Combat Education

In the quiet silence, time gradually slipped away.

After a long while, Kimimaro and Jun Tianlin finally roused themselves from their contemplation of "life."

Observing the two boys, who had shed the aura of childishness and weakness they previously possessed, Orochimaru nodded, looking quite satisfied as he spoke.

"Not bad, not bad. To gain such insights from a few words of mine, the talent you two possess is truly astonishing. However, no matter how great the talent, it is wasted without the combat power to match it. Come, let me see the prowess of your Shikotsumyaku bloodline limit!"

Beckoning with his fingers, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his entire body radiating a dangerous aura.

Swish.

With a subtle exchange of glances, Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro understood each other's intentions. Their lean yet sturdy bodies surged forward, one to the left and one to the right.

"Hah!"

Following two sharp shouts, Jun Tianlin leaped high into the air, delivering a whip kick toward Orochimaru's head. Meanwhile, Kimimaro, acting with greater ruthlessness, clenched his hand—now bristling with Bone Spike—into a fist, aiming a jagged, bone-encrusted strike at Orochimaru's spine.

"Hmm, this attack is not bad. To think you know how to coordinate a pincer attack. However, your flaws are too obvious: your speed is insufficient, your force is lacking, your explosive power is weak, and your timing is far from precise. In short, your combat effectiveness still needs improvement!"

With a gentle wave of his hands, Orochimaru caught Jun Tianlin's whip kick with his left hand, while his right hand flicked out, swatting Kimimaro away before he could land his strike. Only then did he coldly evaluate their performance.

Seeing Orochimaru so arrogant—finding the leisure to critique their attacks mid-battle while meticulously pointing out their shortcomings—Jun Tianlin's eyes flashed, but he said nothing, opting instead to launch another assault.

"Bone Spike!"

From beneath the leg Orochimaru held firmly in his grip, a pale bone protruded from the sole of his foot, stabbing toward Orochimaru's eye with lightning speed.

"Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets!"

On the other side, Kimimaro, having been sent flying, flipped his body and regained his footing. He raised both hands, his ten fingers aimed forward, and with a series of bang-bang-bangs, white finger bones shot out like bullets toward Orochimaru.

"Hmm, this attack is more respectable than the last, but it is still not enough!"

Orochimaru spoke calmly, his head tilting slightly to dodge the Bone Spike from Jun Tianlin's foot. Immediately after, he swung his left hand, hurling Jun Tianlin's small body toward the incoming Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets like a human shield.

"Ugh!"

With a muffled groan, Jun Tianlin crashed heavily into the ground, unable to stop a trickle of blood from spilling from the corner of his mouth.

This blow was not just from the force of Orochimaru's throw; Jun Tianlin had also been struck in the abdomen by Kimimaro's Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets. Had it not been for the inherent toughness of the Kaguya Clan, any other child his age would have been incapacitated instantly.

Fortunately, possessing the Shikotsumyaku, Jun Tianlin's durability was immense. Though he had sustained minor injuries, it was nothing life-threatening.

"Hmm, it seems the Kaguya Clan is indeed capable of taking a beating; that is an excellent ability. However, these two exchanges have allowed me to gauge your combat power. Clearly, in my view, you are essentially invincible among your peers with the Shikotsumyaku bloodline. I imagine that even Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama were no better than this at your age, were they? But do not grow arrogant, for in the next eight minutes, I will no longer hold back. I hope you can manage to survive my onslaught for these eight minutes!"

Watching Jun Tianlin slowly stand up, Orochimaru let out a sinister chuckle, his body blurring into an afterimage as he charged forward silently.

"Oh no!"

True to his nature as a born warrior, the moment Orochimaru vanished, Kimimaro's pupils constricted, and a sense of alarm rose in his heart.

Unfortunately, Kimimaro's young, sluggish body could not keep up with his agile mind, preventing him from reacting in time to defend against Orochimaru's strike. He could only watch helplessly as Orochimaru moved with blinding speed, striking both him and Jun Tianlin and sending them flying.

Bang! Bang!

Following two heavy thuds, before Kimimaro and Jun Tianlin could catch their breath, Orochimaru was already upon them again.

"Hehe, I told you I would not hold back. Although I am not using ninjutsu and have suppressed my chakra to the level of a Chunin, even with this level of strength, dealing with you two brats is as easy as turning over my hand. Otherwise, how could I, Orochimaru, be revered by the world as one of the legendary Sannin?"

Accompanying Orochimaru's chilling voice came a fierce, storm-like barrage of attacks.

Bang, slap, crack, crunch, hey, ah!

Amidst the sound of impacts, facing Orochimaru's violent assault, Kimimaro and Jun Tianlin had no power to retaliate. They could only rely on their Shikotsumyaku, doing their utmost to manifest bones to form layers of protection around their bodies, struggling to shield themselves from suffering any catastrophic damage.

Tap, tap, tap...

Finally, after a long time, Orochimaru ceased his attack. He glanced at Jun Tianlin and Kimimaro, who were sprawled on the ground, bruised and battered, and let out a rare, satisfied laugh.

"Hmm, you two brats really are resilient. I've been beating you for so long, and you're only bruised and swollen. For this alone, I am impressed. But then again, after that chaotic thrashing, venting all the frustration I felt yesterday, I feel much better. Hahahahaha!"

Accompanied by a lewd laugh, Orochimaru turned around with a refreshed air and walked out of the training ground.

Lying on the ground, Jun Tianlin watched Orochimaru's arrogant—and frankly, punchable—back. It took a long time for his swollen lips to form a single, garbled sentence:

"Damn it, Orochimaru, you bastard... one day, I will get my revenge!"