru already knew.
Shisui walked to the stone door, his fingertips already glowing with a faint green Chakra, preparing to form hand seals and forcefully break through this barrier, but Makoto reached out and stopped him.
"Wait," Makoto shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of certainty: "He already knows we're here. If he wants to see us, he'll naturally come out."
If they barged in directly and saw something they shouldn't, they'd have to fight Orochimaru on the spot. That wasn't the outcome Makoto wanted.
As for if he didn't want to see them... well, they could discuss forcing their way in later. They were already here, so turning around and leaving made no sense. Courtesy before force… he, Uchiha Makoto, was famously polite.
Hearing this, Shisui was momentarily stunned, then nodded. The Chakra at his fingertips quietly dissipated as he withdrew his hand.
Shisui and Itachi stood side by side in a line before the stone door, their postures straight as pines. Snowflakes landed on their shoulders, accumulating a thin layer of white.
Makoto, however, lay down on a nearby snowdrift, even crossing his legs comfortably, hands behind his head, exactly like an idler out sunbathing.
Time passed bit by bit. The wind and snow swept past their ears, emitting a mournful howl. The surroundings were so quiet they could hear each other's breath condensing into frost in the cold air.
Makoto's brows gradually knitted together, clearly growing impatient with the wait.
He scrambled up in one go, brushed the snow off himself, strode to the door, clenched his fist, and banged heavily on the door, shaking the door hinges until they groaned.
"Hello, open up, delivering newspaper!"
As soon as the words fell, "Screech…"
A piercing grating sound tore through the silence, like rusty iron sheets tearing at each other.
The tightly shut stone door slowly swung inward. A strong medicinal smell mixed with a fishy odor rushed out, making one instinctively frown tightly.
Behind the stone door was impenetrable darkness, like a lurking beast opening its bloody maw.
Immediately after, a figure slowly walked out from the darkness.
It was a 'tall and slender' man, the hem of his clothes trailing on the snow, leaving a long mark.
Black long hair cascaded over his shoulders, covering half his face, revealing only one golden, vertical pupil, as cold and eerie as a snake's eye.
His skin was pale, almost transparent. A faint, elusive smile hung at the corner of his mouth, sending chills down one's spine.
It was none other than one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru.