In the evening, the villagers of Konoha finished their day's work and took to the streets in small groups. Laughter and hawking sounds filled the air, blending with the warm and prosperous atmosphere cast by the setting sun's afterglow.
The village guards silently patrolled the streets, while figures in animal masks remained vigilant in the darkness.
From a ramen restaurant in Konoha, the sound of enthusiastic eating echoed through the air. Jiraiya, wearing a gray coat, swiftly devoured his food, attracting the sideways glances of other customers. However, the Konoha forehead protector on his head reminded everyone that they were all ninjas.
Tsunade had no appetite and sat quietly, lost in her thoughts.
"Boss, another bowl!" Jiraiya called out, then turned his head to Tsunade. "Tsunade, eat more! Since the teacher is treating us, I must repay him for this great opportunity. Let's enjoy!"
"Alas," Tsunade sighed. "No, I don't have the appetite."
"You' need to eat, Tsunade. How can you refine chakra if you're not well-fed?" Jiraiya patted his satisfied belly. "Look at how thin you are. Why don't you eat some nourishing food?"
"Huh!" Tsunade took a deep breath, silently took out a handful of shuriken, and slammed it onto the wooden table with a bang. Her peach blossom-like face softened as she looked at Jiraiya. "I apologize, Jiraiya. I've been too polite!"
Jiraiya exclaimed, "Huh?!"
"Bang!—Ah! Help!"
Under the sunset, a boy and a girl started running through the streets of Konoha...
"Boss, put their bill on my tab."
"Hi! Sarutobi-sama!"
Silently setting down his chopsticks, Sarutobi Hizan looked at Orochimaru sitting next to him.
Orochimaru had finished his meal and was playing with a small emerald green snake. But deep down, he was thinking, Life without a mobile phone is not easy. I can only play with snakes...
"Orochimaru, you did well today," Sarutobi said, admiration shining in his eyes. "You held back until the end, didn't you?"
"Oh, I think the teacher intentionally took it easy, considering Miss Tsunade's identity and our abilities," Orochimaru replied casually. "In terms of strength, I'm afraid we can't even touch the hem of the teacher's clothes. It's just a playful way to compete."
"I see," Sarutobi responded with a smile. "You are much more mature than the two of them!"
"Oh?" Orochimaru pondered for a moment. "I, who have faced death, am constantly oscillating between life and the horrors of death. As a ninja, if you don't keep improving, you will be eliminated sooner or later, right?"
Sarutobi fell silent for a while. "Your parents were heroes of the village. As Konoha's ninjas, they..."
"Here we go again, Sarutobi. You've misunderstood something! Huh? Why are you bringing it up again?" Orochimaru slightly lowered his head to conceal the pained expression on his face.
"...Orochimaru, you are the most talented student I have ever seen. I have high hopes for you. Behave well, because Konoha's future needs ninjas like you!" Sarutobi finished his speech filled with mixed feelings and left contentedly.
"Do you need me to cause some trouble in Konoha?" Orochimaru sighed, got up, and left.
In the distance, a handsome figure clad in white armor silently watched the scene, lost in deep thought...
Over the next few days, Sarutobi began teaching the three ninjas the basics of chakra control. They first learned to walk on tree trunks and then hang upside down like bats. Once they succeeded, they moved on to walking on water, eventually reaching a point where they could walk across a river's surface.
During this process, Orochimaru's talent became evident, even astonishing Sarutobi with his chakra control. He often called Orochimaru a prodigy.
In reality, this was due to Orochimaru's innate talent. As the inheritor of Orochimaru's talent and physique, Orochimaru was a genius. With mental power ten times greater than that of others, he could precisely control every trace of chakra. Naturally, mastering these simple skills was effortless for him.
Jealousy consumed Jiraiya as he repeatedly fell from the trees and landed in stinky ditches.
It must be said that despite being the weakest in the early stages, Jiraiya possessed a determination akin to Naruto's. His relentless desire to become stronger, along with his never-give-up attitude, played a crucial role in reaching the same level as his companions when facing demi-gods like Pain and Hanzo.
As for Tsunade, the future's strongest medical ninja, her chakra control was exceptional. She possessed immense healing abilities and resistance to damage, far surpassing Gaara and Terumi Mei (despite being older).
During their training, Orochimaru and Tsunade would lie on the grass, chatting and practicing chakra. On the other hand, Jiraiya, covered in dirt, struggled like a savage.
Sometimes, Orochimaru would discuss ninjutsu matters with Tsunade. As the Princess of Senju, Tsunade had a wealth of knowledge, greatly benefiting Orochimaru. In return, Orochimaru would offer suggestions for enhancing Tsunade's physical skills, drawing from his memories of his previous life.
At this stage, Tsunade's physical skills were limited, despite possessing the Senju Clan's vast chakra. She couldn't fully unleash her combat prowess. Orochimaru would often discuss chakra outbursts with Tsunade, intentionally or unintentionally.
Tsunade would appear thoughtful while secretly clenching her fists.
As for Jiraiya, Orochimaru would provide constructive feedback and describe some of Jiraiya's future development ideas for ninjutsu, intentionally or unintentionally.
Jiraiya would always maintain a disdainful expression, but he silently absorbed everything Orochimaru said and put in even greater effort.
In Orochimaru's mind, Tsunade and Jiraiya were reliable future comrades-in-arms. Together, the three of them would dominate the realm of kage-level ninjas.
Jiraiya excelled in all three types of ninjutsu and possessed a series of powerful summons, including the Sage Mode .
If he could understand Pain's ninjutsu, Jiraiya would be able to hold his ground against him.
Tsunade, on the other hand, would become the most versatile ninja among the Five Kage. She excelled in offense, healing, and damage resistance, surpassing even Gaara and Terumi Mei. (Despite her age...)
When facing future adversaries, Orochimaru had some ideas, but he still felt uncertain about his own growth potential.
In the original story, Orochimaru was a scientific ninja and faced challenges against Six Paths-level powerhouses. Even with his immortality, he struggled.
Absorbing tailed-beast chakra to become one of the Six Paths would draw public criticism and inadvertently aid the plans of the Otsutsuki clan.
Orochimaru was certain that he could surpass Orochimaru and even overcome small-scale bosses like Six Paths Obito. However, he had no idea how to confront the Otsutsuki and the unknown entity that had summoned him.
For now, Orochimaru planned to unite the forces around him, use his advantages to make early preparations, silently accumulate strength like a snake in the shadows, and, at the critical moment, surprise Madara, Black Zetsu, the Sage of Six Paths , and even the entire ninja world.
*****
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