The Serpent’s Curiousity

In the dim glow of his private study, Orochimaru's eyes scanned the report in front of him. It was a medical file, one of countless that passed through his hands, but something about this one caught his attention. It detailed an unusual approach to treating severe burn victims, blending medical ninjutsu with fūinjutsu in a way that was, at the very least, unconventional.

"Interesting…" Orochimaru murmured, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the room.

He leaned forward, his fingers tracing the lines of the scroll as he absorbed the intricate details. The method was bold, precise, even creative—an unusual trait for a Genin's work. The name at the bottom of the report, Haruto Takeda, was unfamiliar, but Orochimaru's interest piqued nonetheless.

It wasn't the boy's achievements that intrigued him, but rather the mind behind the technique. This wasn't simply the work of someone skilled—it was the work of someone thinking differently, someone pushing boundaries.

Orochimaru slowly rolled the scroll back up, his expression calm but thoughtful. He had seen many shinobi with potential over the years, but there was something in this boy's file that stood out—an edge, a willingness to explore where others might hesitate. And that, more than the boy's skill, is what drew Orochimaru's interest.

He leaned back in his chair, the dossier on Haruto now in his hands. He skimmed through the details, noting the rapid progress, the mix of medical ninjutsu and combat abilities. But it wasn't the boy's abilities that mattered. It was the curiosity, the hunger to push past the ordinary. Orochimaru wondered if Haruto even realized the path he was treading.

As he set the dossier aside, a quiet smile played on his lips. "Perhaps… it's time to visit Tsunade."

The decision was made. Orochimaru would pay Tsunade a visit, and perhaps, in passing, take a closer look at this young Genin. There was potential there—potential that could be cultivated, or potential that could become dangerous.

And Orochimaru always kept an eye on those who might one day disrupt the balance.