Thorough Preparations

Two days before the Chūnin Exams.

Land of Rice Fields, underground base.

Yunju sat on the steps outside the training room, gripping a towel in his hand. The taijutsu training he had just finished left his shoulders faintly aching. He looked up at the half-open iron door at the end of the corridor. Kimimaro's figure had just flashed past it, seemingly inspecting the base.

"Senior." Yunju rose to his feet and called out to him.

Kimimaro stopped and turned his face slightly. White strands of hair hung before his eyes. His expression was as indifferent as ever, but he did not seem unwilling to talk.

"What is it?"

Yunju walked over, wearing just the right amount of humility. "Senior, the Chūnin Exams are approaching. I don't know much about the candidates from the other ninja villages, so I wanted to ask you about the state of the ninja world. If I run into them during the exams, at least I'll know what to expect."

Kimimaro glanced at him, as though judging whether the request was worth his time.

After a moment, he gave a slight nod and leaned against the corridor wall, folding his arms across his chest.

"What do you want to know?"

Yunju inwardly sighed in relief, though nothing showed on his face. He immediately asked, "What are the characteristics of the Five Great Ninja Villages? I've heard their names, but I don't know the specifics."

Kimimaro closed his eyes briefly, as if organizing his thoughts—or recalling the knowledge Orochimaru had once taught him.

"The Five Great Ninja Villages are the five strongest powers in the ninja world." Kimimaro spoke at an unhurried pace, yet every word was clear. "First is Konoha Hidden Village, located in the Land of Fire. It has the longest history and the largest scale among the five. Senju and Uchiha founded it, but now... hmph, the Uchiha have been exterminated, and the Senju have only a few nobodies left. Konoha's advantage lies in its deep reserve of talent and its abundance of bloodline limits and secret techniques. Its overall strength is still number one."

As Kimimaro said this, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly with a trace of disdain.

"Next is Sand Hidden Village, in the Land of Wind. Its environment is harsh and its resources scarce, but it has produced exceptionally strong Wind Release ninja. Every generation of Kazekage has possessed unique abilities, though their overall strength is on the weaker side among the Five Great Ninja Villages. Their village has been declining for a long time."

"Cloud Hidden Village, Land of Lightning. They revere strength, and their taijutsu and Lightning Release are exceptionally powerful. The current Fourth Raikage is known for his speed and power, and the village's fighting style is extremely aggressive. If you encounter Cloud ninja, don't let them get close."

"Rock Hidden Village, Land of Earth. They excel at Earth Release and defensive warfare. Most of their ninja are powerfully built and have astonishing endurance. The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, is still alive. It is said that he can use Dust Release, a bloodline selection that surpasses bloodline limits. If you encounter Rock ninja, don't fight a war of attrition with them."

"Mist Hidden Village, Land of Water. It was once famous as the 'Village Hidden in the Blood Mist,' and its ninja are known for their ruthlessness and assassination techniques. Later, the Fourth Mizukage was overthrown, and though the village underwent internal reforms, its strength is far from what it once was. Still... they retain the name of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. They cannot be underestimated."

Kimimaro finished describing the basic situation of the Five Great Ninja Villages in one breath. His tone remained flat throughout, as if reciting a textbook.

Yunju silently committed every detail to memory while noting the bias in Kimimaro's words. Though his description of Konoha carried disdain, it had been the most detailed. That showed Konoha truly was an unavoidable center.

"And what about Lord Orochimaru?" Yunju asked at the appropriate moment. "Compared with the other two of the Sannin, Lord Orochimaru..."

Kimimaro's eyes suddenly changed.

That fervent flame lit up again.

"Lord Orochimaru is the strongest of the Sannin." There was not a shred of hesitation in Kimimaro's voice. "Jiraiya is merely a lecherous sage who writes novels. Tsunade is obsessed with gambling and medical ninjutsu. They have long since stopped progressing. Only Lord Orochimaru continues to pursue truth, eternity, and the pinnacle of ninjutsu. They are unworthy of being mentioned in the same breath as Lord Orochimaru."

Yunju's heart stirred, but he only nodded. "I see."

Kimimaro glanced at him, then abruptly changed the subject.

"Speaking of the Sannin, do you know what happened when Lord Orochimaru was still in Konoha?"

"Not really," Yunju answered honestly.

