Chapter 10: Orochimaru's Investment and Expectations
Yoru had mentally prepared for Orochimaru's question.
The moment Orochimaru witnessed the Rasengan, Yoru knew he couldn't avoid some probing.
After organizing his thoughts, Yoru met Orochimaru's gaze directly: "Shinobi combat is combat through information! I don't want others knowing my trump cards, and I don't want to graduate early yet. I still want to learn more at the academy."
Orochimaru paused, staring at Yoru's serious expression.
Clearly, he hadn't expected this response.
After recovering, Orochimaru's eyes filled with appreciation as he looked at Yoru.
Apparently, this child's premature physical development extended to mental maturity as well.
While other children still played ninja games, and even geniuses couldn't resist the temptation of early graduation, this boy concealed his strength to accumulate knowledge.
What had caused such transformation and perspective?
Undoubtedly, the death of the Gojo couple.
In that moment, Orochimaru seemed to see his own reflection in Yoru.
He too had undergone tremendous change after losing both parents.
Therefore, Orochimaru understood Yoru's desire to hide his capabilities.
Only by concealing powerful trump cards could one create miracles in desperate situations, turning certain death into survival.
He wasn't afraid of early graduation or seeing blood. He wanted to grow stronger, master more knowledge, to handle unexpected situations that might arise at any moment—ensuring neither he nor his companions would follow his parents' path.
Realizing this, Orochimaru's favorable impression of Yoru surged dramatically.
He offered even greater praise aloud: "An excellent perspective. Truly Satsu and Mio's son. If they could see you now from the Pure Land, they'd surely feel immense relief.
I believe you'll eventually surpass them and become one of Konoha's ace combatants."
Before Yoru could offer modest deflection, Orochimaru continued: "Was that technique just now a gift Satsu left you?"
"No. The Rasengan is a jutsu I developed myself." Yoru shook his head.
"Rasengan? An excellent name."
Orochimaru's lips curved slightly upward, as if everything aligned with his expectations.
Given that technique's power, if Gojo Satsu had developed it or it was a Gojo family inheritance, it would already be renowned throughout Konoha and the shinobi world.
Simultaneously, he couldn't help but inwardly click his tongue in amazement.
Developing a technique with at least B-rank training difficulty at this age—what dazzling talent!
However, Orochimaru maintained a calm exterior: "That technique possesses considerable power. Its shape transformation and chakra control have both reached peak levels. If I'm not mistaken, it's also a non-elemental, seal-less jutsu, correct? Were you just now attempting to inject nature transformation, only to fail?"
"As expected of Orochimaru-sama!"
Yoru's eyes widened with apparent shock as he stared at Orochimaru.
Immediately after, he adopted an expectant expression, gazing at Orochimaru with burning intensity.
Orochimaru's lips curved into a subtle smile as he raised his right hand.
Around his wrist, a small white snake had coiled at some point.
The snake opened its mouth and regurgitated a red scroll completely disproportionate to its body size.
Orochimaru tossed the scroll to Yoru: "This contains my understanding of nature transformation accumulated over the years. I no longer need it—consider it yours."
Hearing this, Yoru's hand trembled slightly as he caught the scroll.
His eyes shifted, displaying wild elation as he delivered a perfect ninety-degree bow to Orochimaru: "Thank you, Orochimaru-sensei!"
Taking in Yoru's changing expressions, Orochimaru didn't correct the form of address. He simply left behind words filled with expectation.
"I hope the next time we meet, your growth will leave me utterly astonished."
With those words, Orochimaru vanished in a blur of motion.
Only after Orochimaru had left for more than ten seconds did Yoru straighten, gazing at the scroll in his hands, eyes brimming with joy.
What an unexpected windfall!
The surprise wasn't Orochimaru's gift of the nature transformation scroll, but rather that he hadn't rejected Yoru's presumptuous form of address.
Yoru had assumed the first Sannin he'd encounter would be Tsunade through Kushina Uzumaki in his strategy plan, or Jiraiya through Minato Namikaze.
Unexpectedly, the first Sannin he'd met and connected with was Orochimaru!
Moreover, this legendary shinobi—whose talent and brilliance ranked second only to Tobirama Senju, who survived from the original series through the Boruto era without being eliminated, and who continued asserting his presence through scientific innovation—seemed to hold considerable goodwill and appreciation toward him.
If this were truly the case, perhaps Yoru didn't need to approach Tsunade through Kushina Uzumaki after all.
As long as he could latch onto Orochimaru, he'd gain not only resources and connections but also potentially sign a contract with Ryuchi Cave, thereby obtaining Ryuchi Cave's Sage Mode.
Once he mastered Sage Mode, Yoru's Space-Time chakra would transform into Space-Time Sage chakra.
At that point, Yoru couldn't even imagine how powerful he'd become!
With this thought, Yoru began analyzing Orochimaru's gift and tacit approval.
Orochimaru hadn't rejected his presumptuous form of address, certainly due to his talent.
Before awakening Space-Time abilities, Yoru's original strategy plan had involved using the Rasengan to shock Konoha, making leadership tacitly approve his friendship with Kushina Uzumaki and invest in him.
Developing an A-rank seal-less jutsu at age nine was truly terrifying.
Such talent couldn't be ignored by anyone.
Especially not by someone like Orochimaru!
Peak-level chakra control and shape transformation—once nature transformation improved as well, Yoru's Rasengan could be perfected into an ultimate S-rank technique.
S-rank jutsu represented the highest tier in the shinobi world—secrets that no amount of effort could guarantee learning, that even the Sharingan couldn't copy.
Such techniques, even in the Five Great Shinobi Villages, were sealed in forbidden scrolls or stored in restricted archives as trump cards.
Shinobi who mastered such techniques possessed strength capable of threatening Kage.
Once comprehensive abilities improved, they'd become ace combatants of the Five Great Villages—commonly known as elite jonin.
These jonin were also called Hokage candidates. In emergencies, they could issue A-rank missions to any village shinobi.
When a Kage died or abdicated, they possessed qualifications to campaign for the position and vote.
Orochimaru currently held exactly this status!
Yoru had demonstrated potential to eventually reach this level.
Orochimaru, who still dreamed of becoming Fourth Hokage, needed to assemble his own team, needed powerful subordinates he could trust.
Yoru's potential, background, and current age all perfectly aligned with these requirements.
This scroll and not rejecting Yoru's form of address represented Orochimaru's investment and expectations.
As long as Yoru continued demonstrating his potential, even if Orochimaru didn't take him as a direct disciple, he'd increase investment and exercise his privileges as the Hokage's student to mentor him.
Since transmigrating, Yoru had desperately sought backing.
Finally, he'd found it!