Chapter 7 : Do you have the courage to resist fate?

In the grand and awe-inspiring hall of the Corpse Cathedral, three figures sat at a long bronze table.

Sogetsu was at the head of the table. His bronze chair was towering, almost as if it was designed for giants, not ordinary humans.

Sogetsu, whose entire form was cloaked in a mysterious mist, held a god-like presence, his gaze sweeping over everyone seated at the long table. 

Orochimaru and Sakumo, who felt the weight of his gaze, experienced a deep, unsettling fear, as if facing a vast and tumultuous ocean that could drown them at any moment.

Instinctively, almost involuntarily, Orochimaru and Sakumo bowed their heads, the natural response to the overwhelming presence. The arrogance that often shone in Orochimaru's eyes was now concealed.

With the air growing tense, Sogetsu felt a sense of relief. By harnessing the 'Awe' of Sequence 6, he had managed to bring Orochimaru under control.

Tap. Tap.

Sogetsu tapped his index finger twice on the bronze table, his voice light and composed as he said, "Here, you can speak freely."

The heavy atmosphere dissipated, and Orochimaru exhaled quietly, though he didn't dare to look up at Sogetsu. 

Instead, he turned to face Sakumo, cleared his throat, and spoke in a raspy tone, "If it's not too much trouble, could you tell me more about yourself? I'm curious, White Fang Sakumo Hatake."

Sakumo's brow furrowed slightly, and he cast a glance at Sogetsu, as if seeking approval to respond.

Sogetsu nodded with a faint smile, raising his right hand, "It's fine, Sakumo. The Twilight Hermits Order don't have many strict rules. You can speak freely here."

Sakumo hesitated for a moment before he spoke, his eyes filled with confusion and inner turmoil. "A month ago, I came here sudenly. Like you, I was skeptical at first, but then he revealed to me my fate… my destiny."

Revealed Destiny? Orochimaru's ears perked at this word, but it wasn't the "destiny" part that caught his attention—it was the idea of a "revelation." His eyes widened with shock as he grasped the implications.

"He told me that I would take my own life in a month," Sakumo continued, his expression bitter as he sighed deeply. "And the evidence suggests that I've already set foot on that path. You, as a disciple of the Third Hokage, must know why this might happen, right?"

"Of course, I know it well," Orochimaru replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "With the upcoming selection of the next Hokage, all unstable factors must be removed."

After a pause, he spoke with a chilling tone. "And you, Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of Konoha, are not directly a part of the Hokage faction. Yet, you have an incredible reputation in Konoha, even more so than the legendary Sannin who defeated all other competitors. Naturally, you became the biggest 'unsettling factor.'"

"Looks like I had no choice but to die." Hatake Sakumo bowed his head, the weight of the truth pressing down on him. He never expected that the very village he had defended would become the source of his own demise.

"Yes, you must die," Orochimaru said calmly, his eyes cold and calculating as he sat back in his chair, folding his hands. 

"And your death cannot be directly linked to the Hokage. According to my investigation, the teammate you saved was actually a member of Root, and the public outcry against you has been orchestrated by that group."

Root was a secretive division within the ANBU, controlled by Danzo alone. Even the Hokage had no direct authority over it. Whether or not the Third Hokage was involved in this scheme remained unclear, with conflicting accounts from different sources.

Hatake Sakumo sighed heavily. "Yes, I'm forced to die and make it look like suicide," he said, bitterness lacing his words. "I had hoped my death would put an end to the conflicts of this generation, but... he told me that ten years from now, Kakashi will face the same fate in Konoha Village."

Orochimaru's eyes widened as if they were trying to take in the impossible. "Could fate be revealed not just for the person themselves, but for others as well?"

He instinctively flinched, his mind recalling the words of Sakumo, words that spoke of possibilities beyond what even Orochimaru had imagined. 

Despite his rationality urging caution, his heart raced with curiosity and a touch of fear. He turned his head slowly, not daring to look directly at the person standing before him. 

Instead, his gaze settled on a spot on the bronze table, focusing on a single index finger resting there. His voice, usually cool and composed, held a hint of reverence as he asked, "Could you tell me... what my destiny is?"

The idea that someone could unveil the future—his future—was irresistible. It was a greater lure than the secrets of immortality, which had long held his fascination.

"Your future," the figure replied, letting the words hang in the air, each syllable drawing Orochimaru further into the unknown.

Sogetsu paused deliberately, letting the suspense build. Orochimaru, who was watching intently, felt his eagerness grow. 

Sogetsu grinned slightly, then spoke with a playful tone, "You've lost everything."

Boom.

The simple words were like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky, sending shockwaves through Orochimaru's mind. It was as if his mental computer had crashed, leaving him utterly confused.

What does "lost everything" mean?

"Tell me, what exactly have I lost?" Orochimaru demanded, his composure slipping. Even someone as composed as he couldn't stay calm facing such a grim prospect. 

Cold sweat trickled down his pale skin, and his light golden eyes trembled, betraying his fear.

"The literal meaning," Sogetsu replied, observing Orochimaru's spiritual aura. The fear in his soul was palpable. 

Satisfied, Sogetsu continued, "You've lost your position as the Fourth Hokage, your beloved teacher, your closest friendships, your dreams. Everything, until there's nothing left to lose. But hey, the good news is, you're still alive."

"Tsk," Sakumo, who sat across from them, couldn't help but wince at Orochimaru's reaction. He almost felt sorry for the snake ninja.

Orochimaru, meanwhile, was in shock. He sat down heavily, his eyes glazed over. His first reaction was disbelief. This couldn't be true, could it? 

But then reason took hold. With Sakumo's cautionary tale before him, even a one percent chance of that future was too much to bear.

Sogetsu felt a thrill of satisfaction as he watched Orochimaru's emotional breakdown. This was a rare sight, and he enjoyed every moment of it.

After a moment, Orochimaru seemed to regain his composure. He exhaled deeply, his face turning stoic once more. He glanced at Sakumo, then back at Sogetsu. "If he's here," Orochimaru said, with a hint of curiosity, "does that mean his fate has changed, thanks to you?"

"In a sense, that's right," Sogetsu replied, leaning slightly forward and resting her chin on her right hand. "But you have to have the courage and will to challenge fate. Are you truly committed, Orochimaru?"

He didn't make promises lightly; there was always a cost hidden behind the gifts of destiny.

Orochimaru nodded, understanding the implication. He slowly rose from his seat, with the docility of a lamb before its shepherd, and lowered his head, the pride in his demeanor dimmed. 

"I am willing to pledge my loyalty and my life to serve the will of the Lord. Under the Lord's guidance, I seek only to break free from the constraints of destiny!"

"Excellent," Uchiha Sogetsu replied, a hint of satisfaction curling his lips. His eyes sparkled with approval.

Finally, after fifteen years of waiting, all the conditions had been met, and he could take the first step toward his grand plan.

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