The next morning, bright and early
Ninja Academy
"Team 4, Aoi Ren, Kurenai Yuhi, Yugao Uzuki!"
"Present!"
"Your Jonin instructor is waiting for you at Training Field 4. He expects you to gather within 15 minutes. Hurry!"
"Yes, sir!"
"I wonder who our instructor will be?" Ren thought to himself.
After asking Iruka where Training Field 4 was, Ren immediately led Kurenai and Yugao in that direction.
...
Training Field 4
"Fourteen minutes and thirty-six seconds. Not bad. Looks like I'll have some promising subordinates."
Their Jonin instructor was already waiting at Training Field 4. When he saw the three arrive, panting from the run, his cold, eerie tone sent a chill down their spines.
"Greetings. I'm your Jonin instructor, Orochimaru."
The moment Ren heard that name, his pupils shrank.
"Orochimaru? I don't remember him mentoring anyone besides Tsunade's brother Nawaki and Anko in the original story. Butterfly effect?"
"Orochimaru-sensei! You're the legendary Orochimaru of the Sannin?"
Kurenai and Yugao's eyes lit up, clearly excited.
"Hehe. Now then, introduce yourselves. Let me get to know you better."
"I'll go first!"
Yugao was clearly an admirer, eager to impress.
"My name is Yugao Uzuki. I like practicing swordsmanship, and my dream is to become a powerful ninja who protects the village."
Ren recalled that in the anime, Yugao had indeed achieved that, becoming an ANBU with formidable Kenjutsu. A pity about that sickly boyfriend of hers, Hayate. He'd thought Hayate might be a hero of his own story, but the guy died not long after appearing.
"With me here, that sickly guy won't even have a chance," Ren thought to himself.
Kurenai, cheerful by nature, spoke next.
"My name is Kurenai Yuhi. I want to become an illusionist stronger than my father, and... marry Ren-kun."
By the end, even she couldn't help but blush.
Now it was Ren's turn. He had planned a low-key, simple introduction, but of course, the system had other ideas.
[Ding-dong! Congratulations to the host for triggering mission: A True Warrior Fears Nothing!]
A True Warrior Fears Nothing: A true warrior fears nothing, shows his strength, and challenges Orochimaru.
Reward: 1 God-Tier Lottery Point
Damn it. What could he do? He could only say... bring it on.
"Orochimaru-sensei, my name is Aoi Ren. I'm just a civilian, but I hope to become a powerful ninja who can protect those I love. I would like to challenge you, to witness the strength of a legendary Sannin."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
"How interesting. I accept your challenge. Come, let me see your resolve."
"Fight me like you mean to kill me. I won't give you too many chances."
No wonder Orochimaru was so decisive.
Truthfully, he was curious to test Ren's mysterious bloodline limit.
As soon as he finished speaking
Whoosh
Ren immediately fell back, hiding himself. Not every ninja was like the reckless Naruto. They were shinobi, not tanks.
Kurenai and Yugao also moved aside to watch.
Though he knew simple concealment wouldn't fool Orochimaru, creating distance to avoid instant defeat was the right move.
"Laser Beam!"
From behind a tree, Ren raised his hand and fired a laser at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru dodged effortlessly with a Body Flicker.
"Interesting. So that's the move I saw the other day."
"Light Speed Kick!"
Seeing that the laser had no effect, Ren charged forward with taijutsu to keep Orochimaru in check. Suddenly, inspiration struck.
"Flash Bomb!"
A bright sphere of light formed in Ren's hand. The blinding glow was enough to dazzle most people, and snakes, who preferred the dark, were even more sensitive.
Orochimaru's eyes were caught off guard for an instant.
Ren seized the moment and closed in.
"Ama-no-Murakumo!"
A glowing sword formed in his right hand, which he drove straight through Orochimaru's chest, the blade tip emerging from his back.
Bang
The body transformed into a log. Orochimaru had used a Substitution Jutsu.
"Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu!"
Orochimaru appeared beneath Ren, hand reaching to drag him underground.
"Light Step!"
Ren became a streak of light and shot into the air, dodging the attack.
He immediately retaliated.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Countless glowing projectiles rained down on Orochimaru.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
A stone wall rose from the ground, blocking the barrage.
The wall was left pockmarked with craters.
Clap clap clap
Orochimaru stepped out from behind the ruined wall, applauding slowly.
"Impressive. You exceeded my expectations. That's enough. I acknowledge you as worthy subordinates."
Despite using jutsu, Orochimaru had been caught off guard by one of the blasts. A chunk of his robe was torn at the hem, the edges charred.
"Ren-kun, you've surprised me greatly. Is that your bloodline limit?"
"Yes. My bloodline limit is Light Release. I can become light, move at light speed, and use some basic Light Release techniques."
Since he'd revealed it already, there was no point hiding it. Trying to conceal it would only raise suspicion. Besides, he'd already used it against Asuma. It was better to be straightforward.
"Such an interesting ability. That will be all for today. Tomorrow at 7 a.m., meet again at Training Field 4. I'll take you on your first mission. Dismissed."
Orochimaru vanished in a flicker.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the mission. Reward: 1 God-Tier Lottery Point]
"Let's meet at 6 tonight for dinner, right here at the training field gate."
The three agreed and went their separate ways.
...
Ren returned home.
"Wow. Never thought my instructor would be Orochimaru. Is it because of the Glint-Glint Fruit? I'd better be careful from now on."
"Still, no need to worry too much. If I can't win, I can at least outrun him with light speed."
"Right, I've got a lottery point. Let's see what I can get."
"System, come out. I want to draw."
The wheel appeared in his mind. This time, the six prizes were:
S-Rank Weapon: Lake Toya
S-Rank Weapon: Wado Ichimonji
S-Rank Weapon: Zanpakuto Hyorinmaru
S-Rank Weapon: Zanpakuto Ryujin Jakka
S-Rank Weapon: Infinity Edge
S-Rank Weapon: Mercury Scimitar
"What the... all weapons?"
"Well, fine. Just don't give me Lake Toya. That's just a wooden sword. What good is that?"
"Start the draw."
[Ding... Congratulations to the host for obtaining...]
[ 250 - 1 Extra Chapter ]