Chapter 525: Do You Want to Become Stronger?

Chapter 525: Chapter 525: Do You Want to Become Stronger?

"Rumors about the son of the demon fox, huh..."

Orochimaru smiled with amusement.

Because he had defected from the village earlier than in the original timeline, Orochimaru had barely interacted with Naruto. Everything he knew about the boy came from intelligence passed along by his informants lurking within the village.

However, after their conversation, he discovered that Naruto was far more naive than he had imagined. Or rather, far more foolish than he had imagined.

He hardly seemed like that man’s son.

Seeing Orochimaru remain silent, Naruto shouted, "It doesn’t matter if you look down on me now! One day, I’ll definitely prove my talent to all of you!"

Orochimaru smiled calmly. "And how do you intend to prove your talent?"

With an earnest expression, Naruto loudly declared, "I’ll become the greatest Hokage the village has ever seen! Then everyone will acknowledge me!"

Orochimaru’s snake-like eyes remained fixed on Naruto as his thoughts gradually drifted into the past.

Admittedly, Orochimaru had never been particularly interested in the position of Hokage. His true interests lay in exploring the mysteries of ninjutsu and pursuing eternal life.

But that did not mean he was completely indifferent to the Third Hokage’s favoritism, nor did it mean he had forgotten his defeat at the hands of the Fourth Hokage in the selection process.

In fact, what truly gnawed at Orochimaru was not the Hokage position that had slipped through his fingers, but rather his sensei’s refusal to acknowledge him and the lingering resentment of losing to the Fourth Hokage.

In Orochimaru’s mind, he could choose not to become Hokage, but they had no right to deny him the position!

It was precisely this mentality that gradually twisted his feelings toward his sensei, the Third Hokage, and toward Konoha itself.

In the original timeline, Orochimaru’s seemingly childish ’Konoha Crush Plan’ was less about actually destroying Konoha and more about venting certain emotions toward his sensei, the Third Hokage.

Forcing a one-on-one confrontation, using the forbidden Impure World Reincarnation to resurrect the previous Hokage, compelling his sensei, the Third Hokage, to fight his own sensei, the First and Second Hokage, and making him watch helplessly as the village was destroyed...

All these deliberately theatrical actions were Orochimaru’s way of mocking his sensei and venting his resentment.

"You wouldn’t give it to me? Then I’ll destroy it right in front of you!"

That was practically a reflection of Orochimaru’s state of mind at the time.

After all, he never truly cared whether the Konoha Crush Plan would ultimately succeed. Otherwise, he would never have intercepted and assassinated the Fourth Kazekage along the way, leaving Sunagakure, his supposed ally, leaderless and completely at a loss just as the operation began.

Yet, when he witnessed the village being destroyed before his very eyes by the Deva Path’s Shinra Tensei that night a few days ago, Orochimaru suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness.

When he realized that something he had obsessed over for so long could be accomplished by a truly powerful individual with a mere thought, he abruptly lost all interest in destroying Konoha.

Or rather, all the resentment he had harbored toward his sensei, the Third Hokage, had been vented along with Konoha’s destruction that night.

"Hey, big snake freak! What exactly are you planning to do with us?"

Naruto’s shouting pulled Orochimaru back from his thoughts.

He glanced at Naruto, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled upward.

Akatsuki’s recent assault on Konoha had completely exposed its intention to collect all the Tailed Beasts.

Regardless of what Akatsuki intended to do with the nine Tailed Beasts, Orochimaru knew that it certainly wouldn’t be anything good for someone like him, who had no intention of submitting to the organization.

Thus, he instinctively wanted to obstruct Akatsuki’s efforts to collect the Tailed Beasts.

Just then, Kabuto entered the cave and approached Orochimaru. Adjusting his glasses, he whispered, "Akatsuki has sent word through the black market. They want to exchange hostages with us."

Orochimaru said indifferently, "What do you think about this?"

Kabuto answered without hesitation, "I don’t think Akatsuki has much sincerity. This so-called hostage exchange may simply be a trap prepared specifically for you."

"Hmph..."

Orochimaru gave a noncommittal snort.

Kabuto cautiously asked, "Then, what would you like to do?"

After pondering for a moment, Orochimaru instructed, "Accept their proposal."

Knowing that Orochimaru was indeed interested in Uchiha Sasuke, who was currently in Akatsuki’s hands, Kabuto hurriedly said, "Lord Orochimaru, please leave the hostage exchange to me. There’s no need for you to personally take such a risk!"

"Hostage exchange?" Orochimaru chuckled before saying mockingly, "How could I possibly hand the Nine-Tails over to them?"

Kabuto was momentarily stunned, but quickly understood.

"You intend to use the hostage exchange as an opportunity to snatch Uchiha Sasuke from Akatsuki?"

Before Orochimaru could answer, Naruto, who had overheard Kabuto mention Sasuke, immediately began shouting.

"Hey! What have you done to Sasuke? His big brother is even stronger than a jonin! If you dare bully him, his brother definitely won’t let you get away with it!"

Orochimaru turned his cold gaze toward Naruto and asked in his hoarse voice, "Kid, do you want to become stronger?"

Naruto answered without hesitation, "Of course I do! Do you even need to ask?"

Orochimaru slipped a hand into his robe.

"Then come with me. From now on, I’ll personally teach you ninjutsu."

To Orochimaru, training the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and giving him the ability to protect himself was the best way to obstruct Akatsuki’s efforts to collect the Tailed Beasts.

Besides, he had absolute confidence in his ability to train students.

After all, those who had previously received his guidance, such as Kagami, Kabuto, and Kimimaro, had all become outstanding shinobi without exception.

Naruto thought he had misheard and asked, "Big snake freak, are you really going to teach me ninjutsu?"

Back in the village, there were barely even a handful of people willing to speak to Naruto, let alone anyone willing to teach him ninjutsu.

Although he never said it aloud, he had always envied Sasuke. He envied the fact that Sasuke had family members who cared for him and guided him.

Orochimaru nodded, then turned and walked out of the cave.

Naruto instinctively wanted to follow, but when he thought of Hinata beside him, he hesitated.

Kabuto smiled. "Go ahead. Not everyone gets the opportunity to receive Lord Orochimaru’s personal guidance. As for Lady Hinata, I’ll take good care of her."

Although Hinata was frightened, she could tell that Naruto was tempted by the offer. So she voluntarily released her grip on his sleeve and said timidly, "Naruto-kun, you should go. I... I’ll be fine on my own."

Naruto nodded. "Don’t be scared! Your family will definitely come rescue you!"

After Naruto chased Orochimaru out of the cave, Kabuto turned to Hinata and said, "Lady Hinata, your father has already contacted us. Once we’ve agreed on the terms, we’ll let you return home. So please don’t be afraid."

However, Hinata didn’t seem particularly concerned about her own predicament.

Her eyes kept drifting toward the direction Naruto had disappeared in.

"Naruto-kun... Will he be okay?"

Kabuto smiled.

"That kid Naruto just got lucky!"