Feedback! Chidori Derived Ninjutsu!

"This Movement..."

Uzumaki Mito, who had just stepped outside, suddenly turned back, her gaze filled with surprise as she looked toward the room where Orochimaru was studying ninjutsu.

"And… this level of chakra!?"

"Kid Orochimaru, did you succeed?"

She muttered to herself in astonishment.

She had been considering asking Hiruzen to take Orochimaru back. While developing new ninjutsu was commendable, she worried that he might push himself too far. If he succeeded once, he might force himself to succeed again under pressure, potentially trapping himself in a cycle of failure and frustration.

This was a concern she had been carrying, but it seemed unnecessary now.

"Young people these days are truly amazing," she sighed before turning back and continuing on her way.

Meanwhile...

Xu Ming was at a festival in a bustling commercial street, enjoying a meal at a dim sum shop when suddenly, a notification from the system popped up.

[You have gained a deeper understanding of the A-rank ninjutsu, Lightning Style: Chidori, and developed multiple supporting derivative techniques.]

[You have perfectly mastered the derivative ninjutsu—Chidori Current.] (Can be used without hand seals.)

[You have perfectly mastered the derivative ninjutsu—Chidori Blade.] (Can be used without hand seals.)

[You have perfectly mastered the derivative ninjutsu—Chidori Senbon.] (Can be used without hand seals.)

[You have perfectly mastered the derivative ninjutsu—Chidori Sharp Spear.] (Can be used without hand seals.)

"So fast?"

Xu Ming was stunned, momentarily forgetting about the meatball soup in his bowl.

He wasn't surprised that Orochimaru had mastered Chidori, but the speed at which he had done it was shocking.

It had only been seven days since he last checked in.

In just a week, Orochimaru had completed the development of Chidori and its accompanying techniques?

"I thought it would take at least two to three months," Xu Ming mused, impressed.

From what he had read in the Third Hokage's library, Konoha's understanding of hand seals was still rudimentary in this era.

Even the full functions of the basic twelve hand seals hadn't been completely deciphered yet.

Orochimaru had no references—he had to discover everything from scratch.

And everyone knows that the research phase is the most time-consuming part.

"But, as expected of Orochimaru," Xu Ming said with a smile.

In the original timeline, Orochimaru was decades ahead of the rest of the ninja world in scientific research.

At just ten years old, he was already demonstrating his talent.

'Binding the system to Orochimaru was the best decision I ever made!' Xu Ming thought to himself.

Two Days Later

Xu Ming awoke from an afternoon nap and was about to go out for food when his teacher, the Third Hokage, suddenly appeared at his doorstep.

"Xu Ming, your Uncle Kagami is inviting you for dinner tonight," the Hokage said before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

A shadow clone?

Xu Ming raised an eyebrow but didn't dwell on it. Since there was food involved, he had no complaints.

Changing direction, he made his way toward the Uchiha clan compound.

Upon arrival, he was met by a guide who led him to Uchiha Kagami's home.

Inside, three people were already gathered—Uchiha Kagami, the Third Hokage, and Orochimaru—drinking and chatting.

"Finally, you're here, Xu Ming."

The Third Hokage smiled and waved him over. "Come on, your Uncle Kagami has been waiting."

"What's going on?" Xu Ming asked curiously as he took a seat.

"The Lightning Style ninjutsu has been completed, and Uncle Kagami is eager to see it," Orochimaru explained.

"Of course! I contributed to its development, so I'd love to see the final result," Uchiha Kagami said with a reserved smile.

Xu Ming nodded in understanding.

He turned to Orochimaru and casually said, "Since it's done, why not demonstrate it for Uncle Kagami?"

His nonchalant tone made the three men pause slightly.

Xu Ming's attitude was unusually indifferent.

Most people would be ecstatic about the completion of a brand-new technique.

But Xu Ming? He acted as if it was just another ordinary day.

"As expected of you, Xu Ming..." Orochimaru muttered, as if he had already anticipated this reaction.

First, Xu Ming had casually introduced the concept of shape transformation without hand seals.

Then, he had proposed advanced Lightning Style techniques that led to Chidori's creation.

Both were revolutionary ideas.

It was clear that Xu Ming's understanding of jutsu ran deep.

'For most people, the discovery of a new technique is exciting. But to Xu Ming, it's just another variation of shape and nature transformation,' Orochimaru thought.

'And most ninjutsu are merely slight modifications of these two principles.'

Realizing this, Orochimaru sighed inwardly.

He felt as though Xu Ming had foreseen the final result from the very moment he suggested the idea of Lightning Style ninjutsu.

'It's like how I can now glance at a low-level jutsu's name and instantly understand its mechanics. There's no excitement anymore—it's just the same concept, repackaged in a new form.'

Thinking this, Orochimaru's gaze sharpened.

But then, a competitive fire lit up in his eyes.

"I will do my best to catch up with you," he declared.

"Then… we'll see who can climb to the highest peak and witness the best view."

Xu Ming blinked, caught off guard by Orochimaru's sudden enthusiasm.

"Uh… sure?" he responded, a little bewildered.

"Tch, playing dumb again?" Orochimaru muttered under his breath.

The conversation ended there, but the tension remained.

The Third Hokage clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.

"Well, enough talk! Orochimaru, show Xu Ming the technique. Your master, Kagami, is waiting."

"I'm not that impatient," Uchiha Kagami said with a smirk.

But despite his words, there was an unmistakable glint of curiosity in his Sharingan.

After all, when a young prodigy claims to have invented a revolutionary new jutsu—how could he not be interested?