CHAPTER 30

After briefly getting acquainted, the three didn't continue their conversation and went back to their respective homes.

Upon returning home, Uchiha Kiyo reflected on his experiences over the years, feeling a surge of emotion.

"It's been ten years since I came to this world, and I can finally experience the life of a ninja for myself. I don't know what the next stage of my ninja career will be like."

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The next day, at 9 a.m.

Konoha's Training Ground No. 7.

Uchiha Kiyo, Nawaki Senju, and Sarutobi Shuo stood in an open clearing at the edge of the training ground, facing their newly assigned mentor, Orochimaru, who had just arrived.

"I told you yesterday that I don't like unnecessary formalities. Normally, today's task would be an assessment, but we're skipping that," Orochimaru announced.

Unlike other jonin instructors, he had no intention of conducting the traditional bell test.

The bell test's purpose wasn't just to evaluate the combat abilities of newly graduated genin but also to gauge their teamwork and character. However, the three standing before him had been under observation for years. Given their backgrounds, a formal assessment was unnecessary.

Among them, one had caught Orochimaru's interest, one was a favor from a comrade, and the other was assigned by Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. Even if they failed an assessment, Orochimaru couldn't simply discard any of them.

Hearing that the assessment was canceled, Nawaki Senju was about to cheer but stopped short as Orochimaru continued.

"Although you won't be taking an assessment, we have another task today: the three of you will fight me together. If your performance is satisfactory, there will be a reward."

Orochimaru's piercing gaze swept over them, gauging their reactions.

Nawaki froze in place. Having been regularly beaten down by Tsunade during training, he had a decent understanding of how terrifying Orochimaru was—especially considering how highly his older sister regarded him.

"Eh? No way, Sensei! You're way too strong! How are we supposed to fight you?" Nawaki blurted out.

"Kiyo, Orochimaru…Sensei means that we will fight him, but he won't use his full strength. We don't need to win—just display our abilities."

Uchiha Kiyo's words were more for Nawaki's sake than Sarutobi Shuo's. He was also internally wondering about Orochimaru's so-called reward. Given Orochimaru's resources and knowledge, it was unlikely to be something insignificant—perhaps a valuable ninjutsu.

Orochimaru took note of their reactions but didn't elaborate. Instead, he suddenly disappeared.

"You have ten minutes to strategize."

Watching Orochimaru vanish instantly, Uchiha Kiyo recognized the Body Flicker Technique and couldn't help but admire it. While it caused momentary stiffness in the body after use, its effectiveness in combat was undeniable. Most importantly, it allowed for instant, dramatic movement—making it undeniably cool.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Uchiha Kiyo turned to his teammates and took the initiative to outline their strategy. Though he and Nawaki were already familiar with each other's abilities, Sarutobi Shuo was still an unknown variable.

"I'm best at defense. I'll engage Orochimaru-sensei head-on while you two provide support. His main goal is to evaluate our abilities and teamwork, so he won't go all out. If we coordinate well, we should be able to hold out for a while."

Sarutobi Shuo shared his own strengths in response.

Though he wasn't as proficient in taijutsu as Uchiha Kiyo, he had an advantage in ninjutsu. Having undergone elite training within the Sarutobi Clan, he had already mastered multiple techniques, especially those of the Wind Release nature, which excelled in offense.

Ten minutes later, Orochimaru reappeared. Without hesitation, Uchiha Kiyo immediately entered battle mode, keeping his guard up. Nawaki and Sarutobi Shuo, seeing his readiness, also jumped into position, preparing to fight.

Orochimaru, however, didn't wait for them to make the first move. Without warning, he launched an attack.

Still, there was a fleeting look of satisfaction in his eyes as he glanced at Uchiha Kiyo—though Kiyo himself didn't notice it.

Thankfully, Uchiha Kiyo had been on high alert from the start. The moment Orochimaru lunged, kunai in hand, Kiyo reacted swiftly and parried.

"Seriously? He's actually going for a real attack?!" Kiyo internally panicked. "If I hadn't been prepared, I'd be down already!"

Sticking to the plan, Nawaki and Sarutobi Shuo refrained from engaging directly, instead flanking to either side to search for openings.

Orochimaru didn't react to their tactics—he knew full well that among the three, only Uchiha Kiyo could briefly withstand him in a direct confrontation. Their strategy was sound.

"Very well, let's see how far you can push yourselves," Orochimaru said, licking the corner of his mouth in excitement before resuming his assault.

Uchiha Kiyo barely had time to register the unsettling image before he was forced to defend again.

"Ding!"

Once more, his kunai met Orochimaru's in a fierce clash. He was already breathing hard. Even though Orochimaru wasn't using his full strength, the sheer pressure of facing him made it difficult to focus.

To reposition himself, Uchiha Kiyo utilized a technique he had developed over the years. Pouring chakra into his legs and expelling bursts from his soles, he propelled himself rapidly to the side. This maneuver, while effective, put a strain on his feet and couldn't be used excessively. He had dubbed it the Counter-Thrust Technique—though he wasn't fond of the name and planned to rename it later.

Orochimaru, briefly surprised, made a mental note of Kiyo's movement technique but didn't dwell on it. Before he could press the attack, Nawaki and Sarutobi Shuo seized the opportunity.

"Take this!"

Five kunai flew toward Orochimaru—three from Nawaki and two from Sarutobi Shuo.

In response, Orochimaru used the Hidden Shadow Snake Hands technique, summoning serpents that deflected three of the kunai while effortlessly dodging the other two.

At that moment, Nawaki and Sarutobi Shuo unleashed their ninjutsu.

"Water Release: Water Arrow Technique!"

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Seeing this, Orochimaru finally engaged with ninjutsu himself.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

It was the same jutsu as Sarutobi Shuo's, but Orochimaru's version was far stronger.

Just before the two techniques clashed, Uchiha Kiyo executed his own jutsu.

"Fire Release: Phoenix Fireball Technique!"

A small, compressed fireball shot toward Orochimaru's wind technique, exploding upon impact and disrupting its trajectory.

Taken slightly off guard, Orochimaru was momentarily exposed to Nawaki and Sarutobi Shuo's attacks.

"Not bad. Your ninjutsu are quite decent," Orochimaru mused.

Just as Nawaki thought they had gained the upper hand, a chilling voice rang out behind him.

Before he could react, Orochimaru struck him from behind, sending him flying and rendering him unable to fight.

Sarutobi Shuo fared no better—his chakra reserves were already low, and against Orochimaru's speed, he was swiftly incapacitated.

With both teammates eliminated, Orochimaru turned back to Uchiha Kiyo.

Kiyo sighed internally. "I couldn't even keep up with his Body Flicker Technique—how am I supposed to fight this?"

With most of his chakra spent, he was quickly defeated in a final exchange.