Scarlet Moon Journey

In the afternoon, the class assignments concluded.

While they called it a test, most students were actually sorted by age.

Children aged 6 to 7 were in the primary class, focusing mainly on physical conditioning and throwing techniques.

Those aged 8 to 9 were in the intermediate class, beginning to learn the Three Basic Jutsu and a certain amount of practical combat training.

Students 10 and older were in the advanced class, preparing for graduation exams and serving as reserve candidates for genin.

The Ninja Academy regulations spanned six academic years, after which students were sorted into A, B, C, or D classes based on talent. Under normal circumstances, students graduating from Class A would receive direct instruction from a jonin.

Hyuga Hiashi felt incredibly uncomfortable.

Due to the existence of his Byakugan, he had been assigned to the advanced class without question. Had he known things would turn out this way, he certainly would have requested the dean to place him in the intermediate class based on his age.

To his left sat the grandson of the First Hokage, Nawaki.

He was enthusiastically introducing his hobbies, attempting to befriend him.

Honestly, Hiashi did not like such boisterous people, but he had been raised with an education centered on status and dared not defy Nawaki, whose standing was even more prestigious than his own.

To his right...

"I warn you, if you dare use your Byakugan to look at Mikoto, I will gouge your eyeballs out."

Kaminazuki tapped the desk lightly, his voice sounding like a whisper from a demon.

Hiashi dared not turn his head, sitting in restless agony, wishing only for the day to end quickly and hoping that tomorrow would never come.

Kaminazuki turned his gaze toward the other students; they were all familiar faces.

Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, Yamanaka Inoichi, Inuzuka Tsume, Aburame Shibi... aside from Nawaki, these were essentially the parents of the Konoha 12.

Of course, it wasn't that Nawaki didn't want to have children; it was simply because he died young.

He had seen the little blond-haired Minato earlier, who was assigned directly to the primary class due to his age, but given his talent, he would likely stand out soon enough.

On the podium stood an ordinary chunin, explaining the basic skills of a ninja.

Orochimaru and the others had only come to help out on the first day, taking the opportunity to show their faces and demonstrate Sarutobi Hiruzen's teaching prowess; they would not be staying at the academy.

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not expect the academy to teach these clan heirs much of anything; his intention was for these children to forge bonds and cultivate the Will of Fire.

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio had been lackeys of the Sarutobi clan since the Warring States period and had all sent their respective heirs, and after the Third Hokage paid a visit to "negotiate," the Hyuga clan had also obediently handed over their main family heir.

Looking at this group, Kaminazuki shifted his gaze toward Nawaki.

Knowing that Orochimaru would take Nawaki as his disciple, Sarutobi Hiruzen's intentions were easy to guess.

In his plan for the future of Konoha, Orochimaru was likely intended to be the Fourth Hokage, and if Nawaki performed well, he could be groomed to be the Fifth.

The nature of this group was somewhat like that of companions to a crown prince.

The conspiracy theory that Sarutobi Hiruzen intentionally caused Nawaki's death could not withstand scrutiny.

Not to mention that he had arranged for his strongest disciple to follow Nawaki closely, the Senju clan had already been sacrificed almost entirely to recreate the peerless Wood Release; what was there left to fear?

That incident occurred simply because Nawaki was too reckless, and Orochimaru, misled by his disciple's confident smile, had been careless.

Still too prone to falling for genjutsu, Orochimaru!

When school let out, Kaminazuki saw Orochimaru, who was intolerant of genjutsu, waiting at the gate.

He leaned against a cherry blossom tree, his golden slit pupils exuding a sense of detachment, his skin porcelain-white and devoid of any worldly aura.

One had to admit, the Orochimaru who had not yet become twisted perfectly fit the definition of a cold, eerie, bone-structured beauty.

It was no wonder that in the academy's "Sannin Beauty Poll," Orochimaru was far in the lead.

