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Chapter 84 - Ishiki… Humanity Has Its Limits!

"It's been a while, Ishiki."

Orochimaru smiled.

"Lord Orochimaru," Ishiki Kujo replied respectfully.

The Sannin pulled two unusual tags from his robes. As he handed one to Ishiki, he affixed the other to his own chest.

Ishiki followed suit.

And in the next moment, he heard Orochimaru's voice directly in his mind.

"Ishiki… what do you think of humanity?"

That stopped him cold.

He'd expected a hidden message—sure. Something about Root. About Danzo. About Turtle Island maybe.

But not this.

Before Ishiki could respond, Orochimaru continued, his mental voice smooth and seductive:

"I told you last time—I see great potential in you, Ishiki. Your talent in medical ninjutsu is the finest I've ever seen. Come work with me. Together… perhaps we can uncover the very truth of this world."

Ishiki didn't bite. Instead, he shot back with a question of his own:

"So… you're no longer interested in becoming Hokage?"

He'd always kept a respectful distance from Orochimaru. Admiration… with caution.

In this world, some people believed in bloodlines, some in willpower, some in the body, others in the eyes, or in inherited destiny… Orochimaru believed in science.

But Ishiki? He believed in fate.

They were not the same.

He didn't hate Orochimaru, but he had no intention of climbing into the snake's coils.

Orochimaru chuckled softly in Ishiki's head.

"You're smart. I can see your ambition too. But let me tell you something… In my brief time on this Earth, I've learned one unshakable truth:

Humanity has limits."

"What?" Ishiki's eyes widened. He hadn't expected that.

Orochimaru's tone turned wistful.

"The more a human plays with strategy, the more that strategy is doomed to collapse beneath the weight of unforeseen variables. If you truly wish to become Hokage, Ishiki, then power and reputation won't be enough.

Only by transcending humanity—becoming something beyond it—can you lead everyone toward the path you desire.

That is the path… for people like you and me."

It was a rare, genuine moment. A heartfelt offer from the man known to most as a monster.

And Ishiki could sense it—Orochimaru meant it.

But Ishiki wanted to say: Sorry, you've got the wrong guy.

He had no "ambitions." He had no plans of giving up his humanity.

He didn't want to be Hokage. He just wanted to be a mid-level office worker in Konoha.

So he answered, voice firm and clear:

"I refuse."

"I understand everything you're saying, Lord Orochimaru. But to me… as long as my heart belongs to Konoha, the fire of the Will won't die. Becoming Hokage doesn't matter. What matters is that the village endures—forever."

Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed slightly, and his smile faded just a bit.

"Even if the roots of that tree you love so dearly reject you? Even if they want to tear away the leaf you are?"

"Danzo represents no one but himself," Ishiki replied without hesitation. "Root is rotting. Only by cutting it away can Konoha bloom anew."

Orochimaru smiled again.

Then he ripped the tag off his chest.

And loudly—intentionally—announced:

"From this day forward, Ishiki Kujo is my disciple."

Heads turned. Konoha shinobi all around them froze, glancing at Ishiki with wide eyes.

Before Ishiki could even begin to protest, Orochimaru tossed a scroll at him and disappeared in a blur of movement, vanishing from the convoy.

Ishiki caught the scroll. Opened his mouth to speak.

But the only thing left of Orochimaru… was his fading silhouette.

And all around him, the shinobi of Konoha stared at him with envy.

Ishiki was dumbfounded.

Orochimaru hadn't intended for him to accept. He hadn't even given him a choice.

This man was already half out the door of humanity—and dragging Ishiki along with him.

When Orochimaru defects… won't I be guilty by association?!

Was this part of Danzo's plan too?!

Ishiki clenched the scroll tightly, silently cursing that snake-tongued bastard.

But then he glanced at the contents and felt a twinge of conflict.

It contained advanced sealing jutsu… and the scroll for Triple Rashōmon—a powerful A-rank summoning technique he'd seen Orochimaru use before.

He didn't know how Orochimaru had figured out he had an interest in fūinjutsu—but this was a heavy, personal gift.

Especially Triple Rashōmon—exactly the kind of technique Ishiki lacked.

If Orochimaru had handed him a forbidden jutsu too, Ishiki might've cried on the spot with gratitude.

It was the classic combo: slap to the face, then a sweet plum in the mouth.

And yet… Ishiki couldn't deny it.

He'd been bought.

He sighed, muttering to himself:

"This kind of attack… can't be blocked with Hamon. I can't even dodge it with Godspeed…"

Orochimaru had played him like a fiddle.

Still, he reasoned, Orochimaru shouldn't defect for another year or so. If Ishiki could eliminate Danzo first—and convince Orochimaru to abandon human experimentation—maybe he could prevent that betrayal entirely.

So long as Hiruzen didn't catch Orochimaru red-handed, he wouldn't be forced to exile him.

Danzo had to be removed. That was priority number one.

And yet… Orochimaru had taken him as a "disciple" even after Ishiki declared his intention to destroy Root.

Could it be… Orochimaru also wanted Danzo gone?

Ishiki's thoughts spiraled.

Initially, he'd assumed Tsunade would take him in because of his medical prowess. But somehow, the one who chose him was Orochimaru.

His mind raced. His heart conflicted.

And without even realizing it, the convoy had already reached the border of the Land of Grass.

In the distance, Turtle Island still lumbered slowly in the direction of Kumogakure.

Man, Ishiki thought, watching it inch along, that thing is so damn slow.

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