章 94: Chapter : 95
"What is regret?" Pakura asked, a bit puzzled. It was the first time she had heard the term.
"It comes from the ancient poem, 'Blocking the Wind and Mooring the Boat to Visit Jingzhong Temple,' which says, 'The cold horns move in sorrow, and the night is long and hard to calm down.' It usually refers to the feeling of being unable to let go, fixated on something or someone, but not receiving any response," Kirito explained. The phrase reminded him of a character from a novel in his previous life—someone who was obsessed but eventually met a tragic end.
Pakura nodded in understanding. She herself had been moved when she saw Haku, even though she didn't know Kirito's personal connection to such things.
"So, which type are you, Master Kirito?" Pakura asked but then moved on to another topic. "I have a question."
"Go ahead," Kirito replied, looking over at her.
"You once mentioned that you faked your death to avoid unwanted trouble from the higher-ups in Konoha. Why did you reveal yourself this time?" Pakura couldn't help but ask.
Kirito paused, glanced toward Konoha, and replied, "Death isn't the worst thing; the most terrifying thing is the fear people feel before death." He wouldn't mention his plan to draw out Danzo and others who needed to face their own ends.
Several days later, Kirito and Pakura finally arrived at a vast expanse of rice fields that bordered a valley. Through the valley, a jungle could be glimpsed in the distance. The landscape was serene, full of pastoral charm.
As they took in the view, Kirito noticed a stone tablet standing at the valley entrance. On it was engraved an eighth note, adorned with red markings that added a hint of mystique to the village.
"Is Sound Village down there? Should we sneak in?" Pakura asked, standing beside Kirito as they looked down from the valley top.
"No need. Orochimaru isn't in there," Kirito replied.
Pakura was taken aback. "Then, where is he?"
Kirito raised his hand, forming a Rasengan that transformed into a laser beam, which he fired at the opposite mountain wall. With a loud boom, the cliff collapsed, revealing a hidden, gray passage lined with talismans.
Pakura looked shocked. "His base is here at the village entrance?"
"Let's go, Pakura," Kirito said, jumping down. Pakura followed close behind.
As they moved through the enclosed passage, she hesitated. "Master Kirito, do you think there will be traps?"
"Don't worry. Orochimaru isn't the type to waste time with unnecessary traps. Besides, it looks like someone's waiting for us," Kirito said, stopping. "Isn't that right, Kabuto?"
"Master Kirito's perception is as sharp as ever," came Kabuto's voice, echoing in the space as he emerged from the shadows with a sinister smile reminiscent of Orochimaru's. "Master Kirito, please follow me."
"You're starting to look more and more like Orochimaru himself. I think you were much cuter as a kid," Kirito commented.
Kabuto hesitated, images of his past at the orphanage flashing in his mind, though he quickly dismissed them. "Did Master Kirito know me back then?"
Kirito gave a slight shrug, fabricating a story. "I visited the orphanage on the night of the Nine-Tails Rebellion. Konoha wasn't sure I'd make it as a ninja and thought I might be placed there, where I happened to meet you and the director."
Kabuto chuckled, adjusting his glasses. "You must be mistaken, Lord Kirito. I left Konoha before the Nine-Tails attack and haven't been back."
Kirito sighed, "Is that so? Maybe I did mistake someone else for you. But I did see the director—she was a good person, one of the few in Konoha I respected."
"She's dead," Kabuto said, pausing.
"How did it happen?" Kirito asked knowingly.
Kabuto lowered his gaze. "She died…by my hand." His voice trailed off, glasses catching a glare, obscuring his eyes.
Kirito thought he noticed a tear at the corner of Kabuto's eye and patted him on the shoulder. "Danzo again, no doubt. He'd have a spy squeezed of every last bit of value, forcing them to kill the one they loved most."
At that moment, Orochimaru's raspy voice came from a nearby chamber. "Oh, Kirito-kun, it's rude to try poaching others in front of their master."
Kabuto snapped back to his usual self, his expression quickly shifting to a guarded smile. He pushed open the chamber door, saying, "Master Kirito, please step in."
Kirito entered the room with Pakura beside him, seeing Orochimaru lounging on a sofa, as if waiting for them.
"Kirito-kun, it's been a long time. And this must be Pakura of the Scorch Release, the former hero of Sunagakure. I've long heard your name. To think you joined the Akatsuki and are now working alongside Kirito-kun." Orochimaru's eyes gleamed as he licked his lips.
Pakura sneered at him in distaste, taking a seat beside Kirito on the sofa across from Orochimaru.
"You seemed to know we were coming," Kirito noted.
"Of course," Orochimaru replied with a sly grin. "Kirito-kun's reputation is well-known in the ninja world. Except for Konoha, everyone has heard of you. You've traveled quite openly without covering your tracks. It was easy to anticipate your arrival."
Orochimaru's smile faded as he narrowed his eyes, his golden gaze fixed on Kirito. "So, Kirito-kun, what brings you here?"
(End of Chapter)
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