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Gin placed the three unconscious assailants on a lab table.
"Gin-kun, why did you bring these people back?"
Orochimaru watched Gin with great interest.
"If you use them as experimental material, Danzo won't let it slide."
Even though Root had grown in scale, the way Hiruzen and Danzo were selected wasn't fully accepted by all clans.
The resulting tensions persisted.
Hiruzen managed to regain control over various clans by raising students like the Sannin, while Danzo's Root was mostly composed of civilian ninjas and lesser-talented members of the clans.
These three were considered elites in Root.
Danzo wouldn't tolerate their loss.
Orochimaru stroked his chin. Sending three special Jonin for a Genin like Gin showed Danzo's cautiousness.
Orochimaru had once considered joining Root, but as his power grew, his interest waned. Seeing Root's elite now, he was even more certain of his decision.
They were just weaklings he could crush at will.
Gin glanced at Orochimaru, unsure of his thoughts.
Did Orochimaru think he was reckless?
"I created a jutsu that can absorb others' chakra, but I couldn't absorb anything from these three. I want to understand why."
Gin had tried absorbing the chakra of the orange-haired man and the Aburame named Mine but to no avail.
This issue affected not only his Slashing Steel Flash technique but also his Six Paths of the Thief Sage, reducing its effectiveness.
Hearing Gin's explanation, Orochimaru looked at him with surprise, as if not understanding why Gin didn't know.
Though Gin was puzzled by Orochimaru's reaction, finding out more about these people was more pressing.
Soon, as information about their physical state was gathered, words began appearing on a scroll.
Gin realized what was going on.
"So that's how it works."
No wonder Orochimaru had looked at him that way.
These three had two seals: one was the Tongue-Cutting Curse Seal, which prevented them from revealing secrets about their master. This seal didn't affect chakra absorption.
The second seal, however, was the key.
All three had practiced Gin's Basic Inner Energy Technique and were in its first stage.
In theory, at this stage, they couldn't use jutsu because chakra couldn't be expelled from the body, which explained why Gin couldn't absorb it.
However, they shouldn't have been able to use jutsu at all, yet they were using jutsu effortlessly.
This had thrown Gin off.
"Engraving the jutsu onto the body's surface allows chakra to be absorbed and forcibly converted into jutsu upon performing hand seals."
This was how ninja tools were made.
"I can't argue with that."
It was the only way to use jutsu at this stage.
But while this method allowed jutsu usage, it harmed the body each time.
Many ninja tools broke during use due to substandard materials.
Using this method on a human body would be even worse.
Repeated use would cripple a person.
"A cruel method."
Sacrificing one's future for temporary jutsu usage was something Gin wouldn't do.
Orochimaru seemed to read Gin's thoughts.
"For those in Root, there's no future to consider."
Future?
For Root, which took all the blame, Danzo was no better than a parasite feeding off Konoha.
Gin scoffed.
"Konoha's Root? More like parasites eating away at it."
Orochimaru disagreed.
"Root has contributed significantly to the village's development."
Root's emotionless tools handled many of the village's most dangerous missions.
Most of the outside information came from Root's efforts, though initially reported to Danzo.
Root had thwarted many threats to Konoha.
Orochimaru knew that Hiruzen's shining image was due to Root bearing all the darkness.
Even the controversial Hashirama Cell experiments, officially initiated by Hiruzen, were entirely conducted by Root, with no involvement from the Anbu.
The whole village believed Danzo had manipulated Hiruzen.
It was quite laughable.
"Perhaps." Gin didn't pursue the argument. He injected the captives with a sedative.
Then he asked Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-sama, what should we do with these people?"
Orochimaru looked down at Gin, who wore a childlike, innocent smile.
When he needed something, it was "Orochimaru-sama." When he was throwing a tantrum, it was just "Orochimaru."
Very practical.
Orochimaru smiled warmly. He liked practical children.
"From now on, call me Orochimaru-sensei."