"Kaminazuki-kun, are you really comfortable letting your younger sister go home alone?"

Orochimaru raised his eyes, a trace of unconcealable curiosity toward the unknown flowing within them.

"Of course, I'm not a sister-complex."

Kaminazuki pulled a bill from his pocket and handed it to Mikoto: "Get twice the usual amount of meat; wait for me to return before cooking the vegetables, they don't taste good when they're cold."

He knew that Orochimaru likely intended to test his mettle personally.

A person with a spirit of scientific inquiry could hardly resist when faced with something novel.

"Got it! You really shouldn't..."

After giving his instructions, Mikoto still felt a bit worried, walking up to Orochimaru and bowing: "Lord Orochimaru, my brother isn't quite right in the head; if he has offended you..."

Just since Orochimaru had arrived, Mikoto had apologized for Kaminazuki's behavior more than once.

It really was difficult for this little girl...

Orochimaru led Kaminazuki all the way to the Naka River at the edge of the village before coming to a halt.

This river shared a deep history with the Uchiha.

The upper reaches were the ancestral lands of the Uchiha clan during the Warring States period, and after moving to Konoha, they had built the Naka Shrine along the lower course of the river.

Following the Nine-Tails incident, the Uchiha had been moved out of the village's core district; their new residential area was likely somewhere in this vicinity.

Oh, and it was also the place where Shisui died.

Orochimaru stood by the riverbank, turned around, and said, "Now, attack me at your limit speed—"

Swish—!!

Clap!!

Orochimaru caught Kaminazuki's hand-blade between his palms and smiled faintly. "I hadn't finished speaking yet."

"I heard enough."

Kaminazuki exerted force from his waist, twisted his body to break free from Orochimaru's grip, and whipped a leg toward Orochimaru's face.

Crimson Moon Walk: Cross-Section!

Orochimaru's gaze sharpened; the explosive crackle in the air made him decide against taking the kick head-on with his bare body.

Earth Release: Earth Style Wall.

Swish!

An earthen wall rose instantly. Kaminazuki's whip kick slammed into it, leaving only a shallow mark, unable to break through at all.

Using the recoil from the Earth Style Wall, Kaminazuki leaped high into the air, pouring all his strength into his fist.

"Crimson Moon Walk: Edge Opening!!"

An indomitable spirit, a strike that cast aside all caution!!

It was simply... just like Tsunade's Strength Enhancement Jutsu!

Orochimaru was fully capable of using Body Flicker to dodge, but that would lack the sense of reality that came from a firsthand experience.

He clapped his hands together and exhaled a powerful gale from his mouth.

Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!

Kaminazuki pushed hard against the gale, pressing downward, but he still couldn't hold his ground and was blown away when he was less than half a meter from Orochimaru.

Splash—

Kaminazuki landed in the river. He stood up and shook his hair.

He could feel that Orochimaru was not using his full power, but was instead adjusting the intensity of the Wind Release to match his strength.

The gap was too vast.

Wind Release also severely suppressed taijutsu; the strong wind disrupted his center of gravity and threw off his breathing, which was fatal for a fighting style that required precision and continuity.

Perhaps that was exactly what Orochimaru wanted to teach him.

"Tempering, edge opening..."

Orochimaru said softly.

"Your father was Konoha's most outstanding ninja blade smith, and Jonin Crimson Moon was a powerful ninja."

"Moving forward while carrying the love of your parents, your taijutsu is truly formidable."

Kaminazuki opened his mouth slightly, his expression frozen as a drop of water from his hair slid down his cheek.

Orochimaru pulled Kaminazuki up from the water, a rare, sincere smile appearing on his cold face. "I have already promised your parents that I would guide you well, so, Kaminazuki-kun..."

"Are you willing to become my disciple?"

Kaminazuki shifted his gaze; under the shadows of the trees at dusk, a bouquet of white flowers had been placed before a tombstone, swaying gently in the wind.