Hiruzen persuaded me to die

[Lava Style Kekkei Genkai mastered. Water Chakra +200, Earth Chakra +200.]

The system notification rang out as Naraku absorbed the essence of the Lava Style.

However, no notification for Boil Style followed.

"Figured as much," Naraku mused, his expression flat. "Boil Style's application hasn't matured yet. The system probably doesn't even know what to reward me with."

Boil Release's corrosive acid mist combined with searing heat had incredible potential.

Especially when paired with physical combat.

Tsunade's famed strength came from precise chakra control and explosive bursts of power. But what if that explosiveness came not from raw chakra—but from boiling it?

Boil Style could do just that.

"Ever consider applying Boil Release to taijutsu?" Naraku asked casually.

"Taijutsu?" Terumi Mei blinked, confused.

Boil Release was typically a silent killer. Acid mist that ate away at flesh. Not something one would throw a punch with.

She tilted her head, suspicious. "Is this your Kekkei Genkai, or mine?"

"You might want to workshop it. Later," Naraku replied with a vague shrug, not even pretending to hide his disinterest.

Terumi Mei narrowed her eyes. Was this guy seriously lecturing her on her own Kekkei Genkai—after just learning it?

A soft clap echoed across the clearing.

"Well done, Naraku-kun," came a drawling voice. "To master Boil Release so easily… as expected."

Naraku didn't even turn to look. "Orochimaru."

The pale figure in the flowing kimono approached leisurely, his golden, snake-like eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Next to him trailed a small, androgynous child with dirty cheeks and quiet eyes.

Terumi Mei tensed at once, instinctively stepping forward.

"S-Class rogue ninja... Orochimaru," she muttered.

Even in the Land of Water, his name was infamous. One of Konoha's legendary Sannin—now a fugitive.

"What are you doing in Kirigakure?!"

Orochimaru smiled as if she'd complimented his shoes.

"Surely you don't think it's difficult to enter the Mist, do you?"

He didn't have to say it. He'd infiltrated every major village at least once. Nothing was off-limits.

Naraku merely nodded in acknowledgment. This was nothing new. Orochimaru had been moving unchecked for years.

Even before defecting from Konoha, he'd stolen research from Kumogakure. He'd snatched Kabuto from under Iwagakure's nose after they killed Nonō Yakushi. He'd abducted Kimimaro during the Kaguya Clan rebellion, and later sent him to fetch Jūgo for experiments on natural energy.

A genius, yes.

A problem, definitely.

Naraku's eyes flicked to the child beside Orochimaru.

Pale skin. Soft features. Unreadable expression.

"And that is…?"

"A child from the Yuki Clan," Orochimaru replied. "Name's Haku."

He patted the child's head. "I plan to study Ice Release through him."

Haku bowed reverently. "Haku will become a useful tool for Lord Orochimaru."

Naraku nodded to himself.

Figures.

With Konoha and Kirigakure at each other's throats recently, the timing had changed. Haku, who would've met Zabuza in another timeline, had instead crossed paths with Orochimaru.

"Been a while, hasn't it, Naraku-kun?" Orochimaru said, his tone oddly genuine. "I must say, I didn't expect you to become Hokage."

Naraku gave a slight smirk.

It was true they'd met before. The sword on his hip—Kusanagi—had once been Orochimaru's.

He still remembered their transaction clearly.

But even he hadn't expected to become Hokage this soon.

"You've grown powerful," Orochimaru went on, almost admiringly. "Your battles have become legends. You defeated the AB duo. Crushed Kumogakure. Tamed the Three Tails with a single blow…"

His eyes narrowed as he examined Naraku's features.

"Those eyes… are those the evolved Byakugan?"

Naraku tapped his temple lightly. "Enhanced. Let's leave it at that."

A pale blue snowflake-like pattern shimmered faintly in his eyes—beautiful, deadly.

"A true evolution… yes. You and I are more alike than you think, Naraku-kun."

Orochimaru's voice dipped into fascination. "We both seek answers. Knowledge. Power. Curiosity guides us."

He motioned to Haku. "You want to use Terumi Mei's Boil Release. I want to understand Haku's Ice Release. We walk the same path."

"Oi."

The two men looked over.

Terumi Mei's arms were crossed, expression sharp. "Am I invisible here?"

She glared at Naraku.

"Didn't you used to be Konoha's Hokage? Why aren't you arresting your own rogue ninja?"

Naraku raised an eyebrow. "We're in your village, no?"

He turned, mock-thoughtful. "Wouldn't it be rude of me to take action without Kirigakure's permission?"

"What?!"

Terumi Mei nearly exploded.

What the hell did that even mean?!

"You're letting him go?!"

"Why not?" Naraku said, bored. "If he's not attacking Konoha, I don't really care what he does."

"He's abducting a child from Kirigakure!" she snapped. "That boy belongs to us! He's Yuki Clan—part of the Mist's bloodline!"

Orochimaru tilted his head, eyes narrowing.

"And what will you do if I don't return him?"

His smile deepened.

He didn't seem remotely worried—even here, in enemy territory.

His snake-like tongue flicked at the air.

Terumi Mei stiffened, her chakra surging. "You don't scare me."

Orochimaru's pupils narrowed. "Good."