Naruto: Thousand Unknown

Once again, I saw the thousands of Lost Assassins, and the story of escaping Konoha a few years ago resurfaced in my heart.

Orochimaru felt extremely humiliated for losing to Chao Yanqian, his former subordinate. Although Orochimaru was not in the best condition at the time, Chao Yanqian also teamed up with Uchiha Chizuru to win.

But no matter what, Orochimaru was defeated by Chao Yanqian and was persecuted by humiliation, ultimately handing over the summoning scroll of Ryūchidō.

Orochimaru is conceited. He has immense confidence in his talents, so he does not allow himself to fail especially not at the phands of Chao Yanqian, because it implies that Chao Yanqian's talent is far superior to his.

However, the rumors among the ninja over the past two years made Orochimaru resist the impulse in his heart, and he did not choose to act the first time he saw Chao Yanqian.

Sage Mode.

After studying forbidden techniques for so many years, how could Orochimaru not understand the power of Sage Mode? Just using the Curse Seal created from Jūgo's enzymes already granted immense power, let alone the perfect Sage Mode achieved by Chao Yanqian.

Orochimaru is never stingy,especially when faced with someone talented. He can completely ignore the other party's small acts of rudeness.

However, after hearing that the target of the assassin was also Kimimaro, Orochimaru felt that the anger in his heart was nearly uncontrollable.

The feeling of humiliation made Orochimaru extremely aggrieved.

"It seems that we really have a lot in common even the things we value are the same," Orochimaru's hoarse voice sounded extremely cold.

"Hehe! Presumably, Orochimaru-sama thinks that the child named Kimimaro is very suitable as your next vessel, right?" Chao Yanqian turned to look at Orochimaru, a smile on his face.

"Mm. Not bad," Orochimaru admitted frankly.

Letting Chao Yanqian spend so long in his laboratory, Orochimaru certainly had reason to believe that Chao Yanqian had discovered the forbidden technique he was studying.

However, Orochimaru guarded [Living Corpse Reincarnation] quite strictly, and Chao Yanqian didn't get the slightest information about the technique.

"That's truly a shame. Although this child has great talent, he has a high probability of dying from a hemorrhagic disease. Except for me and Tsunade-sama, no one could let this child live past twenty." A cheerful yet malicious smile appeared on Chao Yanqian's face.

Orochimaru's expression suddenly turned very ugly, but then he asked with some suspicion, "Oh? How did you get this child? That old man, the Third Hokage, wouldn't have let you bring him back to the village."

"As for the Third Hokage, I naturally have my ways," Chao Yanqian said with a smile. "As for why I took the child of course it's to study the bloodline limit. According to my intelligence, this Kaguya clan may be descendants of the Sage of Six Paths."

With Jiraiya's intelligence network, and if Chao Yanqian casually revealed a bit of information, he could easily exchange the right for Kimimaro to stay in Konoha with the Third Hokage.

"Sage of Six Paths?" Orochimaru said in surprise. "You'd believe such rumors?"

"Perhaps I inherited Lord Orochimaru's curiosity. I'm very interested in the Sage of Six Paths and have done some secret investigations. If Lord Orochimaru is willing, we can exchange information," Chao Yanqian laughed.

"I never believed such baseless rumors," Orochimaru replied lightly.

"Well, if Lord Orochimaru is unwilling, then so be it. But if you change your mind, you can tell me next time we meet," said Chao Yanqian.

According to a conversation between Yakushi Kabuto and Uchiha Madara, Chao Yanqian suspected that Orochimaru had conducted an in-depth investigation into the Ōtsutsuki clan and might even have information on how to awaken the Rinnegan.

Unlike Orochimaru, Chao Yanqian only knew a little about the Ōtsutsuki clan from manga in a previous life and various online discussions. Perhaps the information Chao Yanqian held was more accurate than Orochimaru's but the intel in Orochimaru's possession must also be very valuable.

However, Orochimaru was clearly unwilling to reveal more, and Chao Yanqian could not force it.

"If the Third Hokage knew about you, I doubt you'd be living so freely in Konoha," Orochimaru sneered.

"Who would believe a traitor's words?" Chao Yanqian replied with disdain.

"Haha! Looks like your strength has made you bold…" Orochimaru said quietly.

"If Orochimaru-sama wants to fight, you can start anytime. Though the Akatsuki organization is unfathomable, and the Rinnegan is indeed powerful, I doubt they'd dare provoke Konoha easily," Chao Yanqian said calmly.

"That's amazing, Chao Yanqian! Even the deepest secrets of the Akatsuki are known to you," Orochimaru's hoarse voice could not hide his shock.

When he first saw Pain, Orochimaru was deeply shocked. He never expected that the legendary Rinnegan truly existed. And that kind of pressure from the eyes was completely different from even the Sharingan.

It was precisely after seeing the Rinnegan that Orochimaru began investigating the Sage of Six Paths and came to believe he might have really existed.

But for Chao Yanqian, who had never even been in contact with the Akatsuki, to know of the Rinnegan this shocked Orochimaru. Could there be a secret link between Chao Yanqian and the Akatsuki?

"Let's talk about the child," Chao Yanqian looked at the battle ending at the foot of the mountain and said to Orochimaru, "Lord Orochimaru shouldn't be interested in a child afflicted with hemorrhagic disease."

"Hmph." Orochimaru gave a gloomy snort, then turned and left.

It was a pleasant conversation nothing was more satisfying than seeing one's former superior slump in defeat.

Although I didn't get any useful information, at least I reestablished contact with Orochimaru, and our relationship shifted from superior-subordinate to one of equal partnership.

Chao Yanqian still looked forward to Orochimaru, a super-genius in the art of forbidden jutsu. Compared to Orochimaru, Chao Yanqian merely had strong adaptability and fast learning skills.

Even Kakashi had already developed the S-rank ninjutsu [Raikiri], but Chao Yanqian still had no clue how to develop a technique of his own.

After confirming Orochimaru's chakra was out of range, I slowly walked toward Kirigakure. If I arrived too late, Kimimaro might be killed by a Mist ninja.

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