There must be some misunderstanding here

Ruohuo had yet to find any rats to purge.

However, he had encountered some genuine Iwagakure ninja.

It was a three-man squad, all wearing Iwagakure headbands. They crossed paths in the forest and launched a surprise attack on Ruohuo the moment they saw him.

"It's just a Konoha brat, take him down!"

"Make it quick! There might be other Konoha ninja behind him, finish this fast!"

"Leave this kid to me, I love these soft-skinned little ones..."

"Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame!"

"Scatter!!!"

With only twenty percent of his chakra consumed but double the power, Ruohuo unleashed a sea of flames. His Three Tomoe locked onto the three Iwagakure ninja as they retreated decisively, and he quickly shifted his hand seals.

"Fire Style: Fire Surge Wave!"

Three waves of intense flame erupted from the sea of fire, accelerating a second time as they surged toward the three Iwagakure ninja!

"Argh!!!!"

Two of the Iwagakure Genin were caught off guard and struck by the Fire Surge Wave. The high-temperature flames, carrying immense kinetic force, slammed them into the trees and the ground. After a series of screams, they fell silent.

The remaining Iwagakure ninja was also a Genin.

In a three-man squad like this, without a jonin instructor, there should at least be a Chunin leading the team.

This was a battlefield, after all; a configuration of all Genin was no different from throwing their lives away.

But Iwagakure didn't play by those rules...

Iwagakure's strategy was to flood the field—they played the numbers game!

"Earth Style: Earth Land Return!"

The Iwagakure Genin manipulated the ground beneath his feet, raising an earthen wall to block the impact of the flames.

Just as he was about to check on his companions, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his back. He looked down to see a kunai, dripping with hot blood, having already pierced through his chest...

"Your progress surprises me, Ruohuo-kun."

Orochimaru retracted the kunai, flicked the blood off it, and praised Ruohuo, who stood not far away.

"You've already learned how to use the momentum of one fire technique to launch a second?"

This was not the first time they had encountered enemies.

The danger level of this mission had clearly exceeded its original B-rank classification.

Orochimaru was intentionally letting Ruohuo adapt to the rhythm of the battlefield.

And the ability and imagination Ruohuo displayed were constantly refreshing Orochimaru's understanding of him.

Using the flames of the Majestic Destroyer Flame as a foundation to launch a secondary fire technique—Fire Surge Wave—was something more typical of a Water Style user.

"I've been thinking about how to release multiple ninjutsu at once lately, Teacher."

Ruohuo efficiently looted the two corpses and replied, "When I use special Fire Style techniques, the strain on my eyes is immense."

"If I can't resolve the fight quickly, the situation will soon turn against me."

"My rival is Clan Leader Fugaku. He has the Jonin Will of Fire and the Clan Leader Will of Fire backing him; he would definitely spot this weakness of mine. I must find a way to overcome it."

"..."

Orochimaru really wanted to tell Ruohuo: Child, your Will of Fire is something only you can use.

Although your clan leader is a Jonin, he doesn't have any so-called Will of Fire backing him... he's just a normal person.

But Ruohuo's concerns were not entirely unreasonable.

At such a young age, wanting to challenge a clan leader, he was always going to be at a disadvantage.

"Your direction is correct, but I suggest that after we complete this mission, you seek guidance from the Third."

"The Third holds the title of 'Professor of Ninjutsu.' When it comes to combining ninjutsu, he can certainly give you better advice."

Orochimaru smiled and handed the last ninja tool pouch to Ruohuo.

"Understood, Teacher."

Ruohuo accepted it, took out a Space-Time Scroll to store it, and then pulled out the mission scroll.

"But come to think of it, Teacher..."

"We've been searching this area for so long, why hasn't that squad in need of assistance shown up... hm?"

Ruohuo suddenly entered combat mode again!

"Teacher, watch out, there are more enemies!"

Whoosh! Whoosh!

No sooner had Ruohuo spoken than two figures suddenly appeared. One had a mask covering his face but possessed orange hair, while the other wore only sunglasses and a hood, exuding the aura of a professional killer.

They were none other than Aburame Ryoma and Yamanaka Chito, two of the Root leader Danzo's personal guards.

"Lord Orochimaru... your mission has been changed. Here are the new mission details."

Aburame Ryoma extended his hand, and a scroll wrapped in insects flew toward Orochimaru.

"Please decide for yourself whether to execute the mission. Once confirmed, proceed to Kanabi in two days... You Uchiha brat! What do you think you're doing!"

Noticing that Ruohuo had suddenly begun weaving hand seals, Aburame Ryoma shouted out!

"Hmph! Two rats from the gutter—I can feel the filthy Will of Darkness on you even with my eyes closed!"

Ruohuo took a sharp breath, "Fire Style: Dragon Fire!"

This was the most ferocious move in Ruohuo's mid-range ninjutsu arsenal!

"Scatter!"

The two of them each used the Body Flicker Technique to disperse, but how could Ruohuo let them have their way?

His Three Tomoe had locked onto Yamanaka Chito from the start; the man's hair color betrayed his identity as a member of the Yamanaka clan, and Ruohuo could not allow him to move.

Spewing flames of dragon fire from his mouth, he chased after Yamanaka Chito, unleashing a relentless barrage!

"Uchiha brat, are you going to defy the village's orders!"

After landing, Aburame Ryoma shouted immediately, simultaneously weaving seals to release insects in preparation to attack Ruohuo.

But before he could make a move, a thick killing intent suddenly enveloped his entire body. Aburame Ryoma was startled and looked sharply at Orochimaru!

"Ryoma-kun, calm down..."

Orochimaru took the scroll, held two fingers upright, and looked at Aburame Ryoma with a smile.

"Ruohuo-kun is usually docile and well-behaved; he doesn't easily attack others. If he is reacting this way today, there must be a reason."

"Why don't you watch and wait, Ryoma-kun, while I ask the child?"

Then hurry up and ask him!

Aburame Ryoma cursed inwardly. What exactly was wrong with Orochimaru?

He had taken the scroll but wouldn't open it—did he intend to cooperate with Lord Danzo or not?

"Ruohuo-kun?" Orochimaru kept his smile as he looked at Ruohuo.

Ruohuo did indeed stop his attack, but his hands remained busy.

"He's hiding, Teacher. Give me two minutes, and I'll go purify him right now!"

"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet!"

Whoosh—!

A giant dragon of flames erupted from thin air. Without even taking off his shoes, Ruohuo leaped forward, landed steadily on the dragon's head, and soared straight into the sky!

Watching Ruohuo fly higher and higher, it was clear he intended to launch another area-of-effect fire jutsu bombardment on this sector.

Aburame Ryoma was burning with anxiety, but Orochimaru remained as unhurried as ever.

"Ruohuo-kun, Ruohuo-kun?"

"Teacher has something to say to you... Ruohuo-kun?"

"Dragon Flame Song Jutsu!"

Four dragon heads descended from the sky, unleashing a frantic bombardment right where Yamanaka Chito was hiding!

The smile on Orochimaru's face widened as he looked back at Aburame Ryoma and spread his hands. "Ryoma-kun, my apologies."

"The child is a bit busy right now. How about... you wait a little longer?"