As the first class neared its end, a distinctive hoarse voice cut through the classroom's chatter.
"First squad, come with me."
Orochimaru's figure appeared at the classroom door.
His feminine aura silenced the room instantly. No one dared utter a word.
Uncle Snake indeed, Tatsumi thought. That commanding presence was beyond any ordinary ninja.
Gone was Orochimaru's signature kimono, replaced by a sleek black ninja outfit and a jonin vest. His golden, snake-like eyes locked briefly with Sensei Nishimura's before he turned and exited.
Uchiha Tatsumi, Uchiha Mikoto, and Senju Rope Tree scrambled to their feet, exchanging quick waves with Kushina and Minato before hurrying after him.
Orochimaru's pace quickened, forcing the trio to sprint to keep up. For Tatsumi, the speed was manageable—his Uchiha agility kept him steady. Rope Tree, with his sturdy Senju physique, held his own, albeit with effort. Mikoto, however, struggled, her breaths growing labored.
They soon reached Konoha's main gate.
Tatsumi sighed in relief, hoping Mikoto and Rope Tree could catch their breath. The pace had been grueling for them.
But Orochimaru showed no sign of slowing. Without a word, he produced a mission scroll, flicked his wrist, and sent it flying like a dart. It embedded itself into the wall beside the gate guards with a thunk.
Stylish, Tatsumi thought. That's not just a scroll toss—it's a masterclass in flair.
Still, he spared a thought for the guards. Good luck pulling that out of the wall.
The four dashed through the gate without a greeting.
Two chunin guards blinked in confusion. "Hey! Who's that, acting all high and mighty?" a younger one, about twenty, grumbled, pride stinging. Being a gate guard felt prestigious to him.
"Shh, keep it down," his middle-aged partner whispered. "That's Orochimaru. He's got connections—his teacher's the Hokage. Don't mess with him."
"Still, what if something goes wrong? It's always us temporary guys who take the blame," the younger chunin muttered.
"…"
Beyond the gate, the group veered east, moving at a speed that blurred past ordinary sight.
Orochimaru's golden eyes flicked sideways, assessing the three behind him. "Not bad."
Tatsumi trailed effortlessly, his Sharingan glinting with focus. Mikoto and Rope Tree kept pace, though sweat beaded on their foreheads. Their breathing remained steady, showing no sign of falling behind.
They've grown in these three years, Orochimaru noted. Mikoto, in particular, surprised him. She was usually understated in class, yet here she was, matching his pace. Three years ago, her stamina had been lacking, a weakness he'd pointed out. She'd clearly taken his advice to heart.
Orochimaru's gaze lingered on Tatsumi, a faint smile curling his lips as he licked them with his long tongue. "Interesting. So many talents orbit you, Tatsumi. What storm will you unleash? I'm eager to see."
With that, he accelerated.
Time crawled by as they pressed on.
Tatsumi remained unfazed, his movements fluid. Mikoto, however, was faltering, her breaths ragged. Rope Tree panted heavily, his stamina waning.
Orochimaru shook his head. This is their limit.
He agreed with Shimura Danzo's radical view, one the Third Hokage resisted: these prodigies needed real-world trials. A caged eagle, no matter how splendid, was merely a pet. To soar, they needed strong wings forged in hardship.
Orochimaru eased his pace.
By afternoon, their speed had dwindled significantly. Orochimaru raised a hand. "Stop," he said hoarsely.
Rope Tree collapsed to the ground, sprawling like a winded dog. "I… I'm fine," he gasped, glaring at Tatsumi. "Just… don't make me run again, or I'll… kill you."
Tatsumi raised an eyebrow. "…"
Mikoto was in worse shape, her face flushed, but she stood upright, determined to maintain her composure in front of Tatsumi.
"Here, saltwater," Tatsumi said, offering her his canteen.
Rope Tree eyed it longingly, but no one spared him a glance.
"We'll rest here tonight," Orochimaru said after scanning the surroundings.
Rope Tree rummaged through his ninja pouch, pulling out dry rations to restore his energy.
Orochimaru licked his lips, a sinister smile spreading. "Rope Tree, toss those rations. I've poisoned them."
Rope Tree froze. "…"
"This forest east of Konoha teems with wildlife," Orochimaru continued. "Water, food—you'll hunt for it during this mission. That includes my share."
"So, once you've rested, get moving. I'm hungry, and I want barbecue. Hurry up."
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