Orochimaru's Test

During the second week after the Chunin Ninja Exams, a bizarre figure quietly infiltrated Konoha.

It was Orochimaru, once one of the Sannin and now an evil ninja listed as a rogue. His target was Xingye.

During the Chunin Ninja Exams, Xingye had displayed astonishing strength. His latent abilities in particular had piqued Orochimaru's keen interest.

"That child's growth is astonishing," Orochimaru murmured as he watched Xingye from the shadows, greed glinting in his eyes. "He's reached Chunin level at just nine years old, and he even has an unknown bloodline... If I could obtain that bloodline, my plan for eternal life would succeed."

Orochimaru had long been searching for a vessel to house his consciousness, and Xingye's appearance had given him hope.

In particular, the unusual aura within Xingye made Orochimaru crave him all the more.

"If I could get that child's body," Orochimaru mused, "I could break through the limits of the flesh and achieve true immortality."

That day, Xingye was training at the practice grounds in the Uchiha Clan Compound.

He was practicing combinations of various ninjutsu, and with his Byakugan activated, he could see every detail around him.

Suddenly, a figure appeared silently behind Xingye.

"Uchiha Xingye, you're quite strong."

Xingye spun around and saw a pale man standing on a nearby tree branch, watching him coldly.

The man's skin was as pale as paper, and his yellow eyes had snake-like pupils, giving him a strange and dangerous air.

Orochimaru!

Xingye's pupils contracted, but he remained calm on the surface.

"Who are you?" Xingye asked calmly.

Orochimaru sneered, leaped down from the branch, and slowly approached Xingye.

"I'm Orochimaru," he said, his voice cold and hoarse. "I'm very interested in your bloodline."

Xingye sneered inwardly, but kept his expression unreadable.

As expected, Orochimaru had set his sights on Xingye's bloodline. The evil ninja had always been searching for a suitable vessel, and Xingye's unique identity had caught his attention.

"What do you want?" Xingye asked warily.

"It's simple." Orochimaru stopped a few meters from Xingye. "Come with me, and I'll give you even greater power. My research can help you surpass everything you are now."

"And if I refuse?" Xingye retorted, a hint of defiance in his voice.

A sinister smile curled Orochimaru's lips.

"Then you die."

The moment the words left his mouth, Orochimaru launched his attack. He moved at incredible speed, reaching Xingye almost instantly as the Kusanagi Sword in his hand stabbed toward Xingye's heart like a venomous snake.

The blade flashed, brimming with murderous intent.

But Xingye reacted even faster.

Lightning Style: Chidori Sharp Spear!

Blinding lightning burst from Xingye's hand, shattering the Kusanagi Sword in an instant and striking Orochimaru directly in the chest.

"What?!" Orochimaru stared in shock at his chest, where lightning still crackled.

BOOM!

A deafening blast sent Orochimaru flying. He crashed heavily to the ground in the distance.

[System Notification: Orochimaru defeated]

[Obtained Trait: Cursed Seal (Purple), Immortal Body (Blue)]

The system's notification sounded in Xingye's mind.

Xingye was stunned.

Orochimaru actually had two powerful traits: the Cursed Seal and the Immortal Body! The Cursed Seal was a forbidden technique that could greatly enhance one's power, while the Immortal Body let Orochimaru revive endlessly, making him practically unkillable.

These two traits are incredibly valuable... Xingye thought, secretly delighted.

Orochimaru got to his feet, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and stared in shock and disbelief.

"You... you're this powerful..." Orochimaru stared at Xingye in disbelief. "And that technique of yours... what was it?"

"That doesn't matter," Xingye said coldly, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. "What matters is that you won't leave here alive today."

"Oh? You think you can kill me?" Orochimaru's sinister smile returned. "I'm not so easy to kill."

Orochimaru suddenly opened his mouth, and a white snake shot out, lunging straight at Xingye.

Xingye furrowed his brow and immediately activated his Byakugan.

The snake's aura was powerful—at least at the level of an elite Jonin.

Looks like I can't afford to underestimate him, Xingye thought.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

Xingye unleashed Fire Release, and the enormous fireball burned Orochimaru's white snake to ash.

"What?!" Orochimaru was shocked again.

Just then, Orochimaru's abdomen suddenly bulged, and countless little snakes crawled out of his body, surging toward Xingye.

"Ten Thousand Snakes Formation?" Xingye recognized the technique as one of Orochimaru's signature ninjutsu.

"If you love snakes so much," Xingye sneered, "then I'll show you what real snakes look like!"

[System Notification: Skill acquired: Ten Thousand Snakes Formation (Blue)]

Xingye used the Ten Thousand Snakes Formation. Countless larger snakes burst from the ground and devoured all of Orochimaru's little snakes.

Orochimaru stared at the scene, too shocked to speak.

"Th-this is impossible..."

"Get out," Xingye said coldly, his voice carrying unquestionable authority.

Though unwilling to give up, Orochimaru knew this wasn't the time to fight. Xingye's strength far exceeded his expectations, and he also seemed to know something about snake-based ninjutsu.

"We'll meet again," Orochimaru said icily. Then he used the Summoning Technique and vanished in an instant.

Xingye watched the direction Orochimaru had gone, already forming a plan.

"Orochimaru, your ambitions are great," Xingye mused. "But you'll eventually become one of my pawns. Your Immortal Body and Cursed Seal techniques will both serve me."

[System Notification: Prophet skill activated]

[Prophecy: Orochimaru will attempt to contact Xingye again, but this time he will use a different approach]

[Suggestion: Be prepared and use Orochimaru's greed to achieve your own goals]

Xingye nodded.

"Orochimaru won't give up easily," Xingye mused. "When he comes again, I'll make good use of his greed to obtain more information and resources."

Xingye deactivated his Byakugan and prepared to return to the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Just then, the system spoke again.

[System Notification: Host's strength has increased significantly]

[Current Strength: Chunin-Jonin → Quasi-Kage Level]

[New Skill Acquired: Sharingan: Mangekyō Sharingan (Gold)]

Xingye was stunned.

He had reached Quasi-Kage Level without even realizing it! And he had also obtained the Mangekyō Sharingan!

"The Mangekyō Sharingan..." Xingye murmured. "It's one of the Uchiha Clan's most powerful ocular techniques. They say it can only be awakened after experiencing tremendous pain."

Xingye closed his eyes, sensing the changes within them.

When he opened them again, a complex pattern had appeared in his pupils. Three tomoe joined together to form a perfect circle, radiating a terrifying pressure.

"So this is the Mangekyō Sharingan..." Xingye stared at the water cup in his hand. It instantly crumbled into powder.

Xingye was stunned.

The Mangekyō Sharingan was indeed powerful! The pressure from just a glance had reduced the cup to dust in an instant.

"With this power, I won't have to worry about Danzo or Black Zetsu," Xingye mused.

But just then, Xingye felt a faint pain in his eyes.

"The side effects?" Xingye frowned. "Looks like I'll have to be careful when using the Mangekyō Sharingan."

Xingye decided to return to the Uchiha Clan Compound and discuss his next plans with his family.