Chapter 3: Bond Forged in Youth

The training ground was empty in the early morning, except for the sound of leaves rustling in the wind. Ryūsei stood beneath a large oak tree, his breath steady as he focused on the kunai in his hand. Mito had insisted he train with others his age, and today was his first session alongside Konoha's young talents.

He wasn't nervous—if anything, he was curious. He had watched these children from a distance, analyzing their movements, their strengths, their weaknesses. But now, he was stepping into their world.

A voice broke his thoughts. "You're the one Mito-sama looks after, right?"

Ryūsei turned to see a girl with golden hair tied into twin ponytails, her eyes sharp with confidence. Even as a child, Tsunade had an undeniable presence, her stance firm like an unshakable pillar.

"I am," Ryūsei answered, slipping his kunai back into his holster.

Tsunade eyed him up and down, as if measuring him. Then, with a smirk, she pointed at the nearest training post. "Let's see if you're any good."

Before Ryūsei could respond, a calm yet calculating voice joined the conversation.

"Tsunade, you shouldn't judge someone so quickly," Orochimaru said as he stepped forward, his piercing eyes studying Ryūsei with an eerie intensity. His voice carried curiosity rather than arrogance, like a scientist observing a new specimen. "But I must admit, I'm curious as well."

Ryūsei tilted his head slightly. This was an interesting pair—one brimming with raw strength, the other with quiet intellect. He could already tell that sparring with them would be different from training alone.

"Fine," he said, stepping toward the training post. "I'll show you."

Tsunade crossed her arms. "Then don't hold back."

The next few minutes were filled with the rhythmic sound of strikes against wood. Tsunade was relentless, testing Ryūsei's endurance with each powerful blow. Orochimaru, on the other hand, observed, occasionally offering insights that were as sharp as his kunai.

But what truly set Ryūsei apart was his adaptability. He absorbed knowledge like a sponge, adjusting his movements based on their reactions. Tsunade's strength forced him to refine his footwork, while Orochimaru's precision made him sharpen his counterattacks.

By the end of the session, Tsunade wiped the sweat from her forehead, grinning. "You're not bad."

Orochimaru, his mind already working, simply said, "You learn fast."

Ryūsei gave a small nod. "And you both are strong."

For the first time since coming to Konoha, Ryūsei felt something new—camaraderie. These weren't just allies for survival or strategy. They were the beginning of something greater.

A bond.