"Orochimaru-sensei!"
Just as Uchiha Gen was flipping through his scrolls to summarize his notes, Sarutobi Enjun and Uzuki Ruri called out as they saw Orochimaru walking down the stairs.
"This is the mission reward. Divide it among the three of you. I didn't participate in the field work, so I won't be taking the captain's cut this time."
Orochimaru tossed an envelope containing a stack of banknotes onto the table, gesturing for the three of them to split it.
The reward for this mission was 60,000 Ryo.
According to what Orochimaru said, the amount that would end up in Gen hands was a full 20,000 Ryo.
Although 20,000 Ryo didn't seem like much at first glance, its purchasing power was actually quite significant. In the shinobi world, one Ryo is roughly equivalent to ten yen. Even though prices in Konoha are high—with a basic bowl of Ichiraku Ramen costing 60 Ryo—20,000 Ryo is still a substantial sum for an ordinary person.
Shinobi possess great power but risk their lives. Taking on C-rank missions and above is essentially trading their safety for money, so it is natural to have a high income. Furthermore, the costs for daily training, medical healing, the maintenance of shuriken and kunai, and the purchase of military ration pills and explosive tags all add up. Without a high income, they wouldn't be able to support such expenses.
In the past, Uchiha Gen relied on his parents' inheritance and the clan subsidies provided to Academy students, along with several sets of tools he obtained from his system. As long as he wasn't extravagant, his funds were sufficient.
However, he now had more than a dozen mouths to feed—his Ninja Crows.
Considering that he intended to expand the flock in the future to facilitate secret Ninjutsu, and that the frequency of battles would increase now that he was an official shinobi, the rate of tool wear and replacement would accelerate. Relying on his previous savings would not be enough.
With this additional 20,000 Ryo, combined with his current savings, it should be enough to purchase a decent blade at the Ninja Cat Clan's tool shop. He needed to practice Uchiha Style Swordsmanship, and without a suitable sword, he wouldn't make any progress.
The mission spoils were quickly divided.
"Orochimaru-sensei, are we going to start a new mission today?" Sarutobi Enjun asked.
The experience of the previous mission had not matched his heroic fantasies at all.
"No. Before we take on another mission, there is one more thing you need to do."
Orochimaru looked at his three students.
"Now, assemble at Training Ground 44, the Forest of Death."
Uchiha Gen closed his scroll and immediately noticed three bells swaying from Orochimaru's waist.
So, that was what they were going to do.
Sarutobi Enjun also noticed the bells and kept winking at Gen and Ruri. As the son of the Hokage, he knew the tradition of the bell test and had already revealed it to his teammates beforehand; it was just that Orochimaru hadn't conducted the test until now.
However, Uchiha Gen still had one question.
There were three bells instead of two. Was it one for each person?
A minute later, at the edge of the Forest of Death, Orochimaru provided the answer.
"Perhaps you've heard of the bell-snatching tradition from your father. This was a test originally set by the Second Hokage to teach his disciples teamwork. Later, it was used by Lord Sandaime to test Tsunade, Jiraiya, and me. However, I feel this format is a bit outdated, so I've made some changes."
Orochimaru tossed out the three bells, and each of the students caught one.
"You have fifteen minutes to prepare. Your range of activity is limited to the Forest of Death. After fifteen minutes, I will start hunting you. The bell represents your life; it must not leave your person. If I snatch your bell, it means you have died in battle."
"The first one I catch will be responsible for writing the next mission report and must also write a tactical summary of this drill. The second one caught will face no punishment, but will receive no reward either. For the last one standing, I will teach them a powerful Ninjutsu and help them master it."
Orochimaru spoke with a wicked smile on his pale face.
In other words, this was a survival drill. To be more precise, it was an evasion drill.
Thinking about it, Orochimaru really had developed a form of trauma from Nawaki's death. He was terrified his students would lose their lives on the battlefield, so he was using every possible method to give them experience in survival.
"Now, begin."
Orochimaru took a stopwatch from his tool pouch and spoke in his raspy voice.
"Go!"
Uchiha Gen spoke immediately, channeling chakra into his legs to enhance his explosive speed. His figure instantly vanished into the forest. Sarutobi Enjun and Uzuki Ruri followed closely behind.
The three figures leaped through the trees, heading deep into the woods.
"Gen, should we split up? Orochimaru-sensei isn't an ordinary Jonin. Even if we join forces, we can't possibly match him. It's better to separate. If one of us encounters him, we won't all be wiped out at once, buying as much time as possible for the others," Uzuki Ruri suggested while keeping pace.
This drill was no longer about teaching teamwork. What Orochimaru wanted them to learn was how to stay alive.
"Of course we have to split up, but wait a moment."
Uchiha Gen tore off a bandage from his left thumb with his teeth, biting into the mark where it had just healed. Blood flowed, hand seals were formed, and smoke billowed. More than a dozen Ninja Crows appeared at his side, cawing loudly.
"The Forest of Death has dense vegetation. Even with the crows scouting from the sky, their vision will be obstructed by the canopy. However, we can use them for simple communication."
"If anyone is caught and loses their bell, their crow will automatically dispell. I can judge your position and status based on the summon. If something happens to me, the crows near you will also vanish to inform you of the situation."
Uchiha Gen snapped his fingers, and two crows flew from the flock, landing on the shoulders of Enjun and Ruri.
"Additionally, Orochimaru-sensei is skilled in snake-based Ninjutsu, and snakes use their tongues to track scents. You must use the terrain to mask your smell. It's best if you give me some personal items that carry your scent; I'll have the crows distribute them throughout the forest as decoys to confuse him."
"Is there anything else to add?"