Education in Battle

In the quiet silence, time slowly passed.

Only after quite a while did Kimimaro and Jun Tianlin finally come to their senses, having gained some insight into life.

Looking at the two of them, no longer carrying the childishness and weakness they'd shown before, Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction and said,

"Not bad, not bad. To gain even a little insight from what I said shows that you two have truly astonishing talent. But no matter how great your talent is, it's worthless without the combat strength to match. Come on, let me see just how formidable your Kekkei Genkai, Shikotsumyaku, is!"

He crooked a finger and narrowed his eyes, his whole body radiating a dangerous aura.

"Whoosh!"

After a brief glance at each other, Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro understood what the other was thinking. Their small but sturdy bodies charged forward from either side.

"Haah!"

With two loud shouts, Jun Tianlin leaped high on the left and swung a kick toward Orochimaru's head. On the right, Kimimaro was even more ruthless. His hand, covered in Bone Spikes, clenched into a fist and struck at Orochimaru's spine from an awkward angle.

"Mm, that was a good attack. You knew to attack from both sides and work together. But your weaknesses are far too obvious: your speed isn't fast enough, your strength isn't great enough, and you lack explosive power. You didn't even time your attacks very well. In short, your combat abilities still need work!"

With a casual motion, Orochimaru caught Jun Tianlin's kick with his left hand. Then he lightly swatted Kimimaro, who was charging at him, sending him flying. Only then did he coolly critique their attack.

Seeing Orochimaru act so smugly that he could spare the attention to evaluate their attacks in the middle of a fight—and even point out their weaknesses—Jun Tianlin's eyes flickered. But he said nothing and immediately launched another attack.

"Bone Spike!"

With his right leg still firmly clutched in Orochimaru's hand, a pale bone extended from the sole of Jun Tianlin's foot and shot toward Orochimaru's eye with blinding speed.

"Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets!"

On the other side, Kimimaro flipped through the air after Orochimaru's blow sent him flying, then landed on his feet. He raised both hands, and with a series of "pops," white finger bones shot toward Orochimaru like bullets.

"Mm, that was a little better than your last attack, but still not good enough!"

Orochimaru remained completely unruffled. He merely tilted his head to dodge the Bone Spike launched from Jun Tianlin's foot. Then he gripped Jun Tianlin's right leg and gave it a hard swing, hurling his small body toward Kimimaro's Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets and using him as a shield.

"Ugh!"

With a muffled groan, Jun Tianlin hit the ground hard. He couldn't stop himself from coughing up a little blood, which trickled from the corner of his mouth.

That blow had hurt him not only because of the force with which Orochimaru had thrown him; Kimimaro's Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets had also struck him in the abdomen. If he hadn't had the sturdy body of someone from the Kaguya Clan, another child their age would have been knocked flat and unable to get back up.

Fortunately, Jun Tianlin had Shikotsumyaku and was exceptionally tough. His injuries were minor and nothing to worry about.

"Mm, it seems the people of the Kaguya Clan really can take a beating. That's a fine ability. These two attacks have also given me a clear picture of your combat strength.

"Clearly, in my estimation, the two of you—with your Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai—are practically invincible among your peers. I doubt Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama were any better at your age.

"But don't get arrogant. For the next eight minutes, I won't hold back anymore. I hope you can fight with all your strength and endure my attacks for those eight minutes!"

Watching Jun Tianlin slowly rise, Orochimaru let out a cold chuckle. His body turned into a blur and silently darted forward.

"Not good!"

Kimimaro truly was born to be a warrior. The instant Orochimaru vanished, his pupils contracted and his instincts warned him of danger.

Unfortunately, though Kimimaro's thoughts were quick, his young body was sluggish. He couldn't react in time to block Orochimaru's attack.

Kimimaro could only watch as Orochimaru struck swiftly, sending both him and Jun Tianlin flying.

"Thud! Thud!"

After the two heavy impacts, before Kimimaro and Jun Tianlin could recover from the last blow, Orochimaru's figure was already beside them again.

"Heh heh. I told you I wouldn't hold back anymore. I may not be using ninjutsu, and I've suppressed my chakra to the level of a Chunin, but even with that little strength, dealing with you two brats is child's play. Otherwise, how could I, Orochimaru, be honored by the world as one of the legendary Sannin?"

Along with Orochimaru's chilling voice came a fierce barrage of attacks like a raging storm.

"Thud, smack, crunch, crack, heh, ah!"

Under Orochimaru's brutal assault, Kimimaro and Jun Tianlin couldn't fight back at all. They could only use Shikotsumyaku to turn their bones into layer upon layer of armor, wrapping themselves up and doing their best to avoid serious injuries.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

At last, after a long while, Orochimaru finally stopped attacking. He glanced at Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro, sprawled on the ground with their faces bruised and swollen, and—rarely—laughed with unrestrained satisfaction.

"Mm, you two brats really can take a beating. I've been hitting you for ages, and all you've got to show for it is bruised, swollen faces. I'll give you that.

"But speaking of which, after beating you up just now and letting out all the frustration I'd been carrying since yesterday, I feel much better! Hahahahaha!"

With a sinister laugh, Orochimaru turned around, refreshed, and walked out of the training ground.

Lying on the ground, Jun Tianlin watched Orochimaru swagger away, acting like such a smug, thoroughly punchable jerk. It took a long while before his swollen lips managed to form a sound.

"Damn you! Orochimaru, you bastard! Someday, I'll get even with you!"