Naruto: Kushina's Redemption, My Revenge

After parting ways with Kushina Uzumaki, Chinya returned to Orochimaru's hideout.

Orochimaru was in the middle of packing up supplies at the base.

Seeing Chinya return, Orochimaru set down what he was holding. He smirked and teased, "Didn't want to spend a bit more time with Kushina?"

Chinya's face flushed slightly. "Konoha hasn't been very safe lately, so I sent her home early."

Orochimaru continued packing while asking casually, "Is that so? Then have you made your decision yet?"

Chinya asked, puzzled. "Decision?"

Orochimaru answered, "I assume you already know why Kushina came to Konoha. Since you don't have other friends, and you've worked so hard to grow stronger, I think it's mostly for Kushina's sake, right?

Konoha wants Kushina to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. From your attitude toward Lady Mito, I assume you're against this decision."

He paused briefly before continuing, "So now you must decide—will you allow Kushina to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, or will you try to stop it?

You must decide early enough. Lady Mito's health is getting worse day by day. Once it's too late to turn back, even if you resist, there won't be anything you can do to change it."

Chinya stared at Orochimaru in silence for a long while.

Unfazed by Chinya's gaze, Orochimaru kept packing.

Finally, after a long pause, Chinya softly asked, "Teacher Orochimaru, I don't understand. You know I'll eventually leave Konoha, which I regard as a prison. Why do you still go out of your way to train me?

On the day I leave Konoha, Teacher Orochimaru, we might even become enemies."

Looking at Chinya, Orochimaru lightly smiled. "Chinya, I thought you would understand me."

Chinya caught his breath.

Indeed, Chinya knew where Orochimaru would eventually head.

But as for present-day Orochimaru, Chinya truly couldn't understand his motives. According to Chinya's understanding, Orochimaru should have been loyal to Konoha, given how hard he'd worked for it and how carefully he'd planned everything.

Orochimaru looked at Chinya with snake-like eyes and said, "To me, things like the Will of Fire aren't important at all—they are replaceable.

In my opinion, these ideas only restrict me and prevent me from doing certain things freely.

Life is too short. Being cautious because of such ideas is just wasting one's time.

Yet, these things are not easily abandoned. Both you and I need an identity to survive in the Shinobi World, don't we?"

Chinya asked, "Then...Teacher Orochimaru, will you help me?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "Let me clearly tell you—no, if it's only as master and apprentice. But if you can offer benefits attractive enough to intrigue me, then perhaps we could work together as partners."

Chinya smirked. "Teacher Orochimaru, I can clearly tell you that my decision has already been made, and I've also come up with a solution. I hope that in the future, I'll be able to cooperate with Teacher Orochimaru as partners."

Orochimaru laughed. "Then I look forward to that day. However, Kushina being the candidate for the second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is extremely important to Konoha. I'm curious about the method you have in mind."

A sharp glint flashed through Chinya's eyes. "Right now, Lord Mito is still alive. Kushina is only considered a backup vessel (for the Nine-Tails). Konoha values Kushina solely for her unique Uzumaki Clan constitution. Having an extra backup vessel from the Uzumaki Clan wouldn't be such a bad idea, would it?"

Orochimaru expressed surprise. "Oh? So it seems you've already found members of the lost Uzumaki Clan."

Chinya shook his head. "No, I haven't found them yet, but I do have clues. I believe if we search carefully, we will eventually find them."

Suddenly, Orochimaru asked, "And what if you can't find them?"

Chinya hesitated briefly before answering solemnly, "It will come down to how strong I am by then."

Orochimaru looked at Chinya, unable to suppress the grin on his face. "Truly resolute indeed, Chinya."

Chinya said gravely, "However, I believe such a moment won't arrive so soon. I still have time. Right now, all I need to do is improve my strength. As for the future, we'll naturally see how things develop when the time comes, and by then, I will surely think of more solutions."

Orochimaru agreed, "Indeed. The stronger you become, the more choices you'll have.

Chinya, you're very clever, and your power grows stronger every day. We've already analyzed the memories of those three Cloud Ninja—a pair of Tokubetsu Jonin and one Jonin. Additionally, those three ninja who disguised themselves as pirates were spies sent by Kiri to investigate the Land of Fire. They've already confessed everything.

With such achievements, unless something goes wrong, tomorrow you'll officially be promoted to Chunin. If this weren't peacetime, you might have already been promoted to a Tokubetsu Jonin or even a Jonin."

Chinya wasn't surprised by his promotion to Chunin.

He had planned to capture the Kiri spies alive and bring back the heads of the Cloud ninjas specifically for this—his promotion.

"Alright, rest well tonight. Once you arrive at the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water, there won't be much time left for proper rest."

"Yes, Teacher Orochimaru."

Chinya bid farewell to Orochimaru and returned to his room.

Lying on the bed, Chinya recalled the conversation he'd just had with Orochimaru.

Their conversation was basically a little mutual reveal of intentions.

Chinya was sure now—Orochimaru had already started experimenting with forbidden immortality techniques, no matter the cost.

Knowing that, Chinya felt even less worried about Orochimaru.

You could say he and Orochimaru were now tied together tight.

The next day.

The sky had not yet lightened when Chinya and Orochimaru went to see Hiruzen Sarutobi first. True to expectation, Hiruzen granted Chinya the rank of chunin.

After giving Orochimaru a few words of instruction, Hiruzen dismissed them. Chinya and Orochimaru headed toward the main gate of Konoha, preparing to head toward the Land of Hot Water from the Land of Fire.

At the village's main gate, Chinya encountered someone he both expected and didn't expect to see.

Kushina Uzumaki.

Chinya approached Kushina and gently rubbed her cheeks, which had turned slightly red from the morning chill.

"Why didn't you get some more sleep?"

"Just thinking about you leaving for River Country for so long kept me awake, and I also wanted to come see you off."

"Don't worry about me. I'll write letters and send them to you through my snakes. When you miss me, send your own snake with a letter."

Kushina stretched out her pinky finger. "Let's pinky swear!"

Chinya hooked his pinky with hers. "Sure thing! Pinky swear!"

After saying goodbye to Kushina, Chinya hit the road with Orochimaru toward the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water.

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