Mitsuki: Well, that's all.
Orochimaru: I must say I'm surprised by this development, Mitsuki. I never thought you'd be concerned over an incident that happened quite some time ago.
Mitsuki: I don't understand it too well myself. I originally thought I was just staying guarded knowing what she's capable of. But, over the time we've been together, I've become less convinced that is the case.
Orochimaru: How interesting. Have you come to a conclusion as to why?
Mitsuki: Not yet. Oddly enough, I seem unable to formulate one.
Orochimaru: I see.
Mitsuki: Not that it matters, but would you happen to have an explanation for this?
Orochimaru: I can't say that I do.
Mitsuki: I see.
Orochimaru: However...
Mitsuki: Mm? You know something?
Orochimaru: More like I want to confirm something.
Mitsuki: Oh? And what would that be?
Orochimaru: This Sumire Kakei... Isn't she the only one of your fellow students you haven't had to hold back against?
Mitsuki: ...?!
Orochimaru: Not including your training sessions with Boruto Uzumaki, you've fought with Iwabe Yuino and Sumire Kakei out of all your fellow students. Correct?
Mitsuki: Yes.
Orochimaru: From what you've told me, you went quite easy on Iwabee Yuino. Yet, it was still deemed as going too far by your teacher and classmates. Upon that, you were asked to stand down, and in turn, held yourself back further.
Mitsuki: I know that. It was rather disappointing.
Orochimaru: But, if we address your fight with Sumire Kakei, you had no restrictions whatsoever and had no obligation to limit yourself in the slightest. Of course, you were obstructed by Boruto Uzumaki. But, during that fight, you were able to fight to your heart's content.
Mitsuki: Are you saying that's somehow related to this?
Orochimaru: You tell me. How did you feel while fighting her?
Mitsuki: ...
Orochimaru: ...
Mitsuki: ... Alive.
Orochimaru: Oh? Quite the word choice.
Mitsuki: That's the only word I can think of that would best describe how I felt. As I'm sure you probably know, it has been unearthing restricting my powers and skills while at this academy. Nobody here is very challenging, but I suppose that's to be expected when in academy years.
Orochimaru: Nobody? Not even Boruto Uzumaki or Sarada Uchiha?
Mitsuki: Despite what's been passed down to them, they still have a lot to learn, and even more room to grow.
Orochimaru: Fair enough. Whereas Sumire Kakei is the daughter of a member of Root, and was even passed along their ideals as well as their techniques, making her quite formidable.
Mitsuki: I heard Root was quite formidable itself.
Orochimaru: Oh it was, back in it's day. Knowing one of it's offspring carries their will makes me wonder how many others might too.
Mitsuki: Like Inojin?
Orochimaru: Definitely not. His father has mellowed far too much since his days in Root. I suppose we have Naruto Uzumaki to thank for that.
Mitsuki: The Hokage?
Orochimaru snickers as he briefly recollects the past.
Orochimaru: Anyway, the events of the past no longer matter. This era belongs to the new generation now, both you and Sumire Kakei included.
Mitsuki: Is that right?
Orochimaru: Where is she now?
Mitsuki: She's asleep inside with the other students.
However, Sumire was not asleep. She'd woken up in the middle of the night and noticed Mitsuki was gone. She thought it would be best to wake up the teachers, but upon seeing them sound asleep themselves, set out to find him, assuming he wouldn't be far. It hadn't taken her long to find him. She was currently at the bottom of the tree Mitsuki was standing on, and couldn't help but listen in on his conversation upon hearing her name involved near around the start of Mitsuki's conversation. She couldn't hear the words of who he was talking to and couldn't really see how he was conversing, but used her stealth skills to conceal her presence from him. However, unknown to her, Mitsuki had already released several small snakes into the surrounding area before starting his conversation as a precaution and knew of her presence the moment she stepped out.
Mitsuki: I should probably return inside before her or anyone else becomes suspicious of my whereabouts.
Orochimaru: Before you go, I also have a question for you.
Mitsuki: What is it?
Orochimaru: Hmm. Do you want to kill her?
Mitsuki: ...
Orochimaru: ...
Sumire: ...
Mitsuki: ... Yes... I think I do want to kill her...
Sumire: ...?!!!!!
Mitsuki: Until next time then.
After the snake Mitsuki conversed through left him, he turned his head back to see the bottom of the tree deserted. He smiled. Meanwhile, Sumire was back under her covers, trembling.
Sumire: He... wants to kill me...?
