Jiraiya couldn't help but feel suspicious of the villagers' attitude. The respect and admiration they had for Orochimaru seemed almost surreal. A thought crossed his mind, could these villagers be constructs Orochimaru created himself? Or was he caught in some kind of illusion?
In Jiraiya's mind, even high-ranking nobles in major countries didn't inspire this kind of reverence.
"Huh? You're one of Lord Orochimaru's companions, aren't you?" a villager asked, noticing Jiraiya's puzzled expression. "How come you don't know all this?"
"Yeah, it's kind of strange!" another villager agreed.
"Oh, that's because I've been away for years, traveling the world," Jiraiya responded, quickly coming up with an excuse. "I haven't seen him in a long time."
The simple explanation seemed to satisfy the villagers. They were straightforward people and didn't question Jiraiya further. In fact, they began eagerly sharing stories about Orochimaru and everything he had done for them.
As Jiraiya listened, he pieced together the bigger picture. Orochimaru had initially employed some locals to work in his mines, providing them wages. Later, to make things easier, he allowed the workers and their families to settle in this hidden village. Using clones, he protected them from the threat of wandering ninjas, creating a safe environment where they could live without fear.
In other words, Sound Village truly served as a shield for this region, keeping its people safe.
"Could Orochimaru really be the Child of Prophecy?" Jiraiya murmured to himself, deep in thought.
The prophecy from the Great Toad Sage had foretold the coming of a figure who would transform the entire ninja world. And Orochimaru's actions here, building a peaceful community, protecting people from harm, certainly had the potential to bring about change on a grand scale.
Maybe it made sense that Orochimaru was the Child of Prophecy. But the Toad Sage had also said that this prophesied child would be Jiraiya's disciple.
"If Orochimaru isn't the Child of Prophecy, then who is it?" Jiraiya wondered aloud, feeling increasingly conflicted. "Why do I feel like that person is right here, so close?"
Lost in thought, Jiraiya continued walking towards Sound Village, his mind swirling with doubts. Just then, a burst of cheerful laughter interrupted his musings.
"Haha! This is incredible!" Yahiko stretched his arms, his face lit up with excitement. "There's no war here, and the villagers are so friendly!"
"Yeah, it's almost too good to believe!" Konan chimed in, looking around at the peaceful surroundings with a bright smile.
They were still just children, and despite their hardships, they hadn't become jaded. After receiving Orochimaru's kindness and seeing this peaceful life with their own eyes, they couldn't help but be drawn to it.
In the world they knew, especially in smaller countries, who didn't long for a stable life without war?
Nagato, too, couldn't hide a small smile as he looked at his two friends. He wasn't smiling because he was overjoyed himself, but because seeing Yahiko and Konan happy warmed his heart. Ever since he'd lost his parents, these two had been his whole world.
Chana, who had been listening to the children, gave a gentle smile. "So, do you like it here?"
"Of course!" Yahiko replied enthusiastically. "Hey, Jiraiya-sensei!"
"Oh? How does it feel here?" Jiraiya asked, amused by Yahiko's enthusiasm.
Yahiko launched into an excited description of everything he had seen, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Jiraiya's gaze had shifted. He was staring at Nagato. 𝙧Ἀ𝐍ȰᛒƐS̩
A light breeze blew, and Nagato's long red hair swayed, revealing his eyes, the legendary Rinnegan.
"The Rinnegan?" Jiraiya's heart skipped a beat as he took in the sight.
As a summoner of Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya knew very well what the Rinnegan symbolized. These were the eyes of a legend, the Sage of Six Paths, the mythical founder of ninjutsu.
Jiraiya had traveled the world for years, but he had never expected to see these eyes with his own. He hadn't noticed before, but now, seeing them up close, he could hardly believe it.
"How could he have these eyes?" Jiraiya's mind raced, and a chill ran through him. "Could this child be…"
On the other side of the village, in a room adjacent to Sound Village's main office, the atmosphere had returned to calm.
Orochimaru never would have expected that he'd end up sitting here in his Sound Village office, chatting with Tsunade of all people. The thought alone felt surreal.
"Hey, Orochimaru, what's on your mind?" Tsunade's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
Orochimaru blinked, coming back to the present. "Oh, nothing. I was just noticing it's getting dark outside. Do you want to grab something to eat?"
"Hold on… Just wait a moment," Tsunade said, her voice soft but firm.
"Why?" Orochimaru asked, slightly confused.
Tsunade's lips curved into a gentle smile. "Because…"
Because there was no need for Orochimaru to worry about anything outside tonight.
"You've been staring at it for so long. Want to feel it again?"
As Tsunade spoke, she untied her robe, and her massive peaks spilled out.
Orochimaru gently played with them, kneading and shaping them in his hands.
Thus, the night carried on—peaceful, quiet, and unforgettable.