Konoha's King of Competition! Temporarily Accompanying Orochimaru and His Student Out of the Village on a Mission

The next morning.

After his usual morning training, Liuyun arrived early at the gates of the Senju Clan Grounds.

The two had agreed yesterday that he would come find Kushina today and teach her the Tree Climbing skill.

Unfortunately, he waited outside the gates for nearly half the day without catching sight of Kushina.

Mito Uzumaki did notice him and came out leaning on her cane to chat with him for quite a while.

She said Kushina seemed to have suffered from insomnia last night and had only barely fallen asleep at dawn. She probably would not wake up this morning.

Mito Uzumaki then asked about what had happened between them and why Kushina had cried.

Liuyun hemmed and hawed for ages without managing to explain himself...

Fortunately, she did not press him further, and Liuyun visibly let out a huge sigh of relief.

Since he would not get to see Kushina that morning, he had no intention of wasting time. Under the blazing sun, he resumed his body-training cultivation.

Youth was not meant to be wasted.

Before summer break, he had asked Might Duy to devise a scientific and reasonable daily body-training regimen for him. If he carried out every task, there was not much free time left for him at all.

So sometimes, he would create Shadow Clones to assist him with miscellaneous matters unrelated to training, while his main body made sure to complete his daily body-training tasks.

There was not a single person in all of Konoha who could grind as hard as he did... let alone children his age. Even adults could not out-grind him...

In his previous life, he had worked himself to the bone for a better life too, but in China, there had been countless people who could outwork him... He had not managed to grind out much wealth or status.

Now that he had been reborn, he still retained his habit of competing relentlessly. But this time, he no longer wanted to chase after superficial things.

In this world, strength was the foundation for survival. He needed to grind out enough power to protect himself as quickly as possible. Only then could he use his knowledge of the plot to achieve his ambitions and aspirations.

At noon, Liuyun joined his mother Asuka at home for a lavish Chinese meal. Afterward, he spent another hour writing a segment of Dragon Ball.

Once he had finished his daily routine, he left home, intending to make another trip to the Senju Clan Grounds.

However, just as he was about to reach his destination, he happened to run into two figures.

"Liuyun?"

A hint of pleasant surprise appeared on Orochimaru's face.

"Orochimaru... sensei?"

Liuyun had encountered Orochimaru and Nawaki at the intersection.

"Hehe... What brings you here, Liuyun?" Orochimaru asked with a smile.

"Ah... I was just passing by..." Liuyun scratched his head and explained with an awkward grin.

"Just passing by? I don't think so," Nawaki said, crossing his arms with a meaningful smile.

"Were you going to see Kushina?"

"You took her out for a big meal last night, and it seemed like you even made her cry... Was that you?"

Nawaki directly stripped someone bare.

Hearing this, Orochimaru could not help but reveal an odd expression.

Liuyun's face was full of embarrassment, and for a moment, he did not know how to explain himself...

"Enough..."

Orochimaru waved a hand, rescuing him from the situation.

"Orochimaru sensei, where are you two headed?" Liuyun took the initiative to change the subject.

"There's a small mission that requires us to leave the village," Orochimaru explained casually.

After saying that, he seemed to think of something. He looked at Liuyun and revealed a sinister smile.

"Do you have time today, Liuyun?"

Orochimaru's question surprised him somewhat. But after only a brief pause, Liuyun nodded lightly and said that he had time every day.

"In that case, would you like to come with us and leave the village for a while?"

Orochimaru licked his lips and extended the invitation.

"!!!"

Liuyun had not expected Orochimaru to ask him to leave the village. From what he had just said, it seemed Orochimaru intended to let him take part in the mission.

To be honest, he was very curious about Orochimaru's purpose, but he had planned to see Kushina that afternoon.

"What? Do you have a date this afternoon?" Orochimaru teased with a smile.

"No... no... Since Orochimaru sensei has invited me, even if I didn't have time, I'd make time..." Liuyun gave an awkward laugh.

He still hoped to learn ninjutsu knowledge from Orochimaru in the future... Since the man had personally invited him, he naturally could not refuse.

"Haha... Excellent!"

Orochimaru was very pleased with his attitude. He found Liuyun amusing and especially quick on the uptake.

"Hmph... Brownnoser..."

Nawaki curled his lips and could not help muttering.

"..."

Liuyun merely glanced at him and had no intention of stooping to his level.

He secretly looked toward the Senju Clan Grounds and sighed inwardly.

Fine, I'll let her get some proper rest...

With so many eyes on him, it would not be appropriate to make a Shadow Clone. He could only wait until tomorrow to see Kushina...

"Sensei, when did you secretly take on another student? Why have I never heard anything about this?"

Nawaki stared at Orochimaru with a resentful expression.

"Hehe... I teach Liuyun some knowledge, so it is only natural for him to call me Orochimaru sensei..."

Orochimaru explained with a light laugh. He did not deliberately clarify their relationship, but Nawaki more or less understood what he meant.

His teacher had not accepted a new student. He was still his teacher's only disciple.

"Can you tell me anything about the mission outside the village? Is there anything I need to prepare?"

Liuyun quickened his pace to catch up with the two and asked Orochimaru.

"The mission is confidential for now, and there's nothing you need to prepare. Once we leave the village, you only need to be a spectator..."

After saying this, Orochimaru's lips curled into a particularly strange smile.

"Uh..."

Liuyun forcibly suppressed his curiosity. After nodding, he said no more.

Inside the Senju Clan Grounds.

After lunch, Kushina seemed restless and anxious, glancing toward the gates every now and then.

Grandma Mito had already told her during the meal that Liuyun had waited outside the gates for her all morning.

When she first heard the news, Kushina had been delighted. More than half of last night's unpleasantness had faded away because of it.

Liuyun had not forgotten their agreement, which proved that he still cared a great deal about her.

But what had happened last night had made Kushina angry. She felt vindicated and rather proud that Liuyun had been left waiting all morning...

However, as time passed, the pride in Kushina's heart gradually turned into anxiety and unease.

Because Liuyun did not seem to have come looking for her that afternoon!

"Did... did he get mad at me? Is he blaming me for not coming out this morning?"

"I... I overslept..."

Kushina hid in a corner not far from the clan gates. At this moment, her heart was filled with agitation and unease. There was none of her earlier delight or pride left...

Liuyun was not coming, and she was truly panicking!

"Jerk, and you called me someone precious! You're obviously just a big liar!"

"You even told Grandma Mito that you'd come see me this afternoon? Nothing but lies!"

"No, he normally wouldn't break an appointment. Maybe something happened..."

"He must have been delayed by something. That's why he didn't come!"

The entire afternoon, she remained caught in an emotional spiral, her heart filled with countless conflicting feelings. One moment, she thought of his good points; the next, she thought of his bad ones... Her mind was filled with nothing but that boy's figure.

Without realizing it, Liuyun had already completely entered her heart. Kushina's emotions were also stirred by his every word and action.

In truth, the two of them were in much the same situation. The only difference was that one knew how to divert his attention, while the other was still too immature. With no one to guide her, she could not help overthinking, causing her mood to remain low...