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"64% probably means we're slightly better than just friends. At 50%, it's like strangers—neither liked nor disliked."
Yōichi read the explanation in the strategy guide and thought, "Jiraiya and Orochimaru are probably at around 80%. Jiraiya might have a higher score since Orochimaru became more gloomy."
"Should I pursue Tsunade?"
It's not like the Demonic Passport that twists people's minds; this guide seems more like an advice. Even if the advice comes from someone unusually skilled, it doesn't violate basic principles.
Yōichi discreetly confirmed Tsunade's entry and saw several suggestions appear.
The first step was to find her. Her reaction would determine the next steps.
"It feels like a real-time strategy game, and I'm the one being controlled."
Yōichi considered his situation. Leaving the village wasn't convenient right now. The Chūnin Exams would likely lead to war or a Hokage election. He'd need to wait for a better time.
"Let's check others."
This guide allowed Yōichi to test people's affection and distinguish allies from enemies. But there was a catch: he could only input names of the opposite sex unless he changed his own gender.
"Yugito Nii: Affection at 53, not bad, not hostile."
"Uzumaki Kushina: Affection at 62, decent, but slightly lower than Tsunade."
"Ōtsutsuki Kaguya: No value at all. Do I need to actually know her?"
Yōichi spent a while testing the names of all the women he knew. Mina and Mikoto had the highest scores, both at 100%. That was unsurprising.
Next up were Rumi and Kurenai, scoring 79 and 82, respectively. Yōichi had been a good teacher to his students.
After playing around enough, Yōichi stowed the [Strategy Guide]. As long as one target remained unconquered, he could continue gauging affection.
He realized the guide's true value, albeit limited to women.
The second round of exams had already begun, but the candidates had five days before results were announced. The third round would happen twenty days later.
The venue was ready, and the nobles and dignitaries from different nations could attend at any time.
The Chūnin Exams were a headache for the Security Division but had benefits. They made Konoha flourish.
With nobles and merchants flocking in, they would notice Uchiha business and possibly collaborate.
"Since I've fused Wood Release, I should find a place to train."
Yōichi immediately pulled out a chakra paper and tested himself.
Sure enough, in addition to lightning and fire, he now had earth and water attributes.
As for Wood Release techniques, Yōichi had far more than Orochimaru. He had copied all the forbidden techniques from the Scroll of Seals, including Wood Release jutsu.
"Perhaps Ryūchi Cave is a good place to train—and practice Sage Art."
Yōichi decided to leave a small snake from Ryūchi Cave with Mina so that she could inform him if anything happened in Konoha.
---
"Ah, you're finally at Ryūchi Cave. What's with your constitution? It's like you're already in Sage Mode."
Ichikishima-hime noticed the change in Yōichi as soon as she reverse-summoned him to Ryūchi Cave.
Last time he visited, he couldn't absorb natural energy. Now, he was constantly doing so without any change to his body, just like their kind.
After long practice, her body had adapted to natural energy, and entering Sage Mode was easy.
She hadn't expected Yōichi to be in this state. Her interest in this human grew.
Yōichi checked Ichikishima-hime's affection score. Though a snake, she was still female, and thus a potential conquest.
It had jumped from 52 to 65.
Was she planning to eat him?
Ichikishima-hime was licking her lips, her human form looking enticing. But Yōichi had seen her snake form.
"I'm here to find the White Snake Sage and learn Sage Art. Then I plan to train in ninjutsu."
Before he finished, Ichikishima-hime interrupted, "There's no need to seek the White Snake Sage for that. For centuries, we have trained challengers in Sage Art. Of course, we also claim their bodies if they fail."
Clicking her tongue, she continued, "Your constitution is different, so you only need some practice to master Sage Mode. As for Sage Art, it depends on your talent."
Yōichi glanced at her. "Then I'll rely on you. If you like eating humans, I could find some death-row prisoners for you."
"I'm not interested in such people. Only those who fail Sage Art, with natural energy rampaging in them, have good flavor."
Ichikishima-hime floated behind him, her pink tongue flicking near his ear.
"You even have preferences. Teach me Sage Art already."
If she weren't teaching him, he would've given her a good lesson.
Once he mastered Sage Art, he'd train in Wood Release. The Scroll of Seals even contained the secret technique True Several Thousand Hands, though reaching the First Hokage's colossal size would be difficult.
While Yōichi trained at Ryūchi Cave, things remained peaceful in Konoha.
He often trained at home, and the Security Division didn't need him as much after perfecting the discipline guidelines.
The second round of exams in the Forest of Death was already causing injuries and casualties—even Konoha's genin weren't spared.
Participants included recommended genin and those who graduated years ago hoping to become chūnin.
However, they overlooked the dangers, and many couldn't compete against genin from higher-ranked teams.
With the daimyo, nobles, and merchants yet to arrive, the Security Division was less pressured, mainly keeping an eye on the foreign ninja.
