"Let's have lunch together..."
"Biwako made a lot of dishes today; you'll definitely like them."
With these words, Lord Third patted Yu's shoulder, inviting him to join for lunch inside.
"Maybe next time, Sarutobi-sensei."
"Today, I already made plans to meet with the headmaster and the others."
Facing Lord Third's invitation, Yu politely declined.
Over the past year, Yu had grown a bit taller. The orphanage kimono he used to wear had been replaced by a set of black ninja attire. Against his pale hair and delicate face, he appeared even more exceptionally handsome, resembling Gojo.
"Oh, I see... Well, I won't keep you then. Go ahead."
Hearing Yu's response, Lord Third nodded. He was well aware that the headmaster Yu mentioned was Nonou Yakushi, the head of Konoha Orphanage.
"Then, I'll take my leave..."
"Sarutobi-sensei, and Lady Biwako."
After saying this, Yu bowed slightly, his demeanor impeccable.
"Oh, come on... Yu, my boy, won't you stay for dinner?"
"I even went out of my way to cook tempura and fried shrimp today..."
Watching Yu's departing figure, Sarutobi Biwako, standing beside Lord Third, grumbled.
Although she was a stern and formal middle-aged woman, deep down, she quite liked Yu, her husband's disciple.
"Alright, let's go inside..."
With a silent sigh, Lord Third, wearing a wry smile, entered the house with Sarutobi Biwako.
"Since the founding of Konoha, I've seen all sorts of ninjas."
"But this kid... I really can't predict how far he'll grow in the future..."
...
Twenty minutes later.
Yu walked from Lord Third's residence to the outskirts of the village, where Konoha Orphanage was located.
Unlike usual, today there was a large tent set up outside the wooden house in the forest. Standing or sitting, it was packed with injured ninjas, and occasionally, medical ninjas were providing treatment. The children from Konoha Orphanage were inside, assisting in bandaging wounds or handing out bandages. The headmaster, Yakushi Nonou, was also using Medical Ninjutsu to treat the injured ninjas.
"Lord Yu!"
"Lord Yu!"
Seeing Yu walk in from outside, some of the injured ninjas along the way greeted him. Yes, Lord Yu. Just like the legendary Three Ninjas, after becoming Lord Third Hokage's disciple, Yu's identity inevitably underwent a significant transformation.
"So many injured ninjas..."
"It seems the situation on the front lines is even more intense than imagined."
Nodding slightly in acknowledgment, Yu greeted the injured ninjas. Looking at the multitude of wounded, he could fully imagine that the Shinobi World War had reached a heated stage.
"Kabuto, can you still heal?"
While skillfully using Medical Ninjutsu to treat the ninjas in front of her, Yakushi Nonou, without wiping the sweat from her forehead, glanced at Kabuto not far away.
"No problem, headmaster!"
It's worth mentioning that Kabuto, who was picked up two years ago and is now six years old, has also learned Medical Ninjutsu. He is currently using healing jutsu to treat the wounds of the injured ninjas.
"Although it's for the orphanage, making us take care of these ninjas as well... really..."
Watching the entire Konoha Orphanage busy taking care of the injured ninjas, Urushi, who was assisting, couldn't help but complain.
"You won't earn money doing nothing..."
"Urushi, can you help bring the bandages over?"
Hearing Urushi's complaint, Kabuto wiped the sweat from his forehead. The injuries of the ninja in front of him were more severe than he expected; his healing jutsu unexpectedly couldn't mend them.
"No need, let me handle it."
However, at that moment, a suddenly resounding voice left Kabuto and Urushi completely stunned.
"Mystical Palm Jutsu!"
A green Chakra enveloped the ninja's wound, and the severe injuries that Kabuto couldn't heal were visibly recovering at an astonishing speed.
"Yu!"
Seeing the appearance of the handsome young man beside them, Kabuto and Urushi couldn't help but exclaim.
Urushi's tone was one of delight, while Kabuto's tone was somewhat complex.
So impressive...
The injuries I couldn't heal were actually treated successfully in the blink of an eye by him...
Witnessing Yu's superb Medical Ninjutsu quickly healing the ninja in front of them, Kabuto gently adjusted the black-framed glasses on his nose. In addition to admiration, there was also an indescribable nuance in his gaze.
"So...such amazing Medical Ninjutsu!"
"No wonder he's Lord Third's disciple! The genius widely rumored in Konoha!"
"Thank you so much, Lord Yu!"
Seeing his severe injuries completely healed in the blink of an eye, the ninja in front of them stood up excitedly and expressed gratitude to Yu.
"No need to be polite; it's my duty."
Facing the excited praise from the ninja, Yu appeared nonchalant. Since revealing his talent and becoming Lord Third Hokage's disciple, he had grown accustomed to such praise and admiration.
In this world, ultimately, strength is fundamental. Yu wouldn't slacken his training just because of others' opinions.
"Mystical Palm Jutsu, isn't it?"
"Such an amazing healing technique..."
At that moment, a deep and hoarse voice resonated, drawing everyone's attention.
Who is this man?!
Turning his head, Yu's amber eyes contracted. With a pale complexion, long black hair, narrow serpent-like eyes, a slender figure adorned in Konoha's ninja vest, and a smile on his face that exuded an indescribable sinister aura—this man was unmistakable.
Using the words from the original work to describe — this man is like something wearing human skin.
Orochimaru?!
Watching the man walking towards him, feeling the terrifying aura emanating from him as if he had emerged from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, Yu instantly recalled this name.
"It seems you're the recent genius widely rumored in Konoha..."
"Sarutobi-sensei's newly acquired disciple—my junior, Yakushi Yu, right?"
After reaching Yu, Orochimaru looked him up and down with interest. The sinister snake-like eyes occasionally flashed with eerie brilliance, leaving Kabuto and Urushi beside them too frightened to speak.
"So, you're the legendary Orochimaru-senpai, one of the Three Ninjas..."
"I often hear Sarutobi-sensei mention you; he always says you are his most outstanding disciple."
Standing up from the ground and staring at Orochimaru in front of him, Yu's heart surged with shock, but his face showed no change.
It's as if the terrifying Orochimaru standing before him right now is just an ordinary ninja.
"You're quite composed..."
"Just based on this demeanor, I think I roughly understand why Sarutobi-sensei chose you, Yu-kun."
Gazing at the calm and composed Yu in front of him, Orochimaru's narrow snake-like eyes flashed with a light. His long tongue instinctively slipped out, revealing an expression of curiosity and greed on his face without any attempt to conceal it.
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