At the Konoha Memorial Monument, two figures stood quietly before the engraved stone.
One wore a light yellow kimono tied with a deep purple sash, the collar embroidered with a single white magatama. His long black hair fell loose over his shoulders, skin pale as snow, golden eyes glinting with a cold distance that pushed others away.
The other wore a plain brown outfit beneath a red haori, wooden clogs clacking softly on the stone path. His hands were wrapped in guards, his wild white hair spilling to his waist. A Konoha forehead protector rested firmly on his brow, red lines beneath his eyes deepening the air of sorrow around him.
Not far away, about twenty meters back, a young kunoichi lingered, her beige jacket draped over slim limbs clad in fishnet stockings. She watched them quietly, keeping her distance.
"I didn't expect you to come pay respects to Minato," Jiraiya said, his voice low.
A faint, humorless chuckle left Orochimaru's lips. "Hehe… Even though the old man is biased, not just anyone could take the Hokage's seat from me. I acknowledge Minato's strength and ability. Jiraiya... you trained a fine student."
Jiraiya smiled faintly at the praise, but it vanished just as quickly, the grief in his chest surfacing again.
"Minato is dead," he said firmly. "And you should bear some responsibility."
"Me?" Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed. "Hehe… The old man never intended for me to become Hokage. Unless I molded myself into what he desired, he would never grant it. But no matter. I've already found a new purpose."
Jiraiya frowned. "What purpose?"
Orochimaru only gave a thin smile and changed the subject.
"Compared to me, you have a much greater chance of being Hokage. If you went to him today, the old man would name you without hesitation."
"I'm not suited for it," Jiraiya replied, shaking his head. "Paperwork and politics bore me. Besides… I still have to search for the Child of Prophecy. I can't stay bound to the village."
"Hoho… Child of Prophecy?" Orochimaru's voice was laced with disdain. "You're still so naïve, clinging to dreams and placing hope on others. If peace matters so much to you, why not become Hokage yourself and fight for it?"
"Because I know my flaws," Jiraiya answered bluntly. "Even as Hokage, I couldn't bring peace."
"You know without ever trying?" Orochimaru sneered. "I never thought you were particularly intelligent, Jiraiya."
The veins on Jiraiya's forehead twitched. His voice dropped into a low growl. "Enough. Get out of my sight."
Orochimaru chuckled. "Why don't you ask the old man about what truly happened on October 10th?" He turned, golden eyes flashing. "I already know… but since you've invited me, I'll join you."
"…Tch." Jiraiya had no response.
The two sannin turned away from the monument, their shadows long beneath the afternoon sun. The kunoichi, Anko, quickly followed.
"Senior Brother!"
Anko's voice rang with joy when she spotted the familiar figure waiting down the path. She jumped and waved enthusiastically.
Uchiha Gen inclined his head, then stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Sensei. Jiraiya-senpai."
He had learned of Orochimaru's return from the Police Force's reports. Orochimaru hadn't made an effort to hide himself.
Orochimaru gave a small nod, silent as ever.
Jiraiya, however, grinned. "Oh, it's Gen. Been a while, hasn't it?" He remembered Orochimaru's new disciple well from their days on the Mist battlefield.
"It has," Gen replied. "I also heard Jiraiya-sama has been writing. I had the chance to read one of your works. With that talent, I think you might just become a best-selling author."
Jiraiya barked a laugh. "Hah! Orochimaru, your disciple has quite the silver tongue. Not like the usual sullen Uchiha brats."
"He is… different from most of his clan," Orochimaru said quietly. His eyes shifted to Gen. "What do you want?"
"Nothing serious," Gen said. "Only thought to greet you since you've returned. Perhaps share dinner this evening." He glanced at Jiraiya. "Would you join us, senpai?"
Jiraiya shook his head. "Not tonight. I need to see Kushina and Naruto." Normally, he would never turn down a free meal but grief weighed heavier than appetite.
Orochimaru dismissed them. "Then you and Anko prepare. Jiraiya and I are heading to the Hokage Building."
"Understood."
At the market, Gen and Anko strolled between stalls.
"Senior Brother," Anko began, "I heard from sensei, the Nine-Tails rampaged through Konoha?"
Gen nodded. "You saw the reconstruction sites earlier, didn't you?"
"Yeah. It's worse than I thought…"
"The buildings can be rebuilt. What we lost were lives—many shinobi, many civilians."
Anko's fists clenched. "How did it even happen?"
"During the birth of the jinchūriki, the seal weakened. Someone took advantage of the moment to strike."
"Who?!"
"No one's certain yet. But the Fourth Hokage believed it to be a descendant of Uchiha Madara."
Her eyes widened. "Uchiha…? From our Uchiha clan?"
"Not Konoha's Uchiha. Exiles. Stragglers still wandering the world."
"Oh… I see. Then… who exactly was Madara?"
Gen sighed. "That's a long story. In short, he was once the First Hokage's comrade, helping found Konoha. But their ideals split. Madara left, and became our enemy."
Anko bit her lip. "Then..."
"Enough." Gen cut her off, shaking his head. "Explaining it all would take hours. It's irrelevant to you."
"Hey! How can you say that? If he's Konoha's enemy, then he's mine too!"
"Please. If you met him, you'd be crushed instantly."
Anko's brows shot up. "That strong?"
Gen gave her a flat look. "He tore the Nine-Tails from its jinchūriki and unleashed it right under the Fourth Hokage's nose. What do you think?"
"...Fair point."
Gen softened slightly. "If you have time, visit Kurenai more. Her father fell to the Nine-Tails."
"What?!" Anko's face fell. "Kurenai must be devastated…"
"She is. But she's strong. Still... it would help her to have friends around."
"Then I'll go now!" Without another word, Anko sprinted off.
Gen sighed. Careless as ever. If Kurenai wasn't home, it'd just be a wasted trip. Shaking his head, he turned back to the stalls and began buying what he needed.
Sure enough, a short while later Anko returned, crestfallen. "Brother, Kurenai wasn't home. I went for nothing."
"It's fine. Think of it as exercise."
"True. Besides, it means I can eat more tonight, hehe."
Gen only gave her a look.
"Brother, what're we eating? You're way better than sensei in the kitchen. He only cares about stuffing himself with enough calories, not about flavor."
"Dry pot," Gen replied.
"Dry pot? What's so good about that?"
"You'll see."
"Then teach me to cook too! That way I can make delicious food myself."
Her eyes sparkled with eagerness.
Gen smirked. "Fine. Learn properly, then."
"Of course! I'll study hard."
Inwardly, Gen thought: Perfect. Once she learns, I can finally eat without cooking every night myself.
Really, what kind of senior brother does all the cooking for his junior sister? It was backwards—against the order of things, the very reversal of Will of Fire!