Orochimaru, Let's Work Together (Please Recommend, Invest, Add to Booklist)

"Big Sister Kushina, I finally did it!"

At the end of November, Gengetsu emerged from the bedroom, his face beaming with joy.

"Huh?"

Kushina, who had been busy in the kitchen, turned around. She froze when she saw Gengetsu, then walked over and poked the diamond-shaped crystal on his forehead. "The Yin Seal succeeded? Hahaha, Gengetsu has become even cuter!"

Kushina burst into laughter without a shred of decorum.

Gengetsu's excited expression immediately darkened. His features had already been rather delicate, and now, with the Yin Seal as an embellishment, there was no need to say more. It was just that...

"Big Sister Kushina, the important part—that's not the important part!"

Gengetsu was utterly helpless.

Kushina blanked. "Not because of the Yin Seal... Hmm? Could it be... you've already synthesized Ice Release?"

"..."

Gengetsu felt like coughing up blood. Big Sister, I'm not some cheat-powered freak. How could a Kekkei Genkai possibly be mastered so easily?!

"Big Sister Kushina, it's Yin Release Chakra!"

Gengetsu finally said helplessly.

"Huh?"

A trace of embarrassment appeared on Kushina's face, but she immediately gave him a thumbs-up, her eyes curving into crescents. "That's the spirit! As expected of the outstanding ninja taught by Professor Uzumaki Kushina! Gengetsu, you're amazing!"

"But still, you've now mastered seven Chakra Nature Transformations. That's incredible! I'm afraid no one can compare to you!"

"I've decided—lunch absolutely has to have two extra dishes!"

"So, what should I add... Wait, Minato will be back tonight, so we need to celebrate together!"

"Ah, it looks like I'll have to prepare a lot more. The lunch dishes can't overlap with dinner!"

"Come to think of it, should we go out to celebrate tonight?"

Kushina entered her chatterbox mode, and Gengetsu wiped away his sweat... Still, this feeling was actually pretty nice!

At noon, Gengetsu ate until he was stuffed because Kushina was so happy. There was no helping it—Minato wasn't home, so there was no one to share the burden.

Still, Kushina's cooking was quite good!

"I didn't expect that after fully mastering the Yin Seal, I'd immediately complete my training in Yin Release Chakra!"

Rubbing his stomach, Gengetsu sighed inwardly. Training in Yin Release Chakra really had been far more difficult than he had imagined. It had taken several months to complete!

Of course, compared to many people who might struggle to master it for their entire lives, this was already extremely fast and astonishing. Since Kaguya Otsutsuki, the number of people who could master seven Chakra Nature Transformations could probably be counted on both hands!

"However, mastering these seven Chakra Nature Transformations doesn't necessarily mean one can become a top-tier powerhouse or reach the Six Paths-level. The key lies in one's mastery of these seven Chakra Nature Transformations, as well as their fusion!"

As he walked off his meal, Gengetsu thought, "The Third Hokage mastered Chakra of five attributes. What made him powerful was his proficiency, as well as his ability to freely combine ninjutsu. That was why he was called the Professor of Ninjutsu. Ninjutsu of the five attributes, genjutsu, Sealing Techniques—there was nothing he wasn't proficient in!"

"Right now, although I've mastered seven types of Chakra, the only ones I'm truly proficient in are Water Release and Yang Release. Even Wind Release doesn't count yet!"

"Though this comparison isn't entirely comprehensive or accurate, it is enough to show that I'm still nowhere near the level of a powerhouse like Hiruzen Sarutobi!"

"Mastering the seven Chakra Natures has merely laid the foundation for me to become a top-tier powerhouse. It cannot determine whether I'll actually become one!"

"So I can't get complacent!"

The more Gengetsu analyzed things, the calmer he became. He had been training for less than a year, and in truth, he was still very green. Of course, he would not belittle himself either.

Because he had already spun his cocoon. When he would break free and become a butterfly, dancing gracefully through the air, depended on his future training!

"Then I'll start with Adamantine Sealing Chains!"

Gengetsu decided to train even harder than before. That afternoon, he began asking Kushina about the use of Yin Release Chakra and started practicing Adamantine Sealing Chains!

That evening, when Minato returned from a mission and learned that Gengetsu had already mastered Yin Release Chakra Nature Transformation, he could not help but sigh. "I never expected you to have reached this point already. It's truly astonishing."

"However, this is only the first step toward becoming strong. Gengetsu, don't become overly proud."

Minato smiled as he cautioned him, but he did not go too far, because he knew Gengetsu had his own opinions and possessed an extremely mature mindset. He could not treat him as a child anymore.

Kushina added, "Brother Minato is right. So, Gengetsu, starting tomorrow, I'll strictly supervise your training. Also, I'll inform Lady Tsunade and have her be even stricter with you!"

