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Orochimaru appeared on the training ground and said Hiruzen Sarutobi was very impressed. The Third Hokage wanted Orochimaru to take him as a disciple.
Qianyu's brain nearly short-circuited.
He could tell Hiruzen was impressed. It wasn't the first time. The old man had hinted, more than once, that Qianyu could apply for early graduation. Become a real shinobi.
Qianyu had played dumb every time. Pretended not to understand.
Graduate early to become some regular genin? Do those bottom-tier D-ranks? No. A complete waste of time. Unless Hiruzen could guarantee combat missions right out of the gate.
The Hokage wasn't making any promises. So Qianyu wasn't going to gamble on the chance.
If he lost that bet? He'd be stuck picking up trash for months.
He just hadn't expected this. His graduation exam was in two days, and now Orochimaru himself showed up. On Hiruzen's recommendation, no less.
A realization hit him. This Orochimaruā¦ he was still one of the Legendary Sannin. Hiruzen's prized student. A pillar of Konoha. He hadn't been utterly humiliated by a Sharingan yet. He was just a Konoha shinobi obsessed with learning every technique in the world.
Dangerous? A little. This version of him was already tipping into the dark. Parents dead young. Witnessed his friend Dan's death. His student Nawaki's death. The negativity was already there, festering.
And laterā¦ he'd collaborate with Konoha's higher-ups on Wood Release research. A shinobi with Senju blood? He'd be prime experimental material.
But that Wood Release businessā¦ that should happen after the Third Shinobi World War. When they started vetting candidates for the next Hokage.
Right now, Qianyu had no clue if Orochimaru had already started digging into the Impure World Reincarnation or immortality research.
Bottom line: the risk of becoming his student was currently low. Hiruzen himself made the introduction.
And Orochimaru's teaching skills were undeniable. Future Sasuke Uchiha was proof. The snake not only trained him to be a monster but laid a solid foundation in analyzing enemies and formulating strategyāskills that lasted.
Qianyu knew all the Thunder Breathing sword forms. Knew the basics from the Academy. That was it. His training lately was just polishing what he already had. No new content.
Become Orochimaru's disciple? He'd have to teach him something new. And that analytical, strategic mindsetā¦ Qianyu wanted it.
Decision made.
Qianyu dropped to one knee. "Lord Orochimaru. Please accept me as your disciple."
A light chuckle. "My interest is piqued. The old man wishes it. But that does not guarantee you a place."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. "I will give you a chance. A test. Pass it with the resolve to kill meāor be killed. Succeed, and you are my student."
Qianyu stood. "Understood, Lord Orochimaru. The test begins now?"
A slight nod. "Now."
The instant the last word left Orochimaru's lips, Qianyu shot backwards. Put distance between them. His right hand hovered above his sword's hilt. Chakra surged. Lightning crackled along his arms and legs, sparking blue-white.
Orochimaru approved. No hesitation. Understood the situation and immediately shifted to combat readiness.
Good.
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"
Qianyu exploded forward. A streak of lightning, a clap of thunder tearing the air. He closed the distance in a blurāa speed the naked eye couldn't trackāand unleashed a draw-cut.
His blade sliced through empty air.
No feedback. No impact.
Orochimaru was gone.
Qianyu's brow furrowed. Fast. Damn fast Body Flicker.
"Impressive speed," Orochimaru's voice came from his side. "But the weakness is glaring. You cannot change trajectory mid-strike. A straight line. See it coming, shift just a single body's width before impactā¦ and you miss."
Hands formed a seal. Arm leveled at Qianyu.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Snakesādozens of themāerupted from Orochimaru's sleeve. They shot toward Qianyu, fangs bared.
Qianyu pivoted. Faced the threat head-on.
"Thunder Breathing, Fourth Form: Distant Thunder!"
His body blazed with violent blue lightning. He became a bolt of living electricity, streaking toward Orochimaru. Close. Slash. A high-speed flurry of strikes.
The summoned snakes never reached him. The lightning cloaking his body crisped them mid-air.
Qianyu pressed the attack. Slash after slash.
Orochimaru flowed around the blade. Effortless. "A trade. Some speed sacrificed for greater intensity in Lightning Release chakra nature transformation. The power is commendable."
He continued dodging. Hands moved again, weaving signs even as he swayed.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
A gale-force wind erupted from his mouth.
A C-rank technique. But its scale depended entirely on the user. In the hands of an elite, it could flatten ancient forests.
Orochimaru was elite.
The hurricane-force wind hit Qianyu head-on. He was plucked off his feet, thrown backward. The lightning wreathing his body? Scattered and snuffed out by the wind's elemental advantage.
He braced to be hurled across the field.
His flight stopped abruptly. He hung in the air.
A thick snake was coiled around his torso. Its tail was wrapped firmly around Orochimaru's forearm.
He dangled like a kite on a string.
As Qianyu struggled against the bind, Orochimaru yanked.
Qianyu flew forward, helpless, pulled straight toward the Sannin.
A fist drove deep into his gut.
Whump.
All the air left his lungs. He folded. Shot backwards again.
Coughā!
His eyes bulged. Tasted bile. Felt like his stomach tried to climb up his throat.
He hit the ground hard. Tumbled twice before skidding to a stop.
Orochimaru stood, perfectly composed. "Poor adaptability. Multiple opportunities to escape or counter. When I used the Hidden Shadow Snake Hands. Before the Wind Release. As I reeled you in. You seized none of them."
Gasping, Qianyu pushed himself up, one hand clamped over his burning abdomen. He took a deep, ragged breath. Forced his body to settle.
Then his eyes snapped up.
The Sharingan spun to life.
~~~~āā~~~~~~~~āā~~~~
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