They traveled through time at the same time, but the villainous scientist

Chapter 8 First C-Rank Mission

Another month has quietly passed.

Orochimaru looked at the thin remittance slip in his hand, and the numbers on it brought a genuine smile to his face.

The payment for the manuscript arrived. Although it couldn't compare to the windfall he made at the casino that night, it was enough to lift him out of his dire financial straits.

More importantly... he also acquired the hidden blade...

With that thought in mind, Orochi activated a mechanism with his chakra, and the blade of his hidden blade pierced out.

Looking at himself in the mirror, clad in white robes and wielding a sword, Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction. He really did resemble the legendary assassin from his memories.

After quickly tidying up, Orochimaru headed out; today was the day their three-person team was to meet.

As soon as I arrived at the training ground, I saw a familiar golden figure sitting cross-legged under the shade of a tree, her fingers flying across the paper cards as if they were living butterflies, a dazzling sight.

Jiraiya, standing nearby, stared wide-eyed, his mouth slightly agape in disbelief, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.

In his memory, this young lady was usually carefree and a violent woman who could knock him away with one punch. He never expected her to have such a clever side.

Orochimaru, you've arrived.

Tsunade caught a glimpse of Orochimaru out of the corner of her eye. Instead of stopping, her hand movements became even more dazzling. Finally, she gracefully closed all the cards and held them firmly in her palm.

After making this gesture, she raised her chin and looked at Orochimaru with a smug expression.

Those bright amber eyes seemed to be saying silently, "How about that? Amazing, right? Praise me!"

Orochimaru's lips twitched slightly as he looked at her showing off her treasure, and he rubbed his forehead.

These fancy skills can never be achieved without years of hard work and practice.

Even though the ninjas in this world have chakra to enhance their physical functions, this kind of pure finger skill still requires a lot of time investment.

He was able to do it because the Reed Herrick in the Assassin's Creed world he transmigrated into was a magician before he was captured and used as an experimental subject.

"You haven't been spending seven or eight hours on this every day these past few days, have you?"

Orochimaru said with a sigh that he only taught Tsunade these things to repay a favor, but he never expected that she would become so obsessed with them.

Upon hearing this, Tsunade's expectant face instantly flushed red, clearly indicating that Orochimaru had guessed correctly.

"Mind your own business! I'm exceptionally talented! I only need to practice for thirty minutes a day!"

Tsunade, somewhat embarrassed and angry, shoved the playing cards into her ninja tool pouch, turned her head, and spoke with an unnatural forcefulness in her voice.

"Eh?!"

Jiraiya glanced at Tsunade, who was blushing, and then at Orochimaru, who had a "I knew it" expression on his face. He felt that something was very wrong.

How come his two teammates have become so close after just a few days apart?

at this time
"Everyone's here."

"Tsunade, what were you doing just now? It was quite interesting."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, pipe in mouth, walked slowly over, his gaze falling on the playing cards Tsunade had hurriedly put away, and asked with a hint of curiosity.

"Forehead……"

Tsunade panicked for a moment, her eyes darting around, and she stammered, unable to speak.

She didn't want her teacher to know that she was wasting her time on gambling-related skills; if that were the case, she would definitely get a scolding.

"Teacher, this is a method I recently figured out to improve finger dexterity."

The more nimble your fingers, the faster you can form hand seals, and the quicker you can activate ninjutsu.

"Tsunade is very talented in this area and is improving very quickly." Orochimaru stepped forward, his expression calm and his tone serious as he explained.

To increase his persuasiveness, Orochimaru also took out a few spare blank cards from his ninja tool bag and casually played a few simple yet highly skilled tricks.

Those fluid movements truly demonstrated amazing finger control.

"..."

Jiraiya stood to the side with a strange expression, inwardly cursing: "What a joke!"

Who uses playing cards for hand seals? And you mean to train hand seal speed? I think you're training cheating speed!
"Hmm, not a bad idea. However, Orochimaru, you must remember that ninja battles are battles of chakra."

Hand seals are ultimately just a means to guide and assist the flow of chakra. What truly determines the power and effect of ninjutsu is the quality and quantity of chakra, as well as the exquisite control over chakra.

Don't put the cart before the horse and get overly obsessed with these trivial details.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag of his cigarette, slowly exhaled a smoke ring, glanced between Orochimaru and Tsunade, and finally spoke earnestly.

These are all minor techniques; hand seals are merely methods to assist in the flow of chakra, not essential.

Just like the First Hokage, he didn't need to form hand seals to activate ninjutsu; he just clapped his hands and shouted for whatever he wanted to do.

He certainly didn't want the child to waste his time on something like this...

"Yes, teacher, I understand."

Orochimaru bowed slightly, his attitude respectful.

He wasn't practicing these techniques to increase his hand seal speed, but rather to increase his research funding.

"Alright, let's get down to business."

I have a task for you.

The third generation nodded, and then spoke.

"Huh? Is it going to be another D-rank mission to find a cat?"

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya said with some disdain.

Tsunade nodded to herself; she was getting tired of doing D-rank missions too.

"No, after these two months of adaptation and basic training, I believe you have already acquired the basic ability to carry out tasks independently."

So, this time I'm assigning you a C-level mission..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a hint of helplessness, "There are so many D-rank missions because it's peacetime. These kids really don't know how lucky they are."

"A C-rank mission?! Great! Finally, I don't have to do those boring D-rank missions like finding cats and mowing lawns anymore! I was so bored!"

Jiraiya's eyes lit up instantly, and he was so excited he almost jumped up.

However, in stark contrast to Jiraiya's excitement, Orochimaru's gaze suddenly turned serious the moment he heard "C-rank mission".

According to the Ninja Handbook, D-rank missions involve doing odd jobs within or around the village and are almost entirely safe.

However, C-rank missions are completely different. The mission scope will expand to the Land of Fire, and the mission content may involve escorting, intelligence gathering, or even fighting against bandits and wandering ninjas.

This means they will truly step out of Konoha's protective circle and truly face this cruel ninja world.

To face, conflict, bloodshed, and even... death...

"Alright, go and get ready!"
"Gather in front of the village gate in twenty minutes..."

(End of this chapter)