Orochimaru Turns the Tables and Adds Fuel to the Old Man's Fire

Orochimaru thought quickly.

He had pondered it all the way here, yet he still could not figure out what Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted...

It had been years since they had privately spoken to each other.

So why had one summons brought him straight to his home for dinner?

What was this supposed to be?

Although Orochimaru did not know the term "Hongmen Banquet," the doubts in his heart were much the same.

After entering, however, he relaxed slightly.

Mistress Biwako had treated him kindly, and the air was filled with the scents of apples and eggs that he favored...

Yet when he learned that Hiruzen Sarutobi had gone to the training ground, a trace of curiosity rose in Orochimaru's heart.

The Old Man had been buried beneath mountains of documents and seas of meetings for so long... Did he still keep up his daily training?

Judging by the exhausted look he used to wear, he did not seem like he had that kind of energy.

Standing at the doorway and looking at his exceptionally imposing teacher, who seemed to have regained his youth, Orochimaru's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

No, was this still even the same person?

Time had turned back ten years, hadn't it!

"You came so early? Didn't I say to just come at mealtime?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi casually rested the Adamantine Staff on his shoulder and chuckled. "You hungry, kid? Have a couple more bowls later. Your Mistress made quite a few dishes!"

His tone was utterly domestic, as though Orochimaru were his son returning home from school.

Orochimaru blinked, studying Hiruzen Sarutobi's body with probing eyes before slowly asking, "Teacher... what happened to you?"

"Ah, work pressure was too great before, and I fell seriously ill."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was candid, with a hint of wistfulness.

"When a person gets sick, he has no choice but to slow down. And once I slowed down, I figured out quite a few things. My mind relaxed, my body improved along with it, and I even tried practicing some techniques Lord Tobirama left behind."

"I also figured out a few things on my own. The results seem decent, don't they?"

Orochimaru nodded seriously. "Very decent. I thought you had begun mastering the Yin Seal, Old Man..."

Affected by that gentle attitude, he unconsciously returned to the unique form of address used among the Sannin.

In truth, he had made plans on his way here.

If the conversation went unpleasantly, he would deliberately put on a cold face and call him "Lord Hokage"!

For the usually cold and ruthless Orochimaru, the only people in the Shinobi World capable of bringing out such almost childlike behavior in him were the three members of Team Hiruzen.

"That is still far away, but I do indeed intend to cultivate the Yin Seal."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "A strong Hokage always puts people more at ease than a frail little old man..."

A glint flashed through Orochimaru's eyes.

Those words delighted him.

Had his teacher realized the terror of aging and become willing to use ninjutsu to solve the problem?

As the Professor of Ninjutsu, had he finally awakened!

Were ninjutsu not invented precisely to solve all kinds of problems?

"Teacher, you should have had such thoughts long ago. I can help you..."

It was as if a fresh wind had blown through Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged body and mind, causing the Hokage whom Orochimaru had thought would slowly decay to burst forth with brand-new vitality.

"From the sound of it, you've learned quite a few new ninjutsu these past two years?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled. "Show them to your teacher?"

Orochimaru's heart stirred.

Long ago, whenever he learned a new ninjutsu, he would go demonstrate it before Hiruzen Sarutobi.

And every time, Hiruzen Sarutobi would patiently watch him finish, then offer meticulous guidance to help him master it better.

"The old days?"

The breeze stirred Orochimaru's teal Magatama Earrings. "Teacher, will you guide me again after all this time?"

The ninjutsu he had recently been researching was not suitable to display before Hiruzen Sarutobi.

It was a forbidden technique that violated human ethics, called Living Corpse Reincarnation, capable of seizing another person's body.

But setting that aside.

Having a round of "teaching" with his reinvigorated teacher was also something he wanted.

It would let him feel Hiruzen Sarutobi's changes more deeply.

"Guide you? You might be stronger than me now, Orochimaru..."

"But if my disciple has invited me, it would be improper for me as the teacher to refuse."

"Teacher, how about being a little more serious?" Orochimaru habitually extended his long tongue to lick the corner of his mouth. That crisp decisiveness made him find the matter even more interesting.

"Shall I notify the Anbu?"

Though his interest had been piqued, he remained thorough in his considerations.

If master and disciple truly fought without holding back...

The commotion they caused would definitely create unrest if the Anbu were not in the village maintaining order.

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily and swiftly formed several hand seals. "Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

Tall, thick earthen walls rose from the ground and enclosed the training ground.

Though the training ground was spacious, neither he nor Orochimaru was an ordinary ninja. If they got carried away, there was no telling how far the damage might spread.

"You've thought it through well, Orochimaru. Ever since you were young, you've had the mindset of a Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi praised him without reservation and waved a large hand. "There is no need to notify anyone!"

