Chapter 91: Orochimaru's Purpose
When Yuto and Ranmaru arrived at the Leaf Village, the Chunin Exams had already begun, and even the third preliminary match had concluded.
It was not difficult to find out this information. The Chunin Exams were such a major event that anyone could provide the details if asked.
However, Yuto did not mind, as they had not come specifically to watch the competition.
Yuto showed considerable interest in the legendary Ichiraku Ramen, asking a Leaf Village resident for directions.
Yuto then led Ranmaru toward Ichiraku Ramen, thinking they might not have the chance to eat there again in the future.
It was a very ordinary small shop, and the entire ramen restaurant was not large. When Yuto and Ranmaru entered Ichiraku Ramen, they found no customers inside.
"Owner, two bowls of your specialty."
Yuto wore a gentle smile as he spoke to the owner of Ichiraku Ramen.
"Right away, customers," the ramen owner quickly responded.
Before long, two steaming bowls of ramen appeared before Yuto and Ranmaru.
After taking a bite, Yuto's eyes lit up. He had to admit that while this ramen shop was not as delicious as he had imagined, it was still quite good.
"Yuto-sama, this ramen is so delicious!"
Ranmaru, sitting beside Yuto, showed a satisfied expression on his small face and began eating heartily.
Ding-a-ling—
The curtain of Ichiraku Ramen was pulled open again, and a slightly built ninja wearing glasses walked in.
"Owner, I'd like a bowl of ramen too."
Yakushi Kabuto wore a gentle smile as he spoke to the owner of Ichiraku Ramen.
"Coming right up!" the owner of Ichiraku Ramen responded again.
Glancing around briefly, Yakushi Kabuto's gaze fell upon Yuto and Ranmaru, as they were the only two people in Ichiraku Ramen.
His gaze lingered briefly on Ranmaru, and a hint of confusion flashed in Yakushi Kabuto's eyes, as if he did not understand why there was a child here.
Yakushi Kabuto sat down next to Yuto, pushed up his glasses, and said in a low voice:
"Lord Orochimaru wishes to invite you both for a visit."
After speaking, Yakushi Kabuto waited for a moment, only to find that Yuto was still eating his ramen, as if he had not heard him at all.
"Cough, Lord Orochimaru has instructed me to invite you both for a visit."
Yakushi Kabuto coughed lightly and spoke again, this time raising his voice slightly.
"It seems that fellow Orochimaru did not tell you who I am," Yuto said without looking up, his tone indifferent.
Yakushi Kabuto was taken aback. Just as he was about to speak again, Ranmaru, sitting on the other side, suddenly looked up with a naive expression and said to Yakushi Kabuto:
"Big brother, if you're not going to eat your ramen, can Ranmaru have it?"
Hearing Ranmaru's words, Yakushi Kabuto could not help but tremble, stiffly turning his head to look at the child.
For some reason, this child suddenly gave him an extremely dangerous feeling.
"Y...yes," Yakushi Kabuto said stiffly.
"Go back and tell Orochimaru not to worry about me. He should just proceed with his own plan."
The faint voice entered Yakushi Kabuto's ears, causing a layer of cold sweat to appear on his forehead.
Yakushi Kabuto slowly backed out of Ichiraku Ramen, took a deep look at the two figures hunched over the table eating ramen, turned around, and quickly left the spot.
Yuto had guessed some of Orochimaru's intentions, but now, Orochimaru was no longer of much use to him.
Orochimaru's greatest purpose had already been served: to draw the Sand Ninja Village into the affair. As for any remaining use, in Yuto's view, it was merely to tie up some of the Leaf Village's forces.
As for whether Orochimaru had other small intentions, Yuto did not care at all.
"Speaking of which, that fellow Jiraiya should have arrived by now. Is he about to start making contact with Naruto?"
Yuto wore a faint smile and spoke softly.
Unfortunately, Kinoshita Jiro had already planted a seed in Naruto's heart. For Jiraiya to touch that part of Naruto's heart would likely be much more difficult than before.
Unless Jiraiya, just like in the original story, took Naruto out to train, it would be possible to have enough time to completely change Naruto.
But, would that opportunity still exist?
In a long corridor, the chirping of birds sounded all around, creating a sense of tranquility.
"This place is truly quiet. No, rather, this country is too peaceful. You know, all the other countries are currently busy expanding their armaments."
Orochimaru leaned against a mahogany pillar, speaking in a low voice.
Tap—tap—
Light footsteps sounded, and Kabuto appeared before Orochimaru, saying respectfully, "Lord Orochimaru!"
"Oh, you came back alive, did you."
Orochimaru glanced at Kabuto and licked his lips.
Kabuto was taken aback for a moment. He lowered his head, a wry smile on his face.
Recalling Yuto's words, Kabuto's tone held confusion. "Who was that gentleman?"
"You should be thankful that you don't know that person's name. Otherwise, what would appear before me would be a corpse."
Orochimaru let out a low, cold laugh, his tone serious.
Surprise flashed in Kabuto's eyes. From just a few of Orochimaru's sentences, Kabuto deduced that Orochimaru seemed to fear that young man somewhat.
"That person told Lord Orochimaru to proceed with his own plan and not to worry about him."
Kabuto pushed up his glasses and relayed to Orochimaru what Yuto had told him.
"An expected outcome. But speaking of which, I wonder if it would be interesting to take that old man's head." A cold smile hung on Orochimaru's face.
"Lord Orochimaru, are you hesitating? Although I don't know what will happen next, I feel the Leaf Village is likely to face great trouble."
"Lord Orochimaru, are you making yourself the fuse to draw something out?"
Kabuto stood up straight and spoke softly.
Hearing Kabuto's words, Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly. A faint killing intent suddenly emanated from him, enveloping Kabuto as he said indifferently, "You see things too clearly. That makes me a little displeased."
Feeling the killing intent from Orochimaru, Kabuto's face showed no trace of tension. Instead, a smile appeared on the corner of his lips.
As long as he possessed sufficient value, Lord Orochimaru would never kill him now.
Killing the Third Hokage, taking the Uchiha clan's descendant named Sasuke—these were absolutely not Lord Orochimaru's true objectives.
Therefore, this was what Kabuto was truly curious about: what was Lord Orochimaru's real purpose? Or what was he trying to draw out?
"The Leaf Village hides many secrets, even ones I am not aware of."
Orochimaru looked in the direction of the Hokage Rock, his brown, serpentine pupils flickering slightly.
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