Discussing Life with Orochimaru

Discussing Life with Orochimaru [Please Vote for the Recommendation Ticket]

The short blade in Toneri's hand flashed up and down. The giant snake was huge, far too huge to catch Toneri, whose speed was now incredible.

Blood sprayed from a series of wounds across its body.

When Toneri's final slash landed, the snake could no longer withstand the attacks. With a bang, it disappeared from the laboratory.

He finished his attack and slowly slid the short blade back into its sheath.

He felt like he must have looked pretty cool just then...

Like a swordsman.

But when the Two-Tails' chakra receded, Toneri returned to normal and collapsed onto the floor.

He was the very picture of someone who was only cool for three seconds.

Still, no matter what, he had passed Orochimaru's test.

That was because Toneri could cooperate with the Two-Tails, and together they could grant him strength far beyond his own for a short time. Anyone else would have ended up as the giant snake's dinner.

After all, Toneri had only been learning about being a ninja for a little over two weeks. His Taijutsu was already quite exceptional.

Don't underestimate a giant snake like this. Its powerful body could hold its own against an ordinary Chunin.

Naruto, when he took the Chunin Ninja Exams, had only managed to hold back Orochimaru's Summoning Beast after using the Nine-Tails' chakra.

"Clap, clap, clap—"

Orochimaru's gentle applause rang out in the laboratory, so sudden and out of place.

"Toneri-kun, you did very well."

As Toneri lay sprawled on the floor and listened to Orochimaru's praise, he felt like crying.

Auntie, save your praise for your precious Sasuke.

"The old man asked me to take you on as my student. I was planning to just humor him, but you've surprised me more than once." Orochimaru licked his lips, making no effort to hide his praise for Toneri.

Toneri braced himself against his knees and slowly stood up. His eyes were full of respect as he looked at Orochimaru. Just one "ordinary" Summoning Beast had forced him to give everything he had.

The gap in strength was simply too great.

After witnessing Orochimaru's unmatched strength, the fear in Toneri's heart suddenly disappeared.

Faced with such a difference in strength, fear was pointless. He had no way to fight back, so it made no difference whether he resisted or not.

At that moment, Toneri felt he finally understood how Sasuke would feel in the future.

When it came to growing stronger, all fear could be ignored.

That was the kind of appeal Orochimaru had.

"Teacher Orochimaru." Toneri called out respectfully.

Orochimaru gave the respectful Toneri a thoughtful glance, then began tidying up the damaged laboratory, along with some equipment and test solutions.

Toneri was quick to catch on. Though he was exhausted, he immediately joined Orochimaru in cleaning up the laboratory.

Orochimaru had initially wanted to stop him.

There weren't any particularly important specimens in the laboratory, but that didn't mean just anyone could touch them. Many of the reagents could react with one another and produce unwanted substances—or even cause an explosion.

But soon, surprise flashed in Orochimaru's eyes again.

In fact, it was far greater than his earlier surprise at learning Toneri was the Two-Tails Jinchuriki and seeing him unleash some of the Two-Tails' power.

As the saying went, the layman watched for the spectacle, while the expert saw the finer points.

After watching Toneri tidy up a little, Orochimaru realized how practiced his hands were. It was obvious he had spent time working in a laboratory.

He still had a ways to go before he could match Orochimaru, but in this world, in this era, how many people would spend their time tinkering with this sort of thing, aside from those who specialized in research?

Noticing Orochimaru's gaze lingering on him, Toneri didn't let on that he'd noticed. He quietly counted to himself.

One... two... three... turn around.

"Teacher Orochimaru?"

That gaze, that expression, that natural air—Toneri wanted to ask, who could compare?! He was a lock for the Shinobi World's Academy Award!

Orochimaru gave him a long look, then turned back to continue tidying up.

Toneri: "???"

Something didn't seem right with the script. Had he picked up the wrong one, or had Orochimaru?

Silence spread between the two newly acquainted master and student. The only sounds in the laboratory were the occasional clinks of glass or metal.

After a long while, a strange atmosphere seemed to settle between the two eccentric master and student.

"Toneri-kun, if human life is so fragile, why do so many people keep charging forward, even when they know they're outmatched?" Orochimaru asked, his voice slightly low.

It was hoarse, yet carried an undeniable magnetism.

Toneri fell silent.

If anyone in this world understood Orochimaru best, the future-knowing Toneri might have made the top three.

Orochimaru had lost his parents when he was young. In the Second Shinobi World War, which had just ended, he had lost his first student—and the younger brother of his close friend.

He loathed how fragile life was.

Toneri pondered for a long time before slowly answering, "There's no denying that life is fragile. That's why all kinds of professions have emerged. The samurai of the past, the ninja of today—even further back, there have always been one or more paths that have led humanity toward greater strength.

"I think it's precisely because life is fragile that it drives us to keep becoming stronger."

Orochimaru's question was difficult to answer. And because Toneri understood what he was thinking, it was all the harder.

"Is that why people keep choosing to grow stronger?" Orochimaru's slightly unfocused gaze gradually sharpened.

He was already the renowned Cold-Blooded Orochimaru, one of the Three Sannin—not the lost boy he had once been.

If human life was so fragile, then he would make it stronger!

Strong enough to overcome the barriers between species!

"Toneri-kun, you know a little about experimentation, don't you?" Orochimaru asked again. This time, he stared at Toneri without hiding his interest, as if he'd found a priceless treasure.

Toneri's hands paused, but he still nodded honestly. "I've had a little experience with it."

"In that case, you'll work as my assistant from now on. You help me with my work, and I'll teach you Ninjutsu." Orochimaru licked his lips. It seemed like a good arrangement, and one that suited his nature.

Selfless generosity wasn't his style.

"Sure!" Toneri agreed at once.

Only a fool would turn him down. Wasn't learning from Orochimaru exactly what he wanted?

At least he'd made it through this ordeal without any serious trouble.

And the closer he got to Orochimaru, the better he could understand how his thoughts changed. If he knew what Orochimaru was researching, he could be ready in time.

Besides, Kabuto had spent the future following Orochimaru around as his assistant, and he'd been fine. He'd even learned a whole set of Forbidden Jutsu that were practically like cheats, and had gotten his hands on Senjutsu from Ryūchi Cave.

Honestly, Toneri was quite interested in Orochimaru's research.

"Have you tested your chakra natures?"

"I've used chakra paper. They're Fire, Earth, and Water."

At that, Orochimaru took three scrolls from his robes and tossed them to Toneri. "Three natures. Your talent is decent. These are scrolls with Ninjutsu for each nature. Go home and try learning them. I can answer three questions a day.

"All right, you can go back now."

Tomorrow, he'd start work for real!

Toneri had the Shadow Clone Technique, so it shouldn't affect him too much.

The three scrolls Orochimaru had given him contained Fire Release: Flame Bullet, Water Release: Water Prison Technique, and Earth Release: Earth Wall—three C-rank Ninjutsu.

Teacher, you're being a little stingy...

It feels like ages since I put out a tip jar. Here it is—please fill it up! I've bathed and changed into clean clothes, so I'm squeaky clean!

Yesterday, I found out my editor had apparently lifted my ban. Nice, nice. They know what they're doing.

Thanks to Weeping Willows Before Dawn for the five 10,000-point rewards, and thanks to readers 20200306085155030, 20200306085155030, The Cross-Dressing Guy from Africa, 20200306085155030, EMEI, and all the other patrons for your tips. Love you all (づ￣ 3￣)づ