Shintoki was alone in a training ground.
Reviewing his awakened system.
He was still in shock.
The system had finally awakened.
Besides its infinity card, the system also granted the user insight and knowledge of his evolution and where he stood in the world.
It also possessed a map which allowed the user to scan his surroundings and give him clear knowledge of anything in an area he had already visited.
He was too immersed in his thoughts when someone with a chūnin vest flashed before him.
Ebisu: "Yo, Shintoki! You alright? I heard you had a rough time during the exams!"
Shintoki blinked.
Ebisu, the older comrade, now a Chūnin. One of the few who had seen Shintoki's potential long before anyone else.
Shintoki then smiled and replied,
"Ebisu… yeah, I'm fine. Just clearing my head."
Ebisu's opinion of Shintoki was that of someone who was meant to make it big one day.
Still, it was unfortunate that Shintoki didn't become a chūnin as well.
"Hahahaha, I was really worried about you. Anko was very pained when she heard you were injured; I had to help calm her down."
Hearing Ebisu's words, Shintoki's gaze softened. He really had good friends.
"Come on. Everyone prepared a party between us rookies. You'll love it."
"Also, we'll have to spar when you have time. I still need to get back at you for last time."
"Don't look down on me. I've grown stronger. I can at least beat both Izumo and Kotetsu with my hands tied behind my back," lied Ebisu without an ounce of shame.
While Ebisu was already a chūnin, he owed this to his analytical mind and leadership, which he showed in the chūnin tournament.
The top genin of Konoha could likely beat him on a good day because strength wasn't his forte. After all, Konoha genin were known to be special.
Such shameless words, thought Shintoki, but he didn't show it and instead laughed and smiled at his friend.
"Indeed, truly worthy of the man I acknowledged as my right hand."
"Hehehehe, Shintoki, you're making me feel embarrassed."
After all, he still outranked Shintoki as a chūnin, yet this genin before him was already on another level. He reminded him of Kakashi.
For Shintoki to acknowledge it so easily was indeed embarrassing for Ebisu, especially since Shintoki could see right through his lie.
While Ebisu could indeed beat Kotetsu and Izumo, the difference wasn't great enough for him to win easily.
If Ebisu compared himself to the classmates he graduated with, there were a handful who could match him. Thanks to his relentless hard work and being Shintoki's training partner for most of their academy days, he had grown immensely stronger. And then there were four elites of their generation, among them Asuma.
"By the way, I heard that Kakashi is making jōnin by now."
Shintoki nodded.
"That guy is a real genius."
And that was the truth. Kakashi's ascension from the academy to becoming a chūnin was nothing short of spectacular, and he did it on his first try—unlike Shintoki and his team, who had to abandon after completing the second test and were celebrated for it, adding insult to injury.
To put it simply, Shintoki and his teammates were being celebrated for their failure.
This thought only made Shintoki more determined to grow stronger and retake the next chūnin exam.
"Real people like us don't compare."
"Don't get depressed. You didn't actually fail the exam. You completed the second part and only gave up afterward knowing you couldn't keep going. Plus, considering only your team made it out alive in Konoha, you already brought the village great honor."
"Okay, now let's go. I really need to make it in time," said Shintoki as he got up and prepared to depart.
They left the training ground and ran past several roads of Konoha.
Along the way, Shintoki saw Rin along with Shizune, another senior, and greeted both girls politely.
"Shizune, how is your training going?"
"All right. I've been learning new tricks from master. Feels great."
Shintoki knew who she meant by master—obviously Tsunade Senju.
They chatted a bit and continued toward their destination.
They arrived in front of a huge house, and Shintoki was preparing to step in when—
Boom.
A shadow suddenly flickered behind Shintoki, attempting to hit his wrist. Shintoki responded swiftly, using his left arm to block the strike and then attempted to kick him away. But the latter, relentless, didn't waver. He leaned sideways, avoiding the kick. That was when Shintoki suddenly felt something trying to stop his movement—the muddy earth was hardening around his legs.
Realizing the opportunity, Anko dashed toward Shintoki and connected her punch to his chin with a triumphant grin on her face. But the next moment, she gasped when the Shintoki she hit turned into smoke and a log appeared in its place.