After moving back in with Itachi, Mikoto felt fulfilled. She often watched him train after managing clan business in the morning.
However, one thing was still missing—her second child, Sasuke.
She was a little disappointed; despite not using any protection, she hadn't conceived Yōichi-kun's child.
With Sasuke, Mikoto felt her life would be complete.
She considered asking a medical-nin, but the best one in the village was Mina, and she'd never give her a straight answer.
Meanwhile, with nothing to do, Jiraiya finally decided to act on something he'd been thinking about for a long time.
"Orochimaru isn't home? Why come to the Forest of Death? Is he here for his three students in the Chūnin Exams?"
Jiraiya tracked Orochimaru to the Forest of Death, but suddenly lost sight of him.
After searching, he found a snake hole beneath a giant tree.
"Orochimaru's probably inside..."
Just as he was about to enter, Orochimaru emerged, asking directly, "Jiraiya, are you following me?"
"Yeah. You were walking too fast for me to catch up, and I need to ask you something."
Jiraiya stood his ground, then leaned closer, smiling slyly, "Orochimaru, what were you doing in there? Something shady?"
"This is my ninjutsu research base. There's nothing interesting inside, but since it's you, come in."
Orochimaru turned and walked back inside. Since Jiraiya had followed him this far, refusing him would only make Jiraiya more determined.
There was nothing truly shady within; even the experimental subjects were death-row prisoners.
Following Orochimaru, Jiraiya looked around. In a spacious room, his eyes narrowed.
Several corpses were lying around. One was strapped to a table, while a young boy cleaned up.
It was a human experiment!
Jiraiya immediately recognized it. He never imagined Orochimaru would secretly do this.
Many lives were probably lost here. Jiraiya clenched his fists, shouting at Orochimaru, "Orochimaru, what are you—"
He was interrupted when Orochimaru handed him a booklet.
"Orochimaru, what's this?"
"Have you forgotten how to read?"
Seeing the scornful look on Orochimaru's face, Jiraiya snatched the booklet and opened it.
"A list? Prison records… Kyoto Prison death row inmates: Iwaya Kohei, Shimomura Kōta, Muroi Saburō."
Jiraiya was confused and glanced at the corpses in the room. Two of the faces matched the names.
He understood.
"Orochimaru, are they all death-row prisoners?"
"Yes, death-row prisoners from across the Land of Fire. They're going to die anyway, so they might as well contribute to my research. They're not cheap, and there have been fewer death-row inmates lately."
Orochimaru's casual tone stifled Jiraiya's righteous anger.
He believed human experimentation shouldn't exist, but Orochimaru was only using purchased death-row inmates. This left Jiraiya struggling to find a reason to condemn him.
"...This isn't something Konoha ninja should be doing."
Seeing Jiraiya choke out that statement, Orochimaru laughed, "Jiraiya, do you know how many lives the Second Hokage's forbidden techniques cost? The Scroll of Seals contains mostly his techniques."
"The village finances didn't support buying death-row inmates back then, so I suspect he used prisoners from enemy villages. Testing jutsu on ninja is much better than using civilians."
Orochimaru admired the Second Hokage, so he knew a lot about him.
Jiraiya couldn't refute a word. Criticizing Orochimaru would mean criticizing the Second Hokage.
But what right did he have to do that?
In accomplishments, contributions, and status, he couldn't compare. If he dared criticize the Second Hokage, the first to reprimand him would be Hiruzen.
"Alright, Jiraiya. Let's get to the point. Why were you looking for me?"
Orochimaru asked, "I have work to do. If you have something to say, spit it out."
"Okay."
Jiraiya thought of the prophecy from Mount Myōboku and decided to let it go for now. He'd inform the Hokage later.
"Orochimaru, how many contractors does Ryūchi Cave have?"
Orochimaru looked puzzled. "Why do you ask? Technically, just two—me and Yōichi."
"Does Ryūchi Cave have a grudge against Mount Myōboku?"
"No idea. It's been around for over a thousand years. How would I know if they have a grudge? The snakes have bad tempers, so I don't ask."
Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya, "The toads are more agreeable. Why don't you ask them?"
"They… won't tell me."
Seeing Jiraiya's expression, Orochimaru knew he was lying. "Snakes eat toads. If they have any grudges, think of it like the *Sansukumi*."
Snakes, toads, and slugs form the legendary triangle where each restrains the other, similar to an animal chess game.
Jiraiya thought of *Sansukumi* and felt the Great Toad Sage's prophecy was accurate. However, he doubted the shadow was Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, what do you think of Yōichi's relationship with Ryūchi Cave?"
"Jiraiya, you're full of questions today, all about Ryūchi Cave."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and asked cautiously, "Do you suspect something? I don't care about other contractors. If you know something, tell me."
"Ahaha, just curious. Nothing going on."
Jiraiya scratched his head with a smile and was about to leave.
He waved to Orochimaru, "I'll head off now. I'll buy you a drink sometime."
(End of Chapter)