Farewell, Orochimaru; Early Graduation?

Plop—

The sound of a heavy object hitting the water, accompanied by the crackling of sparks, rang through the quiet forest.

Then, one after another, fish flew from the water's surface to the shore, as if they had leaped too far, caught by Gojo Yoru and Uzumaki Kushina.

The two skillfully killed the fish with kunai, gutted and cleaned them, then skewered them beside the fire to roast.

Only when all the bamboo skewers were used did the fish stop flying out of the water.

As a massive bubble surfaced, the Shadow Clone that had been acting as a tool automatically dispelled at the bottom of the pond.

It was dusk now, and neither Gojo Yoru nor Uzumaki Kushina had gone home; instead, they were having dinner outdoors.

Over the past two months, this had become a common occurrence.

After Uzumaki Mito's death, Uzumaki Kushina rarely ate dinner in the mansion anymore.

Although Lord Tsunade and Nawaki were both very kind to her, Kushina still felt a sense of guilt in their presence.

Because Uzumaki Mito could have lived a while longer—it was Kushina who had caused her to end her life early.

So Uzumaki Kushina was somewhat afraid to face them.

Moreover, in front of this pair of siblings, Kushina, who wasn't even considered a relative, always felt out of place.

Before, there had been Uzumaki Mito as a clansman, but now Kushina only felt like a parasite.

She didn't want to, and even feared, returning to that cold, empty mansion.

Noticing this, Gojo Yoru had tried to change the situation, allowing Kushina to gift the Rasengan to Nawaki as a birthday present.

This would not only bring them closer but also help Kushina smoothly obtain the Secret Techniques of the Senju Clan.

The Rasengan was one of the most suitable ninjutsu for the Uzumaki Clan and the Senju Clan, and Gojo Yoru didn't believe that Nawaki, who was so similar to Uzumaki Naruto, wouldn't be tempted.

But Nawaki's birthday was still some time away, and Kushina hadn't yet made a decision or taken action.

"That smells delicious—mind if I join you?"

The grilled fish quickly turned golden on both sides, sizzling with oil.

After sprinkling on seasoning, Gojo Yoru and Uzumaki Kushina were about to dig in.

Just then, a voice, both familiar and unfamiliar, suddenly reached their ears.

Both of them were startled.

When they saw the figure of the speaker, Gojo Yoru's face lit up with surprise. "Teacher Orochimaru!"

"Teacher?!" Uzumaki Kushina was startled again and quickly took a closer look at the speaker.

Black long hair, purple eyeshadow and golden vertical pupils, a handsome face, pale skin, and the jonin vest that marked his status.

So Gojo Yoru had a teacher too, and a jonin at that—Kushina was learning this for the first time.

Thinking this, Kushina couldn't help but pout, a little sulky inside.

She had thought she and Gojo Yoru had already bared everything to each other, that she even knew the location of the Gojo Family's treasury.

But it turned out Gojo Yoru had still been hiding things from her.

Hearing Gojo Yoru blurt out "Teacher" instead of "Lord," Orochimaru's lips curled slightly, his mood quite pleased.

"Long time no see. You've grown taller." Orochimaru smiled as he walked over.

"Yeah, it's been a while."

Gojo Yoru stood up, giving his seat to Orochimaru, and sat down next to Kushina, introducing him. "This is one of the Hokage's personal disciples, and also Lord Tsunade's teammate. The Nature Transformation scrolls we trained with were gifted by Teacher Orochimaru."

Gojo Yoru shamelessly maintained that title.

Kushina jumped up in shock, stammering, "Tea... Teacher Orochimaru, it's... it's an honor to meet you."

Coming back to her senses, Kushina's face flushed as red as the dusk sunset.

How embarrassing—she had called him "Teacher" too, instead of "Lord," this, this, this...

"Hello, no need to be nervous. Sit down first."

Orochimaru wasn't like Jiraiya, who would tease a young girl's innocence and shyness; instead, he responded with a polite smile, his voice full of warmth.

Now, before joining the Root Organization or pursuing immortality, Orochimaru was, in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, the most perfect inheritor of the Will of Fire.

The same all-nature affinity, the same excellent ninjutsu talent, and powerful battle achievements—in many people's eyes, Orochimaru was the strongest candidate for the Fourth Hokage.

A certain Pot King, who also dreamed of becoming Hokage, had long regarded him as his greatest enemy.

In Gojo Yoru's eyes, the current Orochimaru was an even better leg to cling to than Jiraiya.

Not only was he well-rounded in strength and full of treasures, but he also represented the will of the Hokage.

If he could become Orochimaru's disciple, rather than just a subordinate, and with the bond of Uzumaki Kushina, Gojo Yoru could walk sideways in Konoha from then on.

Given Orochimaru's generous nature, once he gained his approval, Gojo Yoru would never lack for ninjutsu, forbidden techniques, or sage arts.

So Gojo Yoru was very curious about the purpose of Orochimaru's visit here.

As for a chance encounter—that was impossible.

"Teacher Orochimaru, please try my cooking."

As soon as Orochimaru sat down, Gojo Yoru handed him a seasoned grilled fish.

"Not bad."

Orochimaru took a bite and gave a decent review.

As for the scene of his eyes lighting up with amazement, that naturally wouldn't happen. With Orochimaru's status, what delicacies from land and sea hadn't he tasted?

Seeing Orochimaru silently eating the fish, Gojo Yoru handed a skewer of seasoned grilled fish to Uzumaki Kushina and proactively sought conversation: "Teacher Orochimaru, did you just return from a mission?"

"Something like that. I went to the border to hand over work." Orochimaru smiled meaningfully. "For quite a while now, I'll be on leave."

"Really?" Gojo Yoru's eyes lit up. "Then could you guide Kushina and me in our training?"

Uzumaki Kushina also looked at the Hokage's direct disciple with eager anticipation.

"Since you've called me teacher, that's naturally no problem."

Orochimaru tossed the finished fish bones into the pit and smiled at Gojo Yoru. "Actually, the reason I came to find you this time is to convey the principal's will."

"Could it be..." Gojo Yoru instantly understood Orochimaru's meaning.

Orochimaru nodded and took the initiative to persuade: "Since your concealment has already failed, there's no point wasting time at the Ninja Academy. Why not graduate early and come with me?"

Before Gojo Yoru could speak, Uzumaki Kushina exclaimed excitedly, "Does the school want Yoru and me to graduate early together?"

"Although I'd very much like to take you on as a disciple, you should know that's impossible." Orochimaru shook his head, his expression grave. "Your special status means you can't leave the village freely until you can suppress the Tailed Beast within you."

Uzumaki Kushina's face instantly darkened.

To prevent Kushina's emotions from swaying Gojo Yoru's decision, Orochimaru added fuel to the fire: "So the higher-ups want me to train Gojo Yoru, to rapidly improve his strength so he can help you suppress the Tailed Beast inside you. And graduating early doesn't mean splitting you two up—as long as Gojo Yoru trains in the village, you're free to join us anytime."

Uzumaki Kushina's eyes lit up, and she no longer felt that Orochimaru was there to separate them.

Gojo Yoru, who had been about to say something, also fell into thoughtful contemplation.