"I was very dissatisfied with what happened when Uzumaki Kushina was kidnapped by Kumogakure..."

"This time, there will be no notification, no warning, no one to receive us or report in. You and I will stay right here and see how quickly the village can react!"

Orochimaru nodded faintly, the anticipation in his eyes growing stronger.

Whether it was being told he possessed the mindset of a "Hokage," or his teacher's unconventional plan to test Konoha's rapid-response capabilities...

Both pleased him greatly!

He was unlike that old man who always weighed every word and action so heavily.

Hiruzen Sarutobi rummaged through his Ninja Tool Pouch and took out a slightly rusted Bronze Bell.

"Teacher, are we still playing bell snatching?" Orochimaru chuckled. "I am no longer a Ninja Academy graduate."

"Does it look familiar?" Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "This is the bell you used when you were children. I kept it as a memento."

Hearing that, Orochimaru's heart stirred.

The Old Man had actually kept this bell in his Ninja Tool Pouch all along?

An indescribable feeling passed through Orochimaru's heart.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled faintly.

He had actually only put the bell into his Ninja Tool Pouch recently...

His original plan had been to casually show it to Orochimaru someday, drawing the two of them closer.

He had not expected a suitable opportunity to come so soon.

Fairly speaking, the Hiruzen Sarutobi of the past had held deep affection for the Sannin.

It was simply that the pressure of being Hokage had nearly crushed him. He had become cautious in every aspect, and coupled with the mindset of an old-fashioned ninja, he naturally could not display his feelings as openly as this.

Master and disciple were like father and son. Their relationship was always silent and reserved, and it was easy for misunderstandings to form.

Over time, the little gaps piled up and held the two apart, carrying them farther and farther away from each other.

If that happened, then even if they one day looked back and reconciled, how much meaning would that still have?

So he might as well become an emotionally stable "old father" who gave plenty of emotional support and praised his disciple generously...

That Persona was far more likable!

The slight curl of Orochimaru's lips proved that his thinking was correct.

"If we are snatching bells, it would be fine with just me..." Orochimaru suppressed the emotions in his heart and spoke.

"Orochimaru, you have always been my proudest disciple..." The bell chimed pleasantly in the breeze.

"Heh heh..."

Orochimaru gave a hoarse laugh. "Teacher, why say that?"

"Didn't I always say things like that when you were little? You are not used to hearing it anymore? That is my fault too. I mentioned it less after you grew up..." Hiruzen Sarutobi tossed the bell to Orochimaru.

"How about I snatch the bell today? Let me test what you are made of, kid, and see whether your shoulders are sturdy enough."

Orochimaru caught the bell instinctively, his heart tightening.

Teacher was going to snatch the bell?

What did that mean?

Am I overthinking this? Orochimaru very much wanted to ask himself.

Hiruzen Sarutobi mobilized the Chakra within his body, and his gaze gradually turned serious.

There were several reasons he had made Orochimaru defend.

First, while the original owner's combat instincts had mostly integrated with his own, attacking was naturally easier than defending and would expose fewer openings.

Second, it was also a way of hinting at how highly he regarded Orochimaru and raising his favorability. He needed to bring this research talent back to his side.

Third, this stage that had been set up through his exchange with Orochimaru was the perfect venue for establishing his Authority!

Once he unleashed high-powered ninjutsu, regardless of speed, the Anbu, the Konoha Military Police Force, and all kinds of others would surely arrive...

As a Hokage who had not acted for a long time, he needed to create a scene that left people astonished.

That would benefit his "Authority."

"My Chakra reserves have increased considerably... So there is no need to calculate every bit carefully. I need to fight with momentum, with ferocity!" Hiruzen Sarutobi organized his battle plan.

After coming back to his senses, Orochimaru looked at the eager Hiruzen Sarutobi, and his heart chilled.

Something was wrong...

Just now, he had thought the Old Man wanted to test him...

Why did it now feel like he had been set up? Like the Old Man wanted an excuse to beat him up badly!

"But this changed teacher is truly interesting..."

Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth and thought, It may be a little dangerous, but let's add fuel to the fire!

Orochimaru cleared his throat and completely turned the tables.

"Teacher, do you remember what you told us during bell-snatching exercises back then?"

"You said we should attack with the intent to kill you..."

"Teacher, perhaps you can hold that same mindset today."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes lit up at once!

There was such a request?

He had been wondering how to strike the right balance...

After all, although Orochimaru had taken the initiative to request a spar, if he hit too hard, it might create a rift between them...

But if Orochimaru suggested it himself, that was different!

Seeing the look in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, Orochimaru suddenly felt a little panicked and hurriedly added, "Five minutes, Teacher!"

"If you cannot take me down within five minutes, then I win..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily. "Fine!"

Before his words had even finished falling, his fingers fluttered like butterflies as they rapidly formed seals.

