Orochimaru's Request

"Since every challenger has been defeated, I hereby declare the winner of this Genin graduation exam—Ryuuzaki Eiji!"

A crisp gong rang out, and waves of cheers soon engulfed the Arena.

Plenty of people had lost money, but they felt that witnessing the birth of a powerhouse was worth more than any wager. It also gave them confidence about the war that was about to erupt.

The Daimyo tapped his folding fan against his palm, looking thoroughly satisfied.

He glanced at his daughter and found Sayuri staring down at Ryuuzaki Eiji in a daze. He patted her shoulder.

This is awkward. I can't bring up a marriage proposal now.

He had first considered it because the boy seemed talented. Then, thinking Eiji might become Hokage with Lady Mito's strong support, he had decided to help him.

But after seeing the destruction caused by that enormous azure sphere, the thought had left him.

Someone who had shown such strength at such a young age could not have so important a decision made for him. He could only wait and see whether the two of them were meant to be.

Still, his visit to Konoha had been thoroughly satisfying. He had enjoyed delicious food and watched a spectacular match.

A brilliant idea struck him: once he returned to the Daimyo's Palace, he would summon skilled chefs from across the land.

He would set them all kinds of difficult cooking challenges. That way, he could indulge his appetite and watch an exciting culinary competition.

"He won! Eiji won! Eiji, you're amazing!"

Kushina waved to Eiji below, and he waved back at her.

Many young girls already wore their admiration for Eiji openly. When they saw him wave toward the stands, they all turned to look at Kushina, sending her pride soaring.

Then the girls' excited cries came crashing in like a tidal wave.

"Lord Eiji! Look over here!"

"Ahh! Lord Eiji is so cute!"

"Lord Eiji, I love you!"

The increasingly forward cries made Kushina puff out her cheeks in anger.

You've got to be kidding! Eiji is going to be my most important partner. How could I let you steal him away?

Even the usually composed Eiji found the rolling cheers from the stands a little hard to handle.

Still, it felt strange to be called "lord" by women twice his age.

The Shinobi World respected strength. Plenty more people might call him that someday, so he might as well get used to it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to the villagers' fervent cheers and pulled his Hokage hat lower.

Honestly, his feelings were mixed. It was certainly good for Konoha to have such a talented child among its younger generation.

But he had held the Hokage Position for only a few years, and the only time he had heard cheers this fervent was at his inauguration. He could not help feeling a little envious.

Hiruzen looked at Eiji's handsome young face, then touched his own.

Was I not good-looking enough?

No, Biwako said when we were young that I was one of the handsomest men in Konoha—even handsomer than Danzo back then.

He noticed Utatane Koharu storming out of the VIP Area. Mitokado Homura saw her leave and hurried after her.

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. Not one of his old friends ever spared him a worry.

"A splendid match! Truly, a young hero. With someone like you in Konoha, I'm sure it will only grow more prosperous!"

Afterward, Eiji stood on the Awards Platform and received a Certificate of Commendation and a Medal from the Daimyo amid envious gazes.

To praise Eiji's bravery, the Daimyo also planned to give him gold and silver wares, silk, and grain. These would be transported from the Daimyo's Palace to the Senju Ancestral Home in Konoha over the coming days.

Another thunderous wave of cheers followed.

Genin, Chunin, and Jonin alike looked so envious it was practically tangible.

Eiji, however, saw nothing particularly special about the gold Medal in his hand.

He cared more about the gold and silver. At least he could exchange those for money. No one would dare buy his Medal.

As he was about to head back to the Senju Ancestral Home, Orochimaru, who had been waiting along the way, stopped him.

For a moment, Eiji thought Orochimaru had already turned evil, and his guard went up at once.

"Congratulations on your victory, Eiji."

"You flatter me, Orochimaru."

"Oh? You know me?"

You're second only to Shimura Danzō when it comes to stirring up trouble. How could I forget you?

To be fair, Orochimaru was quite polite. He could speak calmly with anyone, even a mortal enemy. Eiji had to admire that.

"Of course. You're the Third Hokage's student, so naturally I know about you as a member of Konoha. Besides, Tsunade is my teacher, and she's told me plenty about you. Would you like to hear what she says?"

Orochimaru smiled and waved a hand, declining to pursue the subject.

"In that case, this should be easy to discuss."

A glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.

"I have a rather presumptuous request. I'm very interested in your Kekkei Genkai and would like a Genetic Sample for research. Just some body hair, blood, or saliva. In return, I'll give you my treasured Kusanagi Sword. What do you say?"

A body sample? That's all?

Eiji had thought Orochimaru wanted his eyes. He could not risk giving those away before developing the Reverse Cursed Technique, but hair or saliva was easy enough.

So Eiji readily agreed. How quickly he accepted seemed to surprise Orochimaru.

Orochimaru was not one to fuss, though. He immediately took Eiji to his Underground Laboratory.

Honestly, Orochimaru's lab was dark.

"Do you have to make your lab so gloomy? Couldn't you use brighter lights?"

Orochimaru coughed, plainly unsure how to answer. After thinking it over, he replied.

"It's a personal preference. But perhaps you're right, Eiji. Brighter lighting might be better."

Orochimaru went to the workbench and began adjusting the precision instruments.

The Shinobi World's technology was strange. Its communications were shockingly poor, yet it had microscopes and all kinds of advanced devices. Its biological research had nearly caught up with Blue Star's.

"But aren't you afraid of these dead animals? Children your age would usually find them repulsive."

Orochimaru chatted with Eiji while preparing a needle to draw blood.

"No. Once they're dead, they can't threaten me. There's no reason to be afraid."

Orochimaru paused with the needle in his hand and gave Eiji an appraising look.

"True. Perhaps you're more dangerous than I thought. We may get along quite well."

Orochimaru then collected Eiji's blood, saliva, fine body hair, eyelashes, and other tissue samples.

When he was done, Orochimaru looked at the carefully stored samples with satisfaction, a smile curling across his face.

"Honestly, I didn't expect you to cooperate so readily. After all, in the Shinobi World, everything about a Ninja is a valuable source of intelligence."