Kushina hadn't expected the moment when Zabuza Momochi tried to assassinate the Mizukage to happen now.
In her mind, if events followed the story she knew from the past, then eight or nine years from now, her son—Naruto—would face Zabuza and Haku during one of their first missions outside the village.
Zabuza had failed to kill Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, and was now a wanted man. That meant the chaos in the Hidden Mist was reaching its peak. And if her memory served her right, the next big event was the rebellion of the Kaguya Clan.
'A bunch of madmen who live only for battle... will eventually be destroyed by their own lust for blood,' Kushina muttered, shaking her head.
Behind that rebellion, one name surfaced in her thoughts: Kimimaro. A gifted child of the Kaguya clan—ironically imprisoned by his own people for being too powerful, and too calm, for their bloodthirsty standards.
Then came another name—more suspicious: Orochimaru.
He should also be in the Hidden Mist, but his true goals were always a mystery. No one could ever say what he was really after.
Kushina rubbed her temples. Her head felt heavy."The Mist Village is truly in chaos," she whispered.
But she hadn't come here for Zabuza. If the man hadn't provoked her first, Kushina wouldn't have even bothered chasing him. What she really needed now was direct intel from inside the village, and for that...
"Looks like I'll have to infiltrate the Mist myself," she murmured. "That way, I can get a full grasp of the situation and prepare a detailed report for the Third Hokage."
With that firm resolve, Kushina leapt toward a tall hill overlooking Kaguya territory. From there, she could observe without drawing attention.
But before she got any closer—she suddenly felt a familiar chakra: cold, coiling, and poisonous like venom.
Instead of fear, a faint smile curled on Kushina's lips.
"So we finally meet again, old friend…"
In the distance, a man appeared. He walked slowly, dressed in a loose beige kimono and wooden sandals that clicked softly against the rocks. His skin was pale as death. His golden eyes, vertical like a serpent's.
Orochimaru.
Former Konoha ninja. Rogue. Mad scientist. And... someone Kushina knew well.
"Hey, Orochimaru-senpai!" Kushina called out in a deliberately cheerful tone. "Didn't think I'd run into you this soon!"
Orochimaru paused, eyeing the young man in black standing before him. Surprise briefly crossed his face—then gave way to an amused smile.
"Ah... it's Kushina-san. Or... should I say, Kitsune Hime, the Fox Princess?"
Kushina sighed and playfully threatened, "Say that name again, and I'll send you back to Konoha in tiny pieces. You know I'm not just bluffing."
Orochimaru chuckled, gazing up at the sky. "Of course, of course. My mouth tends to run away from me."
He stood beside her, surveying the Kaguya clan's domain from the cliff.
"You've arrived at just the right time," he murmured. "Looks like the Kaguya are starting to move. Brainless warriors... all they know is how to fight and die tragically."
Kushina glanced sideways at him. "You don't sound very impressed."
"Because they're not," Orochimaru replied flatly. "What's truly fascinating is how easily people throw away reason for the thrill of battle."
A short silence followed, then Kushina asked, "What about your cursed seal?"
Orochimaru gave a thin smile. "Almost done. I just need one final element."
Kushina narrowed her eyes. 'So… he hasn't found Jūgo yet.'
Suddenly—footsteps echoed from afar. A white-haired boy with a blank stare came sprinting toward them. A white bone sword extended from his arm.
Kimimaro.
He had just been released... and immediately attacked Orochimaru.
Without a word, he slashed at Orochimaru, who effortlessly dodged and kicked him to the ground—without even turning his head.
Kimimaro rose quickly, ready to strike again.
"Wait a moment," Orochimaru said calmly.
Kimimaro halted. His breath still ragged, but his eyes fixed on Orochimaru.
"How impatient," Orochimaru said with a smirk. "I'm not from this village, boy."
His gaze sharpened, turning to the Mist Village in the distance.
"Your target is there. Go."
Without hesitation, Kimimaro leapt from the cliff—his body shooting toward the village. Height meant nothing to a shinobi like him.
Orochimaru watched him vanish, then murmured,"Looks like the rebellion has begun. But... what's the point of life if its only meaning is found in combat?"
Kushina hadn't said a word since, simply standing beside him.
Eventually, she whispered,"Seems... the current of fate is still flowing along its course."
Orochimaru glanced at her. "Hm? You believe in fate?"
Kushina shrugged. "No... But... I also know some things just can't be changed, even when we know they're coming."
He said nothing for a while. Just stood there, watching Kimimaro's trail fade. His golden eyes calm again, cold, thinking about something he didn't say aloud.
He stood motionless on the cliffside, moonlight gleaming in his reptilian gaze. Beside him, Kushina—still in disguise—stood quietly, though a faint smile remained on her lips.
"Judging by your outfit…" Orochimaru said softly, eyeing her from head to toe, "You're going to sneak into the Hidden Mist, aren't you? Gathering intel for Konoha. The Third Hokage never changes... always planning from the shadows."
His tone was light—almost casual—but Kushina could hear the buried disdain.
She didn't deny it. She met his gaze directly—those venomous golden pupils."Of course. You were his student, so you'd know better than anyone. But what about you, Senpai? Why are you here? For that boy?"
Her question was sharp—like a kunai flung without warning.
Orochimaru smiled wide, but his eyes remained ice-cold.
"Oh? Didn't think you'd figure it out so quickly. But yes... that child is extraordinary." He turned toward where Kimimaro had gone."The Kaguya blood makes my own race. But whether he's worth training... depends on whether he survives the coming storm."
His tone was casual, yet wrapped in a scientist's obsessive curiosity.
Kushina sighed, glanced up at the sky, and said blandly,"Leaving Konoha seems to have freed you, Senpai."
"If you're interested, Kushina," Orochimaru said with a teasing smile,"You could visit my village, sit down with me, have a little chat."
"Your village?"
Her brow rose in reflex.
'Sound Village? Isn't… that too early?'
"Yes," he replied nonchalantly. "Still a prototype. Not quite done. But trust me, it's comfortable."
Kushina smirked and gently patted his shoulder—keeping her distance.
"Tempting. But sorry, Orochimaru-senpai..." she said while shifting her weight to one leg, voice sugar-sweet, "It doesn't feel right for a widow like me to live with a suspicious man like you, don't you think?"
Her playful tone clashed with the sharp glint in her eyes.
Orochimaru let out a soft chuckle. Not offended—he seemed to enjoy every bit of their banter.
He knew better than anyone—as the Kyuubi's jinchūriki, Kushina couldn't just move freely. Leaving the village like this? Impossible. Even if she could, she wouldn't.
"Hehe… seems you haven't changed." Orochimaru nodded, then turned away.
"I still have business to attend to. Let's end our meeting here. Until next time, Kitsune Hime…"
Kushina instinctively turned her head.
"Don't call me—!"
Too late.
Orochimaru's body was already sinking into the ground. Within seconds, he was gone.
Kushina growled softly. Her face flushed—not from anger… but from embarrassment.
"Bastard… if he was one second slower, I'd have blasted him with a rasengan."
She stood alone on the cliff, sea wind blowing through her dark wig.
"Kitsune Hime," she muttered under her breath, echoing his words.
She shook her head quickly, brushing off the heat rising in her cheeks.
"Forget it. There's more important work to be done."