Taming Orochimaru

"Let her in."

Seeing the awkward atmosphere at the drinking table, Kiryu simply had the guard at the door let Tsunade, the little girl, in.

"Tch, I told you, Grandpa Kiryu would definitely let me in."

Making a face at the guard, Tsunade, the blonde loli, walked in.

She looked around, and as soon as she saw Uzumaki Longya's old face, she pounced.

"Grandpa Longya!"

"Ouch, Your Highness."

Longya caught her, his face beaming with a kind expression. "It's only been a few years since we last met, and you've become even more beautiful."

"Of course."

Tsunade's lips curled, and she tilted her little head up. "I'll be even more beautiful in the future! Hmm... just like, just like Sister Rinon!"

Everyone present exchanged smiles at her words; she was indeed very beautiful.

"Grandpa Longya, did Grandpa Kiryu and the others bully you? 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 couldn't bear to play tricks on a child, and he laughed heartily. "Your Grandpa Kiryu has been drinking with us just now. We've eaten well and drunk well. He's been very good to us."

"Ooh, that's good then."

Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief and patted her little chest. "I also feel that Grandpa Kiryu and the others aren't that kind of people. Have you finished talking? Grandma Mito was mentioning Uzushiogakure a couple of days ago. If you're done, I'll take you to find her."

"...Uh."

Longya glanced at Kiryu.

Kiryu smiled and waved his hand. "Go ahead, go ahead. We've had enough to drink today anyway." He deliberately emphasized the following words, "Longya, you must have a good chat with Mito. After all, it's been a few years since you last saw each other."

Longya's eyes flashed, understanding his old friend's meaning. He then took Tsunade's little hand and headed towards where Uzumaki Mito lived.

Outside the Village, by a small lake.

Might Duy frowned, earnestly forming hand seals until he completed the last one.

Substitution Technique!

A burst of white mist exploded, leaving a wooden stake in its place.

"Hmm, not bad."

Uchiha Ao clapped his hands. "Your success rate with the Substitution Technique has reached about eighty percent. If you practice for a few more days, you should be able to master it completely."

Orochimaru, leaning against a big tree, had a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

He hadn't seen clearly from a distance the past two days, but now that he was close, he noticed that Duy's hand seals for the Substitution Technique seemed different from the ones taught in the academy.

But he couldn't pinpoint exactly how they were different. If he had to say, it was as if the Substitution Technique had been improved.

Could it be...?

With this thought, he looked towards Ao again, his heart pounding with excitement.

Is this the real reason Teacher Sou can teach Duy Ninjutsu?

Improving Ninjutsu?!

One had to know, that was something only elite Jonin, or even Kage Level experts, could possibly do!

No, basic Ninjutsu like this had already undergone thousands of years of evolution and improvement.

To improve it again was difficult even for Kage Level experts.

But now, this Teacher Sou had actually done it!

How strong must his Ninjutsu talent be?

Unbelievable! Unbelievable!

"Orochimaru... Orochimaru!"

"Ah? Yes!"

Orochimaru snapped back to attention, seeing Ao looking at him. He immediately brought his calves together and stood at attention.

"Teacher Sou, did you call me?"

"Were you spacing out just now?"

Uchiha Ao shot him an displeased glance. "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 an unfathomable silhouette.

"I'm sorry! Teacher Sou!"

Orochimaru was greatly alarmed at this and quickly bowed deeply. "I wasn't intentionally spacing out just now. I was merely admiring your heroic posture, Teacher Sou, and lost myself for a moment."

"Cut the crap! You're all talk!"

Ao suppressed the smile tugging at the corner of his lips, but his voice remained stern.

"I originally thought you were the famous genius from school, but seeing you today, you've disappointed me greatly.

You can leave... your perseverance, your attitude, it's too far from Guy's!

With this kind of attitude, believe me, in the near future, Guy will become stronger than you!"

Well, in terms of taijutsu, Ao added in his mind.

Guy, standing to the side, glanced at Ao, who looked disappointed, then at the panicked Orochimaru, his small face a picture of bewilderment.

Huh? Me?

Stronger than Senior Orochimaru?

Seeing that Ao was really going to send him away, Orochimaru's already pale face turned even whiter. His mind raced.

Think of something, think of something, Orochimaru!

Money?

No, with Teacher Sou's talent, he wouldn't be interested in mere worldly possessions.

Ninjutsu?

Even less so. If he wants any Ninjutsu, can't he just develop it himself?

Ao's expression darkened, and he continued to apply pressure. "Why haven't you left yet!"

Although Orochimaru was intelligent, he was still just a child. Under the intense pressure, he became anxious and disregarded everything else.

No matter what, even if I have to give up everything, I must stay before Teacher Sou.

With this thought, Orochimaru suddenly straightened up and shouted, "Teacher Sou, I am willing to offer my family's Ninjutsu, fifty thousand taels in tuition each month, my clan's summoning Secret Technique, those girls' love letters, and my dad's various treasures..."

Orochimaru rattled off the items like reciting a menu, listing everything he could possibly offer, all in his desperate attempt to stay and learn Ninjutsu from Teacher Sou.

He wanted to improve so badly!

He wanted to explore the mysteries of Ninjutsu so badly!

For this, he was willing to abandon everything to impress Sou!

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Uchiha Ao waved his hands, speechless. "The beginning sounded somewhat reasonable, but what is all this nonsense later on!"

He felt that if he didn't stop Orochimaru soon, the kid would completely break down.

Tears welled up in Orochimaru's eyes. He said pitifully, "Teacher Sou, I really want to improve so badly!

My lifelong dream is to research all kinds of Ninjutsu, to explore the ultimate mysteries of every Ninjutsu!

Only by following you can I see that hope! Please, let me stay!"

At this moment, Might Duy, standing nearby, also felt sorry for him and pleaded on his behalf. "Brother Sou, please let Senior Orochimaru stay. I see he is truly sincere!"

Compared to Senior Orochimaru's sincerity, his own was far inferior...

It was only because Brother Sou was kind that he taught him Ninjutsu for free.

"Sigh..."

Sou sighed deeply, sounding very reluctant. "For Dai's sake, I'll give you one more chance.

First, do a thousand Push-ups, a thousand frog jumps, a thousand..."

Sou listed over a dozen physical training methods, but not a single one involved Ninjutsu cultivation.

Orochimaru asked in confusion, "Teacher Sou, this is..."

"Hm?"

Sou raised an eyebrow. "Do you have an opinion?"

"N-no, I wouldn't dare."

Orochimaru's body trembled. He had barely managed to stay, and he didn't dare to have any other thoughts. He then began doing Push-ups according to Sou's instructions.

Seeing him obediently comply, Sou said meaningfully, "This is my first test for you!

Perseverance and determination!

Complete it all within today. Only by completing all my trials will you be qualified to receive my Ninjutsu teachings!"

He understood human nature too well. The easier something was obtained, the less it would be cherished.

So Teacher Sou wanted to temper Orochimaru's impatience. The more you want to learn, the less I'll teach.

By dangling it before him like this, by honing him, he could be slowly molded into the shape I desired!

In the end, he might even have to thank me.

"1, 2, 3..."

Orochimaru lay on the ground, diligently doing Push-ups. "Thank you, Teacher Sou, for giving me this opportunity. I will definitely... 4, 5... cherish it well!"

"Mhm, you're welcome."

Teacher Sou nodded expressionlessly, then as if he thought of something, suddenly said:

"Right, after training today, remember to come get the previous few conditions for 'Your Dad's rare collection' that you promised earlier. Of course, I'm not thinking about those vulgar things, but to see how sincere you are."

"Yes, Teacher Sou."