Nozuki sat weakly at the table, lifting a bowl of porridge to her lips.
"Reiki, if something like this happens again, don't let me get involved. I'm so anxious now..." she admitted, discomfort flashing across her face. The burden of secrecy was torturous for her.
"Okay," Reiki replied simply, not refuting her.
"No, it doesn't sit right with me that you're going on missions behind my back," she insisted. "Reiki, you have to come up with a plan. Let's go now…"
"No!" Reiki interrupted firmly, concerned about Nozuki's straightforward nature. She reminded him of Minato in that regard.
Just then, Minato entered, a familiar face with telltale panda eyes. "Reiki, you guys head to the training ground. I have to go there too. Let's go together," he said, and Reiki was relieved; it seemed he wasn't the only one lacking sleep.
"Brother Minato, come join us for breakfast!" Reiki called out. "Sister Kushina is here too, so let's all eat together."
At the mention of her name, Minato turned to look outside, where a flash of bright red hair caught his eye.
"Reiki, I heard you can treat mental problems. I think Minato might need some treatment," Kushina chimed in, her voice serious and her eyes filled with concern.
"Alright, I'll take care of him after breakfast," Reiki assured, and he promptly brought out another batch of porridge.
---
After they finished eating, Reiki used his chakra to treat Nozuki and Minato, alleviating the tension in their nerves.
Soon, the group made their way to the training ground, where they found Hatake Sakumo already present.
To Reiki's surprise, Orochimaru was also there, a figure he greeted politely.
"Master Orochimaru," Reiki said, amused at the stark contrast between his polished demeanor and the more chaotic elements of the ninja world.
"Reiki, do you really not want to be my disciple?" Orochimaru asked with a smile that lacked the malice many associated with him.
Reiki chuckled. "I'll have to check with my teacher first. If she agrees, I won't refuse," he joked before heading toward the medical area.
Orochimaru exchanged quiet words with Hatake Sakumo, and soon Reiki understood Orochimaru's presence—he was there to participate in the upcoming training session.
The idea of training with two renowned ninjas from the Second Shinobi World War thrilled many. The training promised not just numerical improvement but a holistic enhancement of combat capabilities.
---
After the training, as the first wave of participants left, Orochimaru stayed behind, waiting for Reiki.
"Are you heading back?" Orochimaru inquired, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"No, I have more practice to do! Shizune will prepare a meal for us later. We're heading to the Uchiha training ground for actual combat training," Reiki replied, not hiding his plans.
"Am I welcome to watch?" Orochimaru asked, intrigued.
Reiki nodded. "Of course. Shisui, go call someone. We'll wait for you at the training ground. I bet Obito is already there."
With that, Roy and Nozuki departed, Orochimaru trailing behind them.
---
Upon arriving at the Uchiha training ground, Orochimaru was taken aback. "So many people?" he remarked, surprised to see a large group of young ninjas training together.
Typically, a genius like Reiki would train in isolation, given his skill level. But here were the likes of Uchiha Shisui and Namikaze Minato, and even others like Might Guy and Obito, who were not as notable.
As they fought one-on-one, Orochimaru observed their intensity. Kakashi had surpassed some Genin, showing potential for battlefield readiness. Might Guy, despite lacking ninjutsu skills, displayed extraordinary physical prowess. Obito, though naive, performed well in battle.
His previous assumptions about their abilities were clearly wrong.
"Are they… treating injuries during training?" Orochimaru soon realized, noticing how the participants trained with little regard for their safety, encouraged by Reiki's medical ninjutsu that allowed them to recover quickly and continue.
This realization sparked Orochimaru's interest. Such training could yield valuable insights into the limits of ninja endurance.
The combat training lasted until ten o'clock, and everyone left with smiles, eager to share their successes rather than complain about the rigorous session.
"Lord Orochimaru, would you like to join us for a meal?" Reiki asked, his tone friendly as he approached Orochimaru once more.
"No, I have matters to attend to," Orochimaru replied, a rare warmth in his voice. "Reiki, you're impressive."
With that, Orochimaru vanished, leaving Reiki to ponder the enigmatic figure.
Shortly after, Minato approached, his face tinged with concern. "Reiki, you and Lord Orochimaru…"
"It's nothing too serious, at least for now," Reiki reassured him, recognizing the worry in Minato's eyes. There was no need to divulge more; some secrets were best kept.
"Let's go," he said, urging them forward as they left the training ground behind, the challenges ahead waiting to be faced.
>>>>>
Gimme Power stones I'm Poor