Promoted to Genin

"I actually fell for a trick like that..."

Orochimaru gave a wry smile.

Honestly, Satoru's string of flawless maneuvers was something Orochimaru had never seen even from the most exceptional Genin.

But he was Orochimaru, after all. How could he not handle this?

It was that crucial moment of stunned silence that truly trapped Orochimaru.

If Satoru had told Tsunade that she would meet Jiraiya that night and say something about him, Orochimaru wouldn't have believed it.

But the problem was that Satoru had creepily transformed into Nawaki and said it like that. If Orochimaru hadn't been stunned, he wouldn't have been a man.

Although, it seemed he wasn't really a man afterwards... or maybe not necessarily...

Plus, Satoru's clone technique had a physical presence, so Orochimaru couldn't tell it wasn't Nawaki.

"This guy even thought of this. It seems he's thoroughly investigated the three of us."

Satoru didn't know if Orochimaru had feelings for Tsunade.

But Orochimaru hadn't turned evil yet. Even if he didn't have feelings, he wouldn't be completely indifferent to news about his close comrades, would he?

Satoru seized on this point and ended the battle in just over ten minutes!

"Well... Teacher Orochimaru, we're not too late for breakfast, are we?"

"That's amazing! Satoru, we did it!"

"That's great! Satoru, you're truly incredible!"

Nawaki and Mikoto cheered, then saw Satoru flick his wrist, sending two bells flying towards them.

They instinctively caught them and were immediately startled:

"Satoru, you got these, we..."

"Yeah, Satoru, without the bells, if..."

"It's fine... you two can have them," Orochimaru said. "Passing the test means obtaining a bell. You two have passed."

"But we didn't get them!"

"You are a team. Satoru gave them to you, so you are qualified to have them."

"Then Satoru..."

"Heh heh... When I tested him alone the day before yesterday, he had already passed."

"You saw his performance today. Among Genin, how many are more outstanding than him?"

Orochimaru smiled and nodded, releasing Satoru's head.

"Nawaki, your application of basic ninjutsu is very proficient. The timing of your Substitution Technique was truly excellent, and your control over the power of Water Release shows you've mastered it."

Nawaki sheepishly scratched the back of his head and chuckled.

"Mikoto, without the full support of the Uchiha clan, you've managed to practice basic ninja tool throwing and Fire Release to this extent. I didn't misjudge you; you truly have outstanding talent."

Mikoto stuck out her tongue and smiled softly.

"Thank you, Teacher Orochimaru~"

"Satoru, I thought you gave me a huge surprise last time, but what you've shown today is even more astonishing than before."

Glancing at Satoru, who was preparing bread and water for breakfast, Orochimaru's eye twitched.

"This kid isn't worried about not having lunch at all..."

With a rare silent grumble, Orochimaru continued, "Especially since not only is your ninjutsu application excellent, but your tactical planning and timing are brilliant. You even exploited the opponent's psychological vulnerabilities to achieve victory. Very good!"

"Then I declare that from now on, Nawaki, Uchiha Mikoto, and Mitokado Satoru, you three are officially promoted to Genin!"

"And Team Orochimaru is officially formed. I, Jonin Orochimaru, will be your team leader!"

"Long live~~!"

Nawaki's cheers echoed by the river. Mikoto was visibly excited but maintained her ladylike composure and didn't shout.

As for Satoru...

"Come, come, Teacher Orochimaru, Sister Mikoto, Nawaki, try my newly improved flavors..."

"These are chicken pies, and this is lemon black tea! There's also lemon green tea... it's just the flavor, not actual tea!"

Although Satoru's team was the first to pass the test, they were the last to report back to the village.

Other teams were practically dead on their feet after their tests, but Team Orochimaru finished theirs in just over ten minutes.

Therefore, after eating the food Satoru prepared, they immediately began their training.

Orochimaru's training regimen was comprehensive.

Chakra control exercises, such as climbing trees and walking on water, were mandatory subjects.

Satoru and the other two would spend the afternoon familiarizing themselves with these techniques and begin practicing.

Normally, basic skills would be practiced during daily missions, but with the quasi-war period, there weren't many daily missions for genin to practice in. The jonin instructors would begin training them directly.

As Orochimaru, who was proficient in all sorts of peculiar ninjutsu, the techniques he taught Satoru and the other two were clearly focused on ninjutsu.

However, new ninjutsu couldn't be learned in a short time. Orochimaru's teaching concentrated on the areas they were most lacking.

"On the battlefield, knowing many ninjutsu or casting them quickly doesn't guarantee victory."

Orochimaru was undoubtedly a very qualified teacher. What he taught Satoru and the other two were survival techniques on the battlefield.

"You have no experience on the battlefield. The battlefield is completely different from sparring, combat, and exercises."

"Overall quality is the key to surviving on the battlefield!"

"This includes reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance, stealth, infiltration, intelligence gathering, sabotage, assassination, disrupting enemy rear areas, and so on."

"Direct confrontation is only when it's unavoidable. Victory without fighting is the highest priority solution."

The eye-opening ninja warfare techniques were revealed to Satoru through Orochimaru's teachings.

Satoru, who had spent years at home, undoubtedly had extensive theoretical knowledge of ninjutsu. Coupled with the assistance of The Book of Medivh, in terms of jutsu, Satoru was the strongest of the three.

But when it came to these auxiliary combat skills, Satoru wasn't very adept.

These were originally taught to students from the fourth to sixth grade when the Ninja Academy entered the exercise phase.

Therefore, Satoru's current combat style was still direct confrontation.

"As a mage... I feel like I'm almost becoming a rogue."

Meanwhile, Orochimaru's curiosity about Satoru was gradually increasing.

Satoru had successfully passed the genin test. According to later information, about 150 students from the previous graduating class had passed the test and been promoted to genin.

Satoru and the others also successfully received their ninja identification numbers, officially becoming ninjas.

"Number 005348, Uchiha Mikoto!"

"Number 005349, Mitokado Satoru!"

"Number 005350, Nawaki!"

While receiving his ninja number, Satoru secretly used Mage Eye to peek at the number roster.

"Hmm? This number is..."

Satoru was astonished to find a familiar name on the roster!

"Number 005200, Nono Yakushi!"

"That woman Tsunade..."

Satoru gritted his teeth. It seemed Tsunade had already recognized Nono's strength as a genin in advance by her position as a teacher!

A large part of this was likely due to the scarcity of medical ninjas. A promising talent like Nono was even rarer than an ordinary genin.

"However, from now on, we'll have to fight desperately on the battlefield. If I don't show some real skill, I won't survive until the end of the war!"

Satoru was losing grip on his self-imposed "low-key start for a mage's apprentice." With Orochimaru and the war, how could he stay hidden!

"Since that's the case, I'll have to follow another rule for a mage's apprentice..."

"Always have emergency spells ready!"

PS: Nawaki and Mikoto's ninja numbers are the numbers mentioned in the text, and indeed they are only separated by one person~