The Laws of the Ninja World

After Akashi became Orochimaru's research assistant, his burden did not increase much; he ate, drank, trained, and completed missions just as he always had.

He only needed to arrive at the scene as quickly as possible whenever Orochimaru summoned him.

His usual research tasks were quite relaxed, easily managed by submitting a report every three days, and the pay was not low at all.

Why else would people say Orochimaru is a successful entrepreneur with so many followers?

The man is willing to invest in his people!

In the laboratory, everyone was busy with their own affairs.

Akashi flipped through Orochimaru's experimental data while performing proofreading work.

Beside him, Anko sat cross-legged, scratching her head in frustration.

She was working on a set of problems.

Ever since Akashi arrived, Orochimaru had constantly showered him with praise, making Anko extremely envious. In her heart, Orochimaru was an idol-like existence; how could she let Akashi monopolize his "favor"?

Consequently, she begged Akashi to reveal a few secrets.

What she got in return was a thick stack of calculation booklets. She had been working on them for half a day, nearly breaking her brain, only to solve two pages.

"Ahhh, this is too hard!"

Anko could no longer keep her patience and wailed.

"What's wrong? You said you wanted to impress Lord Orochimaru, yet you can't even solve such simple problems?" Akashi glanced at her sideways.

"I... I..." Anko stammered, "These kinds of problems are completely useless!"

"Then what do you think is useful?"

Akashi countered.

Anko's eyes shone with light. She closed the difficult problem book, and though her voice was soft, she gathered her courage: "Of course, it's learning powerful ninjutsu!"

"Powerful ninjutsu?" Akashi raised an eyebrow.

Generally speaking, students who graduate from the Ninja Academy have a very limited grasp of ninjutsu, so they need to train by performing entry-level missions while learning powerful techniques from their instructors—what is known as an internship.

After the internship period, they can accept missions independently or head to the battlefield.

Even so, ordinary ninja are nothing more than cannon fodder.

They cannot access the secret traditions of various clans, nor is it easy for them to learn profound ninjutsu.

"I know I'm still far off..." Anko gave a sheepish smile, but her gaze was filled with confidence, "But I will work hard! I will absolutely not live up to Lord Orochimaru's high expectations!"

Work hard?

If working hard were useful, you wouldn't spend your whole life as a Special Jonin.

Akashi shook his head and said, "If you don't want to let Lord Orochimaru down, finish the problems first."

Anko blinked her innocent eyes, looking expectant.

"I want to be as strong as you, Senior! Just teach me a few tricks!"

"So you were after my secrets. But that is talent; it cannot be learned."

Akashi spoke the truth.

Anko was furious inside, puffing out her cheeks and sulking in silence, but she soon squeezed out a bright smile anyway.

"Senior is the coolest!"

"As if you needed to tell me that." Akashi stopped his pen and sighed, "Fine, I'll teach you the Laws of the Ninja World that I summarized a while ago. Once you master them, I won't say you can walk sideways across the ninja world, but you will definitely be able to minimize the damage when you get beaten up."

Anko was full of question marks: "Why is it about getting beaten up..."

"Because the ninja world is terrifying and full of danger everywhere. Genin, Chunin, Special Jonin, Jonin—just the surface-level rank classifications have four tiers. Add in the Kage of each village, those with strength equal to a Kage, and the monsters that exist beyond our understanding, and you might encounter someone stronger than you no matter where you go."

Akashi explained slowly, "There are also many psychopaths in this world who might beat you to a pulp just because they don't like the look of you."

Anko was half-skeptical: "It's not that serious, is it?"

"In fact, it's worse than just getting beaten up. Have you studied history?"

Anko nodded.

"It is said that during the Warring States period, the average lifespan of a ninja was around 30 years old. Guess what it is now?"

Akashi said each word clearly, "36 years old."

Anko couldn't help but freeze.

Everything she had learned since childhood was that after the First Hokage established the hidden village, the wars between clans were eliminated, and everyone lived in harmony and contentment.

But... it seems nothing has really changed for ninja, has it?