Kimimaro snorted. "Lord Orochimaru was forced out by Konoha. That so-called 'Will of Fire' is nothing but shackles used to bind geniuses. The Third Hokage was Lord Orochimaru's teacher, yet he could not even protect his own disciple. Konoha's system is rotten to the core."

Yunju did not respond. He simply listened quietly.

Kimimaro seemed to have opened the floodgates—or perhaps he was in a bad mood today and needed someone to vent to.

"And there are the Senju and Uchiha." Kimimaro suddenly mentioned those two names, his disdain even more apparent. "People nowadays praise the Senju to the heavens, saying that Hashirama Senju, the 'God of Shinobi,' brought peace to the Warring States Period. Hah, he merely rode the fame of founding a village. No matter how strong Hashirama was, he has been dead for a hundred years."

Kimimaro turned his head, his gaze settling on Yunju. Those green eyes held a lofty, scrutinizing look.

"The Senju clan was nothing special. No matter how impressive they made their bloodline sound, didn't they disappear in the end? They did not even leave behind a single worthy descendant. Vast chakra reserves, potential in every nature transformation... it all sounds impressive, but what use is it?"

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Just like you now, Yunju. Weak."

Those words were like a stone falling from above. They were neither particularly heavy nor particularly light, yet they struck precisely at his heart.

Yunju lowered his eyes without arguing.

He knew Kimimaro was telling the truth. With his current strength, he truly amounted to nothing before Kimimaro. The Dead Bone Pulse, the Curse Mark, his status as leader of the Sound Four—Kimimaro had every right to look down on him.

But Kimimaro would never know what kind of echo those words had created in Yunju's heart.

Konoha.

Hashirama Senju had founded Konoha.

Though the Senju clan had declined, Konoha still remained.

If he wanted to escape, if he wanted to find somewhere he could belong... Konoha should be his first choice.

Not because it was safe, nor because it was powerful, but because—it was the only place connected to the name Senju. Perhaps, just perhaps, that surname might offer him the slightest bit of protection there.

Yunju buried those thoughts deep inside, his face remaining calm.

"You're right, Senior," he said softly. "I still have a long way to go."

Kimimaro did not look at him again and turned to leave.

Over the next two days, the base remained calm and uneventful.

Yunju continued his usual training: taijutsu and chakra control exercises in the morning, Water Release and Wind Release coordination drills before noon, and the organization of his ninjutsu insights and tactical simulations in the afternoon.

He deliberately did not disturb Kimimaro again, nor did he wander around. In this base, the safest way to survive was to make himself look like a well-behaved "reserve" who kept his head down and trained diligently.

On the morning of the third day, change came.

Faint footsteps sounded from the end of the corridor. They did not belong to a guard or an alchemist—the rhythm, the oppressive presence, Yunju knew them too well.

Orochimaru.

He immediately sat up in bed, quickly straightened his clothes, opened the door, and stood waiting in the corridor.

Orochimaru emerged from the shadows, his golden serpent eyes glinting with an eerie light beneath the dim lamps. He wore his signature black kimono, purple eyeshadow making his complexion look pale as paper. A faint, unreadable smile rested at the corner of his lips.

"Yunju-kun." Orochimaru's voice was low and drawn out, like a snake flicking its tongue. "Are you ready?"

Yunju dipped his head slightly, his voice respectful and steady. "Lord Orochimaru, I am ready."

Orochimaru approached and raised Yunju's chin with cool fingertips, making him lift his head. Those serpent eyes lingered over his face for a moment, as if examining an object.

"Your chakra... has grown again since last month." Orochimaru licked his lips with satisfaction. "The Senju bloodline has not disappointed me after all."

Yunju maintained a respectful expression, but his heartbeat quickened slightly.

"Kimimaro has already told you about the mission for the Chūnin Exams, hasn't he?" Orochimaru lowered his hand and walked deeper into the corridor. Yunju immediately followed.

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru. We will participate under the identity of Grass Hidden Village."

"Mm." Orochimaru spoke as he walked. "I have already taken care of it. The two Grass genin—a boy and a girl—I have made them keep silent forever. You and I will take their places and form a team with a genin who is actually from Grass Hidden Village."

"A native genin?" Yunju asked.

"A red-haired girl." The corner of Orochimaru's mouth rose slightly, as though he found this amusing. "A Grass genin of average strength and... somewhat unusual personality. But her identity is real, which is enough to handle registration. You need not speak with her much. The more you say, the more likely you are to slip up."

