Chapter 11: Serpent

After returning to the village, the Sannin breathed a collective sigh of relief. Night had fallen, yet the streets of Konoha remained bustling with people. Vendors illuminated the streets with lanterns, their cries filling the air.

Many civilians happily concluded their day's work and enjoyed the company of their children. Laughter and conversations about various news filled the air.

At a food stall, a group of plump ninjas laughed and drank heartily.

Passing by, a group of Konoha Police Force ninjas displayed relaxed and serene expressions.

Jiraiya spotted his parents, exchanged greetings, and excitedly ran off.

In the distance, Jiraiya's mother doted on him, and Jiraiya proudly regaled his tales that could be heard from afar.

Tsunade gazed at Orochimaru quietly, a sudden smile brightening her face. "Orochimaru, thanks you for today!" Tsunade placed a hand on Orochimaru's shoulder, resembling an older sister praising her younger brother, which had a slightly comical effect.

"Oh, really?" Orochimaru's heart throbbed as he looked at the lovely Tsunade. "I will protect you!" A rare genuine smile appeared on Orochimaru's usually cold snake-like face.

"Orochimaru, what was that incredible substitution technique you used today?"

"Oh, that... just a small idea, it's all about..." Orochimaru spoke with confidence when it came to his technique.

However, at that moment, two ninjas approached. "Miss Tsunade, Mito-sama requests your presence for dinner!"

"Alright, let's go!" Tsunade's attention swiftly shifted. "Goodbye, Orochimaru!" Tsunade bid farewell and departed cheerfully with the two ninjas. "Brother Yemu, we were in danger today, but thankfully I was able to turn the tide..."

Observing Tsunade's departing figure, the curve at the corner of Orochimaru's mouth gradually faded, and his excited heart slowly cooled.

Amidst the lively crowd on the streets, Orochimaru felt like an inconspicuous stone that went unnoticed by everyone.

The cheerful and bustling atmosphere couldn't touch a lost soul, and the dazzling lights failed to illuminate a cold heart.

Orochimaru lowered his head, feeling like a passerby out of sync with the world, as he walked through the crowd and ventured deeper into the enveloping darkness.

Orochimaru, is this what your heart feels like? An icy snake lurking in the shadows, merging into darkness, and yet yearning for the faint warmth and light of a candle?

Upon returning to his room, Orochimaru entered without turning on the lights. His mental power had already sensed everything in the darkness.

His dark golden pupils emitted a chilling light, as if he was the master of darkness itself.

What is loneliness? Loneliness is standing amidst a lively crowd where no one pays attention to you.

What is loneliness? Loneliness is an empty house where no one else resides.

Gradually, Orochimaru's pale hand clenched into a fist. He remembered his life in the other world.

In the bustling university, Orochimaru preferred to remain in his dormitory, pursuing his own endeavors. Though he had siblings and parents, they mostly stayed in touch through phone calls.

That was loneliness. Orochimaru found solace in solitude, cherishing the purity of solitary contemplation and existence.

But upon arriving in this world, he truly became a loner. He was a time traveler, yet not by choice, nor was he an orphan with carefree independence.

Orochimaru, my circumstances bear a resemblance to yours, don't they? Is that why I've come to you?

Gazing at the stars outside his window, Orochimaru felt a tinge of loneliness.

I... I can never return, can I?

But life must go on.

Orochimaru took a deep breath.

One must look forward, right? The world is cruel, and since there is no escape, all that remains is to turn it on its head!

Orochimaru believed that he had the potential to change the world! As the incarnation of Orochimaru, he possessed the core techniques! The soul who witnessed the grand finale was the one in the driver's seat!

Hahaha, the scope of my ambition is vast!

.....

Arriving at a forest, Orochimaru unraveled a massive scroll. It was the Snake Summoning Scroll passed down from his family's ancestors.

Unrolling the scroll, dozens of names appeared densely inscribed upon it. Some characters had become completely unrecognizable, and the bloodstains had faded to a light brown. In fact, most of the characters belonged to ancient scripts that were no longer in use today. It seemed like they spanned multiple language systems!

How old was this scroll?

Orochimaru touched the material, a snake skin unlike any he had ever encountered. It was truly an antique!

Orochimaru recalled his father in this world telling him that upon reaching the level of a Chunin, one could sign a summoning contract.

His current chakra surpassed that of an average Chunin!

Biting his finger, Orochimaru signed his name. Miraculously, he did not write "Orochimaru," but instead his real name.

The name itself was inconsequential; blood served as the medium, even a mere handprint would suffice.

However, as Orochimaru signed his name, something unusual occurred!

The entire scroll emitted a purple glow, and all the names, including the ones previously unrecognizable, shone with varying degrees of intensity, including Orochimaru's own name.

Orochimaru experienced a sense of familiarity. His body grew incredibly hot, as uncomfortable as being roasted over a fire!

His heart raced, "thump, thump," as blood surged through his veins frantically.

Orochimaru's pale skin turned crimson, and he bit his lip, afraid that a mouthful of blood would erupt from his chest!

Orochimaru broke out in a cold sweat, with white smoke even emanating from his body! The pain was excruciating, causing him to half-kneel on the ground, his heart seething with anger!

Damn it! Am I going to die again?!

Who is it? Why are they targeting me again?!

Orochimaru's fists clenched tightly, his nails digging into his flesh. His eyes grew colder and colder. The intense pain awakened the ferocity deep within his heart!

I can't die! I must survive, and then I'll kill the person responsible for making me go through this.

Orochimaru's eyes widened as he stared at the night sky. Only a pale moon cast its light upon the dark earth.

Struggling to stand, Orochimaru's blood boiled within him. He silently roared at the dark night, and a golden ray of light, about an inch long, shot forth from his snake-like, bloodshot eyes!

Countless snakes converged around Orochimaru, creating a large area of darkness. They encircled Orochimaru like a protective barrier, their snake heads emitting ominous hisses!

Fortunately, Orochimaru had chosen an isolated location for the summoning, and it was nighttime.

Had anyone witnessed this, they would have surely been overwhelmed with shock!

In the end, Orochimaru collapsed to the ground, slipping into unconsciousness...

In the dark realm, Orochimaru felt a warmth enveloping his entire body. He stood up, sensing an incredible strength coursing through him, as if a single punch could fell an elephant!

"Is this truly a spirit world?" Orochimaru wondered, as the surroundings appeared as a dark and damp corridor extending indefinitely.

Suddenly, two bright yellow lanterns materialized at the end of the corridor, drawing closer with each passing moment. They belonged to a massive white snake!

This snake was enormous, even surpassing the ten thousand snakes mentioned in the original story!

Observing the majestic white snake, Orochimaru remained calm. He felt a blood connection with the creature.

Boldly, Orochimaru reached out his hand and touched the cold, hard scales of the snake.

The white snake seemed somewhat surprised, its immense snake-like pupils gazing at Orochimaru as if beholding a younger counterpart.

Orochimaru looked at the massive serpent and spoke, "Are you... are you what I truly resemble?"

*****

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