Naruto: I Became Orochimaru's Apprentice-Chapter 37: Funeral

Orochimaru sat in a dimly lit chamber, his new body resting atop a ceremonial slab. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and incense, a futile attempt to mask the decay of past experiments. His breathing was steady, measured—but his eyes seethed with frustration and killing intent.

Kabuto stood beside him, carefully adjusting the bandages around Orochimaru's shoulders. His silver-framed glasses reflected the candlelight as he worked, his expression unreadable as he acted quietly.

Orochimaru tried to twiddle his fingers. Nothing. No sensation. No chakra. No jutsu.

His lips curled into a snarl.

"This body... is worthless." His voice was slow, venomous.

Kabuto frowned slightly, cautious. "I don't understand. The transfer was successful. Your chakra is stable, your vital functions—"

"My living corpse reincarnation jutsu was meant to be perfect..."

Orochimaru's eyes snapped open.

"Then why," he hissed, "are my arms still incapable of working? How powerful was Hiruzen's seal?"

Kabuto hesitated, his usual smug confidence replaced with unease. He adjusted his glasses with a nervous twitch. "The Seal affects the soul, not the flesh. Even though you've changed bodies, the seal remains intact. And since you told me it only affected your arms, it seems he sealed your arms in your soul."

A dreadful silence followed.

Orochimaru's jaw clenched. "All my plans... They must wait."

His fingers curled weakly, the pain of his severed connection to ninjutsu was driving him insane.

"All my training... To become a cripple for now..."

Kabuto watched his master carefully. "If even my medical ninjutsu can't undo it... that means the only way to fix this is—"

Orochimaru slammed his useless fist against the slab. "That old fool!" His voice dripped with fury. Hiruzen had crippled him in his chance to reap chaos against Konoha.

And worst of all—he had failed. The plan was one he planned on using later, but given the chance he attacked once Gaara broke out.

A slow exhale left his lips. But Orochimaru was nothing if not patient. His mind was already working, unraveling the problem.

He had spent years thinking, hiding. He was not the type to act foolishly.

His slitted golden eyes turned toward the far side of the chamber, where several tubes filled with strange liquids bubbled.

"When I recover, we will have much to do Kabuto. I will need you to help me as much as you can whilst I remain in this state."

"Of course, Orochimaru."

The rain fell lightly upon the stone pavement, a quiet pattering that matched the solemn atmosphere of the funeral. The sky was a dull gray, the air thick with the scent of incense and damp earth.

Teriyaki stood among the crowd, blending into the sea of shinobi who had gathered to mourn the passing of Hiruzen Sarutobi—the Third Hokage.

His eyes flickered to the front, where Konohamaru stood, his small frame shaking as he clenched his fists. The boy's grief was raw, unfiltered.

"Oh... He's here." Teriyaki felt terrible, if he had made his choice earlier... If he had turned to Konoha's side long ago, perhaps at the start of the chuunin exams, he could've revealed Orochimaru's plans and potentially saved hundreds of lives.

Tsunade wasn't here yet. She was supposed to be the new Hokage, but at this moment, Konoha was felt leaderless.

"Just what is she busy with?" Teriyaki cursed. The curse mark on his neck meant Orochimaru still held power over him.

Teriyaki's gaze drifted toward Naruto, standing near the front, his face twisted in pain. The same boy who had cheered so loudly during the exams... now stood utterly silent.

And then there was Sasuke, staring ahead with unreadable eyes. He didn't look sad—just distant. As if something else entirely was eating away at him. The loss to Teriyaki was just a distant anger in his mind.

Teriyaki exhaled. He shouldn't have been here. If anyone knew what he was—what he was being forced to do—they would kill him on the spot. Kakashi already had his suspicions.

But he felt like he had to be here. To watch. To listen. He owed the dead hokage that much.

"This is my fault... This isn't how the story goes." Teriyaki weeped silently. 

It was clear how fragile Konoha had become.

The ceremony continued. The voices of the shinobi who spoke were heavy with sorrow. Even the stoic figuresKakashi, Asuma and Might Gai wore grief openly on their faces.

For all his flaws, Hiruzen had been loved and a compelling leader. He was a Hokage who had spent many years in the village. 

Teriyaki glanced at his own hands. "What have I done?" He had definately caused damage to the story, the extent of which he couldn't tell.

Many speeches were given, all serenading the dead hokage.

Tears mixed in with rain drops, the entire village had surrounded the coffin.

As the final words were spoken, the shinobi of Konoha lowered their heads in unison. The wind carried the sound of rustling leaves.

As everyone slowly left, Teriyaki found himself walking away from the coffin with a tear running down his cheek.

"I need to tell them..."

His eyes focused on his hands.

"Everything."

Screw the curse mark, Orochimaru was weakened, his only chance to betray him was right now when he couldn't hunt him down.

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.