Three years passed in a flash.
Namikaze Minato graduated early at the age of 10.
Under Jiraiya's training, Namikaze Minato faced Sora multiple times in battle drills at the ninja school.
Using his specially trained speed, Namikaze Minato challenged Sora repeatedly but was defeated each time.
However, the rate of Namikaze Minato's growth astonished Sora.
Each time they clashed, Namikaze Minato's speed noticeably improved.
But Sora was also progressing. Now, with the full-sword form of Thunder Breath at his disposal, Sora had begun specialized speed training to enhance his own agility.
After Namikaze Minato graduated early and became a Genin, he continued his training with Jiraiya, and Sora hadn't seen him in two years.
Although Sora had the ability to graduate early, he chose not to apply.
Unlike Namikaze Minato, who had the guidance of a famous teacher after early graduation, Sora saw no benefit in rushing.
With the current peace, early graduates like Genin could only take on D-level missions within the village.
Despite no explicit mistreatment, Konoha's villagers still harboured resentment towards Sora.
Sora also disliked D-level tasks, such as finding lost pets or picking up trash. The pay was meagre, and the work felt tedious.
He preferred to use the time to focus on his training.
When Tsunade returned to Konoha briefly, she stayed for two days. After visiting Uzumaki Mito, she left with Shizune once more.
Although Uzumaki Kushina saw Tsunade again at Uzumaki Mito's mansion, she didn't engage with her. Kushina still harboured resentment toward Tsunade over the incident where Sora had stepped in to help her.
Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato had left Konoha for training. With Tsunade also gone, Orochimaru was the only remaining member of the Sannin in the village.
During this time, Sora met Uzumaki Mito.
As the wife of the First Hokage, Sora assumed Uzumaki Mito was closely tied to the Hokage faction and approached her with caution.
Yet Uzumaki Mito's warmth toward him left Sora puzzled, as it felt unusually enthusiastic.
Uzumaki Kushina, meanwhile, was learning the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan under Uzumaki Mito's guidance.
Sora had awakened his Sharingan but kept it hidden.
Sarutobi Hiruzen instructed both Jiraiya and Tsunade to keep the matter a secret.
If the Uchiha clan discovered that Sora had awakened the Sharingan, they would likely attempt to reclaim him.
Such a move could lead to conflict between Sora and the Uchiha clan.
With Sarutobi Hiruzen aiming to groom Sora, he was determined to prevent any possibility of Sora returning to the Uchiha clan. Additionally, now was not the right time to confront the Uchiha.
If tensions arose, Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't be able to protect Sora openly.
Thus, keeping the Sharingan a secret was the safest approach. Once Sora matured and gained power, it would be a settled matter, leaving the Uchiha clan with no recourse.
Sora was content with this arrangement, as he had no desire to deal with the arrogant Uchiha who had always looked down on him.
Over these three years, figures like Uchiha Obito, Hatake Kakashi, Nohara Rin, and Might Guy were born one after another.
Based on the timeline, Kakashi was expected to enter the battlefield at the age of five.
The peaceful era in the ninja world had at most two years left before the onset of a Cold War, or possibly even less.
This period was marked by the anticipated event of Uzumaki Kushina's kidnapping by three Kumogakure shinobi.
The incident was expected to occur when Uzumaki Kushina became a Genin, though the exact timing remained unclear.
Following her kidnapping, local conflicts would likely begin to escalate across the ninja world.
Uzumaki Kushina was now 12 years old, leaving six years until she would inherit the Nine-Tails from Uzumaki Mito and become the new Jinchūriki.
It also meant Uzumaki Mito's death was approaching, and time was running out for Sora to prepare.
With a maximum of two years of peace left and six years until Kushina's transformation, Sora recognized the battlefield as the only means to accelerate his growth significantly.
Thus, he rigorously utilized his evenings for intense training.
The results were promising.
Being a half-blood descendant of the Senju clan, Chiba possessed a naturally large Chakra reserve, which had grown exponentially over time.
He resolved to accumulate sufficient witness points and strengthen himself as much as possible before Kushina became the Nine Tails Jinchūriki.
In the past three years, Sora had earned 50 witness points.
One significant instance was his coincidental witnessing of Might Guy's birth.
At the time, Sora had strained his muscles from overtraining and visited the ninja hospital for medicine.
There, he overheard someone calling out Might Duy's name.
Intrigued by the legendary man who would one day single-handedly kill four of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Sora quietly followed him.
By chance, he witnessed the birth of Might Guy and gained 50 witness points.
However, other notable births during this period were out of his reach.
Children from prestigious ninja clans were inaccessible to him, limiting his opportunities to gain further points.
It was now late evening.
Sora continued his rigorous training at Konoha's training ground.
Using 10 witness points, he had exchanged for a new sword and was practising purely with physical strength, swinging it against a wooden stake without using any Chakra.
Sweat trickled down his face, dripping onto the ground.
Suddenly, a hoarse voice sounded behind him.
"You're working hard."
A chill ran down Sora's spine as he realized he hadn't sensed the presence of anyone nearby.
Spinning around sharply, his pupils contracted at the sight before him.
Pale skin, purple eye shadow, magatama earrings, and snake-like vertical pupils.
It was Orochimaru, the only Sannin Chiba had never met in person.
Sora immediately adjusted his demeanour, bowing slightly and addressing him with respect, "Lord Orochimaru."
Orochimaru, arms crossed, approached Sora with a peculiar expression.
"I've been observing you for many days. At such a young age, you've mastered impressive ninjutsu and awakened the Sharingan. Truly a testament to your lineage as a descendant of the Uchiha and Senju clans."
Sora raised his head, meeting Orochimaru's gaze without fear, though his curiosity was evident.
"Lord Orochimaru, you've been observing me for many days?"
Orochimaru smiled, though, to Sora, it felt more like a sneer.
"The old man seems to have a fondness for you and even suggested I take you as a disciple.
I've no intention of doing so, as teaching would only distract me. However, I find myself intrigued by you.
You and I are alike—masters of disguise, showing the world only the side we wish for them to see.
Don't bother denying it. The predatory gleam in your eyes betrays you, even if only for an instant. I like that look, like a snake lying in wait, ready to strike."
Sora's scalp tingled with unease as he realized Orochimaru wasn't simply observing him—he was interested in making him a disciple.
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