Chapter 20: Unexpected Encounter

Unbeknownst to Ryu, he was in high spirits in the following days, oblivious to the conversation that took place between the Hyuga brothers.

The Third Hokage didn't pay much attention to Ryu's meeting with Uchiha Fugaku and their discussion about village matters.

Tracking down Orochimaru's crimes was underway, led by the formidable duo of Uchiha and Hyuga, and it was only a matter of time before they apprehended him.

Under the guidance of the sage slug, the study of sage wood release was progressing smoothly.

Everything seemed to be moving in a favorable direction.

As the mastermind behind the plan, Ryu found himself with some idle time. After finishing work, he often took walks around the village, but now his walks covered a wider area.

He would still greet the villagers he encountered along the way with a smile, even though he no longer received reputation points from those familiar faces he had known for a long time.

Unconsciously, Ryu found himself in a quiet place. Standing before him was the Konoha Memorial Monument.

Since he had come this far, Ryu decided to enter. As he walked past one tombstone after another, reading the names of the fallen ninjas who sacrificed their lives for Konoha, a serious expression crossed his face.

Suddenly, a young boy's voice, sounding somewhat childish, broke the silence beside him.

Ryu turned his head and saw a little boy with the Uchiha clan emblem on his clothes, saluting him politely.

"What's the name of the Uchiha child? And why are you here alone?" Ryu approached the child, patting his head gently as he inquired.

"My name is Uchiha Itachi, and I've come to pay my respects to the clan elders," the boy named Uchiha Itachi replied with a serious expression.

"Uchiha... Itachi?" Ryu was taken aback, studying the boy's features closely. Although he didn't possess the prominent lines of adulthood, the resemblance was unmistakable.

No wonder there had always been a sense of familiarity upon their first meeting.

With that realization, Ryu ruffled Uchiha Itachi's hair once more, knowing he would never have the chance to do so again.

"It's getting late. Let's head back quickly so as not to worry the adults," Ryu said to Itachi with a smile, satisfied with their interaction.

While the future Itachi might bring calamity to the Uchiha clan, he remained loyal to Konoha Village.

Character determines one's path.

As the Hokage of Konoha, Ryu naturally held great admiration for such a character.

"Yes!" Itachi bid his farewell respectfully and turned to walk home.

On his way, as he recollected Ryu's demeanor towards him, Itachi, thoughtful and cautious, couldn't help but think, "Many clan members say that the Fourth Hokage holds a deep bias against the Uchiha clan. However, it seems that these rumors may not hold much truth. It appears that they shouldn't be taken seriously."

Watching Itachi Uchiha's figure fade into the distance, Ryu's smile slowly vanished, and he spoke calmly:

"Come out, Orochimaru. I never expected that one of the renowned Sannin would enjoy lurking in the shadows and spying."

In this moment and place, there could only be one person—Orochimaru.

"I'm not spying; I simply found the place I wanted to visit occupied by an earlier arrival, so I waited outside," Orochimaru's hoarse voice sounded from the nearby woods.

"I can't help it. Lately, I've been plagued by hallucinations of bugs buzzing around my ears. I come out here to relax and encounter acquaintances, like my unfortunate disciple," Orochimaru said with a half-smile, looking at Ryu.

After speaking, he approached the monument engraved with the Thousand-Handed Rope Tree and placed the flowers he had prepared.

Ryu watched Orochimaru's back, a hidden sharpness gleaming in his eyes.

This man seems to have sensed something.

A cold gust of wind swept by, and the comfort monument felt even colder than before.

Orochimaru, facing away from Ryu, seemed unfazed. He gazed at the tombstone of his former disciple and spoke with a touch of emotion, "Human life is so fragile! Who would have thought that a few small detonating talismans would be enough to take your life? Who would have thought that the once proud ninja would now cling to their fading power with their frail hands?"

A flicker of realization sparked in Ryu's eyes as he followed Orochimaru's train of thought. "So..."

"Exactly!" Orochimaru turned his head, his eyes blazing with determination, "I will relentlessly pursue the possibility of eternity within the limited time I have!"

"In doing so, such tragedies will never occur again!"

...

As the sun began to set, Ryu stood alone before the comfort monument.

He pondered over Orochimaru's words.

It appeared that Orochimaru had sensed that something was amiss, yet he seemed unconcerned about it. It was a conflicting notion for Ryu.

However, with Ryu's memories from his previous life and considering how Orochimaru was forcefully driven out of the village by the Third Hokage, it didn't come as a surprise. A sudden realization struck Ryu's heart, providing him with an answer.

All along, he had overlooked a crucial point.

Why would someone as intelligent as Orochimaru be foolish enough to conduct experiments and abductions within Konoha Village?

In the outside world, even beyond the Land of Fire, there were countless living subjects available for his experiments. He could employ intermediaries to carry out his work without risking exposure.

Stealing people right under Konoha's nose was undoubtedly an unwise decision, no matter how it was examined.

Ryu had previously assumed that Orochimaru's intense focus on his research had driven him to madness, leading to reckless actions.

However, upon reflection, Ryu realized that Orochimaru was far more calculated and reasonable than he had initially believed.

Was it possible that Orochimaru deliberately wanted the Third Hokage to uncover his actions? Could he have seized this opportunity to sever his ties and defect from Konoha?

For someone like Orochimaru, Konoha's rules and regulations would only serve as constraints on his own progress. Breaking free and delving into a wider space would allow him to study without limitations and, within the limited time he had, become the master of truth and the ultimate individual he aspired to be.

The more Ryu contemplated this idea, the more it resonated with him.

After all, Orochimaru had spent many years developing attachments within Konoha. Rather than severing those connections himself, he would be inclined to use the hands of others to sever them cleanly.

Especially when considering the memories of the previous Ryu, it seemed plausible.

Now, this leverage had fallen into Ryu's hands earlier than anticipated.

If that's the case, then he would assist Orochimaru!