Near her, Shintoki appeared. While he avoided her strike, his face still got a bit grazed.
"Damn you, Anko. What the hell? And Tetsu, you—I will spank you if I ever catch you too. How can you just sneak up on me like that?"
"Hehehe, Shintoki, you're late. And didn't you shamelessly trick me last time and bind me at a training spot? I had to spend the whole night there if not for Tetsu freeing me."
"HA, sorry, Shintoki-aniki," said the little boy.
While Shintoki wasn't weak at taijutsu, it wasn't his main style either, as he prioritized kenjutsu.
His thoughts wandered to the day he first met Anko. His expression softened and his eyes lit up. At first, he feared Anko would bully him, but she didn't. She took him in as a friend and even as a little brother, since she didn't mind being called Anko-nee.
"Also, I was just checking if you didn't slack off."
"Now come in. We have to have fun. Tell me about your mission."
Shintoki sneered, feigning hurt. "You just punched me, and now you act like it's nothing. I will punish you for this."
And like that, they started chasing each other and laughing.
Ebisu, watching them, chuckled. They really got along in their own way.
...….
Time passed, and Tetsu's birthday arrived not too long after the chūnin exam, and Team 14 returned to duty after they recuperated.
"Shintoki! Hurry up! We can't be late to the birthday!"
"Why be in a hurry, Anko? The birthday hasn't started yet, and we all have something we want to offer our friend."
At the mention of gifts, Ebisu's face paled a bit.
After all, he had just chosen to tag along and hadn't brought any gift with him.
Luckily, he could always ask a favor from Uncle Kaku to make a photo for them to finalize the birthday. After all, wouldn't that count as a gift too?
With his mind settled, Ebisu puffed out his chest and said he also had something planned for Tetsu.
Seeing the enthusiasm from her friend, Anko was deeply moved.
And so they picked up the pace to arrive faster at Tetsu's home.
Northern Konoha District.
Tetsu's home.
Surrounded by several trees and a garden was a house painted green and blue.
It had two rooms—one mainly for Tetsu, another where Anko and Shintoki could rest if they visited.
The house was bought for him thanks to Anko and Shintoki pulling strings.
The home had been abandoned, the owner having killed himself after his children died one after another on missions and his wife died from a rare disease.
Anko and her friends managed to buy it at a low price—almost for free—because no one wanted to live there, saying it could bring misfortune. After buying it, they rearranged it and even built a garden around it.
In the garden, Tetsu was diligently practicing his kata. He had black hair and eyes, a red shirt, black shorts, and blue sandals. Tetsu was three years younger than Anko and Shintoki.
After ending his practice, Tetsu cleaned himself and prepared for his birthday.
"Anko-nee and everyone should be here soon. I need to prepare something for them."
Suppressing his excitement, he rushed toward the kitchen to prepare something for Anko-nee and his dear friends.
Almost half an hour later.
Three shadows flickered in front of Tetsu's home.
"Tetsu, we're here! Open up!"
"ANKO-NEE!"
"Haha, Tetsu, I've come to check on you."
"Hello, my friend."
After entering and settling in, Anko first declared happy birthday to Tetsu, followed by Shintoki.
They chatted. Ebisu mentioned his legendary tales as Shintoki's right hand along with Shintoki's accomplishments in the exam.
Some tales were about how amazing Ebisu himself was. At that, Anko rolled her eyes while Ebisu laughed loudly.
Tetsu was very excited hearing all these things.
Ebisu's face morphed into a grin.
"Happy birthday, Tetsu."
Ebisu brushed Tetsu's hair.
"I look forward to seeing you grow, kid. If you want to be as cool as Anko or Shintoki, you must work very hard," Ebisu finished.
Hearing Ebisu's praise, Tetsu responded with a nod and a determined expression that betrayed no hesitation.
"I will."
Then, turning to Anko, he looked expectantly at her.
"I want to learn shuriken jutsu. You promised, Anko-nee."
Anko's face radiated like the sun as she smiled.
"Oh, it's fine. I can teach you."
Hearing Tetsu's request and Anko's agreement, both Shintoki and Ebisu coughed.
"Cough, cough…"
"I don't think Anko is suited for this."
Ebisu opposed Anko tutoring Tetsu in shuriken jutsu.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" responded Anko with clear irritation.
