Time is like water in a sponge. If you squeeze it, it always disappears faster. Perhaps in the time it takes to smoke a cigarette, half a year could already have passed.
At this moment, Nara Ryoma was sitting opposite Nara Suzaku. On the table between them was placed the Nara clan's favorite strategy game: Shogi.
Our protagonist, Ryoma, was currently looking at the situation on the board with a serious expression. Propping his chin on his hand, he pondered his next move with great concentration.
"Truly worthy of Uncle Suzaku! Your playing style is still so aggressive. However! I won't hold back either!"
After saying this, Ryoma gave a confident smile, picked up a piece, and without hesitation placed it on the position he had carefully considered.
Seeing this move by Ryoma, Nara Suzaku was first stunned. Then he shook his head with a bitter smile.
He slowly said, "Ryoma, you really haven't improved at all. After playing Shogi for so long, you can still make a move that not even a child would make. It's really... full of openings."
Ryoma immediately felt greatly discouraged. He had been thinking seriously, okay? This thing is so difficult, who knows why you all are so good at it!
Suzaku had suspected more than once if the reason Ryoma was the only one in the Nara clan to awaken a Kekkei Genkai was because Ryoma's intelligence was truly worrisome.
The heavens, fearing Ryoma wouldn't survive, had thus allowed him to awaken the Kekkei Genkai.
During this past year and more of training, Suzaku had discovered it. Except for his combat intelligence, which could barely be considered online, Ryoma's intelligence at other times truly dragged down the Nara clan's average IQ far below the line.
With a resentful look, Ryoma said, "I'm done, I'm done. Got beaten badly again."
Suzaku stood up smiling and said to Ryoma, "I will be leading a team out of the village on a mission in the next few days. Do not neglect your training homework. If you don't understand anything, go ask Shikaku anytime. Regarding secret techniques, I have basically taught you everything I have mastered. The rest depends on your own development."
"Shikaku's proficiency in the development of our clan's secret techniques is above mine. Training with me was mainly to solidify your foundation. As for how to walk the remaining path, you can only rely on yourself." After saying this, Nara Suzaku shook his head as if with regret.
"After all, our understanding of Kekkei Genkai is still too limited. No one can help you in this aspect."
Recently, the situation in the shinobi world had become increasingly tense. Friction between various villages was constantly increasing, and minor skirmishes among shinobi were also becoming more frequent.
Many shinobi were being dispatched to village borders to guard against the sudden outbreak of war. Everyone was now in a state of delicate balance. Only a small trigger was needed to easily break this balance.
Ryoma also understood that the time left for him to prepare for the Third Great Shinobi War was running out. Kakashi had already become a Chunin. Just a few days ago, Ryoma had gone to Brother Kakashi's house to celebrate with him.
Even Guy had already graduated from the Ninja Academy and become a genuine Genin. Only our pitiful Asuma was still in the Ninja Academy, living a miserable life every day of eating, sleeping, and being dominated by Ryoma.
Reaching the doorway, Suzaku still seemed uneasy and called out to Ryoma, "Ryoma, always remember, no matter what happens, think first, then act. A strong mind and spirit are often the foundation of your survival in a crisis!"
Gratefully, Ryoma bowed to Nara Suzaku and answered seriously, "I will remember! Uncle Suzaku."
For over a year now, Suzaku had truly taught him everything he knew. Whenever he had free time, he would find ways to improve Ryoma's strength in all aspects. Rest?
Don't even think about it! It could not be said he wasn't dedicated. And under Suzaku's devilish instruction, Ryoma's strength had advanced by leaps and bounds.
At least now, when dealing with Asuma, he didn't need to summon shadow demons anymore. Ryoma himself could easily handle Asuma.
This had led to Asuma now having to call Ryoma "Big Brother" whenever they met. Otherwise, he would really get beaten up!
...
Nara Ryoma arrived at the forest in the village where he usually trained. He summoned ten shadow demon soldiers and began today's taijutsu training.
Simultaneously dealing with the attacks of ten shadow demon soldiers was a new training method Ryoma himself had developed.
Although he was struggling hard now and was constantly at a disadvantage, he always managed to narrowly escape danger during the fights. He continuously honed his combat awareness and reactions.
Recently, the development of the masks had also hit a bottleneck. Ryoma had already been trying to master the next mask for some time.
But regarding the first mask corresponding to the Ninja Corps, Ryoma always felt something was missing.
It was like being separated by a thin membrane. No matter how hard he tried, that membrane could not be pierced. It seemed he needed to find a suitable trigger.
...
Just as Ryoma finished his training and sat on the ground to recover, he suddenly felt a chill all over his body and shivered.
It felt as if he was being watched by a man-eating beast. Ryoma instantly stood up and swiftly surveyed his surroundings.
Quiet. Too quiet! Ryoma suddenly threw a shuriken in one direction. He only heard a metallic clanging sound as his shuriken was directly knocked away.
"Hiss~ An interesting little brat. So you've already noticed me." A magnetic voice filled with a strong sense of interest made Ryoma feel instantly that things were very bad.
"Young man, your abilities are quite interesting. Can you show me more?" Ryoma looked at the newcomer.
Dressed in clothes with a dark purple base, with blue-green magatama earrings, a pale face wearing an intense look of curiosity, a pair of golden serpentine eyes were sizing Ryoma up and down.
Ryoma felt as if he was being locked onto by a poisonous snake and couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
Was this the legendary Sannin, Konoha's famous scientist, Orochimaru? This man possessed such terrifying power that he could single-handedly conquer a small country.
Yet, in this world full of pyramid schemes, only Snake Uncle tells you that there's something called, damn it, science!
An unconventional person... emmm, or perhaps it's unknown if he's even a person.
Gender unknown... male or female unknown, human or snake unknown...
Hobbies include usually abducting ignorant children, stirring up trouble everywhere, conducting kindly experiments, seeking the truth of the world, and simultaneously pursuing eternal life!
Oh, almost forgot, when truly bored, he can even create a child for himself to play with. Making the poor kid not know whether to call you dad or mom.
Ryoma only felt that his head was aching a bit right now. If talking about the people he feared most in Konoha, Orochimaru was definitely at the top of the list.
It wasn't that his strength was so terrifying. Oh, of course, Orochimaru was indeed terrifying.
Casually hitting you with a set of moves: I vomit a snake, the snake vomits a sword, the snake vomits me, I vomit a sword, the snake vomits a snake, I vomit me... Who could stand that? Ryoma was most afraid of soft, squishy snakes! Not to mention they were sticky!!!
Most importantly, Ryoma couldn't handle this thirst for knowledge of Orochimaru's. To be honest, Ryoma was truly afraid Aunt Snake would tie him to an operating table and start cutting directly.
For no other reason than because of this set of abilities of his. In the eyes of scientist Snake Uncle, it was completely unscientific!