Chapter 4: Studying with the Prince
"Nawaki."
Breakfast had barely ended when Orochimaru set down his chopsticks and called out coldly.
"I'm here! Sensei—what is it?"
Nawaki, who'd been goofing off with Hyūga Haining and Minamoto Ren just a moment ago, immediately stood at attention like a soldier caught slacking.
Even Haining straightened up with a soft shff sound, his head bowed respectfully—a Hyūga instinct, perhaps, where hierarchy was second nature.
As for Minamoto Ren, he rose slowly, and the smile that had danced on his face seconds ago faded into something colder, more distant—maybe this was his real face.
Orochimaru ignored both Haining and Ren.
His eyes locked onto Nawaki's.
"I gave you a training regimen," he said flatly. "Tree-walking and water-walking. Have you mastered them?"
"Um…"
Nawaki's eyes darted to the side. One hand scratched the back of his head.
He didn't have to answer. Orochimaru already knew.
Still, there were other tasks. Maybe Nawaki had done something else?
"The ninjutsu I taught you—Second Hokage's Water Release: Wild Water Wave. Did you practice it?"
"Uhh…"
"Chakra extraction?" Orochimaru's tone sharpened. "You're a Senju. Chakra control is supposed to be your clan's strong suit. Did you at least do that?"
"Ugh…"
Nawaki's head sank lower, sweat beading along his temples.
Orochimaru sounded like a strict middle school teacher firing off test questions. Each one hit Nawaki like a brick. Deep down, he still preferred training under Jiraiya, but Tsunade had insisted on Orochimaru. So here he was.
And truth be told—he was a little afraid of him.
"Then," Orochimaru said calmly, "after today's march, your training assignment remains the same."
He turned his gaze to Haining and Minamoto Ren.
"As for you two, you'll be joining him. The ninjutsu scroll is in his possession. I suggest keeping your progress synchronized."
And with that, Orochimaru formed a hand seal and vanished, leaving the tent in silence.
"Whew—"
Nawaki let out a long breath and flopped his tongue like a panting puppy. "Ren, be honest… isn't Orochimaru kind of terrifying? Every time he looks at me, it feels like my heart's about to jump out of my chest."
Ren nodded.
Orochimaru's presence was overwhelming.
Still young—only in his twenties—but the man had already killed far too many. Cold. Hyper-rational. Utterly detached. You could feel it just standing near him.
Ren mentally walked through what had just happened. Orochimaru's barrage of questions wasn't just scolding—it was a thorough evaluation of Nawaki's progress. And that last comment about "keeping progress synchronized"?
That was soft coercion.
What did "keep your progress synchronized" really mean?
It meant that until Nawaki mastered walking on trees and water, neither Ren nor Haining was allowed to advance. Haining could probably tolerate that—he was a main-branch Hyūga, used to restraint and etiquette.
But Minamoto Ren?
He was here to climb. To survive.
He didn't plan on staying stuck in the "Crown Prince's babysitter squad."
He cast a sideways glance at Haining, who was looking back at him. The Hyūga's forehead was glistening with sweat, his pristine clan uniform damp with humidity, and his white eyes filled with unspoken anxiety.
So he gets it.
Ren nodded internally.
Only Nawaki doesn't.
"Congratulations, Nawaki." Ren said suddenly, his tone warm and genuine.
"Huh?"
Nawaki blinked in confusion.
"I said: Congratulations. You've taken another step toward becoming Hokage."
Even Haining flinched in surprise.
Was this guy serious?
"You mean…" Nawaki's eyes lit up with hope.
Ren nodded solemnly, like a man delivering a political speech.
"Orochimaru-sama is training you in the same way the Second Hokage trained his chosen. That means he sees potential in you. Real Hokage-level potential."
From the side, Haining slowly shook his head.
If you knew Nawaki like I do… you wouldn't say that.
"Hahaha! I get it now!" Nawaki grinned from ear to ear, folding his arms proudly. "If you hadn't pointed it out, I'd have thought he was just disappointed in me. Hahahaha!"
That might still be true…
Haining began nodding along like a nervous chick pecking at rice.
Ren frowned. Nawaki's response was too casual. He was dodging the real issue again. He's playful to a fault.
And if you're here to study with the Prince, you'd better make damn sure he's actually studying—or you'll be executed with him.
Ren stepped forward, placed both hands on Nawaki's shoulders, and looked him dead in the eyes.
"Nawaki-sama," he said firmly.
"Orochimaru-sama has such high expectations for you. What are you prepared to do… to live up to them?"
"This... um, this…"
"Think about Lady Tsunade, Nawaki-sama. Doesn't she work late into the night every single day? Sometimes she even has to go out in the middle of the night for missions, right? That's because there are no more men left in the Senju clan to carry the banner of 'Hokage.' And you, Senju Nawaki—you're the one true Hokage of peace!"
Family appeal + emotional appeal + Hokage appeal—Ren played all his cards at once. That speech could pump Nawaki full of motivation for at least a week.
"But… I heard the grown-ups say Lady Tsunade goes out late at night to gamble…"
Hyūga Haining barely got the words out before Ren slapped a hand over his mouth.
"Mmph! Mmm-mm-mmmph!"
Ren shot Haining a death glare, then turned to Nawaki—and wow.
The kid was crying like someone had opened a faucet. Tears and snot ran down his face in a glorious mess.
Make that two weeks of motivation.
"Uwaah! I'm gonna train! I'm gonna become Hokage! I don't want Onee-chan to be so tired anymore!"
Nawaki howled, his voice echoing through the tent. Outside, passing shinobi paused, wondering who on earth was bullying him.
"Good! That's the spirit!" Ren said, seizing the moment. "That's the Senju Nawaki I know! The man I recognize as a true heir to the Will of Fire!"
Suddenly, Orochimaru appeared in the tent, brows tightly furrowed.
He had just returned from a strategy meeting when he heard Nawaki's shouting from afar. Seeing the kid crying, he immediately suspected the worst.
Are these two really cut out for this? Tsunade picked them as Nawaki's companions—but now it looked like they were ganging up on him.
Orochimaru's cold gaze swept across Ren and Haining.
For a moment, both boys felt like they were staring down their own execution.
But then—
"Uwaaaaah! Sensei! I swear I'll work hard! Waaaah! Teach me how to climb trees and walk on water again! I didn't listen properly last time! Waaah!"
In a shocking turn of events, the same Nawaki who used to treat Orochimaru like some kind of terrifying monster suddenly lunged forward and hugged his leg—smearing tears and snot all over his long robe.
Orochimaru froze. His eyes slowly turned toward Ren and Haining, expression unreadable.
Ren just smiled and nodded calmly.
Haining, a little panicked, looked at Ren for reassurance.
"…You've done well," Orochimaru said finally.
He gently rested a hand on Nawaki's head, voice low and hoarse, but with a warmth rarely heard from him.
It was, by his standards—the highest praise possible.