Naruto: Starting from the Reincarnation of the Otsutsuki

Orochimaru!

Orochimaru!

Orochimaru!

The shouts grew louder and louder, and many villagers were already in tears.

Faced with this almost fanatical support, Orochimaru simply smiled faintly, nodding and shaking hands with everyone on both sides, calmly accepting their respect.

His originally cold and sinister smile, under the bright sunlight, inexplicably appeared gentle and dazzling.

It even gives people the illusion that it is reliable enough to entrust everything to.

Jiraiya stood quietly to the side, gazing at his best friend's profile with a complex expression.

That face was still the one he knew so well.

But the Orochimaru before him seemed to overlap with the figure in his memory at some point.

Orochimaru, who once inspired confidence to entrust one's back to him in any crisis.

Orochimaru... you're still the same old you.

Jiraiya sighed softly to himself.

But soon, his gaze involuntarily drifted toward Minato Namikaze, who was a little behind him.

Although Minato had a smile on his face, there was a hint of sadness in that smile. However, more than anything, it was a sense of relief at the end of the war and a longing for peace.

Jiraiya's mind immediately became chaotic again.

One is a close friend who has stood by me for many years, through thick and thin, and is now gradually getting back on track.

One was a disciple with exceptional talent and a pure heart, upon whom he had placed his prophecy and hope.

The position of Hokage...

Are they really so important that we have to choose between them?

This question was like a thorn, stuck in his heart for a long time.

But now, they are exposed to the sunlight and cheers, leaving them nowhere to hide.

For a moment, Jiraiya was also somewhat bewildered.

"Lord Jiraiya." Just then, a clear voice rang out from behind, pulling Jiraiya back to reality.

"Hmm? What's wrong, kid?"

Jiraiya turned his head to look at his side, where Hyuga Seiran was standing with Hyuga Yumi, whose eyes were wrapped in clean bandages, behind his back.

"I previously selected a technique from the village's ninjutsu library that you had collected." Hyuga Seiran paused, as if considering his words.

"I was thinking... if there's a chance, could you perhaps give me a little guidance?"

"Give me some pointers..."

Jiraiya subconsciously touched his chin.

Some people in the village were interested in his ninjutsu, and as a senior and high-ranking member, he was naturally not unhappy.

Normally, he might even be in a good mood and put on an air of "This immortal is reluctantly teaching you a couple of tricks."

But things are different now; the situation in Konoha right now is far too sensitive.

The "guidance" among ninjas was never just a simple teaching exercise.

In the ninja world, privately teaching someone a technique often signifies closer relationships, a declaration of allegiance, or even the tacit acceptance of a lineage.

Especially in Konoha.

Once the relationships of teacher and student, master and disciple are established, they are often given more meaning by the outside world than the literal meaning.

However, Hinata Seiran's identity is exceptionally special.

The Hyuga clan, along with other families in the village with close ties to the Hyuga clan, are preparing to evacuate...

That's too sensitive.

Thinking of this, Jiraiya suddenly grinned and said in a deliberately teasing tone, "The training of ninjutsu ultimately depends on personal understanding."

He changed the subject, a sly glint in his eyes: "However... you can go ask Orochimaru for advice first. If Orochimaru doesn't know the answer, then you can come to me, the sage, later!"

Upon hearing this, Hinata Seiran's face showed a faint hint of disappointment, but it quickly brightened again.

"I understand... but thank you anyway, Jiraiya-sama."

"Thank me?"

"Because you said that spiritual practice depends on one's own understanding. I'm thinking that perhaps this applies not only to ninjutsu, but to many things as well."

"Trust in your own heart and your own judgment... In this way, no matter what difficulties you encounter, you can bravely move forward."

"Thank you so much, Lord Jiraiya!"

After saying that, Hyuga Seiran no longer lingered, carrying Hyuga Yumi on his back, and walked along the street towards the Hyuga clan's territory.

Goodbye... Jiraiya-sama.

Give your heart to yourself...

Jiraiya stood frozen in place, watching Hyuga Seiran's departing figure. He then slowly turned his head to look at Orochimaru, who still smiled calmly in the sunlight, and Minato, whose eyes were clear behind him.

Suddenly, he burst out laughing.

The hearty laughter seemed to instantly dispel the fog that had accumulated in my heart.

yes……

Give your heart to yourself.

Why force a choice between a close friend and a disciple?

I am—

The toad sage of Mount Myōboku.

...

On the other side of the street.

"Qinglan, you're better at developing the Byakugan than I am, so you can go to the main family's secret vault and pick out a good pair for me!"

Hinata Yumi lay quietly on Hinata Seiran's back, her eyes covered by clean medical bandages, her voice soft and gentle, like a feather.

"Qinglan, what do you think... what should we do if there is rejection after the Byakugan is transplanted?" Her hands gently wrapped around Hinata Qinglan's shoulders, the force was very light, but it revealed an unconcealable unease.

Without the Byakugan, is Hyuga still Hyuga?

Can a clan with no value continue to be high and mighty?

She dared not think too deeply about these questions.

The more I think about it, the more afraid I become.

Receiving no immediate response, she tilted her head slightly and softly called out again, "Qinglan... are you listening?"

"Qinglan, if I don't have the White Eye anymore, you'll protect me, right?"

"Really?"

"certainly."

Hinata Seiran carried her on his back, his face devoid of much emotion. "Miss Yumi, just as Jiraiya-sama taught you, you must learn to entrust your heart to yourself."

"If you don't even believe in yourself... how can things get better?"

"Really?"

"Of course, I could never do something like deceiving a woman."

Upon hearing this, Hinata Yumi was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"You used to say I could go to the battlefield..."

"That was just to encourage you, to protect you, Miss Yumi."

"..."

"Thank you, Qinglan..."

"I really shouldn't have treated you like that before..."

"It's okay."

"Miss Yumi, can I really go to the main family's secret vault? After all, the vault is currently guarded by..."

"It's alright, I can just tell the clan chief."

"..."

The two walked in hushed tones under the bright sunlight.

From a distance, they actually looked quite like siblings, sharing a harmonious and peaceful relationship.

However, at a window seat in a meatball shop on the street, several pairs of eyes fell on them simultaneously, each with a strange expression.

"When...did they become so close?"

Mitarashi Azuko took a bite of the last glutinous rice ball, her eyes still fixed on the receding figures outside the window.

"Haven't they always had a good relationship?"

Sitting opposite her, Genma Shiranui, with a senbon in his mouth, lazily glanced out the window.

It wasn't until he caught sight of Anko's "Are you kidding me?" expression that he looked at Ebisu beside him. The two locked eyes and almost simultaneously added their own thoughts.

"At least from an outsider's perspective, that's how it appears x2."