บท 88: Chapter 88 : Chunin Assessment
Amidst the mutual exploration between Danzo and Uchiha, Orochimaru accepted his new laboratory, guided by two medical ninjas. This place was Orochimaru's "old den," once a morgue. The entire hospital building had been destroyed in a battle against ninjas sent by the Third Uchiha Elder. The location had been rebuilt, but due to the previous negative impact, it was no longer a full building. A warehouse now stood on the surface, with the basement being the sole part entirely reconstructed, where Orochimaru's research would continue in secrecy.
"Is this to be my new lair from now on?"
Orochimaru surveyed the arrangement, a stark contrast to its previous state. Gone were the chaotic partitions and beds, replaced by a pristine and open space that was remarkably bright.
Yet, despite the brightness, as soon as Orochimaru stepped inside, a sense of melancholy and gloom enveloped him. Though he couldn't perform human experiments here, it still offered the potential for studies that could result in fatalities.
Orochimaru longed for his previous ways, where he could discreetly deal with corpses, but now, the corpses were absent for autopsy research.
Yet, these were merely civilian corpses. With Orochimaru's growing prowess, the puppet corpses created from such materials were hardly suitable even as cannon fodder.
"Not bad. It appears Hokage-sama has high hopes for me. For now, though, I must remain in Anbu and utilize this place to cultivate medicinal elixirs."
Orochimaru's satisfaction was evident, yet as he turned, the two medical ninjas who accompanied him lingered.
"Why haven't you departed yet?"
The two medical ninjas displayed a hint of awkwardness. "Tobirama-sama informed us that we shall be your assistants in the future. We humbly seek your guidance."
Before them stood an eight-year-old boy, whose background they couldn't discern, yet his authority was evident. He must have had some influential backing.
These two in their white coats were mere teenagers, their chunin-level strength concealed. One tall and thin, Senyu, and the other short and stout, Gudo.
At first glance, they appeared unremarkable, blending into the background, mere civilian ninjas. However, a hint of disdain coloured their gazes as they regarded Orochimaru.
They were well aware of Orochimaru's status as a transfer student, often seen lurking near the morgue without valid reasons, preceding an inexplicable fire. Their initial impression of him stemmed from his medical skills – a nature veiled in darkness.
Gudu and Senyu, two ordinary individuals, couldn't help but feel overshadowed. Yet, in their view, Orochimaru was the type to be driven by ambition, capriciousness, and idleness. They remained oblivious to Orochimaru's achievements, like his defeat of a Jonin, the advancement of the Mystical Palm Technique, and the development of body-strengthening elixirs. They were unaware he had been called for special research.
"It seems I'm destined to be monitored."
Even though discontent stirred within them, they bore it as humble individuals should.
Orochimaru observed their expressions and entertained the possibility of manipulation. However, he doubted their minds had been tampered with. More likely, they were sent by Tobirama or Danzo to monitor him, further limiting his freedom.
Regardless, Orochimaru's recent circumstances dictated a need for assistance. While he had funds, discretion was paramount at this juncture. He had to bide his time and rely on these two labourers.
Once the First Great Ninja War erupted, Tobirama and his associates would be engulfed in their own concerns, leaving little room to oversee a child. That's when Orochimaru would seize his opportunity.
Orochimaru found no fault with their submissive demeanour. A potential restriction akin to the Anbu's "Root" was likely in place, discouraging the use of illusions or manipulation. He'd have to wait until Tobirama's demise to confirm. Who would emerge unscathed? Only time would tell.
"First, tidy this place. Later, I'll assign you tasks, including procurement. When I'm conducting experiments or absent, your responsibility is to safeguard this location and prevent unauthorized entry."
Orochimaru's instructions hung in the air as the two aides bore expressions of displeasure.
"So, from assistant to guard and cleaner."
Their hushed murmurs reached Orochimaru's ears, yet he merely cast them an inadvertent glance, his scarlet serpent-like gaze devouring their souls. A palpable pressure descended upon them, rendering them like lost souls in a sea of blood and corpses, a paralyzing fear gripping their limbs.
"Cough...!! How is this possible?!"
Shaken to their core, they paled, sweat beading on their foreheads, until Orochimaru averted his gaze.
"I must depart for Anbu duties. Remain vigilant. Should any issues arise, you shall be held accountable."
With a parting word, Orochimaru left the gasping aides behind, moving with an almost weightless grace.
Trash should recognize its own nature, should be incapable of protesting and should obey orders.
Should circumstances dictate, Orochimaru harboured no qualms about orchestrating some "accidental" experiments.
Exchanging horrified glances, the two assistants forced a bitter smile. The days ahead might prove arduous, but such individuals as Orochimaru were likely few and far between.
Returning to his previous abode – Orochimaru's sanctuary, once inhabited by himself and his parents – a sense of tranquility enveloped him.
After consolidating the fruits of his recent ventures, Orochimaru could finally rest undisturbed.
The subsequent morning saw Orochimaru hastening to the training ground. Designated for evaluations, it hosted the presence of Tsunade and Sarutobi.
Jiraiya, seemingly nonchalant, betrayed a hint of nervousness beneath his demeanour.
