Orochimaru's Gift

"Sorry! I apologize for what I just said!"

Mitaraishi Anko bent at the waist with her head lowered, her expression extremely complicated.

"I went too far just now and said some unpleasant things. Please don't hold it against me."

Uchiha Kai scratched his head, his expression becoming quite colorful. Clearly, he had not expected things to turn out like this. He looked at the silent Orochimaru, then at the girl who remained bent before him.

Uchiha Kai immediately realized that this was most likely Orochimaru's idea. If he did not accept the apology, Anko would not get up.

"Um... it's nothing. We were fighting, after all. Talking tough is perfectly normal. I didn't take it to heart at all." The boy scratched his head and spoke sincerely.

"Besides, I said a few things to you too, didn't I? Let's call it even, okay? Hurry up and get up."

Even so, Anko did not rise until Orochimaru spoke.

"All right, Anko. Get up."

At once, the girl straightened up, so quickly that she stirred up a gust of wind.

"Hmph!" The girl suddenly gave a delicate snort after straightening up, leaving the boy completely baffled.

Is this really the cool-headed examiner from the original story? Uchiha Kai grumbled inwardly, mentally complaining about the girl.

"Mind your manners, Anko," Orochimaru said helplessly.

"Oh." Anko turned her face away and responded indifferently.

"Haha... Anko is quite forthright." After a brief pause, the boy looked at Orochimaru.

"May I ask what you need, Lord Orochimaru? You specifically asked me to stay behind." His tone was respectful as he tried to lower his stance.

He did not want Orochimaru taking an interest in him. Who knew when this guy might suddenly go mad and fall into a frenzy over pursuing immortality? Then he might kidnap him, mince him into pieces, and study his Sharingan.

"Hehe... it's nothing important. I mainly brought Anko here to apologize to you. This girl has been spoiled for too long, and she often doesn't know her limits when she speaks."

"She got carried away after achieving a little success in training. Having her spirit knocked down by you is a good thing. Being defeated by a classmate is always better than being killed by an enemy, isn't it?" Orochimaru spoke calmly, tapping Anko's forehead with a finger and drawing a wave of dissatisfaction from the girl.

"Sensei! Why do you always take his side? I'm your student..."

"Hehe... precisely because of that, you need to understand that there is always someone stronger out there. Don't think you're special just because you're my student." Orochimaru paused, his tone turning somewhat serious.

"A ninja's existence is not sustained by reputation. An enemy's blade will not become dull just because you are my student, nor will you easily grow stronger just because you are my student. Everything a strong person has is earned through their own efforts. Do you understand, Anko?"

"I... I understand, Sensei. I won't be like this again..." The girl wore a wronged expression, lowered her head, and began fiddling with her fingers.

"Well, there's no need to put it so seriously. Anko is actually very hardworking too. Lord Orochimaru spends all year away commanding battles, so you might not know." Uchiha Kai suddenly spoke.

"During regular training, Anko is always among the hardest-working students. In order not to disappoint Lord Orochimaru's expectations, who knows how much effort she has put in behind the scenes. Everyone has seen it." The boy laughed awkwardly as he offered a few words in Anko's defense.

"...You... don't need to explain for me..." The girl covered her face, her voice becoming hesitant.

Seeing this, Orochimaru's gaze swept back and forth between Uchiha Kai and his obedient student a few times before he gave a dry laugh.

"Hahaha... Kai is unexpectedly gentle. You really don't seem like an Uchiha..." Orochimaru teased, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"You're giving me too much credit. Classmates should help each other."

"All right, enough small talk. I did not ask you to stay solely because of Anko." Orochimaru's tone changed as he suddenly spoke.

I knew it wasn't that simple... The boy's heart tightened, and his thoughts immediately began racing.

"I'll give you this ninjutsu." Orochimaru calmly handed over a scroll and placed it before the stunned boy.

"Huh? This is...?" the boy asked in confusion.

"This is the Shadow Clone Jutsu. I observed your fighting style and felt that this technique could be very useful in your hands."

"No, no, Lord Orochimaru, that's not what I meant. I mean, why are you giving me a ninjutsu?" the boy asked.

"Ah, just consider it a little support from an elder to an outstanding junior. Go ahead and learn it. It isn't some forbidden, lethal ninjutsu. If anyone asks, just say I taught it to you." Orochimaru waved his hand, signaling for the boy to take it quickly.

"Then I gratefully accept your kindness, Lord Orochimaru. This technique is indeed very important to me." The boy looked calm on the surface as he solemnly accepted the scroll.

I actually got a ninjutsu for free—and it's the Shadow Clone Jutsu, an undisputed god-tier technique. Did I just hit the jackpot? Orochimaru really is an angel investor...

"All right, I've said what needed to be said. I won't disturb you any longer. Go enjoy your graduation." Orochimaru waved a hand, indicating that the boy no longer needed to mind him.

"Then goodbye, Lord Orochimaru." Uchiha Kai waved and headed outside.

But then the girl's shout suddenly rang out behind him.

"Uchiha Kai! One day, I will surpass you and defeat you fair and square! Just you wait!"

Listening to the girl's passionate declaration, Uchiha Kai only felt a headache coming on.

"Yeah, yeah, sure. Goodbye, goodbye!" After politely responding twice, his legs moved at full speed, nearly leaving afterimages as the roadside flowers and grass danced wildly in his wake.

"The vigor of youth. Not bad at all..." Orochimaru murmured, a faint glimmer flashing in his golden vertical pupils.

Inside the Hokage Building, in the Hokage's office.

Stacks upon stacks of documents cluttered the messy desk, while thick white smoke nearly filled every corner of the office.

Seated in the Hokage's chair, Hiruzen Sarutobi of the Third Generation, dressed in his Hokage robes, closed the document in his hands and took a deep drag from his pipe.

"Fuu..." After exhaling deeply, he rubbed his rough cheeks, whose wrinkles had grown increasingly numerous.

"Knock, knock, knock." A steady rhythm came from the office door.

"Come in," the old man said softly before leaning back in his chair.

"Cough, cough... Sensei, didn't the doctor tell you not to smoke so much?" The visitor pushed open the door and was choked by the smoke, speaking with mild reproach.

"Ah, Orochimaru, you're back. It can't be helped. The burden is too heavy and the pressure is too great. If I don't smoke, how can this old man possibly hold on?" Hiruzen Sarutobi waved a hand and spoke unconcernedly.

"You always disregard your health like this. If you keep exhausting yourself, something will happen sooner or later. Konoha still needs you." Seeing his teacher's indifferent expression, Orochimaru could not help but worry.

"Hahaha, I know my own body well enough. Don't worry, Orochimaru. Before the war ends, this old man will never fall so easily." Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, determination shining in his eyes.

"As for after the war ends... I most likely won't be able to bear this responsibility any longer. It was my negligence that caused Konoha to be dragged into the vortex of war once again..." The old man's expression was desolate, and he looked far more haggard.

"That isn't your fault, Sensei! No one can predict war. Those greedy ninja villages covet our land and home. All we can do is answer them with war!" Orochimaru spoke firmly, trying to persuade Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"All right, Orochimaru. Your teacher understands how you feel, but as Hokage, this war has brought too much harm..."

"People need a reason to vent."

"That reason is me, and it can only be me."