"Let her in."
Seeing that the atmosphere at the drinking table had become somewhat awkward, Kiryu simply told the guards at the door to let Tsunade in.
"Hmph, I told you Grandpa Kiryu would definitely let me in."
Making faces at the guards, the blonde loli Tsunade walked inside.
She looked around, and the moment she saw Uzumaki Longya's old face, she pounced on him.
"Grandpa Longya!"
"Oh, Tsunade Highness."
Longya caught her smoothly, his face full of fondness. "It's only been a few years, and you've become even prettier."
"Of course."
Tsunade curled her lips and raised her little head. "I'll become even prettier in the future!
Um... just like Sister Rinon!"
Everyone present exchanged smiles at her words. That would be very beautiful indeed.
"Grandpa Longya, Grandpa Kiryu and the others didn't bully you, did they? If they did, tell me, and I'll have Granduncle scold them!" As she spoke, Tsunade waved her little fists at Kiryu and the others.
Kiryu smiled helplessly.
"How could they?"
Longya could not bear to play mind games with a child, so he laughed heartily. "Your Grandpa Kiryu has been drinking with us the whole time. We've eaten well and drunk well; they've treated us very kindly."
"Alright, then."
Tsunade sighed in relief and patted her little chest. "I also felt Grandpa Kiryu and the others weren't that kind of people. Have you finished talking?
Grandma Mito was talking about Uzushiogakure just a couple of days ago. If you're done, I'll take you to see her."
"...Uh."
Longya glanced at Kiryu.
Kiryu smiled and waved his hand. "Go on, go on. We've had about enough to drink today anyway."
As he spoke, he deliberately emphasized the next few words. "Longya, you must have a good talk with Mito. After all, it's been a few years since you last met."
Longya's eyes flickered as he understood his old friend's meaning. He then took Tsunade's little hand and headed toward where Uzumaki Mito lived.
Outside the village, by the small lake.
Might Duy furrowed his little face, forming hand seals seriously until he completed the final one.
Substitution Technique!
A puff of white smoke exploded, leaving behind a wooden stake where he had stood.
"Mm, not bad."
Uchiha Ao clapped his hands. "Your success rate with the Substitution Technique has already reached around eighty percent. Practice for a few more days, and you should be able to master it completely."
Orochimaru, leaning against a large tree, had a flash of surprise in his eyes.
He had been too far away to see clearly a couple of days ago. Now that he was closer, he realized that the hand seals Guy used for the Substitution Technique seemed somewhat different from the Substitution Technique taught at the academy.
Yet he could not say exactly what was different. If he had to describe it, that Substitution Technique seemed as though it had been improved.
"Could it be..."
Thinking of this, he looked at Sou again, his heart pounding wildly with excitement.
*Is this the true reason Teacher Sou was able to teach Guy Ninjutsu?
Improved Ninjutsu?!*
One had to know that such a thing was something only an Elite Jonin, or perhaps even a Kage Level expert, could possibly accomplish!
No, basic Ninjutsu like this had already undergone thousands of years of evolution and refinement.
Trying to improve it any further would be difficult even for a Kage Level expert.
Yet now, this Teacher Sou had done it!
Just how powerful was his Ninjutsu Talent?
Unbelievable! Absolutely unbelievable!
"Orochimaru... Orochimaru!"
"Huh? I'm here!"
Orochimaru snapped back to his senses. Seeing Sou looking at him, he immediately brought his legs together and stood at attention.
"Teacher Sou, did you call me?"
"Were you spacing out just now?"
Uchiha Ao shot him an unhappy look. "With that attitude, you still want to learn Ninjutsu from me?"
As he spoke, he clasped his hands behind his back and turned away, leaving only a profound and unfathomable silhouette.
"I'm sorry, Teacher Sou!"
Orochimaru was horrified at the sight and quickly gave a deep bow. "I did not mean to space out. I was merely admiring your heroic bearing, Teacher Sou, and lost myself for a moment."
"Save it! What a smooth talker!"
Sou forcefully suppressed the smile at the corner of his mouth, though his voice remained stern.