"Yes!"

Gengetsu had no objections. Let the storm rage even harder—after all, the people he would face in the future were all cheat-powered freaks. If he did not want to be strung up and beaten by them, how could he avoid weathering fierce winds and rain? Besides, as an exemplary young socialist, enduring hardship and working hard was a basic virtue.

"Also, Gengetsu, be careful during this period. It has already been confirmed that the ones who attacked you last time were ninjas from Kirigakure. They still haven't given up on you!"

"Hm?"

Gengetsu's gaze sharpened, while Kushina's expression darkened. "Just like the Cloud Ninja back then?"

"Yes!"

Minato nodded.

Kushina's fists cracked. "Damn it..."

She still remembered vividly the time she had been abducted by the Cloud Ninja. It was also because of that incident that she and Minato were where they were today. The reason the Cloud Ninja had targeted her back then was precisely because she was from the Uzumaki Clan, with her powerful physique and immense Chakra—and at the time, the Cloud Ninja's Eight-Tails was unstable.

Clearly, Kirigakure now had the same objective: to abduct Gengetsu. Those two Chunin last time had tried to seize him when the chance arose, only to find that his abilities far exceeded their expectations.

But next time, it probably would not be two ordinary Chunin!

"Minato, has the Third Hokage made any arrangements?"

Kushina hurriedly asked.

Minato nodded. "Two ANBU ninja will take turns watching over you. But Gengetsu, don't go training in secluded places for the time being!"

Gengetsu nodded. He understood the seriousness of the situation. He was not yet a true ninja, and his actual combat experience was practically nonexistent. Even with considerable strength, he might not be able to handle an experienced Chunin, much less a Jonin.

"Don't worry, Brother Minato. During this period, my main body will stay home and study Sealing Technique with Sister Kushina, or train under Tsunade-sensei. My Shadow Clone can attend school, and I'll leave ninjutsu practice to it as well!"

"That's very good!"

Minato smiled and nodded, greatly relieved.

Early the next morning, Gengetsu arrived at the Senju Residence. Tsunade yawned as she muttered under her breath, still grumpy from waking up, but she froze when she saw Gengetsu. "You've already succeeded!"

"Well? This disciple of yours didn't disappoint you, did he?"

Gengetsu smiled.

Tsunade stepped forward, pressed one hand onto Gengetsu's head, and gave it a vigorous rub. "Well, I really did underestimate you! But Kid, you're still far from good enough, so don't get too cocky!"

"Hahaha, you've become quite a bit cuter!"

Seeing Gengetsu's speechless expression, Tsunade could not help laughing.

"Tsunade, it seems you've already moved on!"

Suddenly, a voice came from outside.

Tsunade's laughter stopped. "Jiraiya..."

Gengetsu escaped from beneath Tsunade's hand and turned around. Two figures were approaching.

Jiraiya, and Orochimaru!

"I never expected to meet the other two of the Sannin under these circumstances!"

Gengetsu looked at Orochimaru with curiosity. For now, Snake Uncle still seemed fairly normal, nowhere near as creepy as he had been in the original story Gengetsu had read in his previous life.

Snake Uncle, let's work together!

Watching the two approach, Gengetsu felt an urge to shout it aloud.

"Jiraiya, when did you get back?"

Tsunade asked.

Gengetsu quickly bowed. "Greetings, Lord Jiraiya. Lord Orochimaru!"

"I just got back not long ago. Hahaha, and I came to see you right away. Surprised? But Tsunade, you actually took on a disciple!"

Jiraiya smiled at Gengetsu, while Orochimaru's gaze likewise settled on him. Unlike Jiraiya, who had been traveling outside all this time, Orochimaru clearly knew far more about Gengetsu. His snake-like eyes fixed on him as he said in his distinctive voice, "Tsunade, you've taken in an excellent disciple. He has mastered five—no, six Chakra Nature Transformations, and in certain aspects of Medical Ninjutsu, he has already surpassed you, his teacher!"

Jiraiya looked astonished. "I never expected such a genius to emerge while I was away!"

"Gengetsu-kun, would you be interested in working with me?"

Orochimaru suddenly asked.

Tsunade frowned and snapped, "Orochimaru!"

But Gengetsu's eyes lit up. Still, he held himself back and respectfully said, "Lord Orochimaru, as far as I know, our styles differ greatly. However, if Lord Orochimaru ever has any need in the medical field, I would be more than willing to help."

After speaking, Gengetsu turned to Tsunade, who was frowning. "Sensei, given your relationship with Lord Orochimaru, surely he would not let anything happen to me. Even if the Mist Ninja sent out a Jonin, they couldn't possibly snatch me away from Lord Orochimaru, could they?"