Bells

Chiyu, who had now become Orochimaru's disciple, limped home beneath the moonlight.

Though his legs ached, Chiyu could not hide his excitement.

With no background to rely on, the only thing Chiyu had that he could show off was the Thunder Breathing Full Sword Form.

But Thunder Breathing could not carry Chiyu through everything on its own, so he needed other means to make up for his shortcomings.

Without Orochimaru, the only way Chiyu could strengthen himself would be to obtain Witness Points and exchange them for the abilities he needed.

But whenever Chiyu saw the number of Witness Points required in the system's Exchange Shop, his vision went dark.

With only 40 Witness Points, he simply could not afford anything he wanted.

And if he wanted to obtain a large number of Witness Points, he would have to wait for the Third Great Ninja War.

By then, it would be too late.

Judging from how Chiyu had mastered Thunder Breathing, the abilities exchanged through the system would not let him fully master them right away.

The system was only responsible for teaching him; Chiyu still had to train and improve on his own.

But that also had an advantage. Chiyu had developed his own understanding of Thunder Breathing instead of rigidly copying it.

It also left room for growth.

Take Thunder Breathing First Form: Thunderclap and Flash: Sixfold Strike, for example.

Although Chiyu had imitated it based on its user, Zenitsu Agatsuma, he had figured out for himself how to change the direction of his dash while minimizing the strain on his legs.

Chiyu took a deep breath and encouraged himself inwardly. I have to be like a sponge and absorb every bit of knowledge Orochimaru teaches me.

With Orochimaru's guidance, Chiyu was confident that he would be able to stand on his own when war came!

Four days later, at the Ninja Academy.

At their seats, Kushina Uzumaki complained to Chiyu.

"Chiyu, you have no idea how difficult Sealing Jutsu is. There are so, so many things to memorize. Do you know Basic Theory of Sealing Jutsu? It's as thick as my palm! Grandma Mito actually wants me to memorize the whole thing!"

Kushina Uzumaki's little face was miserable as she poured out her grievances to Chiyu.

Chiyu smiled and rubbed Kushina Uzumaki's head. "Work a little harder now, and things will be easier later. Kushina, you'll definitely become the strongest female ninja."

Hearing Chiyu comfort her, Kushina Uzumaki, who normally would have smiled by now, still pouted. "Working hard is fine, but Grandma Mito said that after graduation, I have to stay by her side and study Sealing Jutsu. Only after I learn it will she let me take missions.

I wanted to form a team with you, Chiyu, and take missions together. I've been looking forward to it for so long..."

Kushina Uzumaki hung her head, looking unhappy.

Chiyu chuckled. "Kushina, there's actually something I need to tell you too. After graduation, I probably won't be teaming up with anyone for missions either, because Teacher Orochimaru accepted me as his disciple four days ago. From now on, I'll train under Teacher Orochimaru."

Kushina Uzumaki tilted her cute little head in confusion. "Teacher Orochimaru? I've never heard of him."

Orochimaru had always kept a low profile, and almost no one had ever seen him.

Besides the Ninja Academy, Kushina Uzumaki only went to Mito Uzumaki's residence or Chiyu's home. She had nowhere else to learn news about Orochimaru, so she did not know him.

"Kushina, you know Tsunade and Jiraiya are two of the Legendary Sannin, right?"

"Mm, I know."

"Teacher Orochimaru is also one of the Legendary Sannin."

Kushina Uzumaki covered her little mouth in shock and lowered her voice as she confirmed, "One of the Legendary Sannin accepted you as his disciple?"

Chiyu nodded with a smile. "Yes. Four nights ago, I passed Teacher Orochimaru's test, and now I'm his disciple. According to what Teacher Orochimaru said that day, he'll come find me today."

Kushina Uzumaki said happily, "Lord Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, accepted you as his disciple. That's wonderful, Chiyu."

Chiyu said somewhat guiltily, "But Kushina, once I start training with Teacher Orochimaru, the time we spend together may become very short. We won't be able to see each other every day anymore."

Kushina Uzumaki smiled and lightly punched Chiyu on the shoulder. "Oh, it's fine. Once you've learned enough, Chiyu, we'll have plenty of time."

In truth, Kushina Uzumaki was still very disappointed.

Ever since she had met Chiyu and become friends with him, they had seen each other every day for years without missing a single day. She had grown used to having Chiyu by her side.

Now that they would be separated after graduation, Kushina Uzumaki was extremely reluctant to part with him.

But so Chiyu would not worry, Kushina Uzumaki tried her best to act as if everything was fine.

Having spent so many years with Kushina Uzumaki, Chiyu had long understood her completely.

Naturally, Chiyu knew what Kushina Uzumaki was truly thinking.

But now was not the time. The danger was already close at hand, and Chiyu had to find every possible way to grow stronger so that he and Kushina Uzumaki could survive the crisis ahead.

Chiyu took a bell from his pocket.

It was one of a pair of bells Chiyu had exchanged from the Exchange Shop for the enormous price of 30 Witness Points.

The pair of bells had no special abilities, aside from one function.

When one bell rang, the other would ring as well, and the two bells could guide their owners to find each other.

Chiyu had exchanged for these bells to prepare for the future kidnapping of Kushina Uzumaki by Kumogakure ninja, which could happen at any unknown time.

Chiyu handed the bell in his hand to Kushina Uzumaki. "This is for you, Kushina."

Looking at the little bell in Chiyu's hand, Kushina Uzumaki accepted it happily and asked expectantly, "Is this a gift for me?"

Seeing Kushina Uzumaki's expectant expression, Chiyu smiled. "Yes."

Kushina Uzumaki's smile was brilliant. "I really like it. Thank you, Chiyu."

Chiyu touched his nose. Could a single bell really make Kushina Uzumaki this happy?

Chiyu looked seriously at Kushina Uzumaki and warned her, "Kushina, this bell has a special function. I have an identical bell too. As long as you ring yours, mine will ring as well, and no matter where you are, the bell will guide me to you.

So you have to keep this bell on you at all times. If anything happens, make sure you ring it. I'll come over immediately, understand?"

Seeing how serious Chiyu was, Kushina Uzumaki answered with an equally serious little face, "I'll keep this bell with me every moment of every day!"

After saying that, Kushina Uzumaki could not help shaking the bell, then listened carefully for any sound from Chiyu.

When she heard the bell ringing from Chiyu's body as well, Kushina Uzumaki smiled sweetly.