"Mm..."
Qi woke up after who knew how long. He'd been woken by hunger...
"Where... am I...?"
The last thing he remembered was Orochimaru moving his hand. Then everything went black.
"You're awake..."
The voice brought Qi fully around...
He was in a room...
Misty moonlight filtered through the paper door and fell across the tatami, lending the room a distinctive, tranquil atmosphere.
The speaker was kneeling nearby. Judging by his posture, he seemed to have been sitting that way for quite some time...
"Who are you?"
Qi sat up and checked himself over. So far, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
"Countless young people in Konoha hope to study under Lord Orochimaru, let alone become his disciple. But you looked rather reluctant. That's rare..."
The speaker finally came into view, revealing his true appearance to Qi.
He was a man in his thirties. A smile played across his face, though there wasn't a trace of amusement in his eyes.
"Would you like something to eat? It looks like you haven't had a proper rest in quite a while."
He was holding a square, shallow wooden tray. On it sat a bowl of rice and several side dishes, some meat and some vegetables.
After hesitating for a moment, Qi nodded.
He was beginning to realize that Orochimaru probably hadn't taken him to use as an experimental subject. Otherwise, there'd have been no need for this.
Come to think of it, was this Orochimaru's residence in Konoha?
Konoha's large houses all seemed to have a Japanese style. Qi wasn't familiar with them, so he instinctively looked toward the paper door letting in the moonlight. He didn't even know what to call the door.
"The room's too dark. This is the most pleasant time of night."
The man gave a look of sudden understanding. He set the tray down in front of Qi, then slid open the paper door, revealing the garden outside.
Just like in the anime, it was a very Japanese-style garden. The room he was in was probably the main hall, where a host usually entertained guests.
A gentle breeze drifted in. Qi couldn't help taking a deep breath. The thing he found most comforting about this world was its natural surroundings. Most things here were untouched by human hands.
"Feeling better? Then please eat. Afterward, I'll have someone take you to bathe."
Seeing Qi's contented expression, the man smiled. He opened the other door completely and stepped outside.
"It's not too late yet. You can still get some rest tonight. After all, you're going to the battlefield tomorrow."
"The battlefield?"
At those last words, Qi turned to him in confusion. He didn't understand what he meant.
"Lord Orochimaru believes that with your current foundation, training in a peaceful environment isn't suitable for you. The battlefield is the best place to train."
The man helpfully cleared up Qi's confusion.
"Then... what about Master Ogata?"
"I don't know who your Ogata is, so I can't answer that."
This time, the man gave him a strange look. It was the last thing he said.
"But your master now is Lord Orochimaru. From this moment on, he's the only person you can call your 'master.' I hope you'll remember that from now on!"
With that, the man disappeared beyond the doorway. It was clear he wasn't an ordinary person...
"That man's a ninja too, isn't he...?"
Qi was surprised. It seemed Orochimaru wasn't as isolated in Konoha as he appeared. At the very least, he had considerable influence.
It was no wonder he'd eventually establish a ninja village...
Following the habits he'd picked up in this world, Qi quietly finished his meal while enjoying the breeze blowing through the garden.
Just after he'd finished eating, the man appeared again like a ghost.
"It's time for your bath."
He gestured for Qi to follow.
"..."
Qi nodded and followed the man to the bathhouse. He finished bathing as quickly as he could.
Since becoming a ninja, he'd learned that everything had to be done quickly.
"Would you rather rest in your room or in the garden?"
The man seemed to have noticed how much Qi enjoyed the garden and how little he wanted to go to sleep.
"The garden."
Qi thought it over before answering.
He really did like that kind of setting, even if it was Orochimaru's residence.
The man nodded and led Qi back to the hall from earlier. He took out a set of bedding and laid it out inside.
"I've prepared everything for you. We'll be setting out early tomorrow, so I'd recommend getting some rest. There's still a few hours before we leave."
"Understood. Thank you."
Since they were treating him like a guest, Qi felt he should at least say thank you.
"You're welcome. Since you're Lord Orochimaru's disciple, this is only proper."
At Qi's thanks, the man's lips curled into a slight smile.
"This is the first time Lord Orochimaru has brought someone back to his residence. I hope you'll train hard and live up to his expectations."
Then he vanished again like a ghost...
He really was a ninja. Qi couldn't do it himself, but he knew that had been the Body Flicker Technique...
"The battlefield, huh..."
