49

"Everyone..."

The Third Hokage didn't waste any words and went straight to the point: "I think you have also noticed that the war is about to begin again!"

Everyone's expression suddenly became solemn.

"To want this technique..."

"In the coming war, we will need your service!"

"It's that simple!"

The hook is straightforward, and the bait is tempting. However, no one refused to take the bait.

Everyone looked at the Third Hokage with fiery eyes and excitement.

"No problem!"

"We'll fight for the village!"

"The Uchiha clan will definitely be in the most dangerous places!"

"The Aburame clan feels the same!"

The crowd was exhilarated. The Third Hokage also said many encouraging words.

Nara Shintaku lost interest in listening. He and Orochimaru left the scene together.

---

Outside the Anbu base, the two walked side by side, discussing their next research project. After the previous project was completed, it was no longer appealing to continue. They couldn't wait to start the next endeavor.

"I have some ideas recently."

Orochimaru's eyes flickered as he turned to look at Nara Shintaku. But instead of sharing his thoughts, his face became serious, and he slowly said, "Shintaku, who are you?"

He suddenly asked an unexpected question.

Nara Shintaku stopped and looked at him indifferently.

"From the time I studied the spirit transformation technique—no, from the time I studied Jūgo's body fluids and developed the power of celestial arts—I realized one thing." Orochimaru looked directly at Nara Shintaku with sharp eyes. "It is possible to achieve long life through ninjutsu!"

"The study of the art of spiritualization made me realize that the soul can abandon the body and live forever."

"This reminds me of a question..."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his vertical pupils, like a snake's, fixed intently on Nara Shintaku.

"Shintaku, your talent is amazing."

"Although it can be explained by genius, another answer may be more reasonable..."

"For example, Nara Shintaku is not your first life!"

The air suddenly became quiet. The master and the apprentice stood in the forest, looking at each other. The atmosphere was slightly tense.

"Ha..."

Nara Shintaku chuckled, breaking the tense atmosphere, and looked at Orochimaru with interest. "So you finally can't help but ask this question, Orochimaru-sensei?"

"Are you agreeing with this statement?" Orochimaru remained calm.

"That's right." Nara Shintaku grinned. "This is not my first life."

Wow!

((PS: I actually don't like how Shintaku exposed his secret, BUT if you guys can close your eyes and pretend the paragraph doesn't exist it's actually bearable since they won't mention it again in the next chapters.))

Orochimaru's face changed slightly, and a storm surged in his heart.

He knew it!

Nara Shintaku turned out to be some ancient monster!

"This is fantastic, hahahaha..."

Orochimaru was not surprised but delighted. He raised his head and laughed: "A real immortal has appeared before me; this is the greatest affirmation of my pursuits!"

"It simply doesn't get any better than this!"

"I am so lucky—my God, I actually have an immortal as my apprentice!"

Orochimaru laughed wildly. His voice was hoarse, but he was extremely excited. He even laughed so hard that tears streamed down his face.

Nara Shintaku waited patiently for Orochimaru to vent his emotions before speaking. "So what are you going to do?"

"Expose me?"

"Become my enemy?"

Orochimaru shook his head and smiled. "I don't plan to do anything. I would rather say that I want to join you!"

"Haven't we always been together?" Nara Shintaku asked in return.

"Haha, you're right!" Orochimaru smiled and nodded. "We have always been walking together."

At this moment, the bond between the two deepened a little. In the past, the so-called fellow travelers had merely pursued the same goal. But now, they were real partners—like-minded and supporting each other.

"After confirming that you are an immortal, I feel relieved. I can share many things with you frankly, regardless of your age." Orochimaru paused and continued, "I have been thinking about the nature of chakra recently."

"I find the nature of its changes to be rich and comprehensive."

"Isn't this kind of power too advanced?"

"It's too advanced... It shouldn't be possessed by low-level creatures like humans."

"Excuse me, Mr. Shintaku, the Immortal, can you provide me with some information?"

Orochimaru looked at Nara Shintaku with a smile, his eyes full of expectation.

"Of course, no problem." Nara Shintaku smiled back and said, "The myth is true. Chakra was taught to humans by the Sage of Six Paths. The moon was also created by the Sage of Six Paths, and the tailed beasts were created by the Sage of Six Paths."

"The ninja clans also exist."

"The clan history of the Senju and Uchiha is correct. Their ancestors are indeed descendants of the Sage of Six Paths."

Nara Shintaku directly gave Orochimaru a spoiler.

Orochimaru was horrified when he heard this, and his eyes widened unconsciously. He thought of many possibilities, but he never imagined this one!

Mythology... is actually real history?

"No wonder..."

Orochimaru's expression changed rapidly as he murmured, "That explains it."

"It turns out that those techniques..."

"No, that's what everyone said..."

He paced back and forth in the forest, his heart racing and hard to control.

Nara Shintaku's words were like breaking through the most crucial barrier, allowing him to understand many things in an instant. After a while, Orochimaru calmed down, took a deep breath, and asked Nara Shintaku, "Excuse me, have you seen the... Sage of Six Paths?"

"No."

Nara Shintaku shook his head and said, "I have not witnessed His history, but I know that the Great Toad Sage of Myōboku Mountain has seen it with his own eyes."

---