Orochimaru was thinking rapidly.
He had been pondering the whole way here, but he still couldn't figure out what Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to do...
They hadn't had a private exchange for years.
Why did he suddenly call him directly to his home for a meal?
What kind of play was this?
Although Orochimaru didn't know the term "Hongmen Banquet," the suspicion in his heart was much the same.
However, after entering the door, his heart relaxed slightly.
His master's wife, Biwako, was kind and pleasant to him, and the air was filled with the aroma of apples and eggs, which he favored...
However, after learning that Sarutobi Hiruzen had gone to the training ground, a trace of curiosity floated in Orochimaru's heart.
The Old Man had been immersed in mountains of documents and seas of meetings for a long time... did he still maintain the habit of daily training?
Looking at his usual fatigue-filled face, it didn't look like he could have that kind of energy.
But when Orochimaru stood at the door and saw the unusually fierce figure, looking as if he had returned to his youth, the corner of his mouth twitched imperceptibly.
Wait, was this still the same person?
Did time flow backward ten years?
"Here so early? Didn't I say arriving at mealtime was fine?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen lifted the steel staff onto his shoulder as if it were light as a feather, asking with a chuckle: "Are you hungry, kid? Eat two extra bowls later; your mistress cooked quite a few dishes!"
His tone was very domestic, as if Orochimaru was his son returning home from school.
Orochimaru blinked, staring at Sarutobi Hiruzen's body with a probing look, and spoke slowly: "Teacher... what is this?"
"Ah, the work pressure was too great before, and I fell seriously ill."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone was calm, yet carried a bit of sighing emotion.
"Once a person gets sick, they have to idle down; once idle, I figured out a lot of things. My spirit relaxed, my body improved along with it, and I even tried practicing some techniques left by Lord Tobirama."
"I figured out some tricks myself. Does the effect look okay?"
Orochimaru nodded seriously: "Very good. I thought you had preliminarily mastered the Yin Seal, Old Man..."
Infected by this gentle attitude, he unconsciously reverted to the address unique to the Sannin.
Actually, he had calculated on his way here.
If the chat was unpleasant, he would deliberately put on a cold face and call him "Lord Hokage"!
For the always cold and decisive Orochimaru to show such a nearly childish temperament, looking across the Ninja World, only the three members of Team Hiruzen could evoke it.
"That's still far off, but I do have thoughts of cultivating the Yin Seal."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed: "A strong Hokage always looks more reassuring than a frail little old man..."
A gleam flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.
These words delighted him.
Did the teacher realize the terror of aging and was he willing to use ninjutsu to solve the problem?
As the "Professor," had you finally awakened?
Wasn't ninjutsu invented to solve all kinds of problems?
"Teacher, you should have had such thoughts long ago. I can help you..."
It was as if a fresh breeze had blown through Sarutobi Hiruzen's aging body and mind, causing the Hokage, whom he thought would slowly rot away, to burst forth with brand-new vitality.
"Hearing you say that, have you learned many new ninjutsu in the past two years?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled: "Will you perform them for your teacher?"
Orochimaru's heart moved.
Long ago, every time he learned a new ninjutsu, he would go to display it in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
And every time, Sarutobi Hiruzen would watch him perform it with extreme patience, then give meticulous guidance to help him master it better.
"Like the old times?"
The breeze blew Orochimaru's blue magatama earrings: "Teacher, do you want to instruct me after so long?"
He was currently researching ninjutsu that was inconvenient to show Sarutobi Hiruzen.
It was a forbidden technique that violated human ethics, named 'Living Corpse Reincarnation,' capable of seizing others' bodies.
But putting those aside.
Having a 'teaching match' with his revitalized teacher was also something he hoped for.
It would allow him to feel Sarutobi Hiruzen's changes more profoundly.
"Instruct? You might be more powerful than me now, Orochimaru..."
"But since my disciple invites me, if I, the teacher, refuse, that would be improper."
"Teacher, how about getting a little serious?" Orochimaru habitually extended his long tongue, licking the corner of his mouth. This crisp decisiveness made him feel increasingly interested:
"Shall I go notify the Anbu?"
Although his interest was piqued, his considerations were very thorough.
If master and disciple were to fight without restraint...
The commotion caused, if there were no Anbu to maintain order in the village, would definitely cause a riot.
Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed heartily, his hands rapidly forming seals: "Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Towering and thick earthen walls rose from the ground, protecting the perimeter of the training ground.
Although the training ground was very wide, he and Orochimaru were not ordinary ninja. If they got carried away, the scope of the impact would be hard to say.
"You think very comprehensively, Orochimaru. You've had the Hokage mindset since you were small."
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not sting on his praise, waving his large hand: "No need to notify them!"
"I was very dissatisfied with the incident where Uzumaki Kushina was abducted by the Cloud..."