Qi spread out the bedding and lay down. As he gazed at the night outside the room, an inscrutable light gleamed in his eyes.
"Only by standing on the edge between life and death can a ninja truly grow. No matter what, Orochimaru is one of Konoha's top ninjas. At last, I have a shortcut to growing stronger!"
Strength was the most important thing. He'd already learned that firsthand.
Soon, he closed his eyes. He had a few hours to get his strength back. He didn't know Orochimaru well, but he was certain Orochimaru wouldn't look after him the way Ogata had.
Before long, he was fast asleep. When he opened his eyes again, dawn was just breaking...
Without a moment's hesitation, he got up. No one had come to wake him yet, but he was sure there wasn't much time left before they set out.
"You're awake?"
Just as he finished folding the bedding, the man from the night before appeared again. He nodded slightly.
"Put these clothes on."
He handed Qi a Konoha uniform and a ninja tool pouch.
"Once you're dressed, I'll take you to see Lord Orochimaru."
Qi didn't say anything. He took the clothes and changed into them right away. This uniform was usually reserved for Chunin and above, so it was clearly a special favor.
These ninja uniforms were designed specifically to make combat as convenient as possible. Genin weren't allowed to wear them.
In no time at all, Qi was dressed. He now looked like a standard Konoha ninja, complete with Forehead Protector, flak jacket, and ninja tool pouch...
Orochimaru liked long sleeves, and that habit had carried over into Qi's uniform. It was practically a copy of Orochimaru's own outfit: the same black underclothes and long-sleeved outer robe...
To be honest, the style was rather distinctive...
"Now you look like Lord Orochimaru's disciple. I hope you won't bring shame to that outfit."
The man gave him an approving look.
"You really do look like Lord Orochimaru in that..."
What kind of compliment was that!?
Qi managed to stop himself from swearing. Why did that sound more like an insult than praise, even though he knew the man meant it as a compliment?
But there wasn't time to complain. As soon as Qi was dressed, the man hurriedly led him out of the residence and toward Konoha's outer gate.
He had to admit, the outfit drew attention. Nearly everyone who passed by stared at Qi, which made him uncomfortable. In the past year, he'd grown used to being ignored, not watched...
Fortunately, it didn't last long. They finally reached the gate.
Qi spotted Orochimaru there. He was wearing an enlarged version of the outfit Qi now had on, standing by the gate and smiling at them.
Orochimaru seemed completely different from the cold, sinister man of the previous night. Now he looked utterly relaxed.
More than a hundred ninjas had gathered at Konoha's gate, and more kept arriving one after another.
"You're here."
Orochimaru looked at Qi with a warm smile.
"I thought you'd arrive a little later."
He waved to the man. The man bowed and left.
"Are you wondering why I took you on as my disciple?"
Qi nodded honestly. He'd never thought of himself as a genius. What had Orochimaru seen in him?
"The reason is simple. I'm very interested in your kekkei genkai, and I was pleased with how you performed last night. I think we'll enjoy our time as master and disciple."
Orochimaru didn't hide his intentions at all.
"My instruction began just now. This journey is a chance for you to train. After that, I'll send you to fight on the battlefield. That's the best training there is. Do you have any objections?"
"None. I'll do whatever you say!"
Qi answered. He didn't dislike this kind of instruction. A ninja was a profession forged in blood.
If you didn't dare go to war, why become a ninja? If he didn't even have that much courage, how could he face the great storm about to sweep through the Shinobi World, stirred up by Madara more than a decade from now?
"If I die like this, then this was all I was capable of."
He added the words with firm resolve.
"Heh... If you survive, I won't mind teaching you everything I know. So do your best, Qi."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
"Your Ice Release is a combination of the nature transformations of Water and Wind. I'll start by teaching you how to control chakra nature transformations. I assume you already have a decent foundation?"
Qi nodded. Training his bloodline limit had itself been a process of learning to control chakra nature transformations. Thousand Flying Water Needles was an example of Water Release shape transformation.
"I've read your file. You have some foundation in Water Release too. Then I'll teach you how to apply Wind Release chakra to Taijutsu."
Orochimaru flipped his hand, and a Kunai appeared in it. The chakra nature transformation he was about to explain was a basic technique, not a secret art that couldn't be shared. There was no need to hide it, even with others nearby.
"Look at the Kunai in my hand."
