Chapter 146: Red Bean, Yuhi Kurenai! 【Mirror Flowers, Water Moon】(Subscribe! Auto-subscribe!)

"You're Orochimaru's disciple?"

Red Bean looked at Ishihara with an extremely complicated gaze.

She was the only disciple Orochimaru had ever taken, and she worshipped him without reservation.

Even after Orochimaru defected and left Konoha, that longing still lingered in her heart; she even resented him for not taking her along when he fled, for abandoning her.

So after learning Ishihara was Orochimaru's disciple, Red Bean felt a twinge of jealousy.

"You're Senior Sister Red Bean."

Ishihara raised an eyebrow and broke into a smile.

He felt almost nothing for the people of this world, with Orochimaru being the sole exception.

So he was genuinely happy to meet Red Bean as well.

"I'm no longer that traitor Orochimaru's disciple."

Red Bean said it huffily, her big eyes glaring at him.

Ishihara saw straight through the gap between her words and her heart in a single glance and couldn't help finding it a little funny.

How old was she, still acting like a child?

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "Teacher recently improved the curse mark quite a bit, and said he wants to find a chance to perfect yours too."

"Really?"

Red Bean blurted the question, then caught herself, pouting. "Who cares."

"You should be able to see Teacher again soon enough."

Ishihara said with a smile.

Red Bean's expression shifted at once, a hint of worry creeping in.

After all, Orochimaru was still a Konoha rogue ninja.

Ishihara said no more.

He knew every Konoha person who spoke with him glossed over that point, but it was an unchangeable fact.

Still, he knew Orochimaru's strength was advancing by leaps and bounds, and it probably wouldn't be long before he no longer feared Konoha.

When that time came, Orochimaru would inevitably return to Konoha for a visit.

"May I ask what you came to find me for?"

Ishihara's gaze shifted to Yuhi Kurenai, who wore a gentle, warm smile beside them.

"The Hokage sent us to invite Mr. Ishihara to reside in Konoha, saying this is Konoha's sincerity."

Yuhi Kurenai said quickly.

Her gaze settled on Ishihara with a mix of curiosity and shock.

Especially when she recalled the intelligence the Third Hokage had shared, she found it hard to connect any of it with the handsome, mild-mannered young man before her.

They weren't just two people—two squads of ANBU followed behind them.

While Yuhi Kurenai spoke, those operatives' gazes all converged on Ishihara, observing him without pause.

Hearing this, Ishihara gave a faint smile. "Then let's go."