"I mean that you shouldn't teach your horrible shuriken jutsu to Tetsu."
Both Shintoki and Ebisu shivered and swallowed hard, remembering how dangerous Anko's throwing could be—so much needless destruction for a single target.
Hearing Ebisu's answer, Anko was visibly embarrassed. Why couldn't these two trust her even once? It was true she caused trouble, but this time it was a promise she made to Tetsu. No way she would mess it up.
Ebisu cleared his throat to continue his monologue.
"I will teach Tetsu the best shuriken throwing style. You will experience how amazing it is to be taught by the person Shintoki acknowledged as his right hand."
Ignoring the nonsense Ebisu was spouting, Shintoki shook his head and nodded.
"All right. Ebisu is the best at shuriken throwing, ignoring Shisui in our promotion. He always hits the mark no matter from which side."
"By the way, Tetsu, how are you doing with your training? I noticed you made some progress with your mud chakra. After all, you managed to catch me off guard."
At that, Tetsu's face flushed a bit before saying that it was getting along nicely, then apologized to Shintoki.
At that, Anko growled at Shintoki, saying it was her who got the idea, so he should leave Tetsu alone.
Tetsu had a strong mud chakra nature passed to him through inheritance. After his parents died in the Second Ninja War, Tetsu ended up in the orphanage, where he was bullied by others. One day he was saved by Anko, and they bonded. Later she introduced him to Shintoki, who also welcomed him since he was a lost friend.
Suddenly, a hiss echoed through the room.
A pale snake slithered from the window, its scales glinting under the light.
Ebisu jumped back immediately.
Ebisu: "W-what the hell?! A snake?!"
Tetsu, hiding behind Ebisu, remarked, "It's scary…"
Ebisu was horrified. One thing he hated the most was snakes.
These apex predators were too deadly.
One of the reasons he was afraid of Anko was because she also used snakes.
And judging by its color and the aura around it, it wasn't just a dangerously venomous snake.
Tetsu, also seeing the snake, moved behind Ebisu to use him as a shield while pushing Ebisu toward it.
"Hey, kid, stop!"
It was a funny sight.
Ebisu resisted the push. Meanwhile, Shintoki wasn't as alarmed by the snake. Judging by its level, it was nothing either he or Ebisu couldn't handle. Also, the snake was likely there because of Anko.
"A summoning jutsu? Anko, is this your doing? Or perhaps…"
"Yes, it must be master."
Hearing Anko's answer, Shintoki allowed himself to relax a bit.
Now that he thought about it, at this time Orochimaru was still not the Orochimaru who betrayed the village, and his relationship with Anko was good and at its peak.
He wouldn't do anything to hurt his disciple, nor dare hurt him or the other rookies either, especially within the village's territory.
Someone like Orochimaru preferred to do his work in the dark.
"The snake must have a message."
The snake's eyes glinted in the light of the room. It coiled itself around Anko's leg and moved toward her arm before rising its head to her level while hissing.
Anko gently allowed the snake to slither onto her arm before moving her arm toward its mouth, where a scroll was spit out by the snake.
Ebisu's face twisted at the sight of the snake literally spitting out the scroll, while Tetsu was amazed that snakes could be used in such a way.
The serpent coiled gracefully around Anko's leg, sliding up her arm until its fanged mouth opened, revealing a sealed scroll.
She took it, unrolling it carefully.
As she read, her expression darkened.
Anko grimaced, her pupils narrowing, then stated, "Master Orochimaru wants me immediately… I forgot I had a session with him today."
She sighed heavily.
Anko: "Tell sensei I'll come later. I'm with friends right now."
The snake hissed again, its body tensing.
Shintoki, realizing the snake was telling Anko something, asked, "…What did it say?"
Anko frowned and said, "That sensei is coming here."
The words hung in the air.
Before anyone could react, the snake's body expanded suddenly, bursting into a veil of thick white smoke.
POOF!
The room filled with haze.
Then, as the smoke cleared, a tall figure emerged—pale skin, long black hair, golden serpent-like eyes gleaming with calm amusement.
Orochimaru: "Now, now… it seems my dear disciple has been busy."
The air went still.
No one spoke.
One of the Legendary Three had arrived