Yunju nodded. "I understand."

Orochimaru stopped and turned around. His gaze fell upon Yunju with the air of a predator assessing prey.

"There is one more thing," he said. "Sound Hidden Village—my faction—has also sent candidates. Those people... are mine. They are not weak, but they are still no match for you. I do not want you to clash with them, much less fight among yourselves. Understand?"

Yunju's heart tightened.

Sound ninja were participating in the Chūnin Exams too? Orochimaru seemed to be playing a very large game.

"Understood," he replied. "I will not clash with them."

Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction and reached out to lightly pat Yunju's head. To outsiders, the gesture might have looked like an elder encouraging a junior, but Yunju only felt the coldness of that hand, like a snake crawling over his skin.

"Good child," Orochimaru said. "Your task in these Chūnin Exams is... observation."

"Observation?"

"Yes." Orochimaru turned and continued walking, his voice echoing through the corridor. "Observe Konoha's genin of this generation. Observe the candidates from the other villages. Observe the terrain of the examination grounds and the guard arrangements. You need not deliberately stand out, nor do you need to deliberately hide yourself. Just perform normally."

He paused, then suddenly added, "Of course, it would be even better if you could collect some blood samples."

Yunju's heart sank slightly, but his expression remained respectful. "Yes, Lord Orochimaru."

After Orochimaru left, Yunju returned to his room, shut the iron door, and leaned against the cold wall.

He began to calculate.

The Chūnin Exams... would be his first opportunity.

The examination grounds would be complicated, with many candidates. Ninja and team leaders from different villages would gather in one place. Konoha's security might be tight, but more people meant more openings. If he could create some chaos during the exams, or find some way to escape Orochimaru's sight...

No. It would not work.

It was not time yet.

Orochimaru was right beside him. The Sound Hidden Village candidates were also Orochimaru's people, and while Kimimaro would not be at the examination grounds, he could be summoned at any time. With the strength of a mere genin, there was no way Yunju could escape beneath Orochimaru's watchful eyes.

The time had not yet come.

For now, he needed to observe, gather intelligence, and perform normally enough during the Chūnin Exams—neither outstanding enough to draw attention nor mediocre enough to disappoint Orochimaru.

He needed Orochimaru to keep "cultivating" him, giving him more resources and more freedom.

Only enough freedom could bring about a true escape.

That night, Yunju did not sleep.

He sat in the middle of the room and formed a simple hand seal before him. A ball of pale blue Lightning Release chakra condensed in his palm.

Lightning Release: Flash.

The principle behind the technique was simple: compress Lightning Release chakra in the palm, then release an intense flash in an instant, temporarily blinding the target. Simple, crude, effective.

But Yunju had always been considering one question—if he could only release it at point-blank range, the technique's limitations were far too great. Against a fast or prepared opponent, he might not even get the chance to approach.

What if he could throw the ball of light?

What if he could make it detonate at a certain distance, blinding an entire area?

This idea had lingered in Yunju's mind for a long time. Tonight, he decided to try it.

He stood, compressing the ball of Lightning Release chakra in his palm even further. Then, just as the chakra was about to erupt, he thrust his hand forward—

The ball of light left his hand, flew less than two meters, and exploded in midair.

A blinding white flash burst forth. Yunju instinctively closed his eyes, but it was already too late. The lingering glare made his eyes sting, leaving blurry spots across his vision.

"The distance is too short..." He rubbed his eyes and muttered to himself.

Control was the problem. Once Lightning Release chakra left his body, it became extremely unstable and could easily detonate on its own the moment it left his hand. He needed to find a balance—one that would send the ball of light far enough while allowing it to explode at the designated point.

Once more.

He condensed another ball of chakra. This time, he tried reducing the amount of chakra he put into it, hoping to make the ball more stable.

He pushed it forward.

The ball flew three meters, remained suspended in midair for less than half a second, then exploded again.

The distance had increased, but its stability was still insufficient.

Yunju did not lose heart. He knew it had taken him a long time to create Flash in the first place. Taking it further would not happen overnight.

But he had time.

He could wait slowly, like a venomous snake.

He formed the hand seal again, and Lightning Release chakra shone once more in his palm.

The restless lightning continued to flicker in his palm.