Teacher

Hui ran for a few steps before gradually slowing down, her entire being enveloped by a heavy, despondent aura.

She lowered her eyes to stare at the ground, then raised her arm to look at it. It was still as thin and frail as before, seemingly fragile enough to snap with a touch, yet now, it could easily send a grown man flying.

Was this agile combat ability, this calm and steady mindset, and even this extraordinary strength all gifts bestowed upon her by Orochimaru?

Without Orochimaru, would she be nothing at all?

Without Orochimaru, would she still be that child who couldn't even defeat a genin?

And this time, it was Lord Orochimaru who saved you when you were on the verge of death. How can you be ungrateful and harbor resentment?!

Hui Youling felt an indescribable sense of grievance and distress rising in her heart. Her thoughts grew increasingly chaotic, her mind turning to mush. As that heart-wrenching sensation struck again, she clutched her chest and crouched down, raising one hand to wrap tightly around her head as silent tears slid from her eyes.

It had been a long time since she had cried, and she didn't want to appear so fragile, yet her tears were beyond her control. She could only desperately suppress the whimpering in her nose.

It shouldn't be like this. She wasn't like this. She wasn't just relying on everything Orochimaru had given her. It wasn't like this...

But why, then, did she still want to cry? She hadn't done anything wrong, she hadn't...

A "click" sounded as the door opened. Hui Youling's body stiffened. She craned her neck to look up, only to discover it was Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru... Sensei..." She stared at him with wide, startled eyes, her voice laced with panic, tears still streaming down her face.

Orochimaru frowned as he looked at Hui Youling, noticing that she was actually crying, much like someone caught in the act of weeping in secret.

He curled his lips in a faint, amused smile, then actually crouched down to look into Hui Youling's eyes, his signature raspy voice saying, "I had forgotten that you were, after all, a girl."

The surprise in Hui's eyes deepened. Her mouth parted slightly as if to say something, but she couldn't force a sound out.

Orochimaru chuckled softly. "Hui, you possess potential no less than that of a boy, but you must become as strong as a boy. A girl who is too fragile has no way to become powerful."

To become powerful, one must be as strong as a boy...

These words echoed in Hui Youling's mind like a spell. A conviction told her that by following this path, she could become someone different. It was as if the road she had been seeking for so long had suddenly opened up; her dark world bloomed with flowers, a wonderful and comforting sensation.

Hui's eyes flickered, a multitude of emotions passing through them, until only resilience and composure remained.

"I understand, Orochimaru-sensei," she said.

Orochimaru watched Hui Youling and began to laugh slowly, his snake-like eyes fixed on her, his deep gaze obscure and difficult to read.

For the next few days, Orochimaru stayed in the laboratory. He didn't ask Hui Youling to do anything, seemingly waiting for her to make her own choice. After spending a few days sorting through her thoughts, she followed the path from that day to find him.

She truly shouldn't be weak anymore.

Sensing the chakra inside, Hui guessed that Orochimaru was conducting some experiment on that Grass Ninja. After waiting outside for a while without seeing him come out, Hui Youling began to recall the events of those past few days.

She had gone to the black market to earn money, only to have her identity exposed. Those people must have been tracking her ever since she left Sunagakure, waiting until they were sure she was alone before making their move. They must have gauged her strength before attacking, which was why they had sent those two.

Thinking of this, Hui Youling clenched her fists. If she hadn't been so weak before, and if she hadn't been afraid of encountering danger while traveling with Orochimaru—leading her to carry such a scroll—she might have truly died there.

The man who had left her helpless that day had been killed by Orochimaru with such ease. Just how strong was he? Now, she finally realized; he was truly unfathomable.

Seeing Orochimaru walk out, his snake-like eyes resting on her with indifference, Hui hurried forward.

"Orochimaru-sensei..." Hui Youling suddenly didn't know what to say. Orochimaru had no patience for explanations anyway.

