Chapitre 34: Chapter 31: The Toad Sage.
Author Note: Nothing of importance, just enjoy the chapter, and if you have any questions, make sure to comment!
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I'm currently updating the novel 2-8 chapters a day in patreeeeon. On chapter 43 so far, though by the end of today it will be chapter 45-47.
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Enjoy you sexy bastards.
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[Orochimaru's Lab.]
Under the dim, flickering light of his underground laboratory in Konoha, Orochimaru's fingers deftly moved over an array of tubes and vials. His eyes, golden and serpentine, reflected the gleam of the scientific instruments scattered around. The laboratory was filled with the hum of machines and the quiet murmurs of Orochimaru's ambitious plans. He worked with a feverish intensity, his mind a whirl of dark thoughts and sinister intentions. Each vial and tube held the promise of a new discovery, a step closer to his ultimate goal.
He was in his element here, amidst the cold steel and glass, where he could probe the very essence of life itself. Here, no one could hear the screams of his experiments.
As he worked, his mind drifted back to the training ground earlier that day. The image of the young boy, Takeshi Arata, effortlessly dodging Anko's attacks played over and over in his head. It was rare to see such raw talent, especially in one so young. Takeshi's movements had been fluid, almost preternatural, each step and dodge executed with an eerie precision.
"That boy..." Orochimaru muttered to himself, a slow, sinister smile curling his lips as his body shuddered in barely contained pleasure. "He moves with a grace and precision that surpasses his years. His potential is... intoxicating."
He relished the thought of Takeshi's raw talent, his abilities a tantalizing mystery waiting to be unraveled, to be cut open, to be understood. Orochimaru's mind raced with possibilities. Takeshi's power, his remarkable agility, and his fighting instincts all pointed to a unique and fascinating genetic makeup. His files were both detailed and lacking, as nobody really knew what the boy was capable of or what his bloodline did.
"He could be a perfect subject for my experiments," Orochimaru mused, his voice low and dripping with dark anticipation. "Imagine the secrets his body holds. The potential to unlock abilities even he is unaware of."
His thoughts grew darker as he imagined the myriad ways he could dissect and study the boy, delving into the depths of his genetic code. Orochimaru's fingers paused over a particularly volatile concoction, his eyes narrowing with a predatory gleam. He could even be… his perfect body.
"But there's always the Sharingan," he whispered, his voice taking on a feverish edge. "The legendary eyes of the Uchiha clan, capable of seeing through any deception, mastering any jutsu. The boy is remarkable, yes, but the Sharingan... It offers an even greater promise. A power that can evolve, adapt, and transform. A power that could grant me the immortality I seek."
The allure of the Sharingan was almost impossible to resist. It was a power that could change the very fabric of his existence under the correct circumstances, granting him abilities beyond his wildest dreams. Orochimaru's ambitions stretched far beyond the capabilities of a single child, no matter how gifted. The Sharingan represented a key to a much broader and more profound array of possibilities.
"He could be so much more," Orochimaru murmured, a dark smile playing on his lips. "But the Sharingan... It is the ultimate prize."
He resumed his work, his mind made up. "For now, the boy will remain as he is," Orochimaru decided, his tone resolute. "My true focus must remain on obtaining the Sharingan. But... I will keep an eye on Takeshi. His potential is too great to ignore completely. I might even give him the curse mark, just in case Anko dies from it, kukuku."
It was never bad to have a backup in case the experiments didn't go according to plan.
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[Mitarashi Anko.]
Anko Mitarashi seethed with anger as she went through her training exercises, each movement sharper and more forceful than usual. The training ground was nearly empty, save for a few other shinobi practicing in the distance, but Anko paid them no mind. Her focus was entirely on her own frustration.
How could this happen?! She was a recently promoted chunin, and she was damn proud of her skills and strength, and yet she had been humiliated by a kid six years younger than her. A kid who hadn't even graduated from the academy yet!
"Stupid brat," she muttered under her breath, launching a barrage of kunai at a nearby target. Each blade hit dead center, but it did nothing to alleviate her anger. "Who does he think he is, dodging all my attacks like that? And with such a smug look on his face too!"
It angered her to the core how he had been smiling the entire fight, with that damn stupidly annoying faint smile that said: I'm better, deal with it.
She replayed the fight in her mind, cringing at how easily Takeshi had dodged her every move. It was as if he had known what she was going to do before she even did it. Her pride smarted from the memory, and she tightened her grip on her kunai.
"I'm the cool one, the unstoppable one!" she fumed, slicing through the air with a ferocity that left her breathing hard. "I've trained with Orochimaru-sensei! One of the legendary sannin! I've mastered techniques most people can only dream of! How could I be shown up by some snot-nosed, short-sized academy kid?!"
Anko paused, panting slightly as she wiped the sweat from her brow. She was sure she must have looked ridiculous, ranting to herself in the middle of the training ground, but she didn't care. She needed to vent, to let out the pent-up frustration that had been gnawing at her since the sparring match, and if anyone wanted to complain, she would kick their ass!
"And that smile!" she continued, her voice rising in indignation as she returned to the point of his smile. "Like he was enjoying every second of making me look like a fool. I'll show him. I'll train even harder, get even stronger, and next time, he won't stand a chance! I will humiliate him so bad that he will need therapy!"
