Orochimaru, Full of Vengeance

As expected, everyone harbors a desire for revenge; even one as powerful as Orochimaru of the Sannin is no exception.

Early the next morning, while Jun Tianlin was still deep in his dreams, Orochimaru sent two lackeys to rouse him from his slumber with exceptionally violent methods.

"Splash!"

With a series of crisp sounds, a bucket of cold water was dumped directly onto Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro.

Ignoring Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro, who had been jolted awake, the lackey who poured the water carried the bucket away with a smug, satisfied expression and a haughty air.

Ten minutes later, the underground training ground of Otogakure—

Dressed in a white kimono with his hands behind his back, Orochimaru stood with the air of a master, facing two little boys whose faces were filled with anger and resentment.

"Don't look at me like that. I had my subordinates wake you up with cold water for your own good. After all, we have been traveling for some time, and you haven't been resting well. To ensure you don't slack off, cold water was the best choice. After all, I am not a man who likes to wait, hehehe!"

Directly ignoring the angry glares from Jun Tianlin and his companion, Orochimaru gave a chilling smile, a hint of cruelty flickering within his yellowish-brown pupils.

Hearing Orochimaru's clearly unpleasant tone, the anger on Jun Tianlin's face receded like a tide, vanishing without a trace in an instant.

Because life had been so easy lately, Jun Tianlin had almost forgotten that the person before him was none other than the sinister and ruthless Cold Lord, Orochimaru!

If it weren't for the fact that he valued the Shikotsumyaku within him and Kimimaro, if it weren't for the fact that they still had utility, and if it weren't for the fact that Orochimaru's patience hadn't yet reached its limit, he likely would have been... executed yesterday for his verbal offense.

Breaking into a cold sweat, Jun Tianlin finally remembered their current situation: he was the meat on the chopping block and Orochimaru was the butcher. Their lives were no longer under their own control!

"Hehe, it seems the reputation of Orochimaru still holds weight. After just one harsh word, this brat Jun Tianlin is already scared like this. His talent is superb, but his temperament still needs improvement.

However, come to think of it, although Kimimaro is a bit young, he remains expressionless and shows no panic in the face of my intimidation. He truly is the 'seed' I value!"

Watching Jun Tianlin, whose face had turned pale and whose forehead was beaded with cold sweat, Orochimaru seemed to guess his thoughts, a satisfied smile appearing deep in his eyes, unnoticed.

As for Kimimaro on the side, the more Orochimaru looked at him, the more satisfied he became. He was truly the most perfect "vessel" he had specifically selected from thousands of Kekkei Genkai!

Though his mind was racing, Orochimaru maintained his cold, ruthless exterior, a sinister smile once again appearing on his pale cheeks.

"Brats, although I value the Shikotsumyaku within your bodies, and your bodies, talents, and minds are the most perfect I have seen in all these years, you must remember: you are merely my pawns. I gave you life, but I did not give you the right to offend me!

Yesterday's incident was enough for once. If there is a next time, I will make you taste exactly why I, Orochimaru, am known to the outside world as the Snake Lord."

He paused for a moment, then let out a cold, meaningful laugh.

"Forget it, we can talk about these things later; it's of little use to discuss them now. What you need most at the moment is to face the trial I, Orochimaru, have personally set for you.

Although I value the Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai in your bodies, you must remember that I have no need for mediocrity. Therefore, if you fail the upcoming trial, there is no need for useless trash to remain. Believe me, I will personally send you to meet your clansmen!"

Suddenly, Jun Tianlin's eyelids twitched at Orochimaru's sinister tone, but he said nothing, instead taking a deep breath to suppress the anxiety and fear in his heart.

He had heard it clearly: Orochimaru had stated it plainly—succeed in the upcoming trial and live, fail and die!

A simple and clear rule, a cruel and violent choice.

For the sake of his own life, Jun Tianlin had no energy left to think about anything else; he could only fight with all his might in the face of fear, trying his best to keep his fate in his own hands. That was all.

As for Kimimaro, heh, Jun Tianlin had no right to worry about him at the moment. After all, compared to the Jun who had just transmigrated, Kimimaro's combat power was at least several tiers higher.

Whether it was the application of taijutsu, the development and proficiency of the Kekkei Genkai, or the grasp and judgment of the battlefield, Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro were worlds apart; there was no comparison.

To put it simply and directly, Kimimaro was born to be a warrior, and his combat talent was absolutely at a genius level!

"Prepare yourselves. The trial has begun. Now, you two brats, attack me with all your might. No matter what method you use, as long as you can hold out against me for ten minutes, I will consider you to have passed!

Rest assured, within these ten minutes, I will not use any ninjutsu, and I will suppress my chakra to the level of a Chunin. If you still cannot hold out against me for ten minutes under these conditions, it will mean that the power of the Shikotsumyaku is not as high as I expected, and your value is limited to just that!"

Orochimaru's scarlet tongue licked the corner of his mouth, his tone extremely cold. The massive pressure emanating from his body gradually subsided until it dropped to the level of a Chunin, where it slowly came to a halt.

The next second, under the gaze of Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro, Orochimaru slowly extended his pale right hand and beckoned with his fingers, signaling that the trial had begun.