Qingguang's body trembled slightly. He clenched his fists, but soon relaxed them again and turned around. His expression was stiff, and he seemed ill at ease.
"Senior Orochimaru, it seems you knew about this from the start."
"That's why you told me back then to close my Sharingan when I first received the Wood Release Cells."
"It seems you've learned quite a bit not only about Wood Release, but also about the Sharingan."
Orochimaru took in every move Qingguang made.
Suspicion, anger, and then an effort to calm himself down.
Qingguang-kun, you really are just as Teacher Sarutobi said: so kindhearted and innocent that it's almost adorable. You don't want to hurt anyone, even with a single word or action.
In that respect, you're just like the God of Shinobi once was.
"A year ago, three Uchiha shinobi went missing in the village. Do you know about it?"
"Lord Danzo told me about it. Those three clansmen were killed by Iwagakure spies."
"Why bring this up all of a sudden, senior?"
Orochimaru's lips curled upward, a glint of interest flashing in his snake-like eyes.
Qingguang, you're kind, not stupid. Even now, you're still trying to deceive yourself, unwilling to suspect that Danzo?
How interesting.
What should I say?
No wonder you were raised by Hiruzen. You haven't quite mastered the art of playing dumb, but you're already showing signs of it.
Let me guide you down the right path.
"If those three Uchiha really were killed by Iwagakure, then how did I know to investigate the connection between the Sharingan and Wood Release back then?"
"Qingguang, don't you think everything about this is just a little too coincidental?"
"Enough!" Qingguang roared.
"Senior Orochimaru, I've just finished receiving the Wood Release Cells, and I'm still feeling a little unwell."
"Whatever it is, we can talk about it next time. I'd like to get some rest as soon as possible."
Qingguang went straight back to his wooden cabin and shut the door.
Orochimaru was left alone outside, not far from the entrance.
The moonlight stretched his shadow until it was almost swallowing the little cabin.
His figure flickered, then vanished.
Qingguang, don't disappoint me. With your kind heart, you couldn't possibly learn the truth and choose to stay silent.
Let me see what choice you'll make.
Inside the cabin, Qingguang waited until Orochimaru's Chakra vanished outside before sitting quietly on the edge of his bed, gazing at the moonlight beyond the window.
He'd been trying to figure out how to get in touch with Orochimaru.
Of all the possible partners, Orochimaru was the one best suited to his interests at the moment. He hadn't expected that he wouldn't even need to wait for an opportunity to approach him.
Orochimaru had come to him so soon, even using the disappearance of those three Uchiha as a pretext.
After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi had confirmed the details of that incident, and Danzo's Root had carried it out.
It seemed he hadn't paid much attention to the matter.
But now, Orochimaru had turned it into a reason to drive a wedge between Qingguang and those two.
Was Orochimaru... trying to seize the position of Fourth Hokage?
Wasn't this happening much earlier than it did in the anime?
At this point, he might as well get some sleep first.
When he thought about how he'd soon be able to rely on Orochimaru to squeeze all kinds of technological tricks out of him and use them to reset his stats, Qingguang couldn't help humming under his breath, in high spirits.
He slept until noon.
After waking, Qingguang hurried over to Tsunade's house. It was time for him to teach Nawaki the Water Dragon Bullet Technique.
"Qingguang, you're finally here!" The moment Nawaki spotted him on the training field, he bounced over, beaming.
"Good afternoon, Nawaki. Why are you so happy today? Don't tell me you've mastered the Water Dragon Bullet."
Nawaki was brimming with excitement. He thumped his chest confidently. "I'll show you what I've learned."
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Nawaki formed hand seals and spat a stream of water from his mouth.
The water surged, spiraling together as it circled and danced through the air.
The only thing was, this Water Dragon Bullet was more compact, only half the size of a regular one.
"What's this?"
"Teacher Orochimaru taught me to do it this way this morning. He said I still couldn't control such a massive Water Release technique with my Chakra control, so he told me to make the water dragon smaller."
"I tried it, and it worked! I even got to skip several hand seals. Now I only need twelve to release it."
"I wonder when I'll be able to use the Water Dragon Bullet with just four hand seals, like Big Brother Itsuki."
Qingguang smiled and ruffled Nawaki's hair. "Don't rush. Take it one step at a time."
"Hand seals are just specific gestures that speed up the flow of Chakra in your body, making it easier to use ninjutsu."
"As long as you keep practicing, you'll reach Big Brother Itsuki's level sooner or later."
Nawaki smiled too. Qingguang's words filled him with energy again. He felt like he could train for the rest of the afternoon!
Qingguang didn't leave until dusk. After eating at Ichiraku Ramen, he continued with that day's patrol.
As before, a group of twenty followed behind him.
But when night fell and Qingguang was in the woods, he sent a Shadow Clone home to rest and throw off anyone watching.
His real body secretly went to see Danzo.
The vast, dimly lit underground training facility lay several kilometers behind Kage Rock.
Its overall structure resembled a giant pit. Several suspended walkways crossed the interior, with numerous platforms built for people to stand on.
The only source of light was the enormous incandescent lamp hanging overhead.
From the observation deck above, everything that happened here could be seen clearly.
Danzo and Qingguang were now on the circular observation deck at the very top.
"Wood Release: Thorn Dance."
Qingguang showed Danzo the results of his training as well.
He remained composed, showing no change in expression.
"Not bad. I didn't expect you to make this much progress in just two short months."
"At this rate, it'll take you no more than a year to use your Wood Release to restrain a Tailed Beast."
Watching the power of Qingguang's Wood Release made Danzo itch with envy.
He wished he could become Qingguang and claim that power for himself. But unfortunately, he wasn't an Uchiha, nor was he Qingguang.
If he wanted to successfully transplant Wood Release, he still had to rely on Orochimaru.
"If there's nothing else to report, you can go back."
Danzo closed his eyes, trying to suppress his impulse.
But Qingguang stayed where he was instead of leaving. He raised his head and stared at Danzo's back. "Lord Danzo, there's something I'd like to ask you."
"Go ahead."
"Lord Danzo, I was wondering if I could bring the bodies of those three Uchiha clansmen killed by Iwagakure back to the clan, so they can rest in peace?"
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