Admittedly, the establishment of the hidden villages eased clan conflicts, but it did not solve the fundamental contradiction between productivity and demand. Frequent clan feuds may have vanished, but they were replaced by large-scale conflicts between major nations on an unprecedented scale.

Anko asked tentatively: "You mean, if I'm not careful, I'll die?"

Akashi spoke in a tone that suggested she was finally teachable: "Exactly. That's why the theory I'm teaching you today is very important. Listen carefully and remember it well. Master the basic laws of the ninja world, and you won't have to fear anything wherever you go."

"Mm-hmm!" Anko nodded vigorously.

She had never been this serious, not even back at the Ninja Academy.

Was it a technique for chakra control?

Or perhaps a unique ninjutsu system summarized by Lord Orochimaru?

Could it be a shortcut to becoming a Jonin?

The more she thought, the more excited she became; she couldn't help but lean forward, her eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge.

But when Akashi spoke his first sentence, she suddenly froze.

"The first law of the ninja world: smoke means no damage."

"Smoke... no damage?" Anko widened her eyes.

Akashi emphasized again, "That's right, smoke means no damage. When your opponent's strength is equal to or greater than yours, once an explosion or dust cloud appears during battle, you must consider this law. Usually, the opponent will not lose their combat effectiveness because of it; you must be cautious, you must be careful."

This—what kind of theory is this? She didn't think she had ever heard anyone talk about this...

It was strange, yet it seemed to make a bit of sense.

"Are you listening?" Akashi saw Anko stunned and waved his hand in front of her.

"Ah... I'm listening." Anko snapped back to reality.

Regardless of whether it was actually useful, she decided to write it down first.

Akashi continued, "The second law: the law of certain death upon stripping."

"Stripping?" Anko paused again, tightening her coat around herself.

"Don't worry, this law is more applicable to male ninjas, especially those who are strong and handsome. If they wear some kind of uniform, they won't even have a chance to be saved. Come to think of it, don't take off your clothes when fighting; it's a bad omen. Next is..."

"The law of low-health outbursts."

"The law of saving the ultimate for last."

"The law of Fire Style never killing."

"..."

Many theories she had never heard of popped out of Akashi's mouth. After listing over a dozen laws, he still seemed to have more to say.

Anko's head was buzzing.

She even had the feeling that he was joking with her.

But the way Akashi-senpai spoke such nonsense with a straight face...

It was really different from other ninjas!

No teacher had ever taught such things; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them shocking. Anko realized that she might, perhaps, have been led astray.

Relying on her trust in Lord Orochimaru, she forced herself to accept these theories at first, but later, she gradually became interested in them of her own accord.

Although she didn't want to admit it, the more she listened, the more addictive these theories became.

Sleazy, yet stimulating.

When Akashi finished, she felt a sense of withdrawal, like a cliffhanger in a novel, leaving her restless and craving more.

Senpai, I want more...

Anko sat with a well-behaved posture, looking at Akashi with her big, watery eyes, thirsty for the irrigation of knowledge.

"That's enough for today. Are you trying to work me to death?"

Akashi stopped in time and waved his hand, "These things are enough for you to learn; they are more practical than many ninjutsu."

Anko pouted.

She felt like she had gained a lot, yet it also felt like she hadn't learned anything at all.

Seeing that her senpai was getting impatient, Anko gave a weak response and buried her head in reviewing her notes.

At this moment, Akashi finished organizing the data and stretched, his gaze inadvertently glancing at Orochimaru's laboratory bench and analyzer. Those were devices for collecting human samples, and they were very advanced.

Usually, only Orochimaru used them, but he happened to be away today.

Should I give it a try?

As long as he wasn't caught, nothing would happen. As for the subject... the most suitable candidate suddenly appeared in his mind.

Akashi looked at Anko:

"Hey, if you find doing problems boring, do you want to do something interesting tonight?"

"What kind of thing?"

"Let's conduct an experiment." Akashi made a mysterious gesture, "After eight o'clock, just you and me."

"Okay!"

Anko closed her book, her spirits instantly lifted.