The Easily Fooled Cold Lord of Childhood

Hoshiryu Uchiha stopped walking, while Tsunade looked puzzled, not understanding what he was doing.

The next moment, Orochimaru emerged from behind them.

He hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

"Hoshiryu-kun, I hope you can guide my training. Please grant this unreasonable request!"

As he spoke, Orochimaru shut his eyes and bowed deeply to Hoshiryu Uchiha.

Secretly following someone was inherently an immoral thing to do.

And asking the person you had followed to guide you made it even more unreasonable.

But Orochimaru had no choice.

Having only just entered the Ninja Academy, he was not yet Hiruzen Sarutobi's future student.

His parents were merely ordinary Chunin, and Civilian Ninja at that.

Their meager resources simply could not support his growth.

He had originally placed his hopes on the Ninja Academy teachers' instruction, but Tsukiji's guidance was clearly rather basic.

To Orochimaru, it was tasteless to keep and a pity to discard.

In contrast, aside from being from the Uchiha Clan, Hoshiryu Uchiha's circumstances were essentially the same as his.

Yet unlike him, Hoshiryu Uchiha had already possessed formidable strength before being adopted.

Therefore, Orochimaru hoped that Hoshiryu Uchiha could guide his future path.

Just as he waited for judgment, Hoshiryu Uchiha walked over and helped him up.

"We're friends. If we improve together, what's there to call guidance?"

"Are you free today? Why not stay at my place tonight? We can go to school together tomorrow."

Orochimaru had still been in a daze when he was helped up, and Hoshiryu Uchiha's words left him rooted to the spot.

It took him quite a while to recover.

The next moment, the six-year-old's eyes filled with tears from emotion.

Hoshiryu Uchiha's words not only moved Orochimaru to tears.

They also changed Hoshiryu Uchiha's place in his heart from friend to close friend.

Sometimes, children's friendships were just that simple and straightforward.

As for why he was treating Orochimaru so well, did that even need to be said?

Others might not know about his talent, but how could Hoshiryu Uchiha not know?

The Ninja Academy had only just begun; otherwise, Orochimaru's talent would have drawn attention long ago.

Leaving aside Orochimaru's talent for learning ninjutsu, his research ability alone made him worth investing in.

In this world of the Hokage, where bloodlines reigned supreme, Orochimaru was the only one who believed in science.

If he had understood the truth of this world, he might even have researched the Rinnegan.

And before he went dark, Orochimaru had actually been quite kind.

All that could be said was that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo were complete scum, leading such a promising Hokage candidate down a dark path.

Hoshiryu Uchiha froze when he saw Orochimaru's tearful expression.

After all, in his impression, Orochimaru was both twisted and heartless.

But looking at the tiny Orochimaru before him, he realized that was merely his stereotype.

The current Cold Lord was still very immature.

Hoshiryu Uchiha patted Orochimaru on the shoulder.

"A man can only cry twice in his life: once when he is born, and once when his parents pass away."

"So wipe away your tears. Let's go."

Orochimaru hurriedly wiped his eyes upon hearing that. Then he looked at Hoshiryu Uchiha and said earnestly.

"I understand, Hoshiryu-kun. I won't cry again in the future."

Tsunade watched their interaction from the side, her head full of question marks.

She did not understand how the topic had turned to being a man. Wasn't Orochimaru asking Hoshiryu to guide his training?

Besides, it was getting late.

Hoshiryu Uchiha was not afraid of Mito Uzumaki, but Tsunade could not bear the consequences.

So she interrupted the two, who still seemed ready to continue their exchange.

"Hoshiryu, it's getting late. We should go back."

Hoshiryu Uchiha looked at the somewhat anxious Tsunade and understood what she was thinking.

Mito Uzumaki had been correcting Tsunade's personality these past few days and had been very strict with her.

If he got home late, he would only get scolded a little. Tsunade, on the other hand, might end up studying under lamplight all night.

Orochimaru was perceptive as well. Seeing Tsunade's anxious appearance, he knew she was in a hurry to get home.

So the two exchanged a glance. Though they had not known each other for long, they spoke in unison with perfect understanding.

"Then let's go. x2"

Then they smiled at each other.

Tsunade, greatly relieved, quickly walked ahead. Her hurried appearance made Hoshiryu Uchiha want to laugh.

But then he recalled the reason for Tsunade's suffering and held it back.

After all, he had played no small part in causing her to receive such treatment.

If he laughed now, that would be a little too much.

After a while, I should make it up to Tsunade.

With that thought, Hoshiryu Uchiha led Orochimaru after Tsunade.

Tsunade walked very quickly, and before long, they arrived at the old Senju Clan residence.

Mito Uzumaki stood at the entrance, with Chika beside her.

The moment Tsunade saw her, she dashed over.

"Grandma, I came back right~ on~ time!"

As Tsunade said this, she deliberately stressed the words "on time."

Mito Uzumaki smiled warmly. Tsunade's performance these past few days had indeed satisfied her.

"Little Tsunade has been very good. In a few days, I'll have Hoshiryu take you out to play and give you a day off."

Mito Uzumaki understood that excessive correction was not good.

So she deliberately gave Tsunade a day off, allowing her to relieve some pressure and let out her childlike nature.

Tsunade nearly jumped for joy when she heard that.

With a dazzling smile, she ran to Hoshiryu Uchiha's side, grabbed his arm, and said excitedly.

"Did you hear that? Grandma said you have to take me out to play!"

Hoshiryu Uchiha looked at the adorable girl before him, rubbed her head, and said.

"I heard. When school is out in a few days, I'll take you out to play and give you a surprise."

At the mention of a surprise, Tsunade's eyes widened as she asked expectantly.

"What is it? What is it? Tell me."

Hoshiryu Uchiha crossed his arms and put on a mysterious air.

"That won't do. You can't tell someone a surprise in advance, or what would make it a surprise?"

"Just keep looking forward to it. You'll find out in a few days."

Then he pointed at Orochimaru and continued.

"Besides, we have a guest right now."

Tsunade felt a little embarrassed upon hearing that. Keeping a guest waiting was indeed not very polite.

So she stepped aside and let Hoshiryu Uchiha bring Orochimaru before Mito Uzumaki.

"Grandma Mito, this is Orochimaru, a friend I met at the Ninja Academy."

Orochimaru looked at Mito Uzumaki. Though he did not know why Tsunade and Hoshiryu Uchiha called this young woman Grandma.

His sixth sense told him that they could call her Grandma, but he absolutely could not.

So he obediently said.

"Hello, big sister. My name is Orochimaru. I'm Hoshiryu and Tsunade's classmate."