"This time, no notification, no greeting, and no one to receive or report. You and I, master and disciple, are right here on the scene. Let's see how the village's reaction capability is!"
Orochimaru nodded slightly, the anticipation in his eyes growing thicker.
Whether it was saying he had a 'Hokage' mindset, or the teacher's eclectic preparation to test Konoha's rapid response...
It all made him very pleased!
He didn't seem like that old man who always spoke and acted with heavy worries.
Sarutobi Hiruzen rummaged in his ninja tool pouch and took out a slightly rusty copper bell.
"Teacher, are we snatching bells again?" Orochimaru chuckled lightly: "I'm not a Academy graduate."
"Look familiar?" Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed with emotion: "This is the bell you guys used when you were little. I kept it as a memento."
Hearing this, Orochimaru's heart moved.
Did the Old Man actually keep this bell in his ninja tool pouch all along?
A trace of inexplicable emotion crossed Orochimaru's heart.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled faintly.
Actually, he had put this bell in the pouch later...
He had planned to pretend to show it to Orochimaru inadvertently one day to close the distance between them.
He didn't expect the suitable occasion to come so quickly.
To be fair, Sarutobi Hiruzen's affection for the Sannin in the past was deep.
It was just that the pressure brought by the Hokage position made him almost unable to breathe, fearful in every aspect. Coupled with the traditional old ninja concepts, he naturally couldn't express his feelings as obviously as this.
The master-disciple relationship is like father and son; always silent, reserved, and very easy to form a rift.
Over time, the gaps built up bit by bit would prop the two apart, making them drift further and further away.
In that case, even if they could bury the hatchet when looking back suddenly, how much meaning would that still have?
So, it was better to be an 'old father' who was emotionally stable and provided enough emotional value, openly praising his own apprentice...
This persona was much more likable!
Orochimaru's slightly upturned mouth proved the correctness of his thought.
"If we're snatching bells, it's not bad with just me alone..." Orochimaru suppressed the emotions in his heart and spoke.
"Orochimaru, you have always been my proudest disciple..." The bell was blown by the breeze, making a pleasant sound.
"Hehe..."
Orochimaru laughed hoarsely: "Teacher, why say these things?"
"Didn't I always say this when you were little? Not used to it yet? It's my fault too; I mentioned it less as you grew up..." Sarutobi Hiruzen tossed the bell to Orochimaru:
"How about I be the one snatching the bell today? Let's test your weight, kid, and see if your shoulders have become sturdy."
Orochimaru subconsciously caught the bell, his heart tightening.
Teacher snatching the bell?
What did this mean?
"Am I overthinking it?" Orochimaru really wanted to ask himself.
Sarutobi Hiruzen mobilized the chakra in his body, his gaze gradually becoming serious.
He asked Orochimaru to defend for several reasons.
First, although the original body's combat consciousness had integrated reasonably well, being the attacker was naturally easier than being the defender and would allow him to reveal fewer openings.
Second, it was also to hint to Orochimaru that he thought highly of him, raising his favorability rating. He had to pull this scientific talent of his back to his side.
Third, this stage set up by his conversation with Orochimaru was a good stage for him to establish authority!
Once a high-power ninjutsu was released, regardless of speed, the Anbu, the Konoha Police Force, and a series of troops would inevitably arrive...
He, the Hokage who hadn't made a move in a long time, needed to produce a scene that made people marvel.
This was beneficial to his 'Authority'.
"My chakra volume has increased a lot... so there's no need to calculate meticulously. I need to fight with momentum, fight with fierce vigor!" Sarutobi Hiruzen organized his battle thoughts.
After Orochimaru came back to his senses, looking at the eager Sarutobi Hiruzen, his heart shivered.
Something was wrong...
Just now he thought the Old Man wanted to test him...
Why did it feel like he was being set up now? Like he wanted to find an excuse to beat him up severely!
"But, the changed teacher is really interesting..."
Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth, thinking secretly: "Although it's a bit dangerous, let's add some fuel to the fire!"
Orochimaru cleared his throat and pulled a move that defied the natural order.
"Teacher, do you remember what you told us when we snatched bells in the past?"
"You said, come attacking with the intent to kill..."
"Teacher, perhaps you can also hold this mindset today."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes lit up upon hearing this!
There was such a request?
He was just pondering how to balance this degree...
After all, although it was Orochimaru who actively requested to spar with him, if he hit too hard, it might create a rift between the two...
But if he asked for it himself, that was different!
Looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, Orochimaru suddenly felt a bit of panic in his heart and hurriedly spoke to salvage the situation: "Five minutes, Teacher!"
"If you can't take it in five minutes, it counts as my win..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed loudly: "Good!"
Before the voice had even landed, his fingers flew like butterflies, rapidly forming seals.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath, his chest swelling high: "Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Chakra poured out without reservation!
