Chao Yanqian stepped out of Orochimaru's camp, wandering aimlessly among the countless ninjas moving about, watching the busy shinobi coming and going while lost in thought.
Sunagakure's unknown conspiracy was, of course, the biggest concern at the moment, but that was something for Konoha's high-ranking officials to worry about. It had little to do with Chao Yanqian directly. What he wanted most now was to uncover Sasori of the Red Sand's plot to assassinate the Third Kazekage, expose Chiyo's involvement, and make a great contribution to Konoha.
The problem was that Chao Yanqian had no strength, no team, and no sources of intelligence. With daily missions consuming his time, there was no opportunity to investigate the matter. Even if he had time, there were no clues to follow.
Seeking out Sasori himself would be no different from walking into death. The crime scene had long been cleaned up, and by now, there were likely no traces left behind.
"Forget it, I'll just go with the flow." The cold wind in the camp snapped Chao Yanqian out of his thoughts. He let out a wry smile and sighed.
If he couldn't seize this opportunity, so be it. The war was far from over, and there would be more chances to earn merit.
"Oh! Isn't this the famous Chao Yanqian? Why are you sighing all alone? Don't tell me you failed a mission and got scolded by Lord Orochimaru!" A teasing voice came from behind him.
Chao Yanqian turned his head and saw a three-man team consisting of Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, and another Konoha shinobi. Without much expression, he asked, "What do you want?"
"Hey! We're old classmates, don't be so cold!" Asuma grinned as if they were brothers.
"When did you get here?" Chao Yanqian asked.
"Just arrived yesterday," Asuma shrugged and said casually.
"Yanqian, when we first got here, we heard people talking about you. Have you been doing well since graduation?" Kurenai smiled.
"It's been fine." He replied flatly, glancing at the three of them before asking curiously, "Are you three free?"
"We're transporting supplies, and tomorrow we'll escort a group of wounded back to Konoha," Kurenai explained.
"Hey! Missions are supposed to be confidential!" Asuma complained.
Kurenai stuck out her tongue and said softly, "Oops, sorry!"
"Hey, isn't that Kakashi, Obito, and Rin?" Asuma suddenly pointed at three figures in the distance.
"Looks like a lot of us from the academy ended up in this camp!" Kurenai said with interest.
Just then, Kakashi and his teammates noticed Chao Yanqian's group and walked over to them.
"I didn't expect to run into you here," Nohara Rin greeted enthusiastically.
"Rin, I didn't expect to see you either," Kurenai smiled.
Seeing a group of his old classmates gathered together, Chao Yanqian unexpectedly didn't find the noise as irritating as before. Back in the academy, he had always disliked such chatter, but now, it felt oddly nostalgic.
"Long time no see," Kakashi greeted as he approached.
"Yeah. How does it feel to go back to the village doing D-rank missions?" Chao Yanqian teased.
"It's fine," Kakashi replied, his masked face hiding any expression, but he was likely embarrassed.
"You seem different," Kakashi observed, glancing at Chao Yanqian.
"Oh? Really?" Chao Yanqian replied indifferently. "Maybe it's because I've killed more and more people. My heart's getting colder. Funny how it makes me miss our academy days."
"Hey! What are you two whispering about?" Uchiha Obito suddenly approached suspiciously, frowning at Kakashi.
"It's nothing. You all can keep talking—I have things to do." Chao Yanqian said coolly before turning to leave.
"Yanqian!" Kurenai called out. "It's rare for all of us to be together. Why don't you stay and talk for a bit?"
"Sorry, I have other matters to take care of," he replied.
"Forget it, Kurenai. He's always been like this," Rin said with a soft sigh, shaking her head.
Leaving his old classmates behind, Chao Yanqian walked toward the forest outside the camp. He exhaled quietly, lost in thought.
"I really don't belong in that kind of scene."
Being a carefree shinobi like them, doing whatever mission they were assigned—that wasn't something Chao Yanqian could or even wanted to do. He had his own ambitions. He wanted to become the strongest. He wanted to unravel the mysteries of chakra, decipher the secrets of the world, and, most importantly, uncover the truth behind his own existence.
That was why he had to abandon attachments. Once he had bonds, they would only become burdens.
In the end, he and his classmates weren't on the same path.
"You saw your old friends and barely talked to them."
The hoarse voice sent a chill down his spine. It was Orochimaru.
Damn it! Isn't he supposed to be in the main camp with Jiraiya? Why is he here?
Immediately, Chao Yanqian pushed down all emotions and replied calmly, "There wasn't much to talk about, Lord Orochimaru."
"I think we're the same kind of people. Don't you agree, Yanqian?" Orochimaru's voice slithered like a serpent.
"Lord Orochimaru, do you have instructions for me?" Chao Yanqian asked, bowing slightly with feigned respect.
"I like dealing with smart people. I can see your ambition." Orochimaru's voice was hypnotic. "In Konoha, your ambitions will never come to fruition. So, are you willing to follow me?"
Orochimaru's words felt like a stone dropped into the depths of Chao Yanqian's heart.
Years of planning—wasn't this the moment he had been waiting for?
Stay calm. Stay composed.
"I have no ambitions," Chao Yanqian replied obediently.
"Hahahahaha!" Orochimaru laughed coldly, his voice dripping with mockery. After a pause, his snake-like eyes glinted with a dangerous light. "Then tell me—what were you doing at Konoha Hospital?"
Damn it! He's been investigating me! Chao Yanqian cursed inwardly.
"Lord Orochimaru truly sees everything," he said, lowering his head in respect.
"Then, what is your decision?" Orochimaru asked in a deep tone.
"I am honored," Chao Yanqian replied with a smile.
"Heh… Chao Yanqian, I'll be expecting great things from you." With those words, Orochimaru disappeared in a wisp of smoke.
"Tch! A shadow clone again," Chao Yanqian muttered in annoyance.
Orochimaru's invitation had come as a surprise. A man like him undoubtedly had countless subordinates, spies, and followers. Even if he defected from Konoha one day, he would leave behind plenty of sleeper agents.
So why recruit him now, in this place, at this moment?
Chao Yanqian was a cautious person. Even though Orochimaru's offer was exactly what he had been waiting for, he needed to understand the real reason behind it.
Was this just a whim of Orochimaru's? Or had he been planning this for a long time?
Or… was there an even deeper scheme at play?