Hokage Office Building.
The towering figure who stood at the apex of Konoha Village, Lord Third Hokage, had just finished handling the latest urgent documents and looked exhausted.
"The White-Eyed Brothers nearly attacked a teammate in a fit of rage because they hadn't eaten enough? Those two really are restless. Their strength is formidable, but if I send them out on missions like this…."
The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe and lapsed into thought.
"Any word from Shibi?"
After a moment, the Third Hokage summoned an Anbu and asked.
"The match is drawing to a close. Lord Shibi intends to observe Mitarashi Anko's performance up close so he can draft the most thorough report."
The Anbu knelt on one knee, head lowered, and replied.
"I see. As expected of Aburame Shibi—such a reliable, outstanding ninja."
A faint smile appeared on the Third Hokage's face.
Aburame Shibi was Minato Namikaze's contemporary. Although he never reached Kage-level raw power, he was the perfect Elite Jōnin.
His abilities were all-encompassing—Ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, command, assault, sensory—he had no weaknesses!
Thus, on the battlefields of the Third Great Ninja War, Aburame Shibi became one of the few powerful ninja who could operate alone.
"Mitarashi Anko—if someone as picky as Orochimaru took a liking to her, she must possess traits that deeply attract him."
The Third Hokage nodded with a smile. Orochimaru's previous Disciple had been Nawaki. After Nawaki's death, Orochimaru had grown colder and darker, undergoing changes even his teacher couldn't fully grasp.
That had once worried the Third Hokage greatly.
Accepting a new Disciple showed that, to some extent, Orochimaru had stepped out of the shadows.
"Then let me observe personally…."
The Third Hokage produced a crystal ball.
Telescope Jutsu!
The crystal ball displayed the Ninja Academy arena.
Mitarashi Anko versus… this face looks familiar—seems to be that kid who excels at flattery… no, at writing theory papers.
Full marks in political studies—he's broadened his path at a young age.
The moment the Third Hokage saw Bai Lu, his aged face bloomed like a chrysanthemum.
Excellent—this is the kind of child who carries on the will of fire. See how he can infer three further points from one! If every villager had this kid's awareness, his life would be so much easier—green leeks everywhere for him to harvest.
However, the Third Hokage remembered the boy's combat skills were poor.
"Against Mitarashi Anko, who imitates Orochimaru in everything, Bai Lu will suffer." The Third Hokage puffed steadily on his pipe.
But the next instant, the strongest Kage gave a soft exclamation of surprise: after swallowing Bai Lu's blood, Tsurugi actually vomited it straight back out.
"Interesting… but what's going on here?" The Third Hokage narrowed his eyes in thought… Ninja Academy.
"Despicable! You actually poisoned your own blood?!"
Tsurugi had gulped a mouthful of high-concentration nuclear radiation—an unforgettable tang.
She deliberately copied Orochimaru, even believing she should outdo Lord Orochimau in certain manners to attract his attention and win his exclusive favor.
After deliberately cutting Bai Lu and gulping a mouthful of his blood, the terrifying radiation level in that blood instantly scorched her mouth with a searing, burning sensation!
What terrified her more was that the blood contained a strange "toxin," corrosive yet indescribable!
Her entire mouth suffered catastrophic damage; vast numbers of cells necrosed instantly!!