Water bears at the beginning, wet bone forest eating old people

Early the next morning, the three children came to the Ninja School together.

The new list of Chunin will be announced here.

It can not only allow the Chunins to return to school, but also inspire the little puddings in the ninja school.

Early in the morning, the playground was crowded with people.

"Here! Tsunade! Orochimaru! Come quickly!"

Jiraiya waved and greeted.

Tsunade and Orochimaru were slightly immune to the gaze and walked towards Jiraiya.

"Look at the list, we've all become Chunin!"

Jiraiya was very happy and pointed at the list.

"But how did this guy become a Chunin? He's clearly the loser!"

The name of Uchiha Yashiro was prominently on the list.

Not only the Uchiha Eighth Hokage, but even Tsunade's rival Kato Dan and Orochimaru's rival Mitarai Toumaru became Chunin.

"Jiraiya, the Chunin Exams aren't just about winning or losing a competition~"

Tsunade explained for Jiraiya.

"As long as you perform well enough and have the talent to be a Chunin, you will be promoted. Seriously, it was clearly explained from the beginning, it's all your fault for not listening carefully!"

"I see, that's what I was saying. That arrogant guy, despite being so weak, actually managed to become a Chunin~"

Jiraiya laughed.

But he was interrupted by a cold snort from the side.

The three of them turned their heads and saw only a familiar figure.

The eighth generation of Uchiha.

"What are you humming? Even if a guy like that becomes a Chunin, he won't be a good companion!"

Jiraiya pursed his lips at the back of Uchiha Yashiro and said with disdain.

"Orochimaru, congratulations."

On the other side, Mitarai Toumaru also came to the bulletin board and talked to Orochimaru.

His left arm was still wrapped in bandages, and it was obvious that the injury had not healed yet, but his body did not seem to be in any serious condition. He was overdrawn so badly, but he was still able to get up the next day. It can only be said that Konoha's hospital is really good.

"Congratulations to you as well, Toumaru. You...are a pretty good ninja."

Orochimaru's praise was ordinary, but the two who were familiar with Orochimaru couldn't help but turn their eyes to Toumaru.

Orochimaru, this guy, has never praised anyone!

Mitarai Toumaru, this guy's willpower is indeed enough to attract attention.

"Hahaha, if you lose, you lose. However, I will catch up with you, Orochimaru. Don't slack off and don't let me catch up with you!"

Mitarai Toumaru smiled brightly, waved his fist at Orochimaru, and then left the playground.

......

After leaving the playground, the three of them went their separate ways in a blink of an eye.

Jiraiya packed his luggage in a hurry, took the initiative to collect the Chunin equipment, ran to the mission issuance office, accepted the B-level reconnaissance mission, and set off alone.

Tsunade took the Chunin equipment and returned home to show it to Uzumaki Mito.

"Mito Grandma~Look~"

Only Orochimaru returned home quietly. After a short rest, he walked out and bought a bouquet of flowers from the roadside.

He walked silently towards the back mountain of Konoha.

That's the direction of the memorial.

Unlike Jiraiya, although he is also an orphan, Jiraiya has never seen his parents. Orochimaru's parents are both ninjas, but they died in a war.

Not all ninjas have their own graves. Due to the power of ninjutsu, many ninjas' bodies were completely gone after their death, with only their names engraved on the memorial tablets.

In the open space behind the mountain, in front of a huge black stone tablet.

Orochimaru gently placed the bouquet in his hand under the stone tablet and looked at the name engraved on it.

He had somewhat forgotten his parents' names, and couldn't even find their location on the tombstone for a moment.

"Orochimaru."

Orochimaru turned his head in response.

"Huruzen-sensei."

"Jiraiya and Tsunade both have clear goals. What about you, Orochimaru? Have you thought about doing anything?"

Hiruzen slowly walked to Orochimaru's side and looked at the memorial tablet with him. On it were also the names of his Sarutobi clan's children.

"As for me...I'll probably go to the Anbu."

Orochimaru muttered.

Hiruzen sighed inwardly.

At this moment, a small white snake emerged from behind the memorial tablet.

There seemed to be something strange about its body, and it kept shaking while crawling.

As the little white snake crawled, its skin gradually fell off, leaving behind a white snake skin that was as transparent as crystal.

The white snake crawled to Orochimaru's side, raised its head and looked at Orochimaru with a little confusion, then rubbed against Orochimaru's feet affectionately, and then left.

The two watched silently as the white snake shed its skin and left.

Orochimaru picked up the snake skin and held it in his palm, staring at it blankly.

Hiruzen then spoke, "Snake sloughs symbolize luck and eternal life. Orochimaru, your talents must be limitless."

Orochimaru turned to look at Hiruzen.

Today, he didn't pick up that old pipe and smoke it in front of the memorial stone. It seemed that Hiruzen knew it was a bit disrespectful.

"Teacher, as you said, I will work hard."

Hiruzen patted Orochimaru's shoulder and left the memorial, leaving the space to Orochimaru himself.

The next day, a white-haired ninja wearing a fox mask found Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru, Lord Danzo is summoning you."

"Understood. Please lead the way."

By the time Hiruzen got the news, Orochimaru had already joined the Anbu.

Although Orochimaru himself said that he would go to the Anbu to have a look, Hiruzen never wanted his disciples to go into darkness!

For this purpose, Hiruzen specially found Danzo.

"Danzo! That's my disciple!!!"

"Hiruzen."

Danzo sat calmly in his office chair and turned around.

"Aren't your disciples Konoha's ninjas anymore?"

"But......"

"No buts, this is the teacher's personal designation, Orochimaru. He has the talent of an Anbu ninja, and under your protection, he will never be able to perform effectively! Hiruzen! Face reality!"

"Only I can develop his talents and exploit his potential to the fullest extent!"

"Danzo!"

"Hiruzen!!"

The two men stood on either side of the table, their hands on the edge of the table, arguing with each other.

But Danzo was now on one side of the chair, while Hiruzen was on the outside of the table.

Hiruzen flinched.

"Orochimaru is a good boy. Don't drag him too deep into the darkness."

Hiruzen didn't look at Danzo again.

"Hmph, Hiruzen, you are too soft-hearted. The Anbu is a place of iron and blood."

Danzo didn't say this out loud. Since he had taken away his old friend's person, he should at least make his old friend feel at ease.

Hiruzen opened his mouth but said nothing more. Instead, he walked out of the Anbu area silently.

He felt that Danzo, his former companion, although still upholding the will of fire, had taken a different path.

At some point, they crossed in different directions.

"Teacher, is this your arrangement..."

Hiruzen raised his head somewhat weakly and looked at the sky.

The weather was clear and it was a nice day, but Hiruzen was not in a good mood.

On the other side, under the Anbu, after Hiruzen left, Orochimaru was brought in front of Danzo. At this time, Orochimaru was wearing a sharp mask that looked like a downward-pointing snake head.

"Orochimaru, tell me what you think and what you want to do."

Although Danzo was angry with his old friend, he really didn't want to use Orochimaru as a pawn, since he was Hiruzen's disciple after all.

"Danzo-sama, if it's possible, I'd like to try everything."

After hearing this, Danzo leaned back in his chair.

Orochimaru's words made Danzo smile with a hint of satisfaction.

As expected, Orochimaru, the best place for you is my Anbu!

"In that case, why not try the research department first? Although it's a bit dirty and messy there, you can learn a lot. Besides, I believe you'll be very interested there."

"Thank you, Danzo-sama."

......