Test

Orochimaru suddenly appeared at the Training Ground and said that Hiruzen Sarutobi thought highly of him and wanted Orochimaru to take him as a disciple.

Chiyu's mind nearly crashed for a moment.

Chiyu could tell that Hiruzen Sarutobi thought highly of him.

More than once already, Hiruzen Sarutobi had openly and subtly hinted that Chiyu could apply for the Graduation Exam early and become an official ninja.

But Chiyu had always played dumb and brushed it off.

Chiyu had no desire to graduate early and become an ordinary ninja, carrying out those low-level missions. In his eyes, that would be a complete waste of time.

Unless Hiruzen Sarutobi could explicitly promise that he would be able to participate directly in combat missions after graduation.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi did not make that clear, Chiyu would not gamble on those odds.

If he lost that gamble, he would have to go pick up trash.

Chiyu simply had not expected Orochimaru to come knocking personally when the Graduation Exam was only two days away.

And Hiruzen Sarutobi had been the one to introduce him.

Chiyu suddenly realized that Orochimaru was still one of Konoha's most prestigious Legendary Sannin, Hiruzen Sarutobi's prized disciple, and one of Konoha's pillars.

Orochimaru had not yet experienced being utterly crushed by the Sharingan. He was merely a Konoha ninja who longed to learn every technique in the world.

Still, Orochimaru at this stage was somewhat dangerous.

Having lost both parents at a young age, then witnessed the deaths of his friend Dan Katō and disciple Nawaki, Orochimaru had always leaned toward negative thoughts. He should have already begun walking into darkness by now.

Moreover, Orochimaru would later join forces with Konoha High Command to conduct research into the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai.

And Chiyu, who possessed Senju Clan blood, would make the ideal experimental material.

However, the Wood Release research should only happen after the Third Great Ninja War ended, when they began selecting the next Hokage.

Chiyu also did not know whether Orochimaru had begun learning the Impure World Reincarnation to revive the dead or researching the Immortality Technique.

All in all, the risk of becoming Orochimaru's disciple was not great at present, especially since Hiruzen Sarutobi had personally recommended it.

And there was no questioning Orochimaru's teaching ability.

In the future, Sasuke Uchiha would become Orochimaru's disciple. Not only did Orochimaru train Sasuke into a formidable fighter, but he also gave Sasuke a solid foundation in analyzing enemy abilities and formulating strategies.

Although Chiyu had learned Thunder Breathing Full Sword Form, that was all he knew, along with the basic material taught at the Ninja Academy.

Therefore, Chiyu's training had merely been about fully integrating the abilities he already possessed. He had not learned anything new.

If he became Orochimaru's disciple, Orochimaru would surely teach him something new.

Chiyu also very much wanted to learn about analyzing enemy abilities and formulating strategies.

Having made up his mind, Chiyu dropped to one knee and pleaded, "Please, Lord Orochimaru, accept me as your disciple!"

Orochimaru chuckled. "Though I am interested in you, and the old man hopes I will take you as my disciple, that does not mean you will necessarily become one.

"I will give you an opportunity. Pass my test with the resolve that if you do not kill me, you will be killed by me. As long as you pass, you will become my disciple, Orochimaru's disciple."

Chiyu stood and asked, "I understand, Lord Orochimaru. Then the test starts now, correct?"

Orochimaru gave a slight nod. "That's right. It begins now."

The instant Orochimaru finished speaking, Chiyu immediately retreated and opened up distance between them. His right hand hovered over the hilt of his longsword as he gathered Chakra, while lightning flickered around his hands and feet.

Orochimaru was very pleased with Chiyu's reaction. He had not wasted any time; the moment he learned the conditions of the test, he had prepared for battle.

"Thunder Breathing First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"

Chiyu exploded forward in a single breath, closing in on Orochimaru at high speed like thunder tearing through the air. He drew his blade and struck in an extreme-speed charge too fast for the naked eye to follow.

But after executing the draw slash, Chiyu received no sensation from his longsword of having struck something solid.

He had missed.

And Orochimaru was no longer in front of him.

Chiyu frowned. What a fast Body Flicker Technique.

Orochimaru's voice sounded from Chiyu's side. "Your speed is quite good, but your weakness is equally obvious. You cannot change direction midway and can only move in a straight line. As long as your attack is seen through and the opponent changes direction before it arrives, even by just one step, your attack will miss."

After forming hand seals, Orochimaru aimed an arm at Chiyu.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Several snakes instantly emerged from Orochimaru's arm and lunged at Chiyu.

Chiyu immediately turned to face Orochimaru head-on.

"Thunder Breathing Fourth Form: Distant Thunder!"

Chiyu's body erupted with dazzling blue lightning as he charged Orochimaru at lightning-fast speed. Upon closing in, he swung his blade in rapid slashes.

Before Orochimaru's summoned snakes could touch Chiyu, they had already been charred by the lightning surrounding his body.

Chiyu slashed at Orochimaru at high speed, but Orochimaru effortlessly evaded every strike.

Orochimaru commented, "This move sacrifices a bit of speed, but it increases the intensity of the Lightning Release Chakra nature transformation. Its power is not bad either."

While evading Chiyu's slashes, Orochimaru rapidly formed hand seals with both hands.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Orochimaru expelled a violent gale from his mouth.

Although Wind Release: Great Breakthrough was a C-rank Ninjutsu, its scale varied according to the user's ability.

When used by an exceptional ninja, its winds possessed enough destructive force to topple an entire grove of century-old trees.

And Orochimaru was naturally an exceptional ninja.

The gale swept in, and Chiyu was blown straight away.

At the same time, because Wind Release countered Lightning Release, the lightning flickering across Chiyu's body was scattered by the gale.

Just as Chiyu thought he would be blown far away, he suddenly stopped in midair.

A snake had coiled around Chiyu's body, its tail wrapped around Orochimaru's arm.

Chiyu drifted through the air like a kite.

Just as Chiyu tried to break free of the snake's restraint, Orochimaru gave a fierce tug, pulling Chiyu uncontrollably toward him.

Orochimaru drove a heavy punch into Chiyu's abdomen, sending him flying backward in an instant.

"Cough..."

Chiyu's eyes widened as he felt like he was about to vomit up stomach acid.

Chiyu crashed heavily to the ground and rolled twice before coming to a stop.

Orochimaru remained utterly composed as he commented, "Your ability to adapt in battle is insufficient. When I used Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, before I released Wind Release, and when I pulled you over, you had opportunities to escape or counterattack each time."

Chiyu clutched his abdomen as he rose from the ground. After taking a deep breath and steadying himself, he directly activated his Sharingan.