Before Orochimaru had finished speaking, a layer of blue chakra covered the Kunai. What's more, Qi could clearly see that the chakra wasn't still. It moved rapidly, rubbing against itself—and, even more astonishingly, it made no sound at all.
But silence didn't mean it lacked power. Even without touching it, Qi could tell how sharp it was now...
"This is nature transformation. I think you can see the advantages for yourself."
Orochimaru dispersed the chakra and gave Qi a knowing look.
"Your previous master specialized in Taijutsu. He couldn't teach you this. The way chakra is used in Taijutsu is entirely different."
Qi had to admit it was true. Ogata really couldn't teach him a thing about ninjutsu.
"I'll tell you the key to training. I'll say it once, so remember it carefully, then try it yourself."
With that, Orochimaru explained the method. Qi committed every word to memory.
This was tied to his chances of surviving on the battlefield. He couldn't afford to be careless.
Though this was only a basic technique, Orochimaru was an expert of the highest caliber, with exceptional insight into chakra control. Even his instruction in basic skills was far beyond what an ordinary teacher could offer.
The people beside them looked as if they wanted to listen but didn't dare. The Sannin's teachings were more than just techniques. They also contained the Sannin's unique understanding of ninjutsu, making them invaluable experience.
Clearly, they didn't often get the chance to listen in. The fact that Orochimaru was freely teaching Qi basic skills in front of them also showed that these people were no strangers.
"All right, that's about everyone. Think it over on the way."
Orochimaru patted Qi on the shoulder, then turned to look at his subordinates. By now, well over a hundred of them had gathered at the gate. All were Chunin or higher, clearly forming an elite unit.
Wherever Orochimaru looked, his subordinates stood a little taller, their eyes alight with excitement.
Seeing this, Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction and swept his hand forward.
"Move out!"
"Yes, sir!"
The elite ninjas answered as one and followed Orochimaru out through Konoha's gate. Qi went with them.
As he took the final step out of the village, Qi had a premonition.
From that moment on, he was setting out on a path completely different from the one he'd originally envisioned...
There was no other reason. He had become a disciple of one of the Konoha Sannin—and, more specifically, a disciple of Orochimaru.
He also knew that not long after the Third Shinobi World War ended, Orochimaru would defect from Konoha. The hero of the past would become a reviled villain. If Qi didn't become strong enough before that happened, he would be a casualty of the upheaval.
And in the Shinobi World, a casualty had no fate but death...
So he had to grow stronger, at any cost, with every ounce of his being. He couldn't, and had no right to, think about anything else!
And so Qi left Konoha Village. Orochimaru didn't say another word to him along the way. Just as Orochimaru had said, the journey was time for Qi to understand and master the skills he'd taught him.
Apart from the bare minimum of time for rest, Qi devoted nearly all his energy to training with Wind Release chakra. Orochimaru's instructions had been simple: a few sentences were enough to explain everything he needed to say. The rest depended on Qi's own insight and aptitude.
Fortunately, Qi had already been training his chakra back when he was with the Yuki Clan, without a single break—not even while the Mist Ninja were hunting him. That had given him a solid foundation.
As a result, when he reached their destination, he was delighted to find that he'd finally mastered the method of coating a weapon in chakra and applying nature transformation to it, at least at a basic level...
As expected, a strong foundation was essential. Without the solid foundation he'd built while living with the Yuki Clan, even with his talent, he couldn't have managed this in such a short time.
"The camp is up ahead. The Rock Ninja have been attacking relentlessly lately. It seems they've sent in more troops."
Standing on a hillside, Orochimaru smiled and pointed toward a sprawling mass of tents in the distance. His expression was utterly unconcerned. He seemed to have no qualms about facing the Rock Ninja, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
"How did you do with what you learned?"
Orochimaru turned around. It was the first time he'd spoken to Qi since they'd left Konoha. The others also looked over. They'd been watching Qi's performance throughout the journey, and now it was time to see what he'd accomplished.
"I managed not to disappoint you, Master. I've got the basics down."
Qi took out a Kunai. With a thought, he coated it in chakra, which flowed according to his will.
A faint buzzing came from the Kunai. The blue chakra soon took on a serrated shape...
It wasn't as silent or sharp as when Orochimaru did it, but it had clearly met the standard. It was still something you didn't want to touch...
"Good. You haven't disappointed me."
Orochimaru smiled in satisfaction.
"Rest at the camp first. Tomorrow, you'll fight the Rock Ninja!"