Orochimaru: Xu Ming, Your Idea Is Feasible

The Next Day

Xu Ming was having breakfast at home when a system feedback prompt suddenly appeared in front of him.

[Feedback for Strength Improvement...]

[Your Chakra amount has increased by 100%! ]

[Your Lightning Style Nature Transformation level has increased by 100%! ]

He was stunned for a moment, then quickly checked the time.

5:30 AM.

That time again? A strong sense of déjà vu washed over him.

Something similar had happened not too long ago, around the same time.

"Wait… did Orochimaru stay up all night practicing again?"

Xu Ming quickly snapped back to reality, his expression shifting to one of shock.

"Is this guy working too hard?"

Just yesterday, he had shared his ideas about Chidori's development, and already, Orochimaru had spent the entire night training.

It was the same story when they worked on Rasengan last time.

"But the rewards aren't as significant as before… just a 100% increase in Lightning Style Nature Transformation?" Xu Ming thought, stretching out his hand.

Zzzzt!

A bolt of lightning crackled along his arm, producing a sharp buzzing sound.

His Nature Transformation level had already reached an impressive degree—at least Jōnin level.

This meant that when performing Lightning Style ninjutsu, he could skip the mudra-assisted Nature Transformation steps, focusing only on form manipulation.

Because he had fully mastered the Nature Transformation itself.

No more need for hand seals.

"Not bad…"

Xu Ming raised an eyebrow, satisfied with his progress.

This wasn't just about reducing the seals for a single jutsu—it applied to all Lightning Style techniques!

Many skilled ninjas followed this path. As their proficiency in Nature Transformation or shape manipulation increased, they gradually abandoned hand seals, progressing from multi-seal jutsu to single-seal, then to no-seal techniques.

The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, was one such example.

Clap—Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence.

Clap—Wood Release: Wood Dragon Jutsu.

Clap—Wood Release: Wood Golem Jutsu.

Just ridiculous.

Fighting Hashirama must have been hopeless for his enemies.

"At this rate, I might be able to do the same... Casting Chidori Kirin in an instant doesn't sound so far-fetched now," Xu Ming mused with a smirk.

"But still… the feedback this time is smaller."

"Then again, it makes sense. Last time, I provided a fully developed training regimen. This time, I only gave a rough idea, making it more difficult to execute."

Xu Ming stroked his chin, pondering.

"Should I comfort him at school later?"

He was a little concerned that Orochimaru might be overexerting himself.

But he had underestimated him.

Ninja Academy

As soon as Xu Ming entered the classroom, Orochimaru immediately grabbed his arm and dragged him to the back seats.

"Whoa—wait! Slow down!"

"I get it, you ran into some issues. But developing a new jutsu is never easy. Struggles are part of the process; if it were smooth sailing all the way, that would be weird."

"We got lucky with Rasengan last time."

Xu Ming spoke in a low voice, prepared to offer some words of encouragement.

But Orochimaru simply looked at him, confused.

"Difficulties?"

"Oh, sure, I encountered some," Orochimaru admitted. "My Lightning Style Nature Transformation level isn't high enough, so right now, I can only generate enough electricity to cause arm paralysis. I was planning to ask Uncle Uchiha Kagami for advice. But that's not important!"

Orochimaru waved dismissively, his tone suddenly brimming with excitement.

Even though he was speaking in a hushed whisper, his enthusiasm was unmistakable.

"What I really wanted to tell you is—I verified your idea!"

"If the Lightning Style's Nature Transformation occurs in the palm, maintaining a subtle distance—neither within the body nor too far away—it actually does allow for a degree of manipulation! This enhances the power of the Lightning Style without harming the user!"

"Xu Ming, your idea was spot on!"

Orochimaru's face was slightly pale from exhaustion, but his eyes burned with excitement.

Xu Ming was dumbfounded.

He had assumed Orochimaru would come complaining about how difficult it was.

He had even prepared a motivational speech to console him.

But Orochimaru?

He wasn't even bothered by the challenges.

If anything, the struggle had only fueled his passion even more.

'This guy… he's truly a natural when it comes to ninjutsu.' Xu Ming sighed internally.

After a moment, he placed a hand on Orochimaru's shoulder and said, "Ninjutsu is fascinating, but don't forget to rest. Your body is the foundation of everything."

Orochimaru froze.

He had expected Xu Ming to be thrilled by his progress.

But instead, Xu Ming had warned him to take care of his health.

Orochimaru's overflowing excitement cooled down slightly.

Not in a discouraging way.

Not as if his passion had been doused with cold water.

But rather, like a restless heart had been calmed.

'Xu Ming is right… Health management is just as crucial for a ninja.'

'Sure, I made progress last night, but pushing myself that hard was unnecessary. I could've achieved the same results over two nights without staying up all night.'

'I was too absorbed in my research and forgot the importance of a balanced mindset.'

Orochimaru closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

After a few seconds, he reopened them—his gaze now calm, like the still surface of a deep lake.

He smiled at Xu Ming.

"I understand now. Thank you, Xu Ming."

"No problem." Xu Ming withdrew his hand, relieved.

It seemed that, under his influence, even Orochimaru had learned the value of proper rest.

Then, a thought struck him.

"By the way, what did you mean when you said you were going to ask Uncle Uchiha Kagami for advice?" Xu Ming asked.

"The Uchiha are masters of both Fire Style and Lightning Style, and Uncle Kagami's proficiency in them is among the best in Konoha," Orochimaru explained.

"Even Hatake Sakumo trained under his guidance."

Xu Ming blinked in surprise.

That was an unexpected name.

"Hatake Sakumo?"

"Yes, a senior skilled in Kenjutsu and Lightning Style. He trained under Uncle Kagami for a while."

Xu Ming nodded, digesting the information.

This wasn't something covered in the original story.

But considering future events…

Kakashi had received Obito's left eye, and the Uchiha never reclaimed it.

Maybe there was a deeper bond between them after all.

"Well, good luck with that."

Xu Ming decided not to dwell on it further. Other people's affairs didn't concern him much.

"Yeah, I will." Orochimaru nodded firmly.