Naruto: Cultivating to Immortality

Chapter 258 Reunion

At the summit, Orochimaru stood quietly, gazing into the distance. The scene before him was breathtakingly beautiful, like a poem or a painting, but his inner emotions grew increasingly heavy.

The mountain peaks soar into the clouds, shrouded in mist, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a fairyland. Sunlight filters through the clouds, illuminating a vibrant scene: verdant forests, crystal-clear streams, and colorful flowers. In the distance, the rolling mountains merge seamlessly with the sky, forming a magnificent and awe-inspiring panorama.

However, Orochimaru's gaze was not drawn to the beautiful scenery, but rather he fell into deep thought. His thoughts seemed to drift to the distant past, recalling past experiences and encounters. Perhaps it was reflection on his own life path, or perhaps it was worry about the future, that made his mood increasingly heavy.

He sighed softly, turned and left the mountaintop, his figure gradually following Hyuga Hizashi and the others into the buildings in the mountains.

Hyuga Hizashi didn't waste any time. He knew perfectly well that Orochimaru's arrival meant he needed to speak with Hyuga Kanan. So he quickly arranged Orochimaru's accommodations and went to the secluded chamber to inform Hyuga Kanan immediately.

After years of seclusion, Hyuga Kanan's cultivation level is now stuck at the Golden Core Perfection stage, unable to find a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage. Left with no other option, he can only continue to strengthen his comprehension of the power of rules, while simultaneously focusing on cultivating visualization techniques to enhance his divine sense. In addition, he has time to study the techniques for using various rules.

When he sensed Hyuga Hizashi's presence in the secluded training room, a sense of unease crept into his heart. Hyuga Hizashi rarely disturbed his training unless a major event occurred requiring discussion of solutions. Therefore, Hyuga Kanan was curious about what had happened due to Hyuga Hizashi's sudden appearance.

When Hyuga Hizashi reached the entrance to the deepest part of the training chamber, Hyuga Kanan telepathically told him he could enter. Upon entering, Hyuga Hizashi immediately sensed a powerful force, filling him with awe. However, after not seeing Kanan for some time, he felt utterly unfamiliar with him, as if he were a completely different person.

Hyuga Kanan's long hair, reaching his waist, fluttered in the air without wind, as if driven by an invisible force. His pale white pupils shimmered with light, dazzling like brilliant stars. Clearly, these eyes had long surpassed the boundaries of ordinary Byakugan, containing boundless mystery and power.

His already handsome face now possessed an even more captivating charm. However, his features were shrouded in a mist, obscuring his true appearance, yet drawing the eye and making it impossible to look away. This ethereal beauty was alluring, adding to his mysterious allure.

Moreover, the ethereal aura emanating from Hyuga Kanan grew even stronger, as if she had transcended the constraints of the mortal world and become an extraordinary being. Although he did not release any pressure, the immense difference in their life levels made Hyuga Hizashi feel an unprecedented sense of oppression.

Just when Hyuga Hizashi felt he was about to give up, he suddenly realized that the primal pressure on his body had disappeared, and his body, which had been suppressed and unable to move, was free again.

He looked up in confusion and saw Hyuga Kanan smiling at him, her eyes revealing an indescribable tenderness and affection.

"Second brother, how are you feeling?" Hinata Kanan asked with a smile.

Hyuga Hizashi shook his head and said with a wry smile, "I understand you less and less. You give me the feeling of..."

"What does it look like?" Hinata Kanan asked curiously.

Hyuga Hizashi hesitated for a moment, but finally said, "Like a god!"

Hyuga Kanan was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Haha, Second Brother, you're exaggerating. I'm still a long way from that point. It might take many more years before I can reach that level. Becoming a god isn't that easy!" Hyuga Kanan explained with a smile.

Hyuga Hizashi smiled helplessly, but inwardly he sighed. He knew that the person before him was no longer the younger brother who needed his protection, but a true powerhouse, a being who felt completely unfamiliar to him.

"Oh, right, Orochimaru suddenly appeared at the training grounds, and he even had one of those tokens you specially made. So I brought him in." Hyuga Hizashi snapped out of his reverie and remembered he had something important to say, so he quickly explained, "I was in seclusion training when a subordinate reported that a stranger had entered the training grounds. I went out to investigate and found it was Orochimaru, and he had a token in his hand. Because you told me before that if anyone with this kind of token came looking for you, I should let them come in directly, so I brought him here."

