Hizuki Style

That afternoon, class assignments were completed.

It was called a test, but in truth, most students were still assigned according to age.

Children aged six to seven were placed in the elementary class, where they mainly trained their physical fitness and throwing techniques.

Those aged eight to nine were placed in the intermediate class, where they began learning the Three Body Techniques and received a certain amount of practical combat training.

Those ten and older entered the advanced class, preparing for graduation assessments and serving as a reserve force for Genin.

The Ninja Academy's rule was six school years, after which students were divided into four classes—A, B, C, and D—based on talent. Normally, graduates of Class A would receive direct instruction from a Jonin.

Hiashi felt miserable.

Because of the Byakugan, he had undoubtedly been assigned to the advanced class. But if he had known things would turn out like this, he definitely would have asked the academic director to place him in the intermediate class according to his age.

To his left sat the First's biological grandson, Nawaki.

Nawaki enthusiastically introduced his hobbies, trying to make friends with him.

Honestly, Hiashi did not like people who were too noisy. But he had received education about status since childhood and did not dare defy Nawaki, who was even more noble than him.

To his right...

"I'm warning you—if you dare use your Byakugan to look at Mikoto, I'll dig out your eyeballs."

Kamizuki lightly tapped the desk, his voice like a demon's whisper.

Hiashi did not dare turn his head. He sat there in utter discomfort, only hoping the day would end quickly—and that tomorrow would never come.

Kamizuki turned to look at the other students. They were all familiar faces.

Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, Yamanaka Inoichi, Inuzuka Tsume, Aburame Shibi... Aside from Nawaki, they were basically the parent generation of Konoha's future Twelve.

Of course, it was not because Nawaki did not like having children. He simply died too young.

The little blond Minato he had seen before had been placed in the elementary class because of his age, but with his talent, he would probably stand out soon enough.

A regular Chunin stood at the lectern, explaining the basic skills of a ninja.

Orochimaru and the others had only come to help out on the first day, while also making an appearance to show off Sarutobi Hiruzen's teaching abilities. They would not remain at the Ninja Academy.

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not expect the Ninja Academy to teach these children of ninja clans much. What he wanted was for these children to form bonds there and cultivate the Will of Fire.

The Ino-Shika-Cho clans had been followers of the Sarutobi clan since the Warring States period and had all sent their heirs. After the Third Hokage personally visited the Hyuga clan for "negotiations," they obediently handed over a child of the main family as well.

Looking at this group, Kamizuki's gaze shifted to Nawaki.

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

In his plans for Konoha's future, Orochimaru was probably meant to become the Fourth Hokage. If Nawaki performed well, he could be groomed as the Fifth.

The nature of their group was somewhat like companions studying alongside a crown prince.

The conspiracy theory claiming Sarutobi Hiruzen had deliberately caused Nawaki's death simply did not hold up under scrutiny.

Not to mention that he had arranged for his strongest disciple to stay by Nawaki's side, the Senju clan had practically been sacrificed away to recreate the invincible Wood Release. What was there left for him to fear?

That incident happened entirely because Nawaki had been too reckless, while Orochimaru had been deceived by his disciple's confident smile and let down his guard.

He was still far too susceptible to genjutsu, Orochimaru!

When Kamizuki got out of school, he saw Orochimaru, who had no tolerance for genjutsu, at the entrance.

He leaned against a cherry blossom tree, his golden vertical pupils carrying an air of detachment, his porcelain-white skin untouched by any worldly warmth.

It had to be said that before his mind became twisted, Orochimaru perfectly fit the description of an aloof, uncanny beauty with striking bone structure.

No wonder Orochimaru had led by a huge margin in the Ninja Academy's Sannin beauty poll.

"Kamizuki, are you really comfortable letting your little sister go home alone?"

Orochimaru raised his eyes, and an undisguised trace of curiosity about the unknown flowed through them.

"Of course. It's not like I'm a sister-obsessed creep."

Kamizuki pulled out a silver coin from his clothes and handed it to Mikoto. "Buy twice as much meat as usual. Wait until I get back before cooking the vegetables. They won't taste good cold."

He knew Orochimaru was probably planning to personally test what he was made of.

How could someone with a scientific spirit of inquiry possibly restrain himself after seeing something novel?

"Got it! Just don't you dare..."

Even after settling matters on her end, Mikoto was still somewhat worried. She walked up to Orochimaru and bowed. "Lord Orochimaru, my brother isn't quite right in the head. If he makes you angry..."

Just from what Orochimaru had seen, Mikoto had apologized for Kamizuki more than once.

That little girl really had it hard...

--

Orochimaru led Kamizuki all the way to the Naka River at the edge of the village before stopping.

This river had deep ties to the Uchiha.

Upstream lay the Uchiha clan's ancestral homeland from the Warring States period. After moving to Konoha, they built Naka Shrine downstream along the river.

After the Nine-Tails incident, the Uchiha moved out of the village's central district. Their new clan grounds might well be somewhere nearby.

Oh, it was also where Shisui died.

Orochimaru stood by the riverbank and turned around. "Now, attack me with your maximum spee—"

Whoosh—!!

Smack!!

Orochimaru caught Kamizuki's hand chop between his clasped palms and smiled faintly. "I wasn't finished speaking."

"I heard enough."

Kamizuki exerted force through his waist, twisting free from Orochimaru's clasped hands before swinging a whip kick at Orochimaru's face.

Crimson Moon Walk: Cross-Section!

Orochimaru's gaze sharpened. The explosive crack in the air made him decide not to take that whip kick head-on with his body.

Earth Release: Earth Style Wall.

Whoosh!

A wall of earth instantly rose, and Kamizuki's whip kick struck it, leaving only a shallow mark. It could not break through at all.

Borrowing the rebound force from the Earth Style Wall, Kamizuki leaped high into the air and poured all his strength into his fist.

"Crimson Moon Walk: Edge Opening!!"

An indomitable spirit, a strike that risked everything!!

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

Orochimaru was fully capable of using the Body Flicker Technique to evade, but then he would not gain the firsthand experience.

He brought his hands together and spat out a powerful gust of wind.

Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!

Kamizuki braced himself against the gale and continued pressing downward, but when he was less than half a meter from Orochimaru, he could no longer hold on and was blown away.

Splash—

Kamizuki landed in the riverbed, rose to his feet, and shook the water from his hair.

He could tell that Orochimaru had not used his full strength. He had been adjusting the intensity of his Wind Release according to Kamizuki's power.

The gap was too vast.

Wind Release also severely suppressed taijutsu. Strong winds could ruin one's balance and disrupt one's breathing, which was fatal for taijutsu strikes that required precision and continuity.

Perhaps Orochimaru wanted to tell him that as well.

"Quenching, Edge Opening..."

Orochimaru spoke softly.

"Your father was Konoha's finest ninja blade craftsman. Jonin Hizuki was a powerful ninja."

"Moving forward while carrying your parents' love, your taijutsu is very strong."

Kamizuki's mouth opened slightly, and his expression froze. Droplets in his hair slid down his cheeks.

Orochimaru pulled Kamizuki from the water, a sincere smile appearing on his cool face. "I have already promised your parents that I would teach you well. So, Kamizuki..."

"Are you willing to become my disciple?"

Kamizuki shifted his gaze. Beneath the shadows of the trees at dusk, a bouquet of white flowers had been placed before a gravestone, swaying gently in the wind.

--