Tsunade, who had been slouched over her desk playing with her bangs, glanced up when Hoshiyomi approached and gave a small nod. The Ninja Academy wasn't exclusive to the Senju clan, and Tsunade, despite her pride, wasn't particularly standoffish—at least not without reason.
As long as someone wasn't annoying or trying to sit too close—like becoming her deskmate—she didn't particularly care who sat nearby. Hoshiyomi took the seat behind her after receiving that silent permission. He organized his things, then calmly turned to look out the window, not attempting to strike up a conversation.
He wasn't trying to pursue Tsunade romantically. She was a future Sannin, yes, but also just a fellow student. School life was long-term, unlike fleeting roadside encounters; there was no need to force rapport. Premature small talk might even have the opposite effect and damage first impressions.
It was better to wait for a natural topic of mutual interest—then make a move to close the distance.
...
Students filtered in one after another, choosing their seats. The girl who ended up as Tsunade's deskmate was named Matsuri Yako. During the placement test, the two had seemed to stick together, and based on Hoshiyomi's observations, their dynamic subtly hinted at deference—like a loyal follower trailing a strong leader.
It reminded Hoshiyomi of Moegi Kazamatsuri, who, in the Boruto era, displayed a variant of the Wood Release—possibly a diluted or offshoot bloodline from the Senju. He wondered if the Kazamatsuri clan had any historical ties to the Senju.
Just as he was mulling over these speculations, a loud, familiar voice jolted him from his thoughts:
"Hey, Hoshiyomi! What're you spacing out about?"
Startled, Hoshiyomi turned to see Jiraiya grinning at him with a loud, carefree demeanor. Irritated, he shot back:
"Why the hell are you yelling in class?"
Jiraiya scratched his head sheepishly and flashed a wide, goofy smile reminiscent of what Naruto would one day inherit. "Hehe, I saw you didn't have a deskmate, so I came to keep you company."
In truth, most of the clan kids looked down on Jiraiya for being common-born, and he couldn't be bothered to deal with their snobbery. Hoshiyomi was the only one who didn't seem to care about status, so naturally, Jiraiya drifted toward him.
Hoshiyomi didn't call him out on it and just engaged in casual banter. But as they chatted, something felt…off. Hoshiyomi scanned the now full classroom and turned back to Jiraiya with a frown.
"Hey, during the placement test, did you hear a name called 'Orochimaru'?"
Jiraiya blinked. "Orochimaru? Nah, never heard that name."
That threw Hoshiyomi off. If the Academy sorted students based on their placement test scores, then there was no reason Orochimaru shouldn't be here—he was supposed to be a genius. Could his presence have altered things so much that Orochimaru was displaced? Or was this a different timeline altogether?
Trying to stay calm, he said, "Didn't you say you had some connections in B and C Classes? After class, can you check if there's anyone named Orochimaru in either of them?"
Though he didn't understand why Hoshiyomi was so fixated on this name, Jiraiya gave a carefree salute. "Sure thing. If he's in the Academy, I'll find him."
Hoshiyomi remained distracted through most of the first lesson, lost in thought about the implications. If Orochimaru wasn't here—or wasn't that Orochimaru—did that mean he wasn't in the same Naruto world after all?
As soon as class ended, he urged Jiraiya to follow up. When Jiraiya returned, he was wearing a look of amused disdain.
"You were hyped about this Orochimaru guy, right? Thought he was some top-tier genius. Turns out… he's ranked dead last."
Hoshiyomi's eyes widened. Wasn't that what Orochimaru said about Jiraiya in canon? He immediately pressed for details.
Jiraiya shrugged. "Nobody in B Class knew him, but I found a kid in C Class who mentioned him. Said Orochimaru and this guy named Maito Dai were the bottom two in their group. Orochimaru was second to last."
Hoshiyomi was stunned. He even asked if it could be a case of mistaken identity, but Jiraiya, growing annoyed, waved him off. "Stop overthinking. Just come see for yourself after school."
When the dismissal bell rang, Hoshiyomi followed Jiraiya straight to the C Class room. Pretending to wait outside casually, the two peeked through the doorway. Sure enough, sitting quietly in the far corner was a pale-skinned boy with long black hair, somber golden eyes with slight slits, and faint purple shadows under them.
That frail figure—the aura, the features—it was unmistakably Orochimaru.
Jiraiya nudged Hoshiyomi. "Wanna go talk to him?"
Hoshiyomi stared for a few more seconds, then slowly shook his head. "No need. Let's go."
There was no doubt now—this was the Naruto world. But something had definitely changed.
In the nearly empty classroom, Orochimaru sat alone, quietly packing his belongings. Faint bruises and shallow cuts marked his pale face—remnants from the earlier placement test. Though his injuries were minor, they were a clear sign that he hadn't escaped the exam unscathed.
Suddenly, as if sensing a presence, Orochimaru paused and glanced toward the door. But outside, there were only noisy children eagerly heading home, paying no attention to someone as quiet and withdrawn as him.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, but the moment passed. Perhaps he was just imagining things. Shaking his head, Orochimaru slung his bag over his shoulder and walked out, his expression blank—but beneath those lowered eyelids, a trace of resentment and ambition quietly burned.
…
At the school gate, Jiraiya was bouncing around energetically, inspecting Hoshiyomi with an exaggerated look of suspicion.
"You've been asking about that Orochimaru guy all day. But when we passed by his classroom, you just glanced and walked away. Don't tell me… you've got a crush on him!" Jiraiya leaned in, grinning like he'd uncovered a scandal.
Hoshiyomi sighed and smacked him lightly on the forehead. "Idiot. Keep spouting nonsense and I'll consider that ramen deal canceled."
Jiraiya rubbed his forehead, still unconvinced. "I'm just saying, he's weird. No way a 'genius' ends up in Class C."
Hoshiyomi's eyes narrowed slightly as he replied, "Sometimes, genius isn't about where you start, but where you end up."
Jiraiya blinked. "Huh?"
"Never mind," Hoshiyomi waved it off. "Come on. I said I'd buy you a new outfit."
This time, Jiraiya waved dismissively. "Nah, you don't need to. I told you, I don't blame you for earlier."
But Hoshiyomi didn't take no for an answer. He grabbed Jiraiya by the arm and said firmly, "I said I'd buy it, so I will. After that, we'll get ramen. Think of it as celebrating our first day teaming up."
Without waiting for a reply, Hoshiyomi pulled the flustered Jiraiya toward Konoha's shopping district. He ducked into the first open clothing shop, picked out an outfit similar to Jiraiya's usual style, and paid without hesitation. Shoving the clothes into Jiraiya's hands, he leaned in and muttered softly:
"Take it. Act natural. We're being followed."