Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

For every 30 POWER STONES there will be an extra chapter!

10 more Power Stones to go!!

Inside the base that Ye Zi had created using his Wood Release, Orochimaru was slightly surprised by the structure, mainly made of wood. However, upon entering, he realized that the interior was quite spacious. Despite the large area, there were only about twenty people inside, including Nanako and Sakana. The rest were orphans around eleven or twelve years old, whom Sakana had collected from various places over time.

After settling Kotoe, Ye Zi led Orochimaru to Nanako's laboratory.

Orochimaru's arrival greatly surprised Nanako, but after Ye Zi offered a brief explanation, she accepted it without much hesitation.

As they headed toward Nanako's lab, Orochimaru noticed the children and suddenly asked, "Are those kids meant to be used as experimental subjects?"

"No," Nanako replied without surprise at his assumption. In research related to the human body, experiments on human subjects are common. As she organized some data, she explained, "Once I finish organizing the data, you'll understand. There are plenty of materials for experimental subjects; we don't need to use those children."

The "materials" she referred to were the clones created using Hashirama's cells.

Orochimaru's eyes flickered with interest as he looked around the lab. The equipment was well-maintained, and everything necessary was there, which left him satisfied.

"Take a rest, Orochimaru," Ye Zi said.

Having seen everything there was to see and introduced everything that needed to be introduced, Ye Zi suggested Orochimaru take a break.

Orochimaru nodded in agreement. He was indeed exhausted—both physically and mentally—and the wounds from his escape had not been properly treated.

"Follow me," Ye Zi said, leading the way.

Orochimaru followed him down a wooden corridor.

"This is Wood Release, isn't it?" Orochimaru asked, running his hand along the smooth wooden walls as they walked.

Ye Zi didn't hide it. "Yes."

Orochimaru glanced at Ye Zi's black hair and let out his characteristic raspy laugh. "I conducted experiments in this area once. I used over sixty test subjects, but none were successful. It seems the method wasn't wrong; I just didn't find the right approach."

Ye Zi didn't respond and silently continued leading the way.

"I'm very interested in the changes in your body," Orochimaru remarked.

"Is that so... but I'm not interested in becoming your test subject."

"That's a pity," Orochimaru said, licking his lips with his long tongue. Ever since he started delving into the mysteries of the human body, he had been intrigued by the unique traits of Ye Zi's body, though he had never attempted to use him as a subject.

After bringing Orochimaru to his room, Ye Zi opened the door. The room was brightly lit, and Orochimaru squinted slightly, not yet adjusted to the light.

The room was large, equipped with all necessary furnishings. Orochimaru glanced around quickly, uninterested in the decor. However, his gaze lingered on the strange-looking wall.

On the wall opposite the bed were several oval-shaped wooden spheres, each spaced about half a finger's width apart, covering the entire wall.

"What is that?" Orochimaru asked, pointing at the peculiar wall.

"Decoration," Ye Zi replied.

"Decoration? You did this?" Orochimaru looked at him with growing curiosity.

Ye Zi nodded calmly. "Yes, I put it together quickly to avoid the room looking too plain. Don't you like eggs?"

"…"

Orochimaru stared at the wall, speechless for a moment. Upon closer inspection, it did resemble a wall full of eggs.

"Do the other rooms have this too?"

"They do."

"What about your room?" Orochimaru walked over to the wall and placed his hand on one of the "eggs," feeling an urge to crush it.

"It has meat," Ye Zi replied flatly.

Raising an eyebrow, Orochimaru decided he didn't want to wake up every day to such a strange wall. After a moment's silence, he said, "I'm going to destroy this wall."

"As you wish," Ye Zi said.

He hadn't put much effort into creating the "egg" wall, so if Orochimaru didn't like it, he had no objections to him destroying it.

"Rest well," Ye Zi said before turning and leaving the room.

Orochimaru watched the door close behind Ye Zi, then turned his gaze back to the strange "egg" wall. He stared at it for a long time, then slowly withdrew his hand and walked over to the bed.

The bed was made of wood, and the pillow was simply a block of wood as well. Orochimaru didn't have any specific requirements for his sleeping arrangements, so he lay down and closed his eyes, deciding not to destroy the bizarre "egg" wall after all.

....

In Konoha.

The night was deep, the sky covered by heavy clouds that blocked the moonlight, casting a shadow over the village. The mood in Konoha mirrored the dark skies.

Orochimaru had defected, and in a critical moment, he had been saved by Ye Zi. The two, once pillars of Konoha, had now become rogue ninjas, joining forces and becoming a significant threat that could not be ignored.

On the night of the mission several days ago, the operation ended in failure, and everyone involved had their own thoughts.

Jiraiya had been in a low mood since then, filled with regret. If he had been stronger, things might not have turned out this way.

Kushina was also deeply affected. Since returning to the village with her injured arm treated by Tsunade, she had locked herself in her house and hadn't left in days.

Minato, who learned of everything through the mission reports, had visited her multiple times, worried about her. But each time, he was turned away. The harsh reality was something Kushina seemed unable to accept.

Ye Zi had been on Minato's radar for a long time, as someone he once sought to surpass. That desire hadn't changed, even now.

Because of his feelings for Kushina, Minato sometimes felt jealousy toward Ye Zi, as well as anger at him for not appreciating what he had. The recent mission had only deepened that anger.

The mission had failed, and the losses were severe.

Training a Jonin wasn't easy. Although the number of losses was significant, they had at least gained a clearer understanding of Ye Zi's capabilities.

"Speed comparable to the Flying Thunder God, huh…" Minato mused, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at the mission report on his desk.

From the report, Ye Zi's speed was described as beyond the reaction abilities of Konoha's Jonin. His mastery over the nature and form manipulation of Lightning Release was said to be unparalleled, comparable to the terrifying power of the Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village.

Both Ye Zi and the Raikage possessed extraordinary mastery over Lightning Release. The difference was that the Raikage had a powerful body, while Ye Zi had incredible control.

Minato knew that it was only a matter of time before he would face Ye Zi in battle.

Although he was busy with his duties as Hokage, Minato continued to develop new jutsu in his spare time.

To protect what he held dear, Minato understood the need for strength. Whether it was Konoha or Kushina, whom Ye Zi had failed to appreciate, Minato was determined to protect them both.

Check out the patreon and get 50 chapters in advance -> SaintXI

Currently on Chapter 291 - A Meeting Between the Futures of the Sand and the Leaf