Victim of Konoha Bullying

Cracks of blood spread from the edge of his pupils, writhing slowly.

Orochimaru could clearly hear his heartbeat within his chest, growing more intense, making his ribs numb. Each pulse made those blood-colored patterns leap and throb a little more.

This is...

What!!

Watching the blood color gradually cover the entire void, Orochimaru instinctively channeled chakra. A torrent of power erupted from his body, tearing through the illusion.

Hoo—

The surrounding scenery returned to normal, colors reappeared, and the air became breathable again.

A drop of cold sweat slid from Orochimaru's temple, following his chin into his collar.

Looking at Kaminazuki's eyes again, they had returned to their normal black.

Recalling that blood-red gaze in the darkness, he felt a chill down his spine.

Calming his breathing, Orochimaru's voice was hoarse:

"It's just one tomoe... how is that possible? Such pupil power already far surpasses two tomoe, infinitely close to the level of three tomoe!!"

Kaminazuki spread his hands helplessly: "There's no helping it. It might be because it's a compressed version. One tomoe is stronger than two."

"It's like the force is in your hands when you punch, and the strength is applied to your feet when you run."

"Unlike the usual condition of needing chakra to activate, my condition for awakening my eyes is to focus my attention on my eyes. At this time, it's difficult for my body to perform fine manipulations."

Kaminazuki spat, huffing:

"When I showed it to Mikoto, she had no idea how strong my condensed version was! She even thought I was about the same as her!"

"If I hadn't been worried about beating her silly because she was too weak, I really would have liked to give her a taste!"

Worried about my sister, but not about my teacher...

Hmm... It must be that Kaminazuki-kun believes I'll be fine. This is an acknowledgment of my strength.

Orochimaru nodded.

Normal sensory ninjutsu couldn't detect Kaminazuki when he had no chakra. In his normal state, he possessed the insight of the Sharingan, and when necessary, he could also unleash pupil power attacks.

Orochimaru couldn't help but praise: "An organ mutation type Kekkei Genkai with no obvious characteristics is simply art!"

"People wouldn't expect that the attack has already begun when the eyes open."

"Stealthy and powerful, it can be called the ultimate assassination weapon!"

Kaminazuki shook his head helplessly: "Sharingan before Mangekyo, its greatest function is to look cool. Without its most important functions, what kind of art is it?"

"My normal dynamic vision is enough. I usually don't like to open my eyes. It makes people think I'm almost ten years old and only have one tomoe, which is too embarrassing."

This was the first time Orochimaru had heard such a statement. Was the Sharingan used for showing off...

"Kaminazuki..."

Orochimaru hesitated for a moment, then said: "You can't learn ninjutsu. Any Jonin can help you as much as I can, and there's no shortage of such people in the Uchiha.

"You could completely hide your information and be a secret weapon hidden within the Uchiha clan."

"Don't tell me you don't know about the delicate relationship between the village and the Uchiha..."

"I taught you, a ninja's battle is a battle of information."

Orochimaru looked at Kaminazuki, his usually cold face showing rare seriousness.

He could feel Kaminazuki's trust, so he chose to trust Kaminazuki as well and lay some things bare.

The village's apprehension towards the Uchiha had always been there. Although the teacher hadn't explicitly told him, the elders Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu had spoken to him, telling him not to tell Kaminazuki about high-level information.

Kaminazuki's lips curved upwards, and he spread his hands.

"As for the reason..."

"I'm strong! Very strong!"

"I was born into this world as a strong person. I understood from the moment I was born!"

"Born this way, I shouldn't be greedy."

Kaminazuki spread his hands, his childish face filled with arrogance: "Hiding information is the privilege of the weak. How can I do such a thing and squeeze out their rare space to survive!"

"Am I right, Teacher Orochimaru!"

Orochimaru was silent for a long time, then smiled and shook his head, "If this were my youth, I would have mocked your immaturity."

"But now, I will praise you."

"Those who firmly believe in their own strength are undoubtedly strong!"

Perhaps it was this very belief that allowed the power of the Heavenly Restriction to exist within you...

Not a curse, but a blessing.

"Hi! Orochimaru, perhaps my arrival now is not ideal."

"But it's time for our appointment~"

Kaminazuki was startled.

The voice was too close!

Even if the Sharingan didn't possess the Byakugan's all-encompassing vision, he shouldn't have allowed someone to get this close without noticing!