"Hui, you are too slack," Orochimaru said flatly, his words filled with disappointment.

Hearing the disappointment in his tone, Hui froze. An indescribable sense of loss welled up in her heart. She frowned and looked at Orochimaru, saying slowly, "I hope Orochimaru-sensei can help me."

Orochimaru's uniquely raspy voice replied coldly, "Hui, if you keep doing such unnecessary things, you won't be able to become stronger. You haven't been training properly during this time, have you?"

Hui Youling lowered her head, her lips turning faintly purple, her eyes misting over. She whispered, "I understand... I just wanted to see if I could handle various situations."

"Heh, are you able to use the Hidden Shadow Snake Hands now?" Orochimaru asked suddenly, bypassing the previous topic as if letting Hui Youling off the hook.

Hui looked at Orochimaru in surprise, a flash of astonishment crossing her eyes. Orochimaru had deduced her technique just from the remnants of the battle.

Hui pursed her lips, deciding to be honest. "Yes... Also, Orochimaru-sensei... that Wind Style: Instant Kill still consumes too much chakra."

"Heh heh... that is still in the experimental stage. I have always felt that the damage from that ninjutsu is more than just that," Orochimaru said in a low, raspy voice, his eyes gleaming with the certainty of victory.

Hui didn't respond, looking elsewhere while her mind raced to figure out what to do.

"Hui, you can sign a contract with a summoning beast now." Orochimaru suddenly shifted the topic again.

Hui looked at Orochimaru in surprise, feeling a surge of pleasant shock. She smiled faintly. "I understand, Lord Orochimaru."

Orochimaru chuckled without a word and turned to walk toward another area. Hui followed his footsteps; although her face remained expressionless, she was overjoyed inside. She could finally have her own summoning beast.

Orochimaru took out a giant scroll. Hui took it, opened it, found a blank space to write her name, and then bit her finger to press her thumbprint onto it.

Orochimaru merely watched from the side with indifference. Hui glanced at the name before hers—it was Anko. This surprised her, as she didn't seem to have met Anko yet.

"Can I try it, Orochimaru-sensei?" Hui said excitedly, her eyes fixed on Orochimaru.

Orochimaru let out a low laugh. "Do you know how to perform the hand seals?"

Hui was choked for words, suddenly unsure how to respond. If she said she didn't know, would she be unworthy of being his student?

Orochimaru merely glanced at her coldly and handed her another scroll. Hui took it blankly, having expected him to demonstrate it for her once, but it seemed she had thought too much.

"I'll go to the training ground to try it first," Hui said slowly. Orochimaru only gave a soft "Hmm" in response.

As Hui turned to leave, Orochimaru suddenly spoke up. "Hui, that Wind Style ninjutsu of yours can still be improved."

Hui Youling turned back to look at Orochimaru, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly. "I may still have to trouble you, Teacher, but I am also very much looking forward to the completion of that ninjutsu."

"Heh heh." Orochimaru chuckled eerily. "Also, we are relocating our base next week. You will be leaving with me."

"Understood. By the way, Teacher Orochimaru, where did Qingsi go?" Hui suddenly realized she hadn't seen him since she returned.

"He went where he was supposed to go," Orochimaru said indifferently, his eyes filled with cold detachment.

Hui furrowed her brows as she looked at him, a bad premonition stirring in her heart, but she had no intention of arguing with Orochimaru. "Very well, I understand. I just still hope that someone can teach me medical ninjutsu; after all, what I have now is still a half-finished product."

"That depends on the results of your training." Orochimaru's serpentine eyes fixed on Hui. On this point, he never opposed her learning more, as he himself was filled with interest in the unknown.

"Understood. I will not let you down, Teacher Orochimaru."

Hui turned and left. Orochimaru's snake-like eyes watched Hui Youling's retreating figure, as if he had already made up his mind. Compared to her previous hesitation, she now had only one goal: power.

He was increasingly curious to see if Hui Youling could become someone who would truly dazzle the world.