Seeing how unconcerned Orochimaru looked, Jun Tianlin couldn't help feeling a flicker of delusion: Maybe Kimimaro and I really can last ten minutes if we work together!
One of life's three great delusions: I can turn this around with a sliver of health~
The next second, without saying a word, Kimimaro gave Jun Tianlin a firm nod, drew two cold, gleaming bone blades, and charged at Orochimaru.
"Tianlin, follow my lead. As long as we work together, we can definitely last ten minutes against Orochimaru. After all, he said he won't use ninjutsu, and his chakra is only at Chunin level!"
Hearing Kimimaro's words, Jun Tianlin felt even more certain that they might actually win. He pursed his lips and, wearing a brilliant smile, charged forward with his bone blade in hand.
"Very good, very good. That's more like it. You need this kind of spirit. How could you unleash your limitless potential if you were so dispirited? And how else would I get to see the power of the strongest Kekkei Genkai, Shikotsumyaku?"
Seeing Kimimaro and Jun Tianlin charge at him, brimming with fighting spirit, Orochimaru merely smiled faintly, his eyes alight with enthusiasm as he paid them no further attention.
It was only natural. Orochimaru, the Cold Lord and one of the Sannin, was a formidable figure even among Kage Level shinobi. Even without ninjutsu, and with his chakra suppressed to Chunin level, could anyone without the strength of an elite Jonin really expect to defeat him with certainty?
Even a wily hare had three burrows, let alone a Snake Den countless times deeper than a rabbit's hole...
In Jun Tianlin's eyes, Orochimaru was the very definition of cunning. He thought further ahead than anyone, schemed more deeply, had thicker skin, better methods, and a quicker escape than anyone else—and a more ruthless heart. He was a true "ambitious schemer"!
"Bang!"
After a faint impact, Orochimaru chuckled and waved his hand. The four bone blades in Kimimaro and Jun Tianlin's hands shattered in an instant, scattering across the ground as bone fragments.
"Shikotsumyaku is indeed powerful, but I'm not talking about you two. You've only just begun to develop it. It's immature and has little power; at most, you can bully children your own age. Against a true expert like me, a simple Chakra Nature Transformation is enough to shatter weapons formed from your Shikotsumyaku.
"All right, I'm not trying to discourage you. I just want you to understand this: a Kekkei Genkai may be powerful, but it's only a means of attack. Even without one, you can still become a top-tier shinobi—just like me.
"So, you two brats mustn't let your Kekkei Genkai blind you or become puppets of power. Only someone who has truly mastered the power of their Kekkei Genkai can be called a real strong one. Do you understand?"
Looking at the two bewildered children, Orochimaru's yellow-brown eyes grew deeper, an unusual glint slowly spreading within them.
It had to be said that, setting aside Orochimaru's dangerous nature, there was no one in the entire Ninja World better suited to be a teacher—or rather, a shinobi—than he was!
His formidable strength, unparalleled intellect, vast experience, textbook-worthy store of knowledge, and mastery of ninjutsu—Orochimaru more than deserved every one of those titles.
Add to that his unique temperament: his cruelty, mercilessness, and unpredictability made him the perfect teacher!
With ample knowledge, he could provide his students with the best instruction.
With rich experience, he could arrange the most suitable training for them.
His cold and ruthless nature could put pressure on his students, forcing them to rely on no one but themselves and surpass their limits in life-or-death situations!
Everything about him clearly proved that Orochimaru truly had what it took to be a good teacher.
Compared with Jiraiya, who taught Naruto, Orochimaru was an even better teacher by far.
At least in the original story, Uchiha Sasuke sought out Orochimaru because he wanted power, and he did indeed gain it. Thanks to the protagonist's plot armor, he even managed to turn the tables, completely destroying Orochimaru's plans.
Perhaps you'll say that Uchiha Sasuke wasn't a strong person at all, just someone who got lucky.
He had no solid foundation and no mindset befitting a strong shinobi. All his power came from his Sharingan, gifts from his brother, Uchiha Itachi, and even the legacy of the Sage of Six Paths. He was a true puppet of power.
But no matter what, that was due to Sasuke's own shortcomings. It couldn't erase Orochimaru's contribution to the astonishing transformation Uchiha Sasuke underwent over those three years.
Strength, combat experience, mindset, ruthlessness, mastery of the Sharingan... Everything changed dramatically in just three years.
That was proof enough that Orochimaru was qualified to be a good teacher.
Of course, all of this depended on being able to set aside Orochimaru's dangerous nature. After all, before he could be a good teacher, Orochimaru was first and foremost an extremely dangerous, ruthless figure!
Unfortunately, that was simply impossible for anyone to do~
Even in the vast Ninja World, people as powerful as Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama could defeat or even kill Orochimaru, but could they really strip a Kage Level shinobi of his pride?
A man might be killed, but never humiliated!
That was the pride a strong person should possess, and Orochimaru was no exception.
Gradually, as time passed, the bewilderment in Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro's eyes began to fade. Their bearing started to change, and a faint, nameless aura slowly dissipated, replaced by something else.
Nearby, Orochimaru stood a short distance in front of them, watching their transformation with an appreciative look. A hint of approval showed in his eyes, but he made no move to interrupt them...
As if! Orochimaru considered Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro extremely important. Seeing them make even a little progress because of his words made him happy. Why would he possibly ruin the moment?
After all, with the powerful Kekkei Genkai Shikotsumyaku, astonishing talent, sharp minds, and strong bodies, they were practically the perfect vessels for his not-yet-perfected ninjutsu: "Living Corpse Reincarnation."
Before you continue