Graduation Season

"Shizune, Kurenai, Asuma—congratulations on graduating from the Ninja Academy!"

Tsunade raised her glass and clinked it with the youngsters', while Orochimaru did the same.

Before they knew it, Shizune had already graduated from the Ninja Academy. Others from her class included Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, Kurenai Yuhi, and Asuma Sarutobi.

Shizune and Kurenai had been close friends since childhood, and Asuma got along quite well with Kurenai too. Having yet to face the harsh realities of society, Asuma was still somewhat rebellious. Now that he had graduated, he had not even gone home to celebrate with the Third Hokage.

It was also Orochimaru's first time meeting this second-generation official, the future member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.

He still had that bowl cut, along with some stubble on his chin. Altogether, he looked rather like a street punk.

Still, it had to be said that Asuma's grades at the Ninja Academy were quite good. Otherwise, he would not have been assigned to serve as the Daimyo's guard. In ancient times, that would have made him an armed imperial bodyguard.

The reason he had come to Tsunade's house for dinner today was partly because he was close with Kurenai, and partly because his relationship with his father was somewhat strained.

In the Original Work, Asuma spent his entire life hoping to hear a word of approval from the Third Hokage. Even something as simple as, "That boy's not bad," was something he waited his whole life to hear but never did.

The Third Hokage might have known how to teach disciples, but he was far less competent when it came to teaching his own children.

Perhaps he had been Hokage for too long and had brought that same strictness home with him. Naturally, rebellious Asuma could not accept it.

Even after leaving the Daimyo's side and returning to Konoha, Asuma never received any special recognition from the Third Hokage. He did not understand that sometimes, all a child needed was a word of praise or affirmation from his father.

If the Third Hokage went around saying he had raised Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade as his own children, Orochimaru would not believe it even if someone beat him to death.

The three were outstanding partly because they had been naturally gifted, and only then because the Third Hokage had taken a liking to them. It was a mutually reinforcing relationship; the credit could not all be attributed to the Third Hokage.

All the signs showed that the Third Hokage had not been a qualified father. But was Asuma entirely without fault?

It was perfectly normal for a rebellious child to desperately seek his father's approval, but Asuma had never considered things from the Third Hokage's perspective.

If he had put himself in his father's shoes, shown more understanding toward his father's work, and had a little more patience himself, things would not have ended with the tragedy of wanting to care for one's parents only after they were gone.

Of course, Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan had played a part in this, but things had not reached their final outcome yet. Who knew what the future would bring?

All in all, both of them had their problems. If they had interacted the way Minato and Naruto did, there would not have been so many issues.

Minato's brightness, gentleness, tolerance, and affirmation left a deep impression on people. Naruto's own brightness, fiery passion, and relentless drive were just as infectious. They kept him from taking many detours, and even when he did go astray, his companions were willing to pull him back.

Looking at Asuma, who still resembled a street thug somewhat, Orochimaru thought, Old Asuma's Banana Fist would one day become famous throughout the Ninja World! He had no intention of interfering with Asuma's fate. At worst, in the future...

"Come on, little Asuma. Have a drink!"

Seeing Orochimaru raise his glass to him, Asuma hurriedly filled his own. He was a little flattered by the gesture.

"Orochimaru-senpai, you're too kind."

Asuma was quite forthright and drained the glass in one gulp. No matter how poorly he got along with his father, he treated his friends and companions well enough.

Later on, he would always pick up the bill when taking his students out to eat. Even today, he had proactively brought plenty of ingredients to Tsunade's house. He was generous by nature, no wonder so many fans had found his death in the Original Work so hard to accept.

It was impossible to tell that old Asuma had been close to Kurenai since childhood. No wonder the two of them ended up together later.

After signaling for the two of them to eat more and not stand on ceremony, Orochimaru turned to Shizune.

"What are your plans for the future?"

Shizune, who was stuffing herself without restraint, did not stop moving her hands when she noticed Orochimaru looking at her. She answered through a mouthful of food, her words indistinct.

"Lady Tsunade said she'll teach me Medical Ninjutsu, so I plan to study with her for a while first."

In the Original Work, Shizune's Medical Ninjutsu was quite good as well. During all those years when Tsunade could not stand the sight of blood, Shizune had performed the operations in her stead. As long as Tsunade explained the situation and procedures, Shizune handled everything else.

Her role was somewhat like Kabuto Yakushi at Orochimaru's side. Kabuto was also an outstanding Medical Ninja, handling plenty of dirty and exhausting work for Orochimaru.

Not only did he admire Orochimaru greatly, but he was also unwaveringly loyal. That was why he could stay by Orochimaru's side from beginning to end.

A clever mind was one thing, but loyalty was what mattered most.

It was just that no one knew which corner Kabuto was hiding in now.

"Mm! Good. It's good that you have a plan."

After saying that, Orochimaru looked at Tsunade again.

"I need to leave in a few days. It could be as short as half a year or as long as a year."

Kurenai and Asuma did not react much upon hearing that Orochimaru was leaving again, but Shizune and Tsunade could not sit still.

Half a year to a year? Did that not mean they would have to go back to cooking for themselves or eating takeout?

"Why so long? Is there some mission?"

Tsunade swept Orochimaru with a slightly suspicious gaze. She felt that he had become increasingly mysterious.

He was either doing research or disappearing for a period of time. Once, when she had met Jiraiya, he had even subtly asked about Orochimaru's whereabouts. Something was off.

"There are some matters I need to deal with, so I have to make a trip."

He still needed to give the two of them a heads-up. Otherwise, if they thought something had happened to him and started asking around everywhere, it would be troublesome.

Danzo was not a problem either. Orochimaru was currently the most important researcher under his command, so what was wrong with taking a long vacation? Besides, the Hashirama Cells research had recently run into some problems. What was wrong with going out for a walk?

Put plainly, Orochimaru was the boss now. If Danzo pushed him too far, he could simply quit, and Danzo would not be able to say anything. After all, Orochimaru had not gotten his hands on either the Byakugan or the Sharingan yet. This was a good chance to make Danzo pay more attention.

Since Orochimaru did not explain further, Tsunade stopped asking. Instead, she asked about Jiraiya.

"I heard Jiraiya brought a child back from outside. His name is Jiraisui!"

Orochimaru had not thought much of the first half—it was within expectations. But when he heard the name Jiraisui, the wine he had swallowed nearly sprayed out.

"Is that really so surprising?"

Seeing Orochimaru cough nonstop, Tsunade was puzzled. With Jiraiya's flirtatious nature, was doing something like this really that shocking?

What she did not know was how deeply the name Jiraisui had etched itself into Orochimaru's memory. Anyone from the twenty-first century would find it strange to hear someone called that.

"Hehe... I heard about it too. It's a nice name!"

Orochimaru could only use an awkward laugh to hide his discomfort.