He was preparing rigorous training for Gin, enough to ensure his survival on the battlefield.
The impressive taijutsu Gin displayed wouldn't always be usable.
"I'll take care of them."
Orochimaru would handle Gin as well.
...
Four Months Later
The ground was covered in ice, becoming a playground for children, though some fell on the slippery surface.
As the temperature rose, the ice began to melt, turning the previously solid roads muddy.
Budding trees formed a dense forest.
A young ninja, dressed in black casual wear with a long blade at his waist, stood in the forest.
This was Uchiha Gin.
He looked serious, eyes closed, his right hand on his sword hilt.
Suddenly, shuriken flew from a hidden corner of the forest.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
The shuriken collided mid-air, changing direction.
They flew at Gin from all angles.
Gin leaped, moving through the gaps between the shuriken.
But the shuriken collided again, changing direction towards Gin.
Mid-air, Gin drew his sword, creating a dense net of blades that deflected the shuriken.
He landed, only to face a barrage of kunai with burning tags.
The faint crackle of the burning paper told Gin what they were.
Explosive tags.
Gin's face twitched.
Orochimaru was really generous.
Gin quickly formed hand seals, took a deep breath, and exhaled forcefully.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
The strong wind blew most of the kunai away, followed by a series of explosions.
But two kunai, at tricky angles, came right at Gin.
"Swish!"
A flash of light, and the two explosive tags were cut in half.
Gin landed safely.
His eyes had been closed the entire time.
"Clap, clap, clap."
Orochimaru applauded, stepping out from the trees.
"Gin-kun has become quite exceptional. You can now be considered a special Jonin."
Gin opened his eyes.
"Does that mean I'm not yet a Jonin?"
In the ninja world, ranks often reflected one's strength. A special Jonin could fight a Jonin but not necessarily win.
"Gin-kun underestimates Jonin."
Orochimaru shook his head with a smile.
"Every Jonin has vast battle experience and specialized jutsu. If you know their jutsu, you might have a chance to win."
"For a ninja, information is also a vital strength. In unknown circumstances, a Jonin's full strength is formidable."
Gin lacked the hard power of a Jonin. Though he mastered many jutsu, some Jonin couldn't match him in variety.
His taijutsu could overwhelm, but his chakra couldn't match due to his age.
Battle experience allowed Jonin to exploit his weaknesses with their strengths.
Unless there was a significant power gap, Gin would lose to a Jonin.
"I have to work harder."
Gin sheathed his sword.
He still didn't understand why this world called swords "ken."
His blade was Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword.
Gin quickly formed seals and pressed his hands to the ground.
Summoning Jutsu.
"Bang!"
A white snake, looking dumb and with beady eyes, slithered out, its tail wagging.
You're a cold-blooded animal! Stop acting like a dog! Even Orochimaru was silent.
Gin had signed a contract with Ryuchi Cave, yet he chose this useless white snake.
Though he could summon other snakes, Orochimaru hadn't seen him do it.
"Shiro, the items."
Gin extended his hand.
Shiro tilted its head, placing it on Gin's hand.
A vein bulged on Gin's forehead.
"I mean the items in your stomach!!"
Shiro realized and opened its mouth, producing a scroll.
Seeing the dumb snake, Orochimaru couldn't help but suggest.
"Gin-kun, maybe you should switch."
"No, I'll train it."
Gin smiled awkwardly, rejecting the idea. The other snakes were too ugly.
He didn't want to use them.
"Orochimaru-sensei, this is a gift for you."
He handed the scroll to Orochimaru.
"Thank you for your guidance."
"How considerate, Gin-kun."
Orochimaru's rare smile showed warmth.
"I just don't want to feel guilty when I eventually get revenge."
Gin responded with a grin.
Four months of torture! He would get his revenge! Orochimaru's smile widened.
A strange person indeed.
"I'll look forward to it."
He opened the scroll.
"Immortality Seal!"
(End of Chapter)