Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

After carefully examining Ye Zi's body, Tsunade walked over to Orochimaru, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion… and astonishment.

Ye Zi had only heard Tsunade mention the term "cell activity" before becoming dazed, immersed in the scene he had witnessed earlier. The glowing green hand and the man from whose sleeves snakes emerged had left him profoundly shocked. He had reason to believe that these were just fragments of a world's story, with even more incredible and incomprehensible things yet to come.

It seemed he had entered an extraordinary world.

"Orochimaru, come with me." Tsunade said in a lowered voice as she brushed past him.

Orochimaru's lips curved in a subtle smile. It seemed that the child was indeed extraordinary. He glanced at the dazed Ye Zi before following Tsunade a short distance away.

Ye Zi watched as Tsunade and Orochimaru's figures disappeared into the darkness. He did not pay much attention to their departure, instead turning his focus inward to think about the future.

The first thing was to understand this world. The second was to gain the power necessary for survival. The third was to find a way back home.

After witnessing the inhuman abilities of Tsunade and Orochimaru, Ye Zi felt that there might be a way to return to Earth. This thought filled him with motivation, and excitement was evident in his expression.

He had to go back…

The thought of Rui waiting alone in the hospital, facing death, made Ye Zi wish he could immediately return to Earth.

Clenching his fists tightly, Ye Zi suppressed the turmoil within him and worked to calm his emotions. He didn't want to reveal any signs of his inner turmoil in front of those two monsters. For now, what he could do was earn their trust and gradually understand this world before learning any unknown abilities.

Ye Zi stared fixedly at the fire, then slowly relaxed his clenched fists. Normally, the departure of Tsunade and Orochimaru would have been a good opportunity for escape, but with his goal set, Ye Zi might have turned and fled.

"Tsunade… Orochimaru…"

His gaze slightly unfocused, Ye Zi's lips moved slowly.

Snap.

A sudden sharp sound pierced the darkness, like a dry twig snapping underfoot.

Ye Zi's gaze immediately focused, his head turning slightly as he expressionlessly looked into the darkness, pretending to be indifferent.

Tsunade and Orochimaru emerged from the darkness, their expressions different. Orochimaru's was marked by coldness mixed with a hint of excitement, while Tsunade's was serious with a touch of concern.

He had no idea what they had been doing and, out of respect for their privacy, chose not to ask.

The night passed in silence…

A week later, at Konoha Village, Hokage's Office.

The third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, in his prime years, wore a thoughtful expression. At his simple desk sat Tsunade and Orochimaru. As for Ye Zi, after returning to Konoha Village, he had been temporarily settled in a place, and whether he could stay was still undecided.

After a long while, Hiruzen, looking at his proud student who showed no sign of yielding, said in a deep voice, "Even though the war has temporarily ceased, we cannot casually accept outsiders. War could break out again at any moment."

Saying this, Hiruzen furrowed his brow in frustration…

Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade…

The performances of these three students had been excellent, especially during this recent war, where they shone brightly. However, now that the war had just subsided, Jiraiya was temporarily staying outside to care for the war orphans. Yet, his most favored student, Orochimaru, had brought back a war orphan to the village, and Tsunade not only didn't dissuade him but also endorsed his decision.

Hiruzen had not yet met the child, but regardless of whether the child possessed a special bloodline or unique powers, it was hard for him to decide whether to let the child stay. After all, in a time of frequent conflicts, even a small child could potentially be an enemy spy.

"He must stay." Orochimaru said, maintaining a rare firm stance. This insistence was what confused Hiruzen. Could the child really have something special about him?

Tsunade, standing silently by, had kept quiet since entering the office and intended to remain so.

"You should understand the risks involved." Hiruzen said, raising his eyebrows slightly and tapping his finger on the desk. "We must eliminate any variables at the moment."

In fact, even if Hiruzen agreed to let the child stay, the Root organization hidden in the shadows would not allow it, unless…

Orochimaru showed no emotional reaction to Hiruzen's firm refusal. He replied indifferently, "The Anbu's capabilities are not so poor. Even a child without chakra could become a variable?"

Hiruzen's eyes flickered slightly, and he said in a low voice, "So, what exactly makes you so insistent on keeping this child?"

Orochimaru said, "He could grow into a towering tree in the future!"

Hiruzen stared silently at Orochimaru. If he truly became a towering tree, would he provide shelter for Konoha Village, or would he merely absorb its resources?

Such long-term concerns were things Hiruzen would only consider briefly and not delve into deeply, as he believed it was an impossible outcome.

So…

"He can stay, but the interrogation team must search his memories."

Orochimaru was momentarily taken aback but then agreed to the condition without hesitation. Given his young age and lack of chakra, if the interrogation team searched his memories, two outcomes were possible.

One was that Ye Zi would become mentally impaired. The other was that he would lose all his memories. Considering his condition, the likelihood of becoming mentally impaired was higher.

If he were to become mentally impaired so easily, there would be no need to keep him. If he lost all his memories, that would also be beneficial, allowing Ye Zi to start anew in Konoha. Either outcome was acceptable to Orochimaru. In fact, if there was a third outcome… that would be what Orochimaru did not want to see.

Tsunade trembled slightly upon hearing this but said nothing.

Orochimaru, you…

Hiruzen gave Orochimaru a deep look and finalized the decision.

At this moment, Ye Zi, who was attacking his meal, was unaware of this matter.