Chapter 11: Gathering of the Future Sannin
Night fell. Only after returning home did Yoru open the scroll Orochimaru had given him.
Dense text filled his vision. After just a few glances, Yoru clicked his tongue in amazement: "Truly worthy of 'Orochimaru-sama.' Just like in the original series—incredibly generous!"
Yoru didn't lack nature transformation training methods.
His father in this life had been a well-rounded jonin. The basic requirement for such jonin was mastering at least two nature transformations.
Moreover, families with surnames indicated ancestors who'd once achieved glory.
The Gojo family basement contained scrolls with four different nature transformation training methods.
However, those methods were all commonplace knowledge.
The scroll in Yoru's hand, by contrast, recorded Orochimaru's personal understanding of nature transformation.
As one of the shinobi world's rare all-attribute geniuses, Orochimaru's scroll documented not only the five elemental nature transformations but also his understanding of Yin and Yang—the two hidden attributes.
Hidden attributes naturally couldn't be detected even by chakra paper.
However, Yoru knew he possessed Yin and Yang attributes.
His abnormal development, powerful vitality and chakra reserves—all related to Yang attribute.
With his strong soul, he'd mastered sensory techniques and a C-rank genjutsu by the end of last year.
Combined with Fire and Earth detected by chakra paper, Yoru should possess four attributes: Yin, Yang, Fire, and Earth.
But how to develop these two hidden attributes? Yoru had no clue whatsoever.
Because such knowledge represented vital inheritance held by village leadership and secret technique clans.
Yet now, such knowledge appeared in the scroll Orochimaru had given him.
This was why Yoru felt so moved.
This knowledge might provide tremendous help in mastering Space-Time chakra.
After all, Yang Release represented the physical body, while Yin Release represented the spirit.
Using the Rasengan as his training accelerator, Yoru's chakra control had reached a certain level. To advance further, he needed Yang Release knowledge or medical ninjutsu assistance.
Only by achieving perfect chakra control like the Senju clan's Superhuman Strength, the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist, or the Akimichi clan's Multi-Size Technique—controlling chakra flow and release through every meridian and every tenketsu point, transforming it at will—could Yoru further master Space-Time chakra and fuse ordinary chakra with Space-Time chakra in specific ratios for techniques.
Once successful, he could add Space-Time buffs to ordinary ninjutsu while reducing Space-Time chakra consumption.
Then Yoru wouldn't remain an ordinary shinobi when using regular chakra, only gaining terrifying power to challenge higher-ranked opponents when using Space-Time chakra.
At that point, perhaps the Rasengan could truly incorporate Space-Time chakra, becoming an ultimate technique unique to him that never appeared in the original series!
With this thought, Yoru immediately performed Shadow Clone Technique—which he'd mastered last year—creating two shadow clones to study the scroll alongside him, accelerating his learning.
Meanwhile, as Yoru frantically absorbed new knowledge...
At an izakaya on Konoha's central street.
"Orochimaru, it's so hard to see you these days!"
"If you want to see me, you could ask Sarutobi-sensei to transfer you to the border. I'm sure he'd be delighted."
"Hahaha... Let's not. My dream isn't becoming Hokage. I don't need that many accomplishments for campaigning. This lazy, comfortable life suits me just fine."
"I think you just can't bear to leave a certain someone!"
"*Cough cough*..."
The sounds of clinking cups and friendly banter echoed behind the curtain.
The future Legendary Sannin were holding a reunion.
Currently in their prime years, they radiated confidence and vigor.
Still single, Tsunade was beautiful and captivating. One hand supporting her cheek, the other shaking a sake bottle—every movement displayed her spirited elegance.
Watching the two who hadn't changed since childhood, immediately bickering at the slightest provocation, Tsunade smiled without speaking.
She didn't mind Orochimaru teasing her to "assist" Jiraiya, causing him to choke on sake and show a flushed, slightly embarrassed expression.
Jiraiya's feelings for her were crystal clear. She'd told him more than once he wasn't her type.
Their three-way friendship wouldn't develop rifts over romantic entanglements.
Clinking cups with Orochimaru, Tsunade changed the subject: "How long can you stay this time?"
Hearing this, Orochimaru's slight smile faded as he shook his head with a somewhat serious expression: "I don't know. The borders have been eerily quiet lately. All the great nations simultaneously withdrawing—I can't tell if they've secretly allied or are plotting something."
"That seems unlikely, doesn't it? Unless they're willing to set aside their grudges, they couldn't possibly form a four-nation alliance like the last war."
"Maybe they've all abandoned expansion. After all, their economies simply can't support such massive expenditures."
"I hope so." Orochimaru took a sip, his gaze profound. "But the atmosphere makes me uncomfortable."
"You've been at the border too long—it's affecting your mind. Have Tsunade prescribe you some medicine." After this teasing remark, Jiraiya noticed the mood shifting and changed topics excitedly: "Speaking of which, I recently discovered an excellent prospect at the ninja academy. He's only entering fourth year this April but already has the strength to graduate early. The talent he's displayed doesn't seem inferior to ours."
"What, is this slacker thinking of becoming a jonin instructor?" Tsunade couldn't help mocking. Simultaneously her heart stirred, and she looked back toward Orochimaru, about to speak when—
Orochimaru suddenly looked up at Jiraiya: "What's his name?"
"Mi—Minato Namikaze. Why?"
Jiraiya started at Orochimaru's gaze, asking nervously: "Don't tell me he's already yours, or you've already set your sights on him?"
If so, this would be awkward.
Hearing it wasn't Gojo Yoru, Orochimaru returned to his usual demeanor, chuckling lightly: "I've indeed set my sights on a prospect as well. He's only nine years old this year. If they both enrolled at age six, they might even be the same grade—possibly classmates."
"Oh?"
Jiraiya and Tsunade's interest immediately piqued. The former breathed a sigh of relief while asking curiously: "For you to notice him, his talent must be exceptional. Is he from one of the great clans?"
"No. And you both knew his parents." Orochimaru shook his head. "He's the son of Gojo Satsu and Gojo Mio."
Tsunade seemed to recall something, her expression turning sympathetic: "One of the orphans from that major mission?"
"The First Hokage distributed the Tailed Beasts to give them trump cards for mutual deterrence. Yet those villages actually sent jinchuriki out on missions. How despicable!" Jiraiya said indignantly.
"Life is sometimes that fragile. Once you become a shinobi, you must be prepared for unexpected situations at any moment," Orochimaru said quietly.
"Enough of that. Let's drink."
Sensing the mood shifting, Tsunade raised her cup to interrupt while simultaneously abandoning a thought that had just emerged.
She'd originally wanted Orochimaru to take Nawaki as his student. Since he'd already found someone promising—someone who was also her brother's upperclassman—there was no need to trouble him.
Better to return and discuss with Grandmother about having herself or arranging a clan member who'd discarded their surname and integrated into Konoha serve as Nawaki's jonin instructor.