Splash—
The sound of something heavy falling into the water, along with the crackling pops of sparks, rang through the quiet forest.
Then fish after fish, as though they had jumped too hard, flew from the water onto the bank, where Gojo Yoru and Uzumaki Kushina caught them.
The two skillfully used kunai to kill the fish, remove their innards, and wash them clean before skewering them beside the fire to roast.
Only after all the bamboo skewers had been used up did the fish stop flying out of the water.
As a huge bubble rose to the surface, the Shadow Clone serving as a tool automatically dispelled at the bottom of the pond.
It was dusk. Neither Gojo Yoru nor Uzumaki Kushina had gone home; they had instead come out into the wilderness to settle dinner with a picnic.
They had often done this over the past two months.
After Uzumaki Mito died, Uzumaki Kushina rarely ate dinner in the mansion.
Although Tsunade and Nawaki had both been very kind to her, Uzumaki Kushina still felt guilty whenever she faced them.
Because Uzumaki Mito could actually have lived for some time longer. It was Uzumaki Kushina who had caused her to end her life early.
So Uzumaki Kushina was somewhat afraid to face them.
And before that pair of siblings, Uzumaki Kushina, who could not even be considered a relative, had always felt out of place.
Uzumaki Mito, a member of her clan, had once been there. Now, Uzumaki Kushina only felt like a parasite.
She did not want to return to that mansion, which had become so desolate. She was even a little afraid to.
Noticing this, Gojo Yoru had also tried to change the situation, allowing Uzumaki Kushina to give the Rasengan to Nawaki as a birthday gift.
That would not only bring them closer, but also help Uzumaki Kushina smoothly obtain the Senju Clan's Secret Technique.
The Rasengan was one of the ninjutsu best suited to the Uzumaki Clan and the Senju Clan. Gojo Yoru did not believe Nawaki, who was extremely similar to Uzumaki Naruto, would not be tempted by it.
However, Nawaki's birthday was still some time away, and Uzumaki Kushina had yet to make a decision or take action.
"It smells so good. Mind if I join you?"
The grilled fish soon turned golden on both sides, sizzling with oil.
After sprinkling on the seasonings, Gojo Yoru and Uzumaki Kushina were about to dig in.
At that moment, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice suddenly reached their ears.
Both of them jumped in fright.
But when Gojo Yoru saw who the voice belonged to, his face lit up with surprise. "Teacher Orochimaru!"
"Teacher?!" Uzumaki Kushina was startled again and hurriedly looked the speaker over once more.
Long black hair, purple eyeshadow, golden vertical pupils, a handsome face, pale skin, and the jonin vest that represented his status.
So Gojo Yoru had a teacher too, and he was even a jonin. This was the first time Uzumaki Kushina had learned of it.
Thinking that, Uzumaki Kushina could not help pursing her lips, feeling a little upset.
She had thought she and Gojo Yoru had already laid everything bare to each other. She even knew the location of the Gojo Family's treasure vault.
Yet she had never expected that Gojo Yoru was still keeping something from her.
Seeing Gojo Yoru blurt out "Teacher" rather than "sir," Orochimaru's lips curved upward slightly, and he was in an excellent mood.
"Long time no see. You've grown taller again." Orochimaru walked over with a smile.
"Yeah, it has been a long time."
Gojo Yoru stood and gave his seat to Orochimaru, then sat beside Uzumaki Kushina. He introduced him to her, saying, "This is one of Lord Hokage's personal disciples and Lord Tsunade's companion. The Nature Transformation scroll we practice with was a gift from Teacher Orochimaru."
Gojo Yoru shamelessly continued using that form of address.
Uzumaki Kushina was so startled that she hurriedly stood up. Somewhat flustered, she said, "T-Teacher Orochimaru, h-hello."
Once she came to her senses, Uzumaki Kushina's little face instantly turned as red as the sunset clouds.
This was too embarrassing. She had actually called him Teacher too, rather than sir. Th-this...
"Hello. No need to be nervous. Sit down first."
Unlike Jiraiya, Orochimaru would not tease a young girl's innocence and shyness. He responded with a polite smile, his voice full of gentleness.
Orochimaru, who had yet to join the Root Organization or seek immortality, was the most perfect inheritor of the Will of Fire in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.
He had the same mastery of all attributes, the same outstanding talent for ninjutsu, and powerful battle achievements. In many people's eyes, Orochimaru was the strongest candidate for the Fourth Hokage.
A certain Pot King, whose dream was likewise to become Hokage, had long regarded him as his greatest enemy.
In Gojo Yoru's eyes, the current Orochimaru was an even better backer than Jiraiya.
Not only was he well-rounded and powerful, with a trove of treasures at his disposal, but he also represented the Hokage's will.
If Gojo Yoru could become his disciple rather than his subordinate, then with his bond with Uzumaki Kushina as well, he would be able to swagger through Konoha in the future.
Given Orochimaru's generous personality, as long as he earned his approval, Gojo Yoru would never lack ninjutsu, forbidden techniques, or sage arts again.
That was why Gojo Yoru was extremely curious about Orochimaru's purpose in coming here.
As for a chance encounter, that was impossible.
"Teacher Orochimaru, please try my cooking."
The moment Orochimaru sat down, Gojo Yoru handed him a seasoned grilled fish.
"Not bad."
Orochimaru accepted it, took a bite, and gave it a decent evaluation.
As for any scene where his eyes lit up in amazement, that was naturally impossible.
With Orochimaru's status, what delicacies had he not eaten?
Seeing Orochimaru quietly eating fish, Gojo Yoru handed a seasoned grilled fish to Uzumaki Kushina, then took the initiative to find a topic. "Teacher Orochimaru, did you just return from a mission?"
"More or less. I went to the border to hand over some work." Orochimaru smiled meaningfully. "For quite a while from now on, I'll be on leave."
"Really?" Gojo Yoru's eyes immediately lit up. "Then could you guide Kushina and me in our training?"
Uzumaki Kushina also looked at this personal disciple of the Hokage with eyes full of expectation.
"You've already called me Teacher, so of course that won't be a problem."
Orochimaru placed the fish bones he had finished eating into a small pit in the ground, then smiled at Gojo Yoru. "Actually, I came to find you this time on behalf of the principal."
"Could it be..." Gojo Yoru instantly understood what Orochimaru meant.
Orochimaru nodded and persuaded him directly. "Since your concealment has failed, don't waste your time at the Ninja Academy any longer. Why not graduate early and follow me?"
Before Gojo Yoru could speak, Uzumaki Kushina said excitedly, "Does the academy want Yoru and me to graduate early together?"
"Though I would also very much like to take you as my disciple, you should know that is impossible." Orochimaru shook his head, his expression grave. "Your special identity means that, until you can suppress the Tailed Beast within you, you cannot leave the village freely."
Uzumaki Kushina's expression immediately darkened.
To prevent Uzumaki Kushina's emotions from affecting Gojo Yoru's decision, Orochimaru added fuel to the fire. "That is why the higher-ups hope I will train Gojo Yoru, rapidly increasing his strength so he can help you suppress the Tailed Beast within you. And graduating early does not mean separating you two. As long as Gojo Yoru trains in the village, you can join us whenever you want."
Uzumaki Kushina's eyes lit up, and she no longer felt that Orochimaru had come to separate them.
Gojo Yoru, who had originally wanted to say something, also fell into thought.
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