Talk About Ideals

Orochimaru's carefully selected third student was a member of the Uchiha Clan, which greatly surprised Satoru.

And the name Uchiha Mikoto... seemed familiar somehow.

Satoru thought carefully for quite a while, even secretly casting Arcane Intellect on himself before finally remembering.

She was someone who should have had a larger role in the original timeline, but had nearly been reduced to a background character because of the existence of Itachi.

The future Uchiha Clan head Uchiha Fugaku's wife, Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke's mother, and the best friend of the future Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina Uzumaki!

But judging by Mikoto's personality, how had she become so close with that little firecracker Kushina...

Satoru silently complained. Busy researching and adding to his trump card, he had paid little attention to Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, who were a grade below him.

Moreover, because they were too young, they would not participate in this practical exercise or the genin selection exam.

If they missed this chance, then even if they graduated early, they would have to wait at least another two years.

Regardless of Minato and whatever connections they might have in the future, Satoru felt he should take care of himself first.

Too many people had already become connected to him...

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio and Nonō were one thing, but Tsunade, Nawaki, Orochimaru, and Uchiha Mikoto—whether themselves or those closest to them, they were all key figures in the original timeline.

Having so many ties with them put enormous pressure on Satoru. It completely went against his low-profile style!

The scholarly life mages loved, the kind where "no one cares through ten years of hard study, then one achievement makes you famous throughout the land," was drifting away from him—

It hasn't even been ten years since I was born!

But war was inevitable. Since an academic life was no longer realistic, then...

Fine, I'll come clean! I'm a genius!

Just a tiny bit more of a genius than you people imagine...

Orochimaru looked at Satoru, whose eyes were darting around, and felt like laughing.

This little brat... he must already know about yesterday. He's quite patient, still not questioning me about it.

Clapping his hands, Orochimaru drew the three children's attention and smiled slightly.

"Now then, you've all met each other. Starting today, I will be your jonin instructor."

"I trust you know something about the routine test for officially becoming genin. I hope none of you end up among the thirty percent of students sent back."

Orochimaru paused slightly. Seeing the three students' expressions turn serious, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Now, it's time for introductions—tell everyone what you like, dislike, excel at, and what your dreams are."

"As your team instructor, I need to learn about the parts of you that aren't in your files... In order of age: Nawaki, Mikoto, Satoru. Begin."

Nawaki thought for a moment before starting his introduction.

"Um... what I like is the village my grandfather founded! As for what I dislike, I don't think there's anything."

"I'm good at basic ninjutsu, since I'm not very good at learning complicated techniques..."

Nawaki scratched his head awkwardly, then perked up.

"As for my dream, of course it's becoming Hokage!"

Satoru's mouth twitched, while Orochimaru and Mikoto smiled.

"Then I'll go next..."

Uchiha Mikoto spoke softly. Her long, straight black hair, the black eyes characteristic of the Uchiha Clan, and the Konoha Headband on her forehead gave her a heroic air.

"What I like..."

A valiant figure appeared in her mind, and Mikoto's face reddened slightly.

"I suppose it would be someone dependable."

"What I dislike is war, because people always die in war."

"I'm good with ninja tools, especially throwing weapons. My dream is to live a peaceful life."

"That isn't an easy dream."

Orochimaru nodded gently. What ninja worked toward was allowing the people in the village to live peaceful lives.

Though she hated war, choosing to become a ninja meant she had resolved herself to fight for that dream.

"Now, Satoru. Your turn."

Satoru scratched his head and began speaking beneath the gazes of three pairs of eyes.

"What I like is staying home. The outside world is too dangerous."

The three of them wore strange expressions, but Satoru was completely unaware as he continued talking at length.

"What I hate, of course, is going out. You have no idea—in broad daylight yesterday afternoon, I was actually ambushed in the village!"

"If I hadn't been lucky, you wouldn't be seeing me today!"

"Honestly... the village's security is terrible. I was just considering filing a complaint with the Military Police Force!"

"What I'm good at is my family's ninjutsu, Fire Style, I guess. As for my dream..."

Killing intent flared in Satoru's eyes.

"My dream is to stay home until I die. Anything that stops me from staying home, whether person or event... will have to endure my wrath!"

"..."

Orochimaru and the other two stared at Satoru with strange expressions. That speech really was...

Is this little fellow protesting against me? Orochimaru curled his lips. This boy's way of speaking was far more interesting than that rigid advisor.

"He's the youngest, yet his thoughts are... aren't children his age usually thinking about running outside all day?"

Looking at the bewildered Nawaki and Mikoto, Orochimaru found himself growing more and more interested in this student.

"Yesterday was only a joke. No other country is currently capable of doing something like that in Konoha."

Orochimaru chuckled and readily admitted it.

"I caused you some trouble, but you also opened my eyes."

"I can tell... the techniques you used are not as simple as merely being developed by the advisor."

Giving Satoru, who had frowned slightly, a meaningful glance, Orochimaru nodded.

"Now then, I have a general understanding of the three of you. Gather at the open space by the river outside the village early tomorrow morning for a wilderness survival exercise."

"I look forward to seeing you pass my test and become genin... and by the way, I won't go easy on you!"

"Whoosh—"

The moment Orochimaru finished speaking, he vanished, leaving Satoru and the other two staring at each other.

"Satoru, didn't Orochimaru-sensei forget to say which open space by the river..."

"...I know which one. Just meet me at the village gate tomorrow morning and follow me."

Satoru spoke weakly. As expected, Orochimaru was also a disciple of the Third Hokage. Their tests were exactly alike.

"But... bell-snatching. I'm actually kind of excited. I never thought I'd get to experience it myself one day."

"Um... Satoru, you said you were attacked yesterday? What happened? I don't really understand..."

Uchiha Mikoto thought about the strange conversation earlier and felt a little dizzy. "Could it be..."

"Yeah, Mikoto, you guessed right. The one who attacked me yesterday was Orochimaru... sensei!"

"He actually said he was joking with me. I was scared out of my wits!"

"Huh? Satoru, you just called Mikoto 'big sister'... I'm older than Mikoto too. Shouldn't you call me—"

"Deformation Technique: Turtle!"

"..."

"Ah!! A turtle!!"

Mikoto's scream rang out.