A Deal and an Apprenticeship

Orochimaru slowly crouched down and stared into Lihuo's eyes with his cold, serpentine gaze.

Like a venomous snake lurking in the dark, waiting for the chance to strike at its prey, the moment it appeared in your sight would be the moment your death drew near.

As Lihuo's mind raced to think of a way out, Orochimaru couldn't help marveling at how extraordinary the boy before him was.

Taijutsu, ninjutsu, mental fortitude—none of them seemed like something a child his age should possess!

"There's also the possibility that enemy shinobi used a secret technique to seize his mind."

At the thought, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint in them.

"If he truly is a potential threat, then this child must not be allowed to live!"

Though Orochimaru had already begun dabbling in forbidden experiments, he hadn't yet lost all faith in Konoha. Otherwise, he wouldn't have carried out Sarutobi Hiruzen's orders.

Just then, Lihuo spoke.

"So, what brings you here, Lord Orochimaru?"

"Heh. I already told you. Answer those few questions of mine!"

At that, Lihuo straightened up, though under Orochimaru's gaze—

"I'm sorry, Lord Orochimaru, but that's my secret!"

"Oh?"

Orochimaru's presence erupted in an instant. A wave of deathly menace spread like a raging sea, and Lihuo, closest to him, bore the brunt of it!

The overwhelming pressure crashed against Lihuo's mental defenses. He felt like a tiny boat struggling to stay afloat amid a terrifying storm.

But he couldn't back down!

Lihuo clenched his teeth and fists, staring straight at Orochimaru.

He was taking a gamble: that Orochimaru wouldn't kill him, and that he hadn't uncovered Lihuo's deepest secret!

He was betting that his recent investment from the Uchiha Clan and the Hokage's faction gave him enough standing to avoid being killed for no reason!

But little by little, Lihuo could no longer hold out. Under the onslaught of that pressure, ordinary Taijutsu and ninjutsu were useless.

In Orochimaru's eyes, Lihuo's pupils had already begun to lose focus. That was exactly what he wanted. Combining genjutsu with his overwhelming presence, he relentlessly attacked Lihuo's mind.

"Tell me. Do you want to destroy Konoha?"

Orochimaru's deep, hoarse voice sounded, but to Lihuo, it seemed so unreal.

At times, it rang out like a bell, shaking Lihuo to his core.

At others, it was like a wraith, drawing out the most genuine thoughts in his heart.

"No! My friends and the people I care about are in Konoha. I won't hurt them!" Lihuo shouted.

In an instant, Orochimaru's pressure receded, and the terrifying atmosphere gradually faded.

Thud!

Lihuo dropped to the ground, drenched in sweat. He knew that if he'd answered wrong, he would already have been decapitated.

Orochimaru was terrifying.

Orochimaru, meanwhile, wore a meaningful smile. He knew this interrogation technique of his rivaled the Yamanaka Clan's secret arts.

Unless someone was far stronger than him, they couldn't resist the urge to reveal their innermost thoughts.

"Since you pose no threat to Konoha, I've completed the task the Third Hokage gave me."

Orochimaru stood up, his tone a little more relaxed.

"I have one more task for you. Will you join Root?"

Lihuo's heart tightened. Just as he'd expected! That old dog Danzo had noticed him! He couldn't let anything slip now!

"What's Root?" Lihuo asked deliberately.

After Orochimaru gave him a rough explanation of Root's purpose, Lihuo flatly refused Danzo's offer. After all, no sane person would willingly join an organization like Root.

"Good. Danzo's task is done, too," Orochimaru said listlessly, as if he were already growing impatient.

Just as Lihuo thought Orochimaru was about to leave, Orochimaru crouched down again, curiosity and danger flickering in his eyes!

"Now, let's deal with my question!"

"Uchiha Lihuo, I need your help studying Natural Energy."

"The enhanced state you entered after absorbing Natural Energy had an aura somewhat similar to that of the two toads Jiraiya summoned."

"I need to obtain that power!"

As he spoke, Orochimaru's expression turned fervent.

"No way!" Lihuo replied without hesitation. "That's my secret."

"Oh? Uchiha Lihuo, you wouldn't want everyone to learn your secret, would you?"

"If that happened, could you still call those trump cards of yours trump cards?"

Lihuo: What the hell, you information dog? What kind of yellow-haired bastard line is that?

Lihuo grumbled inwardly, but his mind kept racing.

"I could agree, but this is a secret technique I don't pass on!"

"Oh? You mean..."

"You'll have to pay extra!"

"Hahahaha! It's been a long time since I met a kid this interesting. You actually dare to bargain with me—how amusing!"

"Name your price. Ninjutsu, money—I can give you whatever you want," Orochimaru said with a laugh.

"I want you to take me as your apprentice!" Lihuo steeled himself and voiced the idea he'd been planning for a long time.

...Silence!

After Lihuo said those words, both of them fell silent.

"Why?" Orochimaru stood up and scrutinized him as if seeing the boy for the first time.

"That's my condition. I'm not going to get much chance to grow at the Ninja Academy. If I follow you, I can become stronger."

"Hahahaha." Orochimaru seemed to have heard some ridiculous joke.

"Become stronger? You realize that if you follow me, there's a very good chance... you'll die!"

As he spoke, Orochimaru fell into a strange sadness. It was an emotion rarely seen in this man. He remembered the boy who'd once shouted that he wanted to become Hokage.

Then he recalled the scene of that boy being struck by an Explosive Tag, so gravely injured that even the gods couldn't save him.

"If that's the risk I have to face to become stronger, then I'm willing to face death."

"You're just a kid, but you talk big. What makes you so desperate to become stronger?" Orochimaru stared coldly at Lihuo, as if trying to make sure he was telling the truth.

"I already told you! I want to protect the people I cherish!" Lihuo replied without flinching.

Another long silence.

"Fine. To study Natural Energy, and to keep a close eye on you, a suspicious Uchiha."

"I agree to become your teacher!"

"But... don't you dare die on me..."

"Lihuo pays his respects, Teacher!"

The next morning, at the Hokage Office.

The Third Hokage looked at Orochimaru and Lihuo before him, his eyes full of questions.

"Are you serious, Orochimaru?"

"You're taking Lihuo as your apprentice?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru as if he'd just seen a rooster lay an egg, a hen crow, an iron tree bloom, or a man give birth.

"Ah, Teacher Sarutobi. I'd like to take this genius as my apprentice."

After the Third Hokage confirmed it, he turned to Lihuo, the boy who'd recently been making waves.

"And what do you think, little Lihuo?"

"I'm willing to take Lord Orochimaru as my teacher."

"Hahaha! If that's the case, then it's settled!" The Third Hokage waved his hand, confirming the teacher-student relationship between Orochimaru and Lihuo.

"However, Lihuo is still at the Ninja Academy..."

"Lord Third, I'll apply for early graduation."

"Hahaha, so you've already thought it through. Fine. I'll speak with Oshima. If you can graduate early, you can study under Orochimaru."

"Thank you, Lord Third!"