Throwing the Pot to Orochimaru

By the time the excitement in Lin Mu's heart had completely faded, the sky outside was already beginning to brighten.

Lin Mu turned, pushed open the window, and took a deep breath.

Gazing at the slowly rising sun, he couldn't help but sigh; it was yet another magnificent, colorful morning.

It was just a pity that Orochimaru was set to invade Konoha today, and the entire village would soon be plunged into the smoke of war; such peace would not last for more than a few hours.

However, Lin Mu was not particularly worried. As a transmigrator, he knew the ins and outs of this entire event clearly.

Although Orochimaru's strength was terrifying, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was no pushover either.

In his memories, the battle between Orochimaru and the Third Hokage should end with the Third Hokage dying in battle and Orochimaru losing a pair of arms.

Lin Mu was still very interested in this battle between master and student, though not because he wanted to watch their personal vendetta.

During this fight, Orochimaru would use the forbidden jutsu left behind by the Second Hokage, Impure World Reincarnation, to resurrect the First Hokage and the Second Hokage!

The First Hokage was none other than Senju Hashirama!

If he could observe Senju Hashirama using Wood Style Jutsu up close, his own mastery of the Wood Style Body would surely take a leap forward.

Senju Hashirama was the best teacher he could ask for!

Only Senju Hashirama could demonstrate the true essence of Wood Style ninjutsu to him.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Just as Lin Mu was still staring out the window, lost in thought, his bedroom door was suddenly knocked upon.

He turned to open the door, and standing there was a round, chubby little boy.

Although everyone was only about ten years old, this little boy's girth already defied the appearance of a ten-year-old child.

"It's Akiyama!"

When Lin Mu saw who was at the door, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.

This Akiyama was his best friend in Konoha, and like him, Akiyama was a war orphan.

War...

Since the founding of Konoha, there had been three Great Ninja Wars, and a vast number of ninjas had died in these cruel conflicts!

To encourage the surviving ninjas and console those who had perished, the major ninja villages had all introduced various policies.

The children left behind by the deceased would be raised by the village and receive an education, and the parents of the fallen would also receive a pension.

However, the families of those who died in battle varied; one had to remember that the ninja world was filled with clans.

For instance, the Akimichi Clan of Choji Akimichi, the Yamanaka Clan of Ino Yamanaka, and the Nara Clan of Shikamaru Nara were all illustrious, famous families.

Not to mention the Byakugan-wielding Hyuga Clan and the Sharingan-wielding Uchiha Clan.

The families of the deceased from these clans would receive additional and far more generous support from within their own ranks.

Compared to them, war orphans with no one to rely on, like Lin Mu and Akiyama, were far more destitute and lonely.

As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together; children from great families liked to congregate, so these lonely orphans had to huddle together for warmth.

But for Lin Mu, who had now activated his system, none of this would be a problem; even if trouble arose in the future, he would simply shatter it with a single punch.

The Wood Style power of Senju Hashirama was nothing to trifle with.

And this Akiyama was Lin Mu's best friend among these orphans.

Reaching out, he pulled the somewhat dazed Akiyama into the room and pressed him into a chair, laughing:

"What's wrong, Akiyama? Is there a flower on my face? Why are you staring at me like that?"

Only then did Akiyama snap out of it. He stood up and circled Lin Mu several times, poking and prodding him here and there, and finally even compared their heights.

"What happened to you? Why do you feel stronger and taller, and even your hair has grown longer?"

Akiyama tugged at Lin Mu's hair, puzzled.

Hearing Akiyama's words, Lin Mu smiled. He had long known that awakening a Kekkei Genkai could not be hidden, so he had already prepared an excuse.

And that excuse was none other than Orochimaru.

To be precise, it was the beautiful woman Orochimaru had transformed into when they met yesterday.

Orochimaru was the most famous scientist in the entire ninja world, as well as the most deranged madman.

As long as he chose the right moment to say he had come into contact with that woman, he could simply attribute his physical changes to Orochimaru.

In any case, Konoha already had experimental subjects developed by Orochimaru, so Lin Mu shouldn't be in any real danger.

Once his strength grew, he would no longer need to hide; if any danger appeared, he would just shatter it with a punch.

"After I finished my evening studies yesterday, I had nothing to do, so I went for a walk outside the village. I walked a bit too far, entered the woods, and met a beautiful big sister."

After saying this, Lin Mu suddenly leaned in close to Akiyama, wearing a mysterious expression.

"Now, guess what happened?"

Akiyama, who had been listening intently, was left speechless by this.

"Hurry up and tell me. If there's any problem, we should go find a teacher immediately."

Akiyama urged, his face solemn. Lin Mu was his best friend in Konoha, and he didn't want anything to happen to him.

"Then that beautiful sister said a few words to me, poked my chest, and let me come back. After I returned, I woke up and became like this."

Seeing Akiyama's serious expression, Lin Mu felt a warmth in his heart; his friend truly cared about him.

"That's it?"

Akiyama looked completely bewildered.

Of course not!

Lin Mu retorted in his heart, but this was the only way he could explain it to others.

This answer was ambiguous and evasive, but that was exactly what fit the situation of a child stumbling upon a miraculous encounter.

He couldn't exactly tell people that he had spent three years planning to obtain Hashirama Cells, could he?

"That's it! Actually, I don't know what happened either, but I feel better than before. There shouldn't be any problems."

Seeing that Akiyama still wanted to ask more, Lin Mu quickly stood up and pulled him toward the exit.

"Oh, look at the time! Today is the Chunin Exams; we can't be late."

Although Akiyama was still somewhat suspicious, seeing his friend so full of life, he decided not to dwell on it. As long as Lin Mu was fine, that was all that mattered.

"What are we eating for breakfast today?"

Akiyama asked.

"It's the Chunin Exams today, so I'll treat you to something good—Ichiraku Ramen!"

"You got it, brother!"

Akiyama danced with joy upon hearing Lin Mu's words, and Lin Mu could only shake his head helplessly at the sight.

Just as Lin Mu and Akiyama were strolling toward the Ichiraku Ramen shop.

Outside the gates of Konoha, in a small grove.

Several ninjas wearing black robes, masks, and Sunagakure headbands exchanged glances.

The leader in the black robe shouted in a low voice:

"Begin!"

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the order, the other black-robed ninjas scattered quickly, taking up positions in a strange formation.

They pulled out black scrolls from behind their backs, placed them on the ground, bit their fingers, and pressed them firmly onto the paper.