Leaving the territory of Amegakure, the familiar warm air of Land of Fire hit your face. The continuous rain was completely left behind, and the bright sunshine passed through the lush branches and leaves, casting dappled light spots in the forest. The fragrance of soil and grass replaced the smell of steel and bloody rust, making people feel lightened unconsciously.
"It seems like this trip to Amegakure, what do you think?"
Orochimaru walked in front without looking back, but the hoarse voice came clearly to Senju Chen's ears. His steps were not fast, as if he was enjoying this rare leisure.
Senju Chen followed him. Hearing this, he raised his head and looked at Orochimaru's side face that looked a little pale in the sun, with a childish smile on his face, "The teacher taught me well. Moreover, I am very happy to be able to help Konoha."
"Haha..." Orochimaru let out a deep laugh. He turned his head, staring at Senju Chen with his golden snake eyes and asked, "Little Chen, was it really just out of curiosity that you went to see that woman in the end?"
Senju Chen's heartbeat almost skipped a beat. He knew that no flaw in disguise could escape the eyes of the man in front of him.
He tilted his head, as if he was thinking about this question seriously, his clear eyes reflecting the greenery in the forest. "Well... I was curious at first. I just want to know what is the reason why she is willing to take the risk to stay after completing the mission."
He paused, with a hint of appropriate emotion in his tone. "After seeing her, I seemed to understand a little bit. The feeling of being filled with hatred and unable to tolerate anything else... is terrible."
These words were half true and half false. It was true that he really felt the overwhelming hatred of Tanaka Rina. What was false was the fundamental purpose of his going there.
Orochimaru took a deep look at him and did not ask any further questions. As a disciple, he was much more mature than his peers, and even more transparent than many adults. Everyone has their own secrets, and as long as the secret does not harm the overall situation and can even bring benefits to himself, he does not mind exploring it.
"Hate is indeed one of the most powerful forces in the world." Orochimaru retracted his gaze and looked forward again. "It can make the weak burst out with amazing energy, and it can also make the strong lose their minds. But you have to remember, Little Chen, a tool is always just a tool. Whether it is hatred or any other emotion, when you can control it, it is your sharpest weapon; when you are controlled by it, you are its most miserable slave."
These words are not so much teaching as they are expounding his own life creed.
Senju Chen responded respectfully, "Yes, teacher, I remember it."
Senju Chen followed Orochimaru from Land of Rain to Konoha. During this period, Orochimaru seemed to be training Senju Chen. In this way, they followed the shortest route, wading through mountains and rivers, wading through jungles and lakes, and Orochimaru would not take the initiative to take care of Senju Chen. Except when necessary, the two of them had little communication.
Along the way, Senju Chen relied on the knowledge he learned from Maruboshi Kosuke, and his ability to survive in the wild became stronger and stronger.
When I came here it was about learning, so the way back is about practice.
During this period, he had nothing to do and started practicing his new skills [Top-Level Transformation Technique].
What these four words represent is far more complex and profound than the literal meaning. It is not just a set of theories, but more like an instinctive implantation.
In his mind, countless knowledge about human bones and muscle fibers emerged. He seemed to be able to "see" every detail of his body, and knew how to change his height, body shape, and even walking posture by fine-tuning muscle relaxation.
The vibration frequency of the vocal cords, the use of resonance chambers... these knowledge that once existed only in theory now seemed like an innate talent, allowing him to easily imitate various sounds.
On a deeper level, it is about the understanding of "breath". Chakra is no longer just energy, it has "shape", "texture" and "taste". He knows how to restrain his own Chakra fluctuations, making it as inconspicuous as a stubborn rock; he also knows how to imitate the Chakra characteristics of others, just like putting on a coat for his own Chakra.
There are also the complex knowledge about micro-expression psychology, behavioral traces, social relationship disguise... All of these are turned into the most primitive data, imprinted deep in his soul.
Senju Chen was practicing while walking, looking at Orochimaru in front of him. His footsteps inadvertently changed slightly. His stride, the height of his leg lift, and the weight of his footing, in just one second, perfectly replicated the Orochimaru who was walking in front.
Orochimaru, who was walking in front, suddenly paused.
He turned back suddenly, and those golden snake eyes were as sharp as knives, locked firmly on Senju Chen's body.
The wind in the forest seemed to have stopped at this moment.
Senju Chen's heart suddenly shrank, but his steps had returned to normal, with a calm look on his face. He raised his head and looked at his teacher with doubtful eyes. "Teacher, what's wrong?"
Orochimaru didn't speak, just stared at him.
At that moment, he felt as if another person was following behind him. The feeling was so fleeting that he thought it was his illusion.
But Orochimaru never believes in illusions.
He looked Senju Chen up and down. This child was still the same child. His height, appearance, and Chakra fluctuations had not changed at all. There were only pure doubts in those clear eyes.
After a long time, the scrutiny in Orochimaru's eyes slowly faded away and turned into deep playfulness again.
"Nothing." He said hoarsely, turned around and continued walking, "I just feel that the sunshine in Land of Fire is a bit more dazzling than that in Land of Rain."
Senju Chen secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his back felt cold.
He still underestimated Orochimaru's acumen and overestimated his control over the new ability. He just imitated it on a whim just now, but he didn't expect that the other party would immediately notice the difference.
This man... what a monster.
However, this also gave Senju Chen a clearer understanding of the value of [Top-Level Transformation Technique]. Even Orochimaru's level of perception can be affected inadvertently. If he could fully master it, what a terrifying trump card it would be?
Go to the women's bathhouse... no, steal information, assassinate enemies, stir up disputes... Countless "exciting" thoughts flashed through his mind, making the curve of his mouth become a little weird.
The journey home is long, but not boring.
After confirming that Orochimaru no longer paid attention to his own small movements, Senju Chen began to practice multitasking.
As he hurried on, he constructed different faces in his mind. He recalled Tanaka Rina's disguise, her timid and meek eyes when she was a maid, and her vicious and crazy expression in prison.
He began to try to control his facial muscles, raising or lowering the corners of his mouth in millimeter-level units, and making the orbicularis oculi muscles produce the smallest contraction to simulate different emotions.
He even began to adjust the "texture" of his Chakra while breathing, sometimes making it as warm and moist as water, and sometimes making it as fiery as fire.
These exercises were secretive yet efficient. His body was like a dry sponge, absorbing the essence of Transformation Technique crazily.
When the familiar silhouette of Konoha appeared on the horizon, Senju Chen even felt a sense of intimacy.
"Finally back."
Looking at the tall village entrance and the bright red Will of Fire logo on the door, Senju Chen sighed sincerely.
This time out, the harvest was really great. Not only did he get the strategic skill [Top-Level Transformation Technique], which filled five skill columns, but more importantly, he personally moved the chess pieces of Shinobi World.
The hatred between Amegakure and Kirigakure has been forged. The anger of Hanzō will definitely become a huge variable in Third Shinobi World War that cannot be ignored.
I have also planted a hidden thread in the future "Akatsuki" organization, waiting for it to bear fruit.
"Let's go, Tsunade should be waiting impatiently." Orochimaru's voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
When Tsunade was mentioned, Senju Chen's eyes instantly softened. A warm smile from the heart appeared on that slightly immature face.
"Well! My sister will definitely prepare a lot of delicious food for me when she knows I'm back!"
He opened his short legs and ran towards the village impatiently.