Orochimaru's eyes were half-lidded, the faint smile on his lips unreadable.
Gen leaned back in his chair, swirling the wine in his cup.
"You really planning to leave Konoha, sensei?"
A pause. "If I stay, the leash tightens. Out there… I can do what needs to be done."
"But without Konoha," Gen said, "we'll be broke."
Orochimaru's mouth curved faintly. "Breaking away means breaking free. We could… acquire funds directly. From those who won't be missed."
Gen raised a brow. "Rob the rich to feed the poor?"
"To feed ourselves," Orochimaru corrected, the humor dry. "This world is full of corrupt nobles with more than they'll ever use. They can fund us for a lifetime."
Gen chuckled. "Finally, something we agree on. Experimental equipment costs more than I could sell myself for — and my clan's not exactly eager to sponsor my hobbies."
Orochimaru's gaze sharpened. "You realize what we're talking about, yes? Skipping the mission system. Using our skills for direct seizure. That's rebellion in the eyes of every village. Enemies everywhere."
"I call it being awake," Gen said simply.
"Awake?"
"Think about it, sensei. We're born with power, yet we're treated like disposable tools for people who can't match us in strength or vision. Absurd, isn't it?"
Orochimaru's smile faded. His fingers twitched in a quick seal, perception ninjutsu flaring. Only when he confirmed they were alone did he relax.
"Gen… talk like that could get you erased."
"Only if someone hears it."
The younger man leaned forward, voice low. "If shinobi ruled this world, would we still beg for research grants? Still chase scraps of funding?"
A slow, involuntary gulp from Orochimaru.
He'd thought himself bold for planning to bleed the rich. But his apprentice… his apprentice wanted to change the hierarchy entirely. And damn it, part of him found the idea tempting.
Still…
"Not now," Orochimaru said at last. "We don't have the power to flip the world yet. Keep those thoughts to yourself."
"Relax," Gen said. "I'm not stupid. And I still don't recommend you cut ties completely. That'll drag me and Anko down with you."
A faint smirk. "You're awfully brave, telling me what I can't do."
"I'm practical. If you really want to chase immortality, you can do it without torching every bridge you've built. Why throw away bonds, allies, reputation, when they can be used?"
"Maybe I want to prove I'm willing to pay the cost."
"Or maybe," Gen said, meeting his gaze, "you're just sulking because you didn't get the Hokage's chair."
Orochimaru froze. In all his years, no one had called him childish yet here was his own student doing it over dinner.
"If we stay," he said evenly, "many things will be harder."
"So what? That just means more planning. More care. You keep your mask on, no one connects the dots. And if you need help… I'll take a cut for my trouble."
Orochimaru snorted. "I don't need your help. Without lifting a finger, I can brew poisons only a handful alive could cure. That alone can make the highborn dance for me."
Gen raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fine. I stick to brute-force ninjutsu."
"Then remember this," Orochimaru said, his tone almost gentle. "A shinobi's mind must be free. The moment you stop thinking like a tool, solutions multiply."
Gen grinned. "So… be shameless, but smart."
"Something like that," Orochimaru murmured — already imagining a new disguise jutsu. If you were going to be shameless, you might as well do it in style.
The conversation shifted back to practical matters.
"I'll send you my equipment list tomorrow," Gen said. "Give me an estimate."
"Considering tonight, I'll give you the real price. No cut."
"Are you still human for taking advantage of your student?"
"Are you still a human being if you expect a cut from your teacher?"
They both laughed — a sharp, unrestrained sound that carried into the yard and upstairs to the guest room.
Anko stirred in her sleep, muttered something, and rolled over.
Downstairs, the cups clinked again.
Tonight, Gen didn't go home. He took a guest room on the first floor, the quiet hum of possibilities in his mind long after the wine was gone.