"I thought you were a famous genius at the academy, but after seeing you today, you've disappointed me greatly.
Leave... Your perseverance and attitude are far too inferior to Guy's!
With that kind of attitude, believe me, before long, Guy will become stronger than you!"
In taijutsu, anyway, Sou silently added.
Guy, standing to the side, looked at Sou's disappointed expression, then at Orochimaru's panicked face. His little face was full of confusion.
Huh? Me?
Stronger than Senior Orochimaru?
Seeing that Sou really intended to drive him away, Orochimaru's already pale little face turned even paler as his thoughts raced.
Think of something, think of something, Orochimaru!
Money?
No. With Teacher Sou's talent, he would never be interested in such mundane things.
Ninjutsu?
Even less likely. If he wanted any Ninjutsu, couldn't he just develop it himself?
Sou's expression darkened as he continued applying pressure. "Why are you still not leaving?"
Although Orochimaru was intelligent, he was still just a child. Under such pressure, panic seized him, and he stopped caring about anything else.
Forget it. Even if I have to give up everything, I must remain by Teacher Sou's side.
With that thought, Orochimaru suddenly straightened up and shouted, "Teacher Sou, I am willing to offer my family's Ninjutsu, fifty thousand ryo in tuition every month, my clan's Secret Technique for summoning, the love letters from those girls, and all sorts of my father's collections..."
Like he was reciting a menu, Orochimaru listed everything he could offer, all so he could stay by Teacher Sou's side and learn Ninjutsu.
He wanted to improve too badly!
He wanted too badly to explore the mysteries of Ninjutsu!
For that, he was willing to abandon everything to move Sou!
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Uchiha Ao hurriedly waved his hands, speechless. "The first part sounded reasonable enough. What the hell was all that stuff at the end?"
He felt that if he did not stop Orochimaru, the child was about to break down.
Tears welled in Orochimaru's eyes as he said pitifully, "Teacher Sou, I truly want to improve too badly!
Ever since I was little, my wish has been to study all kinds of Ninjutsu and explore the ultimate mysteries of every Ninjutsu!
Only by following you can I see that kind of hope! Please, let me stay!"
At this moment, Might Duy also felt sorry for him and pleaded on his behalf. "Brother Sou, please let Senior Orochimaru stay. I think he's really sincere!"
Compared to Senior Orochimaru's sincerity, mine is far too lacking...
Brother Sou is only teaching me Ninjutsu for free because he's kind-hearted.
"Ah..."
Sou let out a long sigh and said as though greatly reluctant, "For Guy's sake, I'll give you one more chance.
First, do one thousand Push-ups, one thousand frog jumps, one thousand..."
Sou named more than ten methods of physical training, yet he did not mention Ninjutsu training at all.
Orochimaru asked doubtfully, "Teacher Sou, this is...?"
"Mm?"
Sou raised an eyebrow. "Do you have an objection?"
"No, I wouldn't dare."
Orochimaru's body trembled. He had only just managed to stay, so he truly did not dare entertain any other thoughts. He then began doing Push-ups according to Sou's instructions.
Seeing him obediently comply, Sou finally said meaningfully, "This is the first trial I have for you!
Perseverance and determination!
Finish it all within today. Only after completing every one of my trials will you be qualified to receive my Ninjutsu instruction!"
He understood human nature far too well. The easier something was to obtain, the less people cherished it.
So Sou intended to temper Orochimaru's temperament. The more he wanted to learn, the less Sou would teach him.
By keeping him dangling like this and tempering him, Sou could slowly mold him into the shape he wanted!
By the end, Orochimaru might even thank him for it.
"1, 2, 3..."
Orochimaru lay on the ground, earnestly doing Push-ups. "Thank you, Teacher Sou, for giving me this chance. I will definitely... 4, 5... cherish it properly!"
"Mm, you're welcome."
Sou nodded expressionlessly, then seemed to think of something and suddenly said:
"Oh, right. After you finish training today, remember to bring me the conditions you promised before 'your father's collections' tomorrow. Of course, it isn't because I care about such mundane things. I just want to see whether you're sincere."
"Yes, Teacher Sou."
Before you continue