Chapter 7 — Orochimaru
The next day.
Kinoshita Hikaru and Minato Namikaze were walking along the path to the Ninja Academy when an unexpected visitor appeared.
"Orochimaru?"
"Oh, you know me?"
Orochimaru's face was pale and delicate, dressed in a standard Jōnin uniform, with shoulder-length black hair and brown eyes.
Is this the new type of bloodline my teacher mentioned? A bloodline that can extend and contract the body…
Ever since Sarutobi Hiruzen had shared information about Hikaru with Orochimaru yesterday, the snake-like ninja had become interested.
For this boy, who shared a similar flexible body technique, Orochimaru—ambitious to master all jutsu—was determined to study him.
At this moment.
The two were ten meters apart when, with a whoosh, Orochimaru's neck stretched, his head shooting forward.
Hikaru clearly saw the eager look in Orochimaru's eyes and the excited tongue flicking out.
As Orochimaru's head got closer, Hikaru jumped back, stretching his own neck five meters in response.
Seeing this, Orochimaru became even more excited, his tongue darting like a serpent, flicking and flicking.
Orochimaru was chasing, determined to lock eyes with Hikaru.
Hikaru kept dodging, afraid of being bitten.
"Sugoi!"
Minato felt like he was watching two master snakes. Their bodies remained mostly still, but their necks moved like living serpents.
After a short chase, Orochimaru realized Hikaru's neck was even more flexible than his own. He spoke, "Hikaru-kun, what are you afraid of? We are of the same kind."
Hikaru didn't respond. Same kind? I'm rubber, not a snake. He asked, "I'm rubber. What are you?"
"I'm a snake!"
"Then do you know the A-San Serpent Dance? (ﾟoﾟ)"
As he spoke, Hikaru whistled a strange melody.
"Wooo… wooo…"
As the melody played, Orochimaru felt a tickle in his neck, unable to resist moving it twice.
Seeing that it worked, Hikaru blew harder, swinging his neck while whistling.
Perhaps it was the power of the Serpent Dance, or maybe Orochimaru was inherently a dancer at heart, but eventually he followed the rhythm, moving with the melody.
"Wooo… wooo…"
Hikaru swayed his neck from side to side, and so did Orochimaru. The two of them became a wave line, beginning a strange dance. By the end, they had come close together, entwining like a spiral.
"Sugoi!"
Minato clapped from the side, calling out, "Uh… that's… actually pretty good, but we're going to be late. Maybe we can continue tonight?"
The melody stopped abruptly. Hikaru retracted his neck, and Orochimaru also ceased his jutsu.
However...
Minato: "Uh…"
Hikaru: "ヽ(・＿・;)ノ"
Orochimaru: "ㄟ(▔,▔)ㄏ"
"Uh… can you let go of me?" Hikaru asked.
Orochimaru had lost the desire to speak. Their necks were still tangled, and both just wanted to break free.
In the end, Minato pulled Hikaru out and they ran off together.
"Goodbye, Lord Orochimaru."
Watching Hikaru's legs fly through the air as he ran, Orochimaru was reminded of Jiraiya, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
This first meeting was… certainly unique.
"Sensei, I will take this student under my wing."
At this time, Orochimaru had not yet accepted Senju Nawaki as a disciple, so Kinoshita Hikaru would become his first pupil.
...
In the classroom, the students whispered among themselves.
Kinoshita Muraichi stood at the podium but did not intervene, simply watching the time. Perhaps for these kids, this was the best part of their childhood.
A trace of helplessness flickered in his eyes. According to the Ninja Academy rules, students who failed to cultivate chakra within six months would be assigned to the regular class. Those with low talent would go to the intermediate class, while very few in the civilian class could even develop chakra.
Geniuses were rare—sometimes years would pass without one appearing—until his two younger brothers came along.
"All right, students, let's begin class. Today we continue cultivating chakra. I'll demonstrate first, and if anyone has questions, you may raise your hand."
Suddenly.
Clang! Kinoshita Muraichi's lecture was interrupted. He turned and saw his two younger brothers, and a flash of anger crossed his eyes.
"Sorry, Sensei." Minato Namikaze lowered his head and bowed apologetically.
"Hm? Hm?"
Muraichi sensed the chakra waves radiating from Minato and was pleased. Then he noticed his younger brother's half-awake, dazed eyes.
Still not fully awake? Not a trace of ninja discipline.
His expression immediately darkened, and he roared, "Who let you two be late? Go run one hundred laps around the training field! ╰(‵□′)╯"
"Ah!"
Hikaru was still a little dizzy and was pulled away by Minato.
Muraichi didn't pay them any further attention. Since they had already manifested chakra, there was no need to learn anything in this class.
It was time for some real, brutal training. Don't blame your older brother—this is for your own good (^_^)／.
A sly smile appeared at the corner of Muraichi's mouth.
All the students shivered in unison, thinking: Sensei is terrifying!
...
On the training field.
"Hikaru-kun, Sensei said one hundred laps. Let's do this."
Minato adjusted his breathing and started running slowly.
"Wait for me, Minato!"
Hikaru caught up to Minato and took the lead, gradually increasing his speed.
Soon Minato's breathing became uneven. At this moment, Hikaru taught him a breathing technique from his past life.
Three short, one long… two short, one long…
"Control your rhythm. A ninja must never let their breathing be disrupted, no matter what."
This was something Hikaru had spent 2,000 yen learning at the gym in his previous life.
Not standard professional, but effective.
When they reached fifty laps, their path was blocked.
"Hmph, brat, not bad. I, Uchiha Shigeru, acknowledge you."
Uchiha Shigeru crossed his arms, chin raised, wearing an arrogant expression.
He had spent all day coming up with this opening pose. It was said to be a special stance used by the ancestor, Uchiha Madara, to fully display the clan's dominance.
Perfect for recruiting minions.
Yes, he intended to take these two kids as underlings. When he married Mikoto, they would be his groomsmen.
But the two ignored him entirely, running past, leaving Shigeru alone, flustered in the wind.
Then Hikaru called out, "Going for laps? Join us!"
"Interesting. You want to test my strength? Fine. Let me show you the power of the Uchiha."
Shigeru pushed off with his feet, shooting forward. When he reached them, he said, "How many laps have you run? I will catch up to you. The Uchiha never take advantage of others."
"No need. The duel is just beginning, right, Minato?"
"Mm!"
"Interesting. Then let's go. Last place buys the meal," Shigeru said.
"Mm! ヽ(○^㉨^)ﾉ♪" Hikaru's eyes burned with determination—he absolutely had to win, to show this arrogant brat the harshness of reality.
"Hm? (´◑д◐｀)" Minato's eyes blazed with fire. He could not lose—or he'd have to sell a kidney.
The two exchanged a glance, already feeling the resolve in each other's hearts.
"Listen carefully, Minato. Let's begin…"
"Let's go…"