In Konoha's training ground, ninjas clad in green flak jackets stood in formation. Surrounding them were additional shinobi, blocking outsiders from observing—after all, spies still lurked in the village. Among those gathered, many were noticeably young, children who had graduated early from the academy.
Orochimaru's eyes darkened. These children made up half the force. While the academy focused on education, becoming a shinobi meant prioritizing missions, accelerating their growth. A year of mission training had forged them into a capable unit. They had shed blood and faced life-or-death battles, their fear tempered.
But missions and war were two different things.
Orochimaru doubted these children would survive the battlefield. To him, this felt like leading them to their deaths. Yet, they were among the last reserves the village could muster. Though Hiruzen Sarutobi had expedited their graduation, he'd kept them as village defenders rather than immediately sending them to the front—a small mercy, one that shifted the burden onto Orochimaru's shoulders.
Not that Orochimaru cared.
"Everyone, for Konoha—may your martial fortunes prosper!"
"For Konoha! May your martial fortunes prosper!" The group shouted in unison, their eager faces oblivious to the horrors awaiting them. Orochimaru had no words to rally them further. For the younger ones, he offered nothing at all.
Snakes were cold-blooded; they felt no pity. But Orochimaru was human, and humans were swayed by emotion—even if only slightly.
Just as he prepared to depart, chaos erupted at the training ground's perimeter. A voice cut through the noise:
"I demand to see Jonin Orochimaru! I want to join the frontlines!"
Orochimaru frowned. Every capable shinobi in the village was already here. The rest were either defenders or useless in battle.
A jonin beside him knelt. "Lord Orochimaru, it's just a talentless genin—a waste. I'll remove him at once."
The jonin knew exactly who it was.
But Orochimaru's interest was piqued. "How curious that a 'worthless' genin would catch a jonin's attention."
The kneeling jonin broke into a cold sweat, cursing inwardly: Damn you, Might Dai! Why can't you just stay put?
Regardless of the jonin's motives, Orochimaru ordered, "Bring him to me."
"Yes, sir!" The jonin obeyed, heading toward the commotion. Moments later, he returned with Might Dai in tow.
Orochimaru licked his lips. "Well, this is a surprise. Long time no see, Dai."
Dai knelt eagerly. "I'm honored you remember me, Lord Orochimaru!"
"Your taijutsu left quite an impression."
The two had been academy classmates under the Second Hokage's reign. Back then, Dai was in the elite A-class. But after the Second's death, his lack of ninjutsu talent relegated him to C-class. They hadn't crossed paths since.
How time flies, Orochimaru mused.
"Lord Orochimaru, please let me join the squad! I want to fight for Konoha!" Dai pleaded, forehead pressed to the ground.
"Lord Orochimaru," the intervening jonin interjected, "Might Dai has no ninjutsu aptitude—just taijutsu. His wife just gave birth. He's useless on the battlefield."
Orochimaru sighed. "I'm sorry, Dai. Taijutsu alone isn't enough for war."
He didn't know whether the jonin's objections were out of kindness or malice. But a taijutsu specialist on the battlefield? They'd be less than cannon fodder. A single barrage of ninjutsu would erase them.
Not everyone is Uchiha Kin.
"Lord Orochimaru, I can use ninjutsu now!" Dai insisted. "Watch!"
He clumsily formed hand seals. Instantly, the surrounding shinobi drew their weapons. Performing seals before a commander? That was an act of aggression.
But Orochimaru raised a hand, halting them. He observed Dai's sluggish seals with narrowed eyes. Had he not acted quickly, Dai would've been cut down.
The transformation jutsu's seals took Dai a staggering twenty seconds. Onlookers shook their heads. At that speed, stabilizing chakra was impossible—success unthinkable.
Yet under their mocking gazes, Dai flashed a toothy grin.
"Thank you for supporting my efforts! Transformation Jutsu!"
Poof!
Dai morphed into a perfect replica of Orochimaru.
Gasps erupted. Even those who knew Dai gaped in disbelief. In their memories, he was only good for taijutsu.
But the real shock was the jutsu's success despite the botched seals.
"How?!"
"His chakra became unstable! There's no way that worked!"
"Cheating? But how?!"
Dai had shattered their understanding of ninjutsu. Fast seals weren't just for speed—they kept chakra stable. Prolonged sealing risked instability.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. He recognized the traces of Basic Internal Energy Technique. The required battle merits for it had skyrocketed; no ordinary genin could afford it. He had a guess where Dai got it.
And it reminded him of someone's words:
"My taijutsu is average. But I know a man in this village who, if pushed, could overpower the Third Hokage with taijutsu alone."
Yet Orochimaru had never heard of such a person.
"Dai, do you know Uchiha Kin?"
"Young Kin?" Dai scratched his head, thumbs-up gleaming. "He's an incredible guy!"
So it's him.
Orochimaru's snake-like tongue flicked out. He'd found the man Kin called the strongest in taijutsu.
"Dai, if you want to join the front, you'll need to prove your strength."
"Lord Orochimaru, let me handle this," the interfering jonin urged.
"No." Orochimaru smiled. "I'll test him myself."
...
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(End of Chapter)