Hyuga Kanan nodded in understanding as he listened to his second brother's words. He knew that the token was specially made for Orochimaru so that he could find him at any time. Now that Orochimaru had appeared with the token, it was clear that he had encountered some troublesome matter or had already made a decision. Thinking of this, Hyuga Kanan couldn't help but ask curiously, "Orochimaru? I gave him this token many years ago. I didn't expect that so many years had passed, and I thought he would need some more time to make a decision! I wonder if he has thought it through. I'll go see him then!" With that, Hyuga Kanan stood up, preparing to leave with his second brother.

In a spacious yet somewhat empty hall, Orochimaru sat quietly in a chair, his eyes slightly closed, as if asleep. However, only the constant tapping of his fingers on the table hinted at the active thoughts swirling within him. For years, he had traversed every corner of the ninja world, secretly verifying the contents of his conversation with Hyuga Kanan. In just a few years, he had successfully verified the truth of most of those statements.

Over the years, he has established a small ninja village in the Land of Rice Fields and focused all his energy on studying what Hyuga Kanan had revealed. In addition, he has taken in some promising children during his travels and brought them back to the village. Now, this small ninja village has developed quite successfully.

However, as Orochimaru delved deeper into his research on chakra, he was surprised to discover that it, just as Hyuga Kanan had predicted, harbored future dangers. At the same time, he uncovered some even more hidden secrets, a discovery that ultimately solidified his resolve to make changes.

After making his decision, Orochimaru intended to do one last thing for Konoha, the village that had raised him, in his own way. He also wanted to allow Hiruzen Sarutobi, his teacher who had educated him since childhood, to retain some dignity, so that Konoha could be reborn and the last ties of their bond could be severed.

As Orochimaru was still deep in thought, the hall door was gently pushed open, making a soft creak. Sunlight streamed through the crack in the door, illuminating a patch of dust, as if the sands of time were slowly flowing in an hourglass.

Hyuga Kanan appeared at the entrance, dressed in an elegant robe, and walked steadily into the hall. His eyes were clear and firm, revealing an air of otherworldly detachment. Every step he took carried confidence and composure, as if he possessed a profound understanding of the world.

When he reached the opposite side of Orochimaru, he stopped and sat down quietly, facing Orochimaru. A tense atmosphere filled the air between them, as if they could read each other's minds. However, Hyuga Kanan did not speak immediately; he chose silence, waiting patiently for Orochimaru to speak first.

Hyuga Kanan knew that Orochimaru, after so many years, must have thoroughly investigated all the secrets he had been told. Although Orochimaru might still be hesitant, he should already have his answer. Orochimaru's personal arrival meant he had made his final decision. Hyuga Kanan was filled with anticipation, because it meant their plan was about to enter a new phase.

Orochimaru finally couldn't help but speak first: "Kanan-kun, you don't seem surprised at all by my arrival. It's as if you knew I would come all along."

Hyuga Kanan smiled slightly before replying, "I thought it would take you some more time to make a decision. As for whether you will come, isn't that a simple matter? As someone who is extremely confident in myself, how could I accept someone else secretly controlling my destiny?"

Upon hearing Hyuga Kanan's reply, Orochimaru smiled, his cold demeanor softening considerably. He had always considered Hyuga Kanan a confidant, believing they were kindred spirits—possessing unwavering confidence in their future, firmly believing they would walk the path they had planned and steadfastly pursue it.

"I think you're already prepared. When will it begin?" Hinata Kanan asked again.

Orochimaru didn't hesitate and said to Hyuga Kanan, "I plan to do one last thing before I begin. It's like severing the last ties in my heart so that I can fully devote myself to the arrangements to come."

"Sever the last bond? Actually, there's no need. A true bond is one where no matter what you do, people will understand and support you. You don't need to sever it yourself. But this is your private matter, so you can make your own decision." Hinata Kanan nodded, indicating that it was up to you.

Orochimaru's lips curled slightly; he enjoyed interacting with people like Hyuga Kanan. They didn't impose their will on others and were responsible for their own affairs.

"Kanan-kun, if you have the interest and time, you can come to Konoha in three months to watch my final battle as a ninja. Sever the last bond."

After Orochimaru finished speaking, he stood up and walked outside with unwavering determination.