The rain continued, splashing into tiny ripples.
Squirtle stood in the rain, its eyes sparkling with lively light.
As Chakra flowed within its body, its mouth puffed up slightly, a gentle pulse forming and rotating inside.
Water splashed, creating dazzling blue ripples through the curtain of rain, as if even the air trembled along with it.
"So beautiful..."
Konan whispered in admiration, her eyes filled with surprise.
Squirtle glanced back at her proudly, patting its small chest plate as if showing off with cheerful cries.
Infected by this innocence, Konan refused to be outdone.
As Squirtle's master, with their hearts connected, she quickly grasped the technique of Water Pulse.
"Then I'll give it a try too."
She closed her eyes, focusing on sensing the raindrops around her.
Chakra flowed through her palms, causing the rainwater to vibrate, float, and spin.
Yet every time she tried to release it,
the power would scatter like sand through her fingers, unable to take form.
"Hmm... It's not working."
Konan bit her lower lip lightly, looking at her palm with slight disappointment.
"Don't rush."
A calm voice sounded through the rain.
Shiroishi approached, his expression as steady as ever. Raindrops slid down his hair, yet he appeared unfazed.
"Squirtle releases it through its mouth because its Chakra flow is more inclined to circulate through its body cavity, due to its physical constitution."
He raised his right hand, forming his fingers into the shape of a gun.
"As humans, Chakra gathers more smoothly in our meridians and fingertips. Try using your fingers to 'guide' the water flow instead of spitting it out."
Konan was taken aback. "With my fingers?"
Shiroishi nodded, lightly moving his fingertip.
His usually gentle Chakra suddenly condensed, a spiral of energy gathering at his fingertip,
followed by water vapor being drawn together, forming a tiny water sphere that released a faint pulse wave as it spun.
"Like this."
"Wow..."
Jiraiya, standing nearby, stroked his chin with a look of surprise.
"Teacher?"
Konan looked up.
"He's right." Jiraiya smiled and nodded.
"Everyone has different physical constitutions. Even for the same ninjutsu, you need to adjust according to your body's Chakra flow. Squirtle uses its mouth, you use your hands—that's the most natural way."
Konan took a deep breath and refocused.
Raindrops slid down her hair, her palms feeling slightly cool.
She raised her hand, gently extending her index finger.
In that moment, it seemed even the wind grew quiet.
Her Chakra gathered along her meridians to her fingertip, raindrops being drawn to form a small vortex around it.
"Water Release: Water Pulse!"
A brilliant blue water sphere shot from her fingertip,
drawing an elegant arc through the air before colliding with the rain curtain ahead, shattering into countless sparkling fragments.
Tiny water blossoms bloomed in the air like scattered meteors.
Success!
The rain continued gently, never ceasing.
Squirtle jumped excitedly around the yard, its tail whipping through the air with whooshing sounds, rainwater splashing everywhere from its movements.
It emitted cheerful cries while spinning around, gesturing with its short hands as if celebrating Konan's success.
Watching the jubilant blue figure, Konan couldn't help but laugh aloud. Raindrops slid down her eyelashes, unable to conceal her joy.
Shiroishi stood quietly under the eaves, his expression calm as water.
He didn't speak, simply watching them.
Eevee lay curled at his feet, ears slightly perked up as if touched by the joy, letting out a soft whimper.
Yet amidst this gentle atmosphere, a faint tremor arose from behind Shiroishi.
The purplish-blue egg quivered gently, its shell's fine patterns flowing with a dim glow.
Shiroishi raised his hand, lightly touching its surface.
In that moment, he could clearly sense the life within breathing.
"Oh?"
Jiraiya approached, eyeing the egg with keen interest, his face wearing his usual curious smile.
"Are you raising a second one now?"
Shiroishi nodded, his tone mild. "Yes. It might hatch soon."
As he spoke, the egg's halo flickered softly once more, as if affirming its owner's words.
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes, unable to resist stroking his chin. "Truly marvelous—both the Breeding House and your nurturing skills."
No sooner had he spoken than the Mudkip on his shoulder let out a "glub," leaping down and landing steadily with a flick of its tail fin.
The moment it touched the ground, Squirtle excitedly scurried over, spinning around with it in a puddle.
Not to be left out, Eevee gracefully bounded over, joining the playful chaos.
The three Ninja Beasts chased and frolicked amid the rain, splashes and laughter weaving into a gentle symphony.
Jiraiya watched the scene and couldn't help but laugh heartily.
"Haha, it really does feel comforting."
The playful antics of these Ninja Beasts somehow evoked a sense of nature's tranquility.
Konan stepped forward then. "Thank you for your help."
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke.
Shiroishi, unfazed, offered a faint smile.
Hm?
He lifted his gaze toward the distant forest shadows, his smile gradually fading.
That sensation had returned!
A faint, elusive gaze emanated from deep within the woods—cold, subtle, yet unnervingly real.
Shiroishi's fingers unconsciously brushed against the purple egg as his eyes darkened.
Someone was watching.
He turned slowly, his gaze piercing through the curtain of rain.
The drizzle fragmented into countless fine threads in his vision, and a barely perceptible shift occurred in his eyes.
With his glasses on, the light made it difficult to discern his expression clearly.
Yet beneath the silent rain, a slender shadow slithered noiselessly.
It was a small snake.
Its scales, dampened by the rain, clung to the ground as it glided, its trail nearly blending with the mud.
It had intended to draw closer, but when Shiroishi's gaze fell upon that shadow—
The snake halted abruptly.
The feeling of being seen through made its scales bristle instantly, coiling slightly.
Then, it burrowed into the soil with astonishing speed, vanishing without a trace.
The rhythm of the rain returned to its steady cadence.
Shiroishi stood in place, brow slightly furrowed, his hand slowly lowering.
He did not recklessly pursue, only his gaze flickered briefly.
That Chakra Wave was exceedingly peculiar—seemingly not one to trifle with.
Behind a tall, withered tree in the distance, the shadows shifted faintly.
Orochimaru stood there, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.
Raindrops traced paths down his pale cheeks, his golden vertical pupils gleaming with a hunter's intensity.
"Heh heh heh... What sharp perception."
He murmured to himself, the small snake coiling around his fingers, its body still trembling slightly.
"These little ones and their Ninja Beasts hold deep secrets."
He chuckled softly, the tip of his tongue lightly tracing the corner of his lips,
"Even that fool Jiraiya has been dragged into this?"
The rain grew heavier, shrouding heaven and earth in mist.
And within this damp night, along the boundary between shadow and light,
Orochimaru vanished silently into the swamp.
Emanating an enigmatic laugh.