Chapter 91

By the time Yudao and Ranmaru arrived in Konoha, the selection for the third stage of the exam had already been completed.

And to find out, it was enough to simply ask any random passer-by about the Chuunin Exam, because the final stage was held in public.

But Yudao did not come to Konoha to watch the Genin games, but without exaggeration, the legendary Ichiraku Ramen really interested him.

Therefore, having learned the way from passers-by, he headed for Ichiraku Ramen together with Ranmaru, because who knows whether there will be such an opportunity later...

Upon arrival at the place, they saw a completely ordinary, small restaurant with no visitors.

- Master, two bowls of branded ramen for us! – Yudao, who entered, smiled welcomingly at the owner of Ichiraku Ramen behind the counter.

“Just a minute, guest,” Teuchi nodded with a smile.

Soon, Ranmaru and Yudao were served two bowls of flavored ramen.

While eating, the face of the legendary First Mizukage reflected true bliss. And although the vaunted Ichiraku Ramen did not quite live up to his initially high expectations, the taste of the ramen still turned out to be excellent, without any complaints.

“This ramen is incredible, Yudao-sama!” – Ranmaru exclaimed excitedly, continuing to eat ramen on both cheeks next to Yudao.

Ring...

Soon the curtain at the entrance was drawn aside.

And a slightly thin shinobi wearing round glasses walked inside.

“Master, I’d like some ramen too, please,” Kabuto smiled as he entered.

- Everything will be in the best possible way! – Teuchi nodded again.

Then Kabuto's gaze caught on Yudao and Ranmaru; there were no other customers at Ichiraku Ramen now.

When he looked at Ranmaru, a flash of bewilderment and incomprehension flashed across his face at what a small child had forgotten here at such a moment.

“Orochimaru-sama invites you...” he sat down next to Yudao and whispered to Kabuto, his glasses flashing.

But soon Orochimaru's envoy discovered that Yudao continued to eat noodles as if nothing had happened, as if he did not hear him at all.

“Hmm, it seems you didn’t understand, I was ordered to take you to Orochimaru-sama...” he repeated, coughing awkwardly and in a slightly raised tone.

- I see this guy, Orochimaru, sent you to me, but forgot to mention who I am? – Yudao calmly answered without looking up from his ramen.

“Brother, brother, can you give your noodles to Ranmaru if you’re not going to eat?” – Ranmaru suddenly looked up from his food and made a pitiful face when the puzzled Kabuto was about to continue the conversation.

At these words, Orochimaru’s closest subordinate suddenly shuddered in place and turned his head towards the voice, where he saw a cute-looking child. A moment earlier, he felt danger with all his skin!

“Yes, yes... of course...” he answered in a slightly trembling voice.

“Go and tell Orochimaru to act according to his plan, and don’t worry about me,” then a calm voice, which brought cold sweat to his forehead, sounded in Kabuto’s ears.

After that, he slowly stood up from his seat and, casting a gaze at the two figures who were eating ramen as if nothing had happened, he hurriedly left the small restaurant.

Yudao had a rough idea of ​​Orochimaru's thoughts, but no longer saw much point in using it.

The main function of the Sannin was to introduce Suna into the game, and now he can only hold back part of the forces of Konoha, nothing more.

In addition, Yudao did not care at all whether Orochimaru was harboring any other secret plans.

"Speaking of the Sannin, Jiraiya also returned to Konoha and will probably run into Naruto?" – Yudao whispered to himself with a slight smile.

It’s just a pity, it will be difficult for the Perverted Hermit to take a place in Naruto’s heart after what happened with Yoshiro Kinoshita.

Of course, unless he takes the boy to training and gets enough time to influence him, like in the manga or anime.

But who said that he would have such an opportunity?

***

Birds chirped peacefully around the spacious terrace.

“It’s so calm here, no... now the whole Land of Fire is too calm, while others are preparing for war...” Orochimaru croaked quietly, leaning his back against a mahogany column in this peaceful and prosperous atmosphere of Konoha.

Knock-Knock...

- Orochimaru-sama! – soon the sound of hurried steps was heard from the side and a respectful Kabuto appeared in front of the Sannin.

- Oh, alive? – Orochimaru licked his lips predatorily, seeing in front of him a safe and sound shinobi in round glasses.

What he heard stunned Kabuto; he didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.

- Who was that? – but then he remembered the stranger’s words and asked Sannin, puzzled.

- M? Better be glad that you don’t know, otherwise you would have already gone to the pure world! – Orochimaru answered with a hint of sarcasm, but his golden snake eyes said that he was completely serious.

What he heard again stunned Kabuto.

From what he saw, he immediately concluded that even Sannin was afraid of that young man!

“Orochimaru-sama, just act according to your plan, and you don’t have to worry about him,” then he adjusted his glasses and accurately quoted Yudao.

- Nothing surprising. I don’t know if it’s time to send the old man to rest...” Orochimaru grinned coldly.

“Orochimaru-sama, do you really doubt it?” I don’t know what will happen next, but I feel Konoha is in for big problems. Did you... for some purpose become the fuse yourself? – Kabuto whispered quietly.

“Listen, sometimes you are too attentive, now I even feel embarrassed...” Orochimaru narrowed his eyes sharply at what he heard and cast a piercing glance at his overly perceptive subordinate.

In response, Kabuto only grinned wryly, as if he didn’t feel the murderous gaze on him at all, because he understood perfectly well that the Sannin would not get rid of such a useful tool.

And he also guessed that the murder of the Third Hokage and the capture of the small Uchiha were not Orochimaru’s true goals.

Therefore, he was increasingly tormented by curiosity about what the true goal was and what would it lead to?

“What other secrets does Konoha hide that I don’t know?” – Orochimaru whispered thoughtfully, fixing his flickering gaze on the majestic Hokage Rock in the distance.