The fireball turned into a dragon shape, pouncing extremely fiercely towards Orochimaru, covering the entire training ground!
The firelight was menacing, and the reflected light and shadows on the earthen walls swayed as if they were about to be ignited.
"Red-white flames? And this range..."
This was the Sarutobi clan's heirloom Fire Release, but actually, it couldn't be considered a complex ninjutsu.
But while the ninjutsu was basic, the chakra nature transformation within it was not basic.
"Good! Let's try these ordinary five-nature ninjutsu after so long..." Orochimaru also channeled chakra. Like Sarutobi Hiruzen, he was a ninja proficient in all seven nature transformations:
"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
The fireballs collided together. The two sides entangled, actually exploding at the center first, then forming a towering fire tornado, swaying hideously in the sky.
For a moment, it was as if a huge firework had exploded in mid-air.
"The Old Man's Fire Release is truly seasoned... is the temperature actually this high?" Orochimaru retreated rapidly, swiped his thumb across his lips, sprinkled blood on the ground, and slammed his hands down heavily.
"Summoning Technique: Rashōmon!"
A giant gate with a demon face rose from the ground, intercepting the surging flames.
The red-white flames of the Fire Dragon Flame Bullet split along the sides of the giant gate, hitting the Earth-Style Walls surrounding the training ground, actually causing the solid earthen walls to start melting.
"Teacher, have your basics improved again?"
Orochimaru stood atop the Rashōmon, glanced into the distance, and said meaningfully: "However, someone will arrive very soon..."
"Kid, openly show your strongest side to the villagers!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said loudly: "There is no big or small in a duel. If you fall into a disadvantage, then go back and keep practicing. The same goes for me!"
"This stage belongs to you and me!"
Hearing this, Orochimaru smiled, smiling just like when he was a child.
To be honest, if he had to fight Sarutobi Hiruzen to the death, he definitely wouldn't have confidence.
But if the limit was five minutes, relying on his escape techniques and formulas, stalling would be too easy... even with the restrictions of the venue, Orochimaru had this confidence.
In the entire Ninja World, how many dared to say their techniques were weirder and survivability stronger than his?
He was worried that if Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't take him down in front of everyone, he would lose face as the Hokage.
But he didn't expect the teacher to be like a young man, not talking about that stuff, just talking about real combat...
This felt very comfortable.
"I rarely used body modification techniques in the past, but they will be noticed sooner or later..."
"The Old Man used to be very sensitive about these kinds of techniques."
"I'll show a move or two today. If the teacher turns hostile, it's better to make plans early."
Orochimaru's thoughts turned like lightning: "Summoning Technique: Quintuple Rashōmon!"
Usually, he was accustomed to summoning the Triple Rashōmon, but today Orochimaru summoned as many as five in one breath!
Five towering and hard Rashōmon gates stood in Konoha's widest training ground. Added to the previous one, arranged irregularly, they were like a maze.
This was Orochimaru's idea.
With his movement techniques, dodging and weaving within these multiple Rashōmon gates like a slippery venomous snake, even the most elite catcher would be bitten by him if they entered.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru waited with tacit understanding.
After a short moment, the Anbu arrived.
Hatake Sakumo arrived first, followed immediately by his eldest son, Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
Both of them were Anbu captains.
Looking at the tension between his father and his beloved disciple, Shinnosuke was a bit dazed: "You are..."
"The speed is barely acceptable, but still slower than I expected."
"Sakumo, you manage the scene from here on!" Sarutobi Hiruzen said in a deep voice: "Maintain order and compile statistics on the arrival time of each department and personnel of the village."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Hatake Sakumo immediately accepted the order.
After scrutinizing this man who stood as upright as a pine tree, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded slightly.
Very loyal!
Sarutobi Hiruzen moved his gaze back.
And at this moment, Orochimaru was already half-transformed into a snake, meeting his teacher's gaze with anticipation and probing.
"Eh?"
Orochimaru rejoiced in his heart. He did not see any displeasure in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, only curiosity.
That curiosity, although it was defying the natural order to say so, was indeed very much like him...
That was the desire to explore any ninjutsu!
"Give me more surprises, Teacher!"
Orochimaru escaped into the maze formed by the multiple Rashōmon gates. Hissing sounds were incessant from within, obviously concealing a large number of venomous snakes. He shouted from afar:
"Old Man, I don't feel any pressure. If you have any other techniques, use them all!"
The corner of Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth quirked.
This disciple of his was truly a wonderful person.
And at this moment, the Uchiha Clan of the Konoha Police Force also arrived.
"Just in time..."
"Playing guerilla warfare with me? Then I'll just melt this area directly!"
"Let me see the intensity of this body!"
Lord Hokage erupted with his chakra!