Having achieved the rank of an Anbu, Orochimaru held the strength of a seasoned ninja. Tsunade, too, a chunin exam champion, bolstered by proficiency in medical ninjutsu. It was Jiraiya, however, who remained a Genin, his confidence contrasting with an unfavourable hand of cards.
"Hmph! Today, Jiraiya shall etch his name in Konoha's annals," he declared.
Clad in his Miaomushan red jacket, a scroll absent from his back, Jiraiya exuded an air of self-assuredness. A warrior accustomed to ninjutsu domination, his prowess exceeded Tsunade's, even as a practitioner of medical arts. While the solo assessment held its challenges, Jiraiya harboured confidence in his abilities.
Scattered villagers had gathered, among them Jiraiya's parents. Kusuri cheered for Jiraiya, who, although bashful, spared a discreet smile, basking in the subtle happiness and departed for exam .
"Idiot! Perform well and spare Sensei the embarrassment!" Tsunade bellowed, as Sarutobi smiled placidly.
Orochimaru, two years since their prior encounter, exhibited Jōnin strength. Meanwhile, Sarutobi's power had advanced, his status as a ninja elite and burgeoning Kage level power.
Thus, Jiraiya also wanted to prove himself.
At nine, the examiner arrived, an Anbu instructor familiar to Orochimaru. Though ordered to invigilate, the mask had been discarded.
But the Jonin testing Jiraiya for his promotion to Chunin was a stranger to Orochimaru. Sarutobi introduced the Jonin's proficiency, balanced between ninjutsu and physical prowess, complemented by illusion mastery. Despite lacking exceptional strengths, he upheld experience and authority, a testament to his promotion.
However, even an average Jonin wielded unique skills. Proficiency in ninjutsu, genjutsu and taijutsu just showed his mediocre skills. Excellent shinobi all had their own uniqueness and specialities.
But, a Jonin is still a Jonin and is hard for solo Chunin to win against.
The requirement of the assessment is to hold on for ten minutes in his hands, and the examiner will judge the results.
"Come on, Jiraiya!"
The sparse shouts came, and the two formed a seal of confrontation. Jiraiya also wanted to say something. But the Jonin, with a single kunai dispatched, summoned a second, seizing the initiative.
"Sly attack during a chunin assessment," Orochimaru remarked with disdain.
Unfazed, Jiraiya strategically retreated, expertly parrying the kunai.
Jiraiya, who hadn't yet learned the Sage Mode, was still formidable in ninjutsu. He made sure not to allow the Jonin to get close and aimed to last the full ten minutes.
The Jonin's attacks, though relatively harmless, served to remind Jiraiya of his limitations. He realized that he should reserve his strength during this assessment, yet he still had to maintain the illusion of putting up a fight.
"Thousand Hair Needles!" Jiraiya suddenly shouted, unleashing his hair as a barrage of attacks, countless metallic strands shooting out.
"Damn!" The Jonin acknowledged the danger and quickly performed a substitution jutsu, which turned him into a wooden clone. As the wooden clone appeared some distance away, his expression grew even grimmer, for a "Thousand Needles" was lodged in his shoulder.
"Go on, Jiraiya!" Tsunade's encouraging shout rang out.
Jiraiya couldn't help but feel bitter, realizing that he had underestimated his opponent. The Jonin had used two substitution jutsus against Jiraiya's ninjutsu, making it apparent that he was biding his time.
The Jonin yanked out the hair, which was stuck in his shoulder, revealing a somewhat embarrassed expression. While he might have been holding back during the assessment, he decided to increase his effort.
"Raiton: Raikōhō!" Confronted with Jiraiya's defensive tactics, the Jonin resorted to ninjutsu.
Streams of lightning converged in his hand, emitting a sharp crackling sound, and then transformed into several electrical currents that raced toward Jiraiya.
The ninjutsu was neither exceptionally powerful nor swift, merely a B-level technique. Jiraiya, using the wind to deflect the attack, managed to avoid most of the lightning, and then positioned himself close to the ground using his white hair as a shield.
"Boom, boom, boom!" Lightning struck Jiraiya several times, his hair disintegrating, his face smudged with dirt, and smoke rising from his body. Despite the difficulty, he held on, with the Jonin relentlessly advancing.
"Even facing a rather average Jonin, he's pressuring me in this fight!" Jiraiya thought to himself. However, he took solace in the fact that he managed to endure for ten minutes, giving him a sense of accomplishment.
The Jonin withdrew the hairpin from his shoulder, his expression a mix of annoyance and determination. He knew he couldn't afford to be complacent, and he channeled more chakra into his next move.
"Raiton: Raichūgakure no Jutsu!" In response to Jiraiya's cautious approach, the Jonin unleashed a technique that he hoped would give him the upper hand.
Narrow bands of lightning converged in his palm, producing a series of crackling sounds, and then transformed into multiple electric waves that shot toward Jiraiya.
While the technique wasn't incredibly powerful, it was meant to wear down Jiraiya's defenses and hinder his movements. Jiraiya reacted quickly, using wind manipulation to dodge the attack and deflecting some of the lightning away.
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