A worried Kano, having just returned home, immediately went to Orochimaru's room. A few seconds later, meeting the Sannin's ice-cold gaze, he was unceremoniously thrown out the door.
Shown out the door, Kano obediently returned to his room. The snake's icy gaze pierced him to the bone. It seemed that if he angered this man again, he might even be killed. Based on this almost certain assumption, he decided that from now on "not to be impulsive" would be one of the main rules of his life.
That evening, when it was time for dinner, the table was as usual with simple dishes. And as usual, there was silence during the meal. Orochimaru ate calmly, as if the incident with Kano had never happened, although at that moment he looked like a snake about to pounce on its prey.
Kano was afraid to even steal a glance at him and silently devoured his food. During dinner with Orochimaru, he ate almost nothing, afraid of unnecessary movements, but, having decided to restore his strength at all costs, he ate with an excellent appetite.
Orochimaru noticed this, but didn't pay attention. After eating his portion, he stood up and headed towards the garden, throwing out a cold phrase before leaving: "After eating, you'll clean up."
Kano, still chewing, raised his head and looked at the door, but Orochimaru was already gone.
"Okay," he replied into the void.
Kano swept all the food off the table and then washed the dishes. The whole thing took no more than fifteen minutes, but he suddenly felt the weakness gradually leaving his body.
"Hm?" He raised his hand in surprise and clenched his fist. It seemed like some of his strength had returned, and his muscles weren't as wobbly as before. No wonder he didn't feel tired as he cleared the table.
And it's true... to restore strength faster, you need to eat a lot.
Thinking about it, Kano had no idea about his body's special ability to absorb energy. Every grain of rice, every drop of water could give him strength. But that didn't mean he absorbed everything he ate. It all depended on the efficiency of absorbing energy. Likewise, the amount of chakra a person could hold was limited. Although it could be increased through training, in the end it all came down to the physical capabilities of the body.
Just one meal, and his condition noticeably improved. His mood immediately rose. Remembering his decision today, he plucked up courage and headed into the garden.
Reaching the wooden corridor that led to the garden, he saw Orochimaru sitting calmly on the veranda, his legs dangling over the oval stone that served as a step. Kano hesitated for a moment, then gathered his courage and sat down next to him. The Sannin did not react to his appearance.
Kano was silent, thinking about how to start the conversation, and this continued until the last rays of the rising sun painted their figures golden.
"After some time, I will send you to the Ninja Academy," Orochimaru suddenly spoke, his voice, as always, hoarse and indifferent.
"Ninja Academy?" – Kano asked in surprise.
Orochimaru looked at the old tree in the garden, his gaze deep and calm, "Three years, that's how long it will take you to finish it."
Kano didn't know what a Ninja Academy was, but he wasn't stupid and quickly figured out that they taught unusual abilities there. With shining eyes, he asked, "If I enter the Ninja Academy, will I be able to learn the same things you did?"
Orochimaru turned his head and looked at Kano, then nodded and replied indifferently, "They're just laying the foundation there. To gain true strength, you need to rely only on yourself."
"I understand," Kano nodded firmly, clenching his fists tightly. The Ninja Academy is the first step. But three years is so long!
"One year, no, half a year - that's how long I need to lay the foundation," Kano thought to himself, unaware that the great war had just ended, and Konoha did not yet need new, hothouse-grown forces. In order to reduce the mortality rate among young ninja, each student had to study conscientiously at the Ninja Academy for three whole years.
Over the following days, Kano's rations steadily increased, while Orochimaru either left early and returned late, or disappeared for days at a time. After half a month, the boy's thin body began to gradually fill out, and his loose clothing began to fit his figure.
One such day, Orochimaru suddenly said, "Get ready, today I will take you to the Ninja Academy."
Although Kano was surprised, he was already mentally prepared for this. Changing into street clothes, he followed Orochimaru towards the Academy.
Late June, Konoha Year 29. Today, the Ninja Academy accepted new students. Today, the future, renowned Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, entered its walls. Apart from him, there were no other outstanding ninja in this stream. However, now Kano appeared among them…
On the way to the Academy, many ninja could be seen leading their children in the same direction.
Kano tried to keep up with Orochimaru's quick steps, noticing that every ninja they passed along the way cast respectful glances at the Sannin. As Orochimaru passed by, Kano could hear the ninja watching him go, admonishing their children: "You must train hard and become an outstanding ninja like Orochimaru-sama!"
Besides those who were instructing their children, many were stealthily glancing at Kano and quietly whispering, "This is the same child that Orochimaru-sama brought from outside."
"They say he has an outstanding talent."
"And he is being raised by Orochimaru himself. One can imagine what heights he will reach in the future."
"Heh, even if he doesn't have talent, under the guidance of such a person, he will definitely become a strong ninja. I wish my child would also be guided by Orochimaru-sama after graduation!"
The walk from home to the Ninja Academy was quite long. Along the way, Kano began to realize that the man walking in front of him was a significant figure. At least, all the talk revolved around Orochimaru.
Kano listened to the whispers of those around him, saw their undisguised admiration, and finally turned his gaze to the back of his guardian. There was no desire in his heart to become as great as this man. At that moment, he was only thinking about how to obtain power from him.
At the Academy, likely due to Orochimaru's status, they were greeted with great hospitality and with astonishing speed, Kano was registered, officially making him a student of the Ninja Academy.
Having finished with all the formalities, Orochimaru looked at Kano and, without saying a word of parting words, only threw out a short phrase and left: "I'm leaving."
Already accustomed to such an attitude, Kano only nodded and, watching his retreating figure, followed the chunin who had met them to the classroom. It is worth noting that if it were not for Orochimaru, this chunin would hardly have accompanied Kano to the classroom.
On the way, the chunin secretly looked at the boy, noting that he was very different from other children of his age. And his main difference was his unusual calmness, as well as the absence of childish liveliness.
"Here we are," the chunin said, stopping at the door and pointing at it with a smile.
"Thank you," Kano said, opened the door and entered the classroom.
There were already many children inside. When they saw Kano enter, they instantly became silent and stared at him.
Most of the eyes only stayed on him for a few moments before they all went back to their work. However, one eye did not leave him. Seeing Kano, Minato perked up noticeably. When Kano looked at him, Minato stood up with a gentle smile and waved his hand.
The boy sitting next to Minato looked at him in surprise, thinking that Minato must be familiar with this stranger. Before entering the Academy, these children, although not closely acquainted, had seen each other many times. But Kano had appeared suddenly, which is why no one present had met him before.
Kano stood by the door, silently looking at Minato. Golden hair, sapphire eyes… This boy was one of the few he had met before. Kano was considering whether to approach the nremu. Minato seemed to sense his hesitation and thought sadly that he would probably be ignored a second time…