He spun around abruptly.

What met his eyes was a tall, well-built man in his twenties with silver-grey hair, wearing a jonin vest, and a handsome face.

He raised a hand and smiled, his voice hearty, "I am Hatake Sakumo, hello there, young Kaminazuki."

It's him...

Never mind then.

The genius ninja of the Hatake clan, who overpowered the Sannin, became the youngest jonin in Konoha's history, known as the "White Fang," Hatake Sakumo.

And not long after, during the Second Shinobi World War, this man would truly gain widespread fame, his name, the White Fang of Konoha, striking fear into the ninja world.

To the point that even officials of the Land of Fire in later generations would refer to Kakashi as the son of the White Fang.

"I almost forgot... Sakumo."

Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo were contemporaries; calling him by name with such a casual tone indicated they had a good relationship.

"Jonin Sakumo." Kaminazuki greeted him, then looked at Orochimaru and the others to explain.

Orochimaru placed a hand on Kaminazuki's shoulder and said, "I'll be going on a mission in a couple of days and won't be back in the village for a long time."

"I specifically invited him to guide you. The Hokage himself greatly praised the Hatake clan's inherited sword techniques. You must cherish this opportunity."

Patting Kaminazuki's shoulder, Orochimaru calmly added, "I've found a lead regarding what you mentioned earlier. That person is currently within the Land of Fire."

Kaminazuki's eyes lit up. That person was crucial for him to use ninjutsu, and he hadn't expected Orochimaru to find them so quickly!

"You've got some skills, Teacher Orochimaru!"

Orochimaru smiled helplessly, "Although I don't quite understand, I assume it's a compliment, right?"

"That guy is very dangerous. If you hadn't passed my test, I would have wanted to go with Sakumo after I returned."

"In short... it's time you witnessed the true ninja world. From now on..."

Orochimaru didn't finish his sentence. From his position, he was well aware that the Second Shinobi World War was inevitable.

In fact, according to later records, it might not even be an exaggeration to say the Second War had already begun.

Hatake Sakumo said lightly, "Orochimaru has already told me the mission details, but if Kaminazuki-kun is also going..."

He leaned in closer and grinned, "Then that's one more task of looking after a junior. You'll have to pay extra!"

Orochimaru took out a stack of silver from his robes: "Here."

"Heh heh, consider it an advance gift!"

Sakumo quickly put away the silver. He had recently confirmed his relationship with his childhood sweetheart and was planning to hold a wedding once the situation stabilized.

"Well, I still have village matters to attend to, so I'll be going now."

Before leaving, Orochimaru gave Kaminazuki a deep look and was silent for a moment.

"The total reward is eight hundred thousand ryo. You'll have to pay me back later."

Kaminazuki laughed heartily, "Just say you're worried about me, no need to beat around the bush. Don't worry, I'll come back safely!"

"No, I'm serious," Orochimaru said solemnly.

For the past six months, Kaminazuki had been eating and drinking his fill, consuming dozens of times the amount of a normal person.

He also had to issue missions to track down that person's whereabouts. On top of hiring Sakumo this time, he had almost spent half of his accumulated mission funds.

The other half, two-thirds were borrowed by Tsunade for gambling, and one-third was borrowed by Jiraiya for research.

He was truly out of money.

Watching Orochimaru walk away, Sakumo leaned in toward Kaminazuki and chuckled, "I bet you won't pay him back; I saw right through you, kid."

Kaminazuki shook his head, "What are you talking about? I'm just paying him back slowly, bit by bit."

"It's fine, Master Orochimaru makes money fast; he's Konoha's number one workaholic, after all."

"Yeah, he doesn't even have a wife or kids, so why is he working so hard?" Sakumo crossed his arms, joining Kaminazuki in gossiping about Orochimaru behind his back.

"Hey, I heard you can't use ninjutsu. I have a secret taijutsu technique that has left countless ninja with painful memories—it's incredibly powerful!"

"For just one thousand ryo, I'll teach it to you. How about it?"

A technique that makes people suffer like a death of a thousand years? That is indeed strong.

Kaminazuki couldn't fathom how a guy thick-skinned enough to invent and popularize the One Thousand Years of Death could ever commit suicide.

This guy seems even more shameless than his son.

Should I say... as expected of a Konoha villager?

Their bullying tactics are a cut above the rest.

No, I must remain vigilant at all times!

Before they can bully me, I have to bully them first!