Chapter 35: A Ninja Hero's Resolve
"You can already incorporate nature transformation? Truly remarkable."
Watching the orange-red energy sphere in Yoru's hand, Orochimaru's eyes brightened with admiration.
Though he could easily dodge, he chose to withstand Yoru's strike head-on, wanting to witness this Fire Release-infused Rasengan's true power.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Orochimaru formed hand seals and slammed his palms against the ground.
An earth wall of astonishing thickness and height immediately rose from the ground, blocking Yoru's attack trajectory.
BOOM—
The orange-red energy sphere struck the earth wall, producing a deafening explosion.
Then from Orochimaru's side, he immediately saw the wall glow orange-red, forming a massive spiral pattern.
Orochimaru's pupils contracted slightly. Without hesitation, he leaped sideways.
The next second, the earth wall shattered. The spiral pattern transformed into a massive fire tornado that roared forward.
The fire tornado struck where Orochimaru had just stood, plowing forward nearly ten meters before gradually dissipating.
A scorched trench radiating intense heat appeared across the training ground.
Witnessing this scene, Kushina Uzumaki—observing from a distance—stood slack-jawed.
"So... so powerful! No wonder Yoru kept telling me to focus on nature transformation training. Rasengan can actually incorporate nature transformation!"
"Hah... hah..."
Yoru gasped heavily, completely unsurprised his attack hadn't hit Orochimaru.
Wiping sweat caused by his chakra bottoming out, Yoru raised his hand toward Orochimaru: "Orochimaru-sensei, I'm out of chakra."
"Reaching this level, you're already quite remarkable." Orochimaru spoke sincerely.
Even he felt he couldn't form many Rasengan like that.
This was absolutely true.
Boruto Uzumaki—son of Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga—also couldn't learn the Great Ball Rasengan due to insufficient chakra, only managing to infuse Lightning and Wind Release nature transformation into his Rasengan.
With Yoru's current chakra reserves, executing one Fire Release: Rasengan was already quite impressive.
As for the Great Ball Rasengan and Rasengan Shuriken, those were beyond even imagination.
After all, those two techniques required Sage Mode Jiraiya or jinchuriki-level chakra reserves. Learning them without that capacity meant being unable to use them.
Hearing Orochimaru's praise, Yoru couldn't help smiling: "I didn't disappoint your expectations from last year, did I, Orochimaru-sensei?"
"You exceeded my imagination. At least when I was your age, I was far inferior." Orochimaru glanced at Kushina Uzumaki—already looking quite anxious in the distance—and chuckled softly. "I fully understand your strength now. Tomorrow morning at nine, meet at this same location. I'll guide your training."
After speaking, Orochimaru vanished with Body Flicker.
Seeing Orochimaru leave, Kushina immediately ran over. Looking at Yoru's pale complexion and sweating forehead, her expression filled with concern: "Yoru, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Just my chakra bottoming out suddenly—feels a bit uncomfortable." Yoru smiled while reminding her: "Don't try this carelessly. Before your chakra control and nature transformation reach certain levels, recklessly infusing nature transformation will easily injure yourself."
"Is that why you never demonstrated that Rasengan in front of me?" Kushina raised an eyebrow, pouting with dissatisfaction. "Do you really think I'm that reckless?"
"Who knows if you'd secretly try it at home to defeat me?" Yoru ruffled Kushina's hair, smiling. "Besides, this type of Rasengan doesn't suit someone with your... tonnage. I've prepared a better Rasengan for you."
"Tonnage?" Kushina's eyes widened, then she glared at Yoru indignantly. "Foul-Mouth Yoru, are you calling me fat?"
"Ugh, you girls' thought processes are truly bizarre. Is that what I meant?"
"Then why'd you use 'tonnage' to describe me?"
"I'm saying you're fat—so what? Your face is so round, shaped like a tomato. I bet your superhuman strength is just weight advantage!"
"You've run out of chakra—watch me beat you up!"
The familiar chase scene unfolded once more across the training ground.
This scene also caught Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention.
Puffing on his pipe, Hiruzen's palm gently swept across the crystal ball.
The crystal ball—previously functioning as a surveillance screen—immediately returned to its normal appearance.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—
Moments later, someone knocked on the Hokage office door.
"Come in."
Following Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice, Orochimaru pushed the door open and entered.
Orochimaru's arrival didn't surprise Hiruzen, who smiled and asked: "Well?"
"Very excellent. This ninjutsu talent surpassing Satsu is absolutely certain." Orochimaru answered honestly, smiling. "Once his chakra and shinobi qualities improve, Konoha will gain another ace combatant."
"Ace combatant isn't enough. At least as chains binding the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, he's still far from sufficient."
Hiruzen puffed smoke, his gaze appearing somewhat profound beneath the haze. He suddenly asked: "Orochimaru, considering his Body Flicker talent, does he have hope of learning the Second's Flying Thunder God Technique?"
Orochimaru's eyes widened slightly with surprise.
However, thinking of Yoru's Phantom Body Flicker—nearly invincible in close combat—Orochimaru still gave extremely high evaluation: "If it's him, perhaps quite possible. At least his chances exceed ours considerably."
As the Third Hokage's personal disciple and simultaneously one of Konoha's few elite jonin, Orochimaru naturally qualified to learn forbidden techniques.
Though unable to browse the Forbidden Scroll or learn the strictly prohibited Reanimation Technique, the Flying Thunder God wasn't among the restrictions.
Like Wood Release, Konoha hoped more than anyone to witness the Flying Thunder God's revival.
Unfortunately, this super S-rank technique's learning difficulty was simply too high.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi—called the Professor—plus Orochimaru with his exceptional ninjutsu talent, likewise couldn't master it.
This technique, like sealing techniques, was extremely talent-dependent. Without powerful Body Flicker talent plus spatial understanding, one couldn't even cross the threshold.
Hiruzen seemed to have anticipated Orochimaru's response. He retrieved a red-and-white scroll from his drawer and tossed it to Orochimaru: "This is an independent scroll of the Flying Thunder God Technique. When you feel the timing's appropriate, give him this technique and let him attempt it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi during his ninja hero period possessed astonishing resolve.
Orochimaru caught the scroll and nodded: "Understood, Sarutobi-sensei."