She envisioned the next time they would meet, picturing herself as the victor, standing over a defeated Takeshi. The thought brought a fierce grin to her face, a gleam of determination in her eyes. She would not let this go unanswered.
"He thinks he's so great, but I'm going to show him what it means to be a real shinobi," Anko declared, throwing another set of kunai with renewed vigor. "Just wait, kid. The next time we face off, I'll be the one smiling."
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[Hokage's Office.]
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat at his desk, buried under a mountain of paperwork. It was days like this that made him wish paperwork was illegal. His office was dimly lit, the only light coming from the lamp on his desk and the faint glow of the moon outside the window. The weight of recent events pressed heavily on his shoulders, and the normally stoic leader felt every bit of his age tonight.
As he signed another document, a soft knock echoed through the room, and before Hiruzen could respond, the door opened. Jiraiya, his old student, stepped inside. His usually jovial expression was replaced with a somber one, his shoulders slumped in grief.
"Sensei," Jiraiya began, his voice uncharacteristically subdued. "We need to talk."
Hiruzen looked up, his weary eyes meeting Jiraiya's. He gestured for Jiraiya to take a seat, setting aside his pen. "Jiraiya, it's good to see you. When did you arrive at the village?"
"Just an hour ago," Jiraiya admitted, sitting down heavily. "I went to watch my godson at the orphanage before coming here."
"What do you need to talk about, Jiraiya?" Hiruzen asked.
Jiraiya sighed heavily, sinking into the chair opposite Hiruzen. "It's about Minato... and Naruto."
Hiruzen nodded, his expression grim. The loss of Minato, the Fourth Hokage, and his wife Kushina had been a devastating blow to the village. And now, the fate of their newborn son, Naruto, Jiraiya's godson, hung in the balance.
"I've been thinking," Jiraiya continued, his voice tinged with guilt. "Minato was my student; he was like a son to me. Maybe I should take care of Naruto. He's my godson, after all. Minato entrusted him to me."
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, studying Jiraiya closely. "I understand your feelings, Jiraiya. But you must remember the situation we're in. If anyone were to see you with Naruto, they would immediately connect the dots. It would put Naruto in even greater danger."
Jiraiya clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "I know, but it feels like I'm failing Minato all over again. I wasn't here when the attack happened… and you're telling me I can't be here for what is left of him? He trusted me, and now I can't even protect his son."
Hiruzen's gaze softened, understanding the pain and guilt Jiraiya was experiencing. "You're not failing him, Jiraiya. Keeping Naruto's identity a secret is the best way to protect him right now. The fewer people who know the truth, the safer he will be."
Jiraiya looked down, his shoulders sagging further. "It just feels wrong, leaving him here alone. He deserves to know who his parents were, to have someone who cares for him."
"He will know," Hiruzen assured him, his voice gentle but firm. "When the time is right, he will learn about his parents and their sacrifices. But for now, he needs to be kept safe. And that means keeping his identity a secret, even from himself."
Jiraiya nodded slowly, accepting the painful truth. "I understand, Hiruzen-sensei. It's just hard to accept."
"I know," Hiruzen said, reaching out to place a comforting hand on Jiraiya's shoulder. "But remember, you can still watch over him from the shadows. You can still be there for him, even if he doesn't know it."
Jiraiya managed a small, sad smile. "I suppose you're right. I just wish there was another way."
"We all do," Hiruzen replied softly. "But for now, this is the best way to ensure his safety. And in time, Naruto will come to understand and appreciate the sacrifices that were made for him."
Jiraiya stood, taking a deep breath. "Thank you, Hiruzen-sensei. I'll do my best to protect him from the shadows, as you said."
"Are you planning on staying for much longer?" Hiruzen asked, looking up at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya shook his head, raking a hand through his spiky white hair. "I think it's time I left. The longer I stay, the more questions will be raised."
"You should come more often," Hiruzen nodded, a sad smile on his face.
Jiraiya stood at the doorway, hesitating once more before fully stepping back into the office. "Sensei," he began, his tone cautious, "There's something else I need to discuss."
Hiruzen looked up from his paperwork, raising an eyebrow. "What is it, Jiraiya?"
Jiraiya closed the door behind him, his expression serious. "Since I entered the village, I've been sensing a powerful source of Natural energy. It's unlike anything I've felt before. Do you know anything about it?"
Hiruzen's eyes widened slightly, and he leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Natural energy, you say? Do you have any idea where it's coming from?"
Jiraiya nodded. "Yes, it's coming from the merchant district close to the Uchihas."
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, considering Jiraiya's words carefully. "There is one person who stands out around that area, Arata Takeshi. He's shown remarkable abilities, even for someone so young."
Jiraiya's eyes widened in surprise. "Arata Takeshi? Minato talked a lot about him in his letters. He said Kushina had basically adopted him, though knowing her… she most likely kidnapped the boy more often than not."
Hiruzen nodded, a chuckle escaping his tired demeanor. "Yes. He was quite close to them… he was the one that warned us about the intruder. Perhaps if we had paid attention to his warnings more, things would've been different…"
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone