Chapter 4
"Class is starting! Class is starting!"
While Orochimaru was deep in thought, immersed in his mental conversation with the system, a ninja wearing a chuunin vest and bandages wrapped around his legs walked into the classroom, signaling the start of the day's lesson. This was Aizawa-sensei, the homeroom teacher for Orochimaru's class.
"Students, open your textbooks. Today, we'll be discussing the application of the Transformation Jutsu…"
Hearing Aizawa-sensei's voice, Orochimaru snapped back to reality, reminding himself that this was Naruto's world not a science fiction universe where technological marvels reigned supreme. For a moment, he had almost confused the two worlds, his new reality melding with the strange technology from the system.
Orochimaru quickly calmed himself, deciding to temporarily push aside his thoughts about the system and focus on the class. But it didn't take long only about ten minutes into the lecture before he found himself zoning out again.
It wasn't because he couldn't understand the material; it was quite the opposite. Orochimaru already knew all of this far too well. The basic teachings at the Ninja Academy felt second nature to him, as if they had always been part of his consciousness. The application of the three basic techniques the Clone Jutsu, the Substitution Jutsu, and the Transformation Jutsu were all ingrained in him, fresh in his mind as though he had been practicing them for years.
It seems I've fully inherited all of Orochimaru's abilities, he thought, reflecting on the knowledge and memories that had seamlessly become his own.
The Ninja Academy primarily taught basic knowledge things like chakra extraction, the three fundamental jutsu, and theoretical lessons on ninja combat. But for someone like Orochimaru, who had inherited both talent and knowledge, this was all rudimentary. His parents, though deceased, had been powerful ninjas in their time, leaving him a solid foundation to build upon.
The only obstacle right now was his age. At six years old, his chakra reserves were naturally limited, making it difficult to perform higher-level techniques. He was reminded of Sasuke Uchiha from the original series, who could perform the Fireball Jutsu at twelve something that even Kakashi had found impressive. However, six-year-old Orochimaru's chakra levels were about average compared to his peers.
But now, with his enhanced memories and the potential of the Mad Scientist System, Orochimaru knew his ceiling was much higher than that of most shinobi.
Even though he hadn't fully tested the extent of his abilities yet, he was confident that he was already stronger than most genin his age.
--
Aizawa-sensei continued with the lecture, "The Transformation Jutsu allows you to disguise yourself as another person or object, creating confusion for the enemy. I've already explained the principles behind this technique, so there's no need to repeat myself."
He scanned the classroom, his gaze eventually settling on Orochimaru.
"I'll need one of you to demonstrate the Transformation Jutsu for the class."
Most of the students in the class were six years old, meaning only a few had fully mastered the technique. Naturally, Aizawa-sensei turned to Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-kun, would you mind giving us a demonstration?"
Orochimaru blinked, brought back to full attention as his name was called. He stood up from his seat, calm as always. Channeling his chakra according to the precise movements etched in his memories, he performed the hand seals and, in an instant, a puff of smoke enveloped him.
When the smoke cleared, Orochimaru had perfectly transformed into Aizawa-sensei.
The class erupted in awe.
"Wow! That looks exactly like Aizawa-sensei!"
"As expected of Orochimaru!"
"Yeah, he's amazing! He always gets it right!"
"Orochimaru-kun is incredible!"
The children's admiration filled the room, but Orochimaru simply let out a quiet sigh of relief. It was clear now that he had indeed inherited all of Orochimaru's abilities. To be able to execute the Transformation Jutsu so flawlessly at his first attempt in this new life proved that he had full control over these powers.
Aizawa-sensei smiled approvingly and motioned for Orochimaru to return to his seat.
"Tch, what's so special about that?" Jiraiya muttered from the side, annoyed by the praise Orochimaru was receiving. "I can do the Transformation Jutsu too!"
For some reason, Jiraiya always seemed to harbor a grudge against Orochimaru, constantly trying to challenge him, much like how Naruto would constantly try to outdo Sasuke in the future. Their rivalry was still in its early stages, but the dynamic was already forming.
However, Orochimaru, with his adult mind, paid Jiraiya no attention. In fact, even the original Orochimaru hadn't cared much for Jiraiya's challenges. But now, with his newly acquired memories and a much older mentality trapped in a child's body, Orochimaru wasn't about to waste his time on trivial rivalries with a brat.
He had bigger things on his mind.
Though he had awakened the Mad Scientist System, Orochimaru knew that in the world of Naruto, personal strength was paramount. Even if he were to delve into scientific research, it would only be to further his own strength and ability.
Before diving headfirst into the system's capabilities, he wanted to ensure he had fully familiarized himself with the abilities he had inherited from Orochimaru. In the original series, even without a system, Orochimaru had been the top student in his class, going on to become one of the legendary Sannin. His intellect and cunning were unmatched. Even as his body grew weaker over time, Orochimaru always found ways to survive.
If Orochimaru could achieve that in the original timeline, then the current Orochimaru backed by the system would be able to do far more.
Speaking of the Sannin...
Orochimaru's gaze flicked across the classroom as if searching for something or rather, someone. But something felt off.
Where's Tsunade? he wondered. She should be around here too, right?
It took him a moment to remember the details from the original series.
Tsunade didn't attend the Ninja Academy… Orochimaru realized. Tsunade was the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Like Konohamaru in the future, she had been privately tutored. At this point, Jiraiya hadn't even met her yet.
"Well, no point worrying about that now," Orochimaru murmured to himself. "According to my memories, the Ninja Academy's graduation exam is in a week. With my current abilities, there's nothing here left for me to learn."
A devious grin formed on his face as an idea struck him.
"So… why not test if this Invisible Fly works?"
The Mad Scientist System had gifted him a set of six invisible flies, each with impressive surveillance capabilities. It would be a perfect opportunity to test the tools at his disposal while the rest of the class was busy with their lesson.
Orochimaru glanced at Aizawa-sensei, who had already turned his attention back to the rest of the students, instructing them on the finer details of chakra control.
Seeing the opportunity, Orochimaru discreetly reached into his robe, activating one of the invisible flies. The tiny device buzzed softly as it took flight, becoming completely imperceptible to the naked eye.
With a mental command, Orochimaru directed the fly toward the back of the classroom, testing its range and ability. The accompanying contact lenses, which had come with the flies, allowed him to monitor everything the fly saw as it floated through the air, scouting out the area.
Chapter 5
He knew that if he wanted to make full use of his second chance at life, the system would be his most vital asset. Therefore, it was absolutely necessary to study and experiment with its capabilities as soon as possible.
Discreetly, he reached under his desk, and with a simple flick of his wrist, six tiny mechanical flies appeared in his palm. They were no bigger than ordinary houseflies, but their true power lay in their design. Each was a piece of advanced technology granted by the system.
With his teacher distracted, Orochimaru put on the matching contact lenses he had received in his starter package. "Activate stealth mode," he commanded silently in his mind.
The moment the thought passed, the six flies began to vanish from his sight, becoming completely invisible. Orochimaru could still feel their tiny, metallic bodies in his hand, but visually, they had disappeared.
"Just as I thought," Orochimaru whispered to himself, a sly grin forming. "This is real high-tech. True invisibility, far better than the Invisibility Jutsu that ninjas rely on."
He gave a mental order, and the six invisible flies silently took flight, exiting the classroom one by one. Immediately, six different visual perspectives appeared on Orochimaru's retinas, transmitted directly through the contact lenses.
This sensation... Orochimaru thought, marveling at the clarity and smoothness of the images in his mind. It reminded him of the Rinnegan's shared vision technique. In the original Naruto series, Pain had used this ability to control his Six Paths of Pain six reanimated bodies, each implanted with Rinnegan, all sharing the same field of vision. It made them nearly impossible to hit, as they could react to attacks from any direction with perfect coordination.
And now, Orochimaru was replicating that same effect except, instead of corpses reanimated by a dojutsu, he was using six invisible mechanical flies. This kind of shared vision could be incredibly useful for reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, or even dodging attacks in battle.
Feeling a growing sense of excitement at the potential of the system, Orochimaru's interest in technology skyrocketed. Even in a world that relied on chakra, this level of advanced technology had undeniable advantages. The six flies were likely on par, if not superior, to the bug detection abilities of the Aburame clan. More impressively, their surveillance capabilities weren't dependent on chakra, meaning they could go unnoticed by even the most skilled sensor-type ninjas.
As the flies ventured further from the classroom, covering a wide range of directions, Orochimaru's vision expanded, offering him multiple viewpoints of Konoha Village at once. He saw the teaching buildings of the Ninja Academy, residential houses, the hospital, the Intelligence Department, the Armed Forces Department, and even the Hokage Building.
On the bustling streets, he noticed various members of prominent clans: Uchiha, Hyuga, Nara, and others. None of them seemed to notice the tiny, invisible scouts floating above them, capturing every detail.
Amazing... Orochimaru thought, his golden eyes narrowing in satisfaction. The most remarkable feature of these flies was that they were powered by a black-tech battery that absorbed ambient light. They didn't require chakra to function, which meant they could evade any chakra-based detection methods. No one in Konoha, not even the most powerful sensor ninja, would be able to detect them.
However, there was one small drawback. Controlling six different visual feeds simultaneously was mentally taxing. It was difficult to focus on all the different perspectives at once, especially while maintaining the subtlety needed to avoid suspicion from his classmates or teachers.
Still, Orochimaru mused, the potential here is undeniable. If used wisely, this technology could make me far more dangerous than anyone realizes.
He understood that, like any form of scientific research, developing advanced technology required substantial resources. In the original timeline, Orochimaru had been one of the legendary Sannin and a personal disciple of the Third Hokage. He had access to significant funding, equipment, and even the backing of Danzo and his secretive Root organization.
But right now? Orochimaru was just a six-year-old child. He had no powerful allies, no significant income, and aside from the starter equipment provided by the system, he was practically broke. Scientific research required more than just knowledge and skill it needed money. Even simple items like beakers, test tubes, alcohol lamps, and other basic lab tools would be costly.
It's going to be a long road... Orochimaru sighed inwardly. He had the system's tools and the knowledge, but building up his research capabilities from scratch was going to take time. Still, time was something he had in abundance. He was patient. After all, power couldn't be achieved overnight.
--
Time passed, and soon enough, school was over for the day.
Orochimaru silently retrieved his scout flies, commanding them to return to his system inventory. Ignoring the chatter of his classmates, he left the Academy and made his way back to his residence.
His home was located in a relatively remote part of the village. It was a large house, much bigger than Naruto's humble apartment in the original series, but its size didn't reflect wealth. It had a somber atmosphere, and Orochimaru could feel the weight of the emptiness left behind by his parents' deaths. They had been powerful shinobi, but now they were gone, and he was left to fend for himself.
After rummaging through various drawers and cabinets, Orochimaru managed to scrape together a mere 5,000 ryō.
This is pitiful... he thought, shaking his head. "And after the graduation exam in a week, I won't even be receiving the village's subsidy anymore. Five thousand ryō can't accomplish anything! I need to make money first."
He paused. No before that.
"I should use the Basic Gene Enhancement Serum I got from the starter package first!"
With a thought, he accessed his system's inventory, summoning a glass vial that resembled a small test tube. Inside the vial was a light green liquid, faintly glowing in the dim light of his room.
This is real... Orochimaru thought, staring at the vial. Everything from the system, including the equipment and tools, was stored in the system's peculiar inventory known as the system warehouse. It was unique in that it could only store non-living objects, unlike the space-time abilities of Uchiha Obito, who could store living creatures in his personal dimension. However, it was far more convenient than the space scrolls most ninjas used to carry supplies.
He held the vial for a moment, feeling the cool glass in his hand. This serum will strengthen my body... increase my chakra reserves...
It was the perfect first step. Orochimaru was young and had time on his side, but the faster he could increase his power, the more secure his future would be.
Without further hesitation, he uncorked the vial and downed the liquid in one gulp.
Chapter 6
The technology tree in this world is indeed a bit crooked!
While the technology level is generally primitive, you still find bagged bread, boxed milk, and other sealed foods!
There are no cars or mobile phones, yet computers, natural gas, and refrigerators exist!
Which factory processes the boxed milk? Are computers and refrigerators manufactured in some hidden electrical appliance factory?
There are too many inconsistencies and unexplained elements about how things work here!
But right now, Orochimaru wasn't concerned about such things.
At this point, regardless of which world he was in, he had no family left. The only thing he could rely on, aside from himself, was this system!
So, without further hesitation, he drank the bottle of the basic gene enhancement serum in one go.
The serum had a faintly sweet taste, nothing unbearable or strange.
After drinking it, however, Orochimaru didn't feel any immediate effects.
"Could this stuff be a dud? It can't be, right?"
No sooner had he spoken those words than a strange warmth began spreading from his stomach, gradually flowing through his entire body.
There wasn't any of the pain he'd half-expected. Instead, the sensation was warm and indescribably pleasant.
Almost... too warm!
Sweat began forming on Orochimaru's white forehead, and his skin was secreting gray-black impurities at a visible speed!
About ten minutes passed before the heat finally subsided, and the secretion of black impurities stopped.
Orochimaru's entire body was now covered in sticky black gunk, yet despite the mess, he felt incredibly refreshed and energized! Without wasting time, he headed straight to the bathroom to take a bath, and afterward, he felt even more revitalized!
Sitting cross-legged as per the method in his memory, he began to extract chakra, checking how much more his body could store.
Well, it seemed to have increased by at least 50%!
His mind was clearer, too, and he could feel that both his physical and mental energies had significantly improved!
What's the significance of a 50% increase in chakra?
You see, although Orochimaru didn't originally have a huge amount of chakra, he definitely had more than most!
For a ninja without a special bloodline, Orochimaru's chakra reserves were considered above average!
He couldn't compare to people like Jiraiya or the Raikage, but his reserves were much higher than those of someone like Kakashi.
And now, with this 50% increase, Orochimaru was far beyond his peers!
At this age, he could easily cast three or four C-rank ninjutsu without exhausting himself.
When it comes to chakra reserves, there's something important to understand!
While a ninja's chakra does tend to increase as they grow older, it's primarily tied to their physical constitution!
For some people, no matter how old they get, if their bodies aren't suited for it, their chakra reserves won't increase much at all!
Moreover, as people age, their chakra naturally starts to decline.
Look at Kakashi from the original series! Even though he grew up to become a Jonin, his chakra reserves were still no match for Naruto's, who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy!
Or consider the Third Hokage! In his prime, he was hailed as a "God of Shinobi," but by the time he was old, he could only manage a couple of shadow clones.
So, it's clear your physique directly determines your chakra reserves!
But back to the matter at hand.
After being physically "reborn" through the gene-enhancing liquid, Orochimaru stood in front of the mirror in his home. The reflection showed a boy with pale skin, long flowing hair, and striking features.
A strange feeling welled up inside him.
He smiled slightly, and the boy in the mirror smiled back. After a moment, Orochimaru took a deep breath.
"Handsome, sure. But these golden, snake-like pupils are pretty unsettling... hehe... Orochimaru, huh…?"
Later that evening, Orochimaru ate two pieces of bread and prepared to head to the training grounds to practice some ninjutsu.
After all, while he had inherited the original Orochimaru's memories, he had only used the Transformation Jutsu so far. He hadn't had a chance to test out any of the other jutsu.
In this world, Orochimaru's parents had recently passed away.
The child who had once been a normal boy had now grown cold and withdrawn.
While he didn't yet have the same obsession with science that the original Orochimaru would eventually develop, strange and dark thoughts had already begun to stir in his mind.
For example, Why do people die?
Where do they go after they die?
These were questions even adults would rarely dwell on, yet Orochimaru had found himself thinking about them more and more ever since losing his parents.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door Boom, boom, boom!
The unexpected sound made Orochimaru, who had been about to leave to practice, frown slightly.
Opening the door, he found a girl with a ponytail standing on his doorstep.
She had blonde hair, a pretty face, and was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt with green shorts.
The moment Orochimaru opened the door, the girl flashed a bright, innocent smile. "Hey, Orochimaru!!"
"Tsunade?" Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked her up and down, quickly confirming her identity.
Jiraiya hadn't met Tsunade yet, but Orochimaru had!
The reason was simple he was the top student in their class!
Not only was he exceptionally talented, but he also took his studies more seriously than most of the other kids.
His ninjutsu, taijutsu, and theoretical knowledge had even surpassed some of the Uchiha clan geniuses in his age group!
As the arch-enemy of the Uchiha clan, the Senju clan's princess, Tsunade, had naturally taken notice of Orochimaru!
After all, they were the same age and equally talented!
Through her connections with Hiruzen Sarutobi, Tsunade had learned about Orochimaru and had sought an opportunity to get closer to him.
Her goal? To compete with him, of course!
Orochimaru couldn't help but think this reason was a bit ridiculous.
"What's the matter? You don't seem too happy to see me," Tsunade teased, her lips curling into a playful smile.
Chapter 7
In the current Senju clan, even though the First Hokage has passed away, both parents of the Tsunade are still alive.
Moreover, Tsunade's younger brother, Nawaki, hasn't even been born yet!
Therefore, Tsunade isn't burdened by the pessimism or sadness that will later characterize her. Instead, she's just a lively, cheerful little girl who already has a love for gambling and a bit of a violent streak!
Orochimaru, calm as ever, responded to her presence with, "It's just unexpected. Come in and sit down if you want."
After saying that, he turned back to his living room, nonchalantly playing with his ninja tools, paying her little mind.
Tsunade, not at all bothered by Orochimaru's indifferent attitude, strolled in, her hands clasped behind her back, her little feet tapping lightly as she walked. But midway into the room, she stopped and wrinkled her nose.
"Hey, Orochimaru, why does your living room smell so bad? Didn't you always like to keep things clean?"
"A stray cat got in just now," Orochimaru lied smoothly, then walked to the side and opened the window to let the room air out.
He knew that what Tsunade was smelling was actually the lingering odor from the impurities his body had expelled after drinking the gene enhancing serum.
But of course, there was no way he would admit to that!
Hearing his response, Tsunade looked puzzled but didn't think much of it. "I see. Well, whatever. Let's not talk about that. How about we go to the training ground?"
"The training ground? For what?"
"Obviously for sparring!" Tsunade said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "None of the other kids are any challenge for me. That's why I came to you!"
As the princess of the Senju clan, she had every right to be confident.
Because right now in Konoha Village, there were very few children of their age who could match Orochimaru's level.
After all, how many regular ninjas could compare to a prodigy from the Senju clan?
Jiraiya?
At this point, he didn't even know who Tsunade was!
Uchiha Fugaku?
He was only one year old at this time!
Hyuga Hizashi?
They weren't even born yet!
However, faced with Tsunade's eager request for a fight, Orochimaru wasn't particularly interested. "Maybe some other time. I have something to take care of today."
"Something to take care of?" Tsunade blinked, confused. "What could be more important than improving your strength?"
"No comment," Orochimaru said as he packed up his ninja tools, slung them over his shoulder, and made his way out of the house. "When you leave, make sure to close the door behind you. Thanks."
Before Tsunade could react, Orochimaru was already out the door, leaving her standing there, stunned.
"What's up with him? Hey, wait!" she called after him, but he was already long gone.
Orochimaru hadn't ignored Tsunade to act cold or superior.
It was because, as a reincarnator, he now had a very different mindset.
In his eyes, both Jiraiya and Tsunade were still just six-year-old children.
Sure, their abilities were far beyond what adults in his previous world could manage, but to him, they were still brats!
He had no real interest in sparring with them.
Even though this made him seem a bit out of place in this world, Orochimaru's naturally withdrawn personality, which had become even more pronounced after his parents' deaths, meant his behavior wouldn't raise too much suspicion.
Suddenly, Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, and he quickly sidestepped to the right!
Several pebbles flew past where he had just been standing!
Looking up, he saw three brats blocking his way, grinning maliciously.
"Damn it, we missed?" said the kid at the front, wearing a black shirt with a red and white fan the Uchiha clan symbol emblazoned on the back. His voice was filled with frustration.
The two kids behind him, both around the same size, were also glaring at Orochimaru with open hostility.
"Is that Orochimaru? Hey, he dodged pretty fast!"
"Yeah, didn't expect that! He looks so weak, but his reaction time isn't bad!"
Weak?
Orochimaru had always looked rather thin and pale, even as a child. His naturally pale complexion and slightly gaunt appearance gave off a sickly vibe.
But Orochimaru wasn't bothered by their insults. He knew better than to get riled up by people like this.
In any world, when someone tries to mock you, the best way to respond isn't by defending yourself.
It's by using your strength to shut them up for good!
And right now…
"Uchiha brats, huh?" Orochimaru recognized the group in front of him.
The one who had first spoken was a classmate, a kid from the Uchiha clan. This boy often bullied civilian-born ninjas, relying on the reputation of the Uchiha name.
According to Orochimaru's memories, this same kid had tried to pick on him three days ago, only to end up getting beaten.
As for the two kids behind him, Orochimaru didn't know them, but judging by their clothes, they were also from the Uchiha clan.
They also seemed to be a bit older than him.
"Orochimaru, you'd better behave yourself today, or else…" the lead Uchiha began to threaten.
"Three against one, is that it?" Orochimaru cut him off, his voice calm.
Hearing Orochimaru's interruption, the Uchiha kid's temper flared. "You bastard! Just because you're number one in the class, you think you're better than me? Big brothers, help me teach him a lesson!"
"Heh, sorry, kid," one of the older boys sneered as they rolled up their sleeves. "We don't usually bully kids younger than us, but since you messed with our cousin, we'll make an exception!"
In their minds, Orochimaru was just the child of a civilian ninja. They didn't feel the least bit of guilt about beating him up.
But just as they were about to step forward, a loud voice suddenly called out.
"Hold it right there! Do the Uchiha clan think it's okay to gang up on someone just because you have numbers on your side?"
A small figure with a ponytail came running from behind them, panting heavily as she approached.
"Oh? Who do we have here? The little princess of the Senju clan?" Uchiha Shu, the leader, paused for a moment, then smirked. "What? Are you going to stand up for Orochimaru?"
It was none other than Tsunade, standing there with her arms crossed, her gaze sharp.
Chapter 8
Although Uchiha called her "princess," his tone was anything but respectful.
Orochimaru knew that the Uchiha clan and the Senju clan had a long-standing feud, so it wasn't surprising that Uchiha Shu recognized Tsunade.
It was well-known that Konoha Village was founded through the cooperation of the Uchiha and Senju clans.
But beneath the surface, the two clans had irreconcilable differences.
The Uchiha clan had fallen into decline after Uchiha Madara left the village.
Later, when the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, passed away, his brother, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, came to power and further suppressed the Uchiha clan.
Because of this, the Uchiha clan had always harbored deep dissatisfaction with the Senju-led Hokage lineage.
But dissatisfaction aside, with the Second Hokage still alive, the Uchiha clan had no choice but to swallow their grievances and endure.
However, children didn't have the same level of restraint.
So, it was normal for Uchiha Shu to be rude.
"Tch, you alone aren't even worth my effort!" Tsunade shot back confidently. "I just can't stand watching a bunch of you gang up on someone!"
"What's wrong with the many bullying the few? It's not you we're bullying, so get out of the way!" Uchiha Shu retorted, his voice filled with annoyance.
Although he was just a child and didn't understand the deeper grudges of his elders, he did know that Tsunade's status wasn't one to be trifled with, and he couldn't just hit her.
"I won't move! Hit me if you dare!" Tsunade taunted, completely unfazed.
"You…" Uchiha Shu gritted his teeth in frustration, but knowing he couldn't lay a finger on Tsunade, he turned his attention to Orochimaru instead. "Orochimaru, as a man, do you really plan to hide behind a girl?"
"That's right, it's so pathetic!" one of the other boys chimed in, sneering.
"He's supposed to be the top of the class, but what a coward!"
The two brats behind Uchiha Shu jeered at Orochimaru, mocking him without any fear, even though Tsunade, the Senju princess, was standing right in front of them.
"These little...!" Tsunade's face twisted in frustration, and she was about to stand up for Orochimaru when he suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her aside.
"Although I don't have the habit of picking on kids, I don't mind stretching my muscles a little if it's to deal with some misbehaving brats."
Orochimaru wasn't the type to hold grudges against children, but the boys in front of him weren't just any kids. They were members of the Uchiha clan, known to be arrogant, entitled, and bratty.
And for children like that, Orochimaru didn't mind giving them a lesson in discipline. As for whether he could beat them? Orochimaru wasn't the least bit concerned.
None of the boys wore forehead protectors, which meant they weren't even genin yet. Even if they bore the Uchiha name, their strength would be limited.
After hearing Orochimaru's calm response, Tsunade was taken aback. She was about to say something when Orochimaru raised two fingers in front of him.
Bang!
With a puff of white smoke, a figure identical to Orochimaru appeared beside him.
"Is that… a clone?" Tsunade muttered in surprise.
She didn't understand why Orochimaru would use a clone at this moment.
"Hah! Is this the so-called strength of the top student in our class? How laughable!" Uchiha Shu sneered.
"Exactly!" one of the other Uchiha kids chimed in. "Don't you know that clones are only meant to confuse enemies? What's the point of using one right in front of us without any cover?"
"Since you're so eager to lose, we'll happily oblige! Get ready!" Uchiha Shu shouted, not wasting any time. He clenched his fist and aimed a punch at Orochimaru's clone.
In his mind, his two older brothers would deal with the real Orochimaru while he'd easily take care of this clone.
So, without hesitation, he threw his punch.
But Orochimaru's clone moved unexpectedly.
"Huh, this punch isn't as fast as I expected…" Orochimaru thought as the clone slightly sidestepped, easily dodging the incoming blow. The clone then slowly raised its hand.
Smack!
With a loud slap to the back of Uchiha Shu's head, the force from his own punch sent him tumbling forward onto the ground.
"Damn it... What the...?" Uchiha Shu grumbled, but before he could finish his curse, he froze.
The other two Uchiha boys, who had been about to step forward, were also stunned.
"This… this clone… it's solid?" one of them stammered, wide-eyed.
"How... how is that possible?" the other whispered, equally shocked.
Tsunade, equally astonished, blinked in disbelief. "That's not a regular clone… Is it a shadow clone?"
Could Orochimaru really use shadow clones?
How was that possible?
He was only six years old!
At six, does he really have enough chakra to pull that off?
A series of questions swirled through everyone's minds simultaneously.
Orochimaru, on the other hand, was unfazed by their reactions.
To him, this was nothing remarkable. After all, in his memories, Uchiha Itachi had been able to throw shurikens with precision before the age of four, and by six, he was already capable of using shadow clones.
In comparison, what Orochimaru had just done was hardly impressive.
So, after dealing with Uchiha Shu, Orochimaru turned his gaze toward the two older boys standing behind him.
He didn't say a word he didn't need to. His cold, golden, snake-like pupils were enough to convey his meaning.
If you want to fight, come on.
The two remaining Uchiha boys exchanged glances, then looked at Orochimaru's body and his shadow clone, both standing firm. Cold sweat began to bead on their foreheads.
At this moment, they found themselves trapped between a rock and a hard place. Should they charge forward, or retreat?
Fear took over.
Because, as members of the Uchiha clan, they understood the difference between a regular clone and a shadow clone.
At the Ninja Academy, students were taught the basics of the clone technique. But clones created through that technique were nothing more than illusions, incapable of dealing or receiving any real damage. Everyone knew this.
But a shadow clone…
Chapter 9
Shadow clones are completely different from ordinary clones!
This jutsu creates a physical entity that can move and fight independently, with its own consciousness and a degree of resistance to attacks. Unlike ordinary clones, shadow clones can engage in advanced ninjutsu, making them versatile in both combat and strategy.
Not to mention that even some chunin struggle to master the shadow clone technique, so for a six-year-old to pull this off was remarkable.
Combine that with Orochimaru's already above-average strength, and it was no wonder the Uchiha boys were left stunned.
"Damn… how did this happen?" Uchiha Shu mumbled, still in shock.
Uchiha Shu wasn't particularly weak, but he had let his guard down, and Orochimaru had capitalized on that.
From the look on their faces, Orochimaru could tell exactly what these kids were thinking.
Without a word, he deactivated his shadow clone, turned his back on them, and calmly walked away toward the training ground.
He had no interest in dealing with people who had already given up.
Why could Orochimaru use the shadow clone technique at such a young age?
The answer was simple: because his parents had been ninjas.
The shadow clone wasn't as restricted as the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, a forbidden technique that only a handful of people could use due to its extreme chakra consumption.
On the other hand, the shadow clone jutsu was relatively common. Plenty of experienced ninjas, even those specializing in traps and tactics, could master it.
Thus, it made perfect sense that Orochimaru's parents would have passed this knowledge on to him.
So, Orochimaru mastering it wasn't some extraordinary feat, but rather a natural consequence of his upbringing.
That said, shadow clones divide the user's chakra equally between the original and the clone. Because the clone is chakra-based, it doesn't respond as well as the original body, which is why Orochimaru seldom used it.
Even if he could create a shadow clone, maintaining it for too long would drain his energy quickly.
When it came to chakra control, Orochimaru wasn't quite as skilled as Uchiha Itachi, who had the natural advantage of the Uchiha bloodline.
After all, the Uchiha clan possessed an innate reservoir of spiritual energy, even before awakening the Sharingan, giving them a natural edge in chakra manipulation compared to ordinary ninjas.
However, now that Orochimaru had used the primary gene enhancement fluid, his physical and spiritual energy had both surged, allowing him to close the gap in talent.
Except for the absence of the Sharingan, in every other aspect, Orochimaru was now on par with Itachi!
So, there was nothing odd about him using the shadow clone technique on a whim.
In his previous life, Orochimaru had often fantasized about being able to use this technique, and now that he could, he naturally wanted to try it out.
As Orochimaru strode away, Tsunade, finally snapping out of her shock, ignored the Uchiha brats and chased after him.
--
Meanwhile, atop a tall building in Konoha Village…
Three armored ninjas stood on the roof, observing the scene in the streets below through the sunlight, looking dumbfounded.
"A shadow clone at his age? That's impressive! Sarutobi, this Orochimaru is a real prodigy!" one of them said, unable to hide his amazement.
"Haha, it's truly remarkable. I've never seen anyone use a shadow clone at the age of six!" another chimed in, still in awe.
"Among this year's students, aside from Tsunade, I'd say Orochimaru is probably the most outstanding one, right?" one asked, turning to their companion.
"Haha, that might not necessarily be true!" Hiruzen responded with a knowing smile.
Yes, this was Sarutobi Hiruzen, the man who would one day become the Third Hokage.
But right now, he was only 24, a young and promising shinobi in Konoha.
Standing beside him were Uchiha Kagami and Shimura Danzo, both equally young and full of potential.
Hearing the conversation, Danzo remained silent, his gaze fixed in the direction where Orochimaru had walked off, deep in thought.
It was currently the 16th year of Konoha.
The First Shinobi World War was still ongoing, though it had shifted from large-scale conflicts to smaller, localized battles.
While Konoha was busy dealing with the war, it was also focusing on selecting and nurturing talented young ninjas at the academy.
Orochimaru was one of those promising seeds.
Today, Sarutobi and the others had just returned from a mission when they happened to spot Orochimaru heading out.
Upon closer inspection, they saw a group of Uchiha children lying in ambush.
Though Uchiha Kagami was initially a little embarrassed to see children bullying others, Shimura Danzo believed that it was natural for kids to have scuffles, and there was no need to intervene unless there was real danger.
So, they decided to watch the scene play out.
And what they witnessed was truly astonishing.
--
Orochimaru, still oblivious to the fact that he had been watched from afar, continued walking, with Tsunade tailing him like a loyal follower.
"Hey, why are you following me?" Orochimaru asked without turning around.
"Eh?" Tsunade blinked, then quickly put on a nonchalant expression. "Who says I'm following you? I'm just heading to the training ground too. It's you who's following me!"
With that, she shamelessly put her hands behind her back and walked ahead of him, as if she were leading the way.
This was the path to the training ground, after all, and she believed Orochimaru was heading there as well. She just had no idea what he planned to do once they arrived.
Seeing Tsunade's antics, Orochimaru sighed inwardly.
You're still too young to even lie convincingly.
Ignoring her, he continued on his way toward the training ground.
--
"436... 437... 438…"
Loud, mocking voices echoed from the training ground as Orochimaru and Tsunade approached.
"Haha! A kid who doesn't even know ninjutsu or genjutsu thinks he can become a ninja? Ridiculous!"
"Exactly! Just give up, kid! You're not fit to be a ninja at all!"
"Hey, cut him some slack. At least he's trying hard!"
"What's the use of hard work if you're a loser? No matter how hard you try, a loser is still a loser! Hahaha!"
Curious, Orochimaru stepped into the training ground, followed closely by Tsunade.
What they saw was a strange sight.
A child about the same age as them was doing sit-ups, sweat dripping from his forehead. He wore a green jumpsuit and a red scarf, his distinctive bowl-cut hairstyle making him stand out.
Surrounding him were several other kids, all of them jeering and ridiculing him.
"Isn't that... Might Guy? No, wait, it's Might Dai!" Orochimaru realized, recognizing the boy.
Indeed, the child doing sit-ups was none other than Might Dai, the father of the future Might Guy, both of whom would later become legendary in their own right.
Chapter 10
Now was a time of war. Children in the Ninja Villages entered school at the age of five and were eligible to take the graduation exam as early as age six!
Looking at the young boy in front of him, Orochimaru realized that Might Dai, the boy who would one day become the father of Might Guy, was probably no older than himself.
In other words... he was just five years old and had only recently started school.
"Do you know him?" Tsunade asked, noticing Orochimaru's focused expression and feeling a bit curious.
"No, it's my first time seeing him," Orochimaru replied, telling a half-truth.
This was, after all, the first time he had physically seen Might Dai in this world. But of course, Orochimaru's knowledge of the future told him exactly who this boy was Might Dai, the "Eternal Genin," the man who would spend twenty years honing the most powerful taijutsu technique, the Eight Gates Release Formation.
Orochimaru would never forget a man like that.
But there was no need to share all this with Tsunade. For now, Might Dai was just a five-year-old boy who had barely started his journey in the ninja world. He wasn't on Orochimaru's radar yet, and Orochimaru had no interest in exchanging taijutsu experience with a child who had yet to prove himself.
Shrugging off the matter, Orochimaru made his way to the shooting range and started practicing throwing shurikens, following the technique imprinted in his memory.
Even though it was his first time physically throwing shurikens in this body, it felt as natural as breathing like an instinct he was born with.
Thud, thud, thud!
All three shurikens hit their mark none missed.
Thud!
One even struck the bullseye dead center!
Orochimaru smirked, pleased with himself.
He was already far ahead of most of his peers!
This was good. Orochimaru retrieved the shurikens and kunai from the target and began practicing again, honing his skills with repetition.
Training could be monotonous, but Orochimaru found himself enjoying it. This was his first real experience getting to grips with ninja tools, after all.
"As expected from the top student in our class," Tsunade muttered, sitting on the grass nearby, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "By the way, since you're already at the training ground, why don't you come spar with me for some real practice?"
"Real combat? A taijutsu contest? I'm no match for you in taijutsu," Orochimaru replied 'honestly,' all while continuing to throw kunai.
In terms of raw physical strength and taijutsu, even in the future, Tsunade would be one of the greatest.
She would eventually be strong enough to shatter Uchiha Madara's Susanoo with a single punch!
How many people in the entire ninja world could do that?
Even at the age of six, her talent in taijutsu far surpassed Orochimaru's, and he had no interest in engaging her in close combat just yet.
Tsunade, hearing his refusal, looked even more depressed. "You won't fight me just because you think you'll lose? I remember you weren't like this before!"
"People change," Orochimaru replied, his focus still on perfecting his kunai throws.
Tsunade was speechless for a moment. "Well, fine! Since you're really not interested, I won't bother you anymore. But after the graduation exam in a week, we'll be assigned to teams. Then we'll have plenty of chances to fight!"
"Assigned to the same team? You sound so sure of that," Orochimaru remarked, his tone a little skeptical.
"Of course! The Second Hokage is my great-uncle!" Tsunade declared, puffing her chest out proudly.
The current Hokage was indeed her great-uncle, Senju Tobirama. With such connections, it would be easy for her to pull some strings.
If Orochimaru had been a lesser ninja, it might have been more difficult to justify putting them on the same team. But as a genius, he was a perfect candidate for Tsunade's ambitions.
"I'm telling you, it's a done deal," Tsunade said confidently. "Anyway, you keep practicing. I won't disturb you anymore. Bye!" She gave him a playful smile, waved, and turned to leave, muttering to herself as she walked off.
"He's definitely the kind of man Tsunade likes… A genius who works even harder than everyone else!"
She didn't try to keep her voice down, as if she wanted Orochimaru to hear her on purpose. Upon hearing her muttering, Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly.
Teasing men at the age of six?
"Kids in this world really are unnaturally precocious," Orochimaru murmured to himself with a sigh.
In truth, Orochimaru wasn't surprised at all by Tsunade's straightforward attitude.
According to the memories he had inherited, Tsunade had expressed her admiration for him more than once in the past.
Of course, her admiration was purely for his talent. It wasn't romantic not at their age. They were just children, after all, and they didn't really understand such feelings. Their interactions were limited and superficial.
But Orochimaru's soul was that of an adult, so he didn't care about these childish games.
For him, the most important thing now was familiarizing himself with his abilities and improving his strength.
Now that fate had granted him a second chance at life, he was determined not to waste it. He was Orochimaru now, and living the same, pitiful life as in his previous incarnation was simply not an option.
If he wanted to rise above, he would need to surpass even the Orochimaru of the original timeline.
His goal was simple: master his abilities as quickly as possible, graduate, and then secure the resources he needed to continue his research on the primary gene enhancement fluid.
Once he made progress with that, further research would become much easier.
And with his growing strength and scientific knowledge, he would climb the ranks, advancing relentlessly.
Eventually, he would become so powerful that he could trample anyone who dared stand in his way.
With that thought in mind, Orochimaru grabbed a kunai and continued his training with renewed vigor.
He performed the hand seals quickly, his hands a blur of motion.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
A gust of wind shot forward, but it wasn't strong enough. The distance and cutting power were lacking, and too much chakra was wasted.
"Again."
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
This time, it was better, but still not perfect.
"Again!"
Orochimaru, completely absorbed in his training, didn't notice that Tsunade hadn't gone far after all.
She had hidden herself behind a pillar in the distance, watching Orochimaru silently, lost in thought.