Orochimaru

After organizing all his information and deductions, Shuichi could not help but sigh. "What a huge haul today!"

Now that he understood Konoha this well, he would be able to roughly infer what happened in the village from now on.

Of course, he would only share this relatively secret information with people close to him in the future. He scribbled over the papers on the table, then tore them into pieces and tossed them into the trash.

The next day at the Ninja Academy, the Elite Class students were astonished to discover that Shuichi, who had never missed a single class, had not come to school.

"Hey, Kurenai, why didn't Shuichi come to school today?" Ishikawa Tatsuki was equally surprised.

"Oh, well, he told me yesterday that he was graduating early." Yūhi Kurenai was slightly distracted today, perhaps because the boy beside her was unusually absent. After two years together, they had grown accustomed to each other.

"What? Why is he suddenly graduating early on his own? I didn't even know about it."

"It seemed like he hadn't planned on it either. Teacher Tomohisa went to see him yesterday specifically to discuss it. Apparently even Lord Hokage thinks he has met the graduation requirements." Yūhi Kurenai answered rather gloomily.

While they were still discussing it, Sanada Tomohisa, who was about to begin class, directly answered the students' doubts.

"I believe everyone has noticed that Shuichi is absent today. That is because he will be the second person in our class to graduate early. Over the next two days, he will complete all of his theory examinations.

"You have already been left behind by two peers your own age. Work hard from now on."

Some students were surprised, but after thinking about it, Kakashi had already become a Chunin.

With Shuichi's ability, he should have been able to graduate long ago. Thus, most of the students were no longer particularly surprised this time.

Shuichi was indeed taking his theory examinations. The Ninja Academy had more than twenty theoretical subjects in total. While most were not particularly difficult, he still had to meet the required standards.

Three mornings later, Sanada Shiku unusually brought all the students to the training ground.

They saw Shuichi standing in the middle of the field, yet he seemed somewhat different today. Two ninja instructors dressed like examiners stood beside him.

Sanada Shiku did not let the students go over and disturb Shuichi, instead having them watch from more than ten meters away.

Before long, Sarutobi Hiruzen, wearing a Hokage Robe, entered through the Ninja Academy gates.

Beside him stood a long-haired young man wearing a Jonin Vest.

The young man had long black hair, golden snake-like pupils, pale skin, and magatama-shaped earrings dangling from his ears.

Shuichi and everyone else turned to look. This was Shuichi's first time seeing Orochimaru, the teacher he would spend many years with in the future.

Orochimaru had yet to acquire the crazed, twisted appearance he had in the original work. His expression was fairly calm, and the slight curl of his lips carried a confident smile.

"All right, you've waited long enough. Let's begin." Seeing that everything was ready, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not bother with much ceremony today.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

The process that followed was especially easy. The Three Basic Ninjutsu Techniques came as naturally to Shuichi as breathing.

Since this was his first time displaying his abilities before his future teacher, Shuichi treated it very seriously.

"Ram, Snake, Tiger." Shuichi's hands moved rapidly. It seemed to take only an instant for him to complete the Clone Technique hand seals.

BOOM! Four identical clones appeared this time.

"Transformation Technique!"

"Passed!"

After Shuichi flawlessly demonstrated the Three Basic Ninjutsu Techniques, the two examiners compiled his results into a file on the spot and quickly handed it to Sarutobi Hiruzen with respect.

"Is this the child Teacher Sarutobi mentioned? He seems rather interesting." Orochimaru appeared to have taken some interest.

"Orochimaru, this child will be in your care from now on. Both the Academy instructors and I believe that he will not lose to Minato in the future." Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression grew more solemn as he gave Orochimaru a subtle reminder.

"Is that so? I'm beginning to believe it myself. It seems we will get along very pleasantly in the future. I look forward to it."

From a distance away, Shuichi saw Orochimaru staring at him with a wickedly charming smile on his face.

Shuichi followed the two examiners over to Sarutobi Hiruzen. Even Orochimaru's somewhat unnerving gaze did not affect him at all.

"Congratulations, Shuichi! You have graduated. Starting tomorrow, you will be a ninja of Konoha." As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen personally handed the Konoha Forehead Protector to Shuichi.

The actual situation was roughly what Shuichi had guessed a few days ago. The Third Hokage was likely using this ceremony to have the children of the major clans relay the news back to their families.

Thus, Shuichi could be considered the most distinguished Genin graduate in Konoha. After all, there had scarcely been any Genin in Konoha History whose forehead protector was personally presented by the Hokage upon graduation.

"Thank you, Third Lord. I will do everything I can to protect the village from now on."

"Haha, having such an outstanding junior in the village is truly gratifying. Come, get acquainted. This is your teacher, Orochimaru." The Third Hokage seemed very satisfied with Shuichi, then called Orochimaru over to speak with him.

"My name is Takeda Shuichi. Please guide me from now on, Teacher Orochimaru." Shuichi did not waste a single word. When Orochimaru approached, he looked at him with a sincere smile.

"Please guide me as well, Shuichi-kun. I believe we have many things we can discuss." Orochimaru's interest had been piqued. Though they had met only briefly, he felt that this child was somewhat unusual.

"It seems you both have an excellent first impression of each other. Have a good talk. I won't disturb you any longer—I still have plenty of work to do." Seeing how harmoniously the two got along, Sarutobi Hiruzen was reassured.

"Come with me, Shuichi-kun." Orochimaru then prepared to take Shuichi away.

Shuichi turned and waved to his friends before following Orochimaru. Orochimaru did not take him far, only leading him to a quiet little grove.

"These past few days, the old man has kept bringing you up to me. I was indeed curious before coming here, but now I think you deserve that praise, Shuichi-kun." Orochimaru found a suitable place to talk and began conversing with Shuichi.

"Lord Hokage praises me too highly. My performance at the Ninja Academy does not prove much. Being able to learn under you in the future truly honors me."

"Heh heh heh, you really are completely unlike ordinary children. Then let us first discuss what a ninja is, and things such as your ideals."

"I'll speak about myself first. I believe an outstanding ninja is someone who can learn every ninjutsu. At the same time, being a ninja is a dull profession. The unending wars between nations over the years have taken countless lives.

"After they die, they leave no trace behind in this world. Perhaps most people are merely searching for the meaning of life." As he spoke, Orochimaru seemed to be contemplating something, and a profound look appeared in his eyes.

"I do not quite agree with what you said, Teacher. In the period after I lost my parents a few years ago, it truly felt as though the sky had fallen."

"But the companions in the village, the teachers and classmates at school—they seemed to make me feel safe and warm every day. Though life is fragile, that is precisely the meaning behind our efforts to become ninja: to protect the precious love in our hearts."

"Perhaps we will face death someday, but as long as we are alive, we can always find meaningful bonds. Just as you met me today, and I came to know you, Teacher." Shuichi had been deeply impressed by Orochimaru in the original work.

During these past years in the ninja world, he had indeed felt far more relaxed in both body and mind. Without thinking much, this adapted version of an Orochimaru quote slipped from his mouth.