Hiruzen Sarutobi drew a deep breath, his chest swelling high. "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"

Chakra poured forth without restraint!

The fireball transformed into a dragon and pounced savagely toward Orochimaru, covering the entire training ground!

The firelight radiated terrifying might, and shifting reflections danced across the earthen walls as though they were about to ignite.

"Crimson-white flames? And such range..."

This was the Sarutobi Clan's inherited Fire Release, yet it could not truly be considered a complicated ninjutsu.

But although the ninjutsu itself was basic, the Chakra nature transformation within it was anything but basic.

"Good! It has been a long time since I tested these ordinary Five Nature Transformation Techniques..." Orochimaru also circulated his Chakra. Like Hiruzen Sarutobi, he was a ninja proficient in seven Chakra natures.

"Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique!"

The fireballs collided and tangled together, exploding at their center before forming a towering fire tornado that writhed viciously through the sky.

For a moment, it was as though a massive firework had exploded in midair.

"The Old Man's Fire Release is truly seasoned... Is the temperature really this high?" Orochimaru retreated swiftly, sliced his thumb across his lips, scattered blood onto the ground, and slammed his hands together.

"Summoning Technique: Rashomon!"

The colossal demonic-faced gate surged from the ground, cutting off the roaring flames.

The crimson-white flames of the Fire Dragon Flame Bullet split around both sides of the giant gate and struck the Earth-Style Walls around the training ground, causing even those sturdy earthen walls to begin melting.

"Teacher, have your fundamentals improved again?"

Standing atop Rashomon, Orochimaru swept his gaze into the distance and said meaningfully, "But people will be arriving soon..."

"Kid, show the people of the village your strongest side openly and proudly!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi declared loudly, "There is no difference in rank during a contest. If you fall behind, then go back and keep training. The same goes for me!"

"This stage belongs to both of us!"

Orochimaru smiled at those words, smiling as he had when he was young.

Honestly, if he had to fight Hiruzen Sarutobi to the death, he certainly had no confidence.

But with five minutes as the limit, delaying with his escape techniques and jutsu would be far too easy... Even with the restrictions of the venue, Orochimaru had that confidence.

In the entire Shinobi World, how many people dared claim their techniques were stranger or their survivability stronger than his?

He had only worried that if Hiruzen Sarutobi could not take him down before everyone, he would lose face as the Hokage.

But he had not expected his teacher to act like a young man, not speaking to him of all those other matters, but only of a real fight...

This felt much better.

"I rarely used Body Modification techniques in the past, but sooner or later they'll draw attention..."

"The Old Man has always been highly sensitive to this sort of technique."

"If I show off a little today and my teacher turns against me, I can make plans early."

Orochimaru's thoughts raced. Summoning Technique? Fivefold Rashomon!

He had usually summoned Triple Rashomon before, but today, Orochimaru summoned five at once!

Five towering, solid Rashomon gates stood in Konoha's broadest training ground. Together with the one from before, their irregular arrangement resembled a labyrinth.

This was Orochimaru's plan.

With his movement techniques, he could weave and dart through the multiple Rashomon gates like a slick venomous snake. Even the most skilled hunter who entered would be bitten by him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru waited in tacit understanding.

A short while later, the Anbu arrived.

Hatake Sakumo was the first to arrive, followed by his eldest son, Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

Both of them were Anbu Squad Captains.

Seeing his father and his beloved disciple poised for battle, Shinnosuke was a little bewildered. "What is this about...?"

"Your speed is barely acceptable, but still slower than I expected."

"Sakumo, you will take charge of the scene from here!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly. "Maintain order and record the arrival times of every department and individual in the village."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Hatake Sakumo immediately accepted the order.

After briefly studying the man standing as straight as a pine tree, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a slight nod.

Very loyal!

Hiruzen Sarutobi shifted his gaze back.

At that moment, Orochimaru had already transformed half his body into a snake as he met his teacher's expectant, probing gaze.

"Huh?"

Delight surged through Orochimaru's heart. He saw no displeasure in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, only curiosity.

That curiosity might have seemed backward coming from him, but it truly resembled his own...

It was the desire to explore every kind of ninjutsu!

"Give me more surprises, Teacher!"

Orochimaru slipped into the labyrinth formed by the multiple Rashomon gates. Hissing echoed endlessly within, clearly indicating that countless venomous snakes had been laid in ambush. From afar, he shouted:

"Old Man, I don't feel any pressure at all! Use whatever other techniques you have too!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched.

His disciple really was an interesting one.

At that moment, the Uchiha Clan of the Konoha Military Police Force also arrived.

"Perfect timing..."

"Guerrilla tactics against me? Then I'll just melt this entire area!"

"Let me see how strong this body is!"

Lord Hokage erupted with Chakra!