Chapter 38: Snake Aunt

Chapter 38: Snake Aunt

Boom!

In an instant, Toneri felt his head pounding as though it had exploded, and his vision went black.

Last night, he had experimented with using Shadow Clones, but because he had entered the sealed space afterward, he didn't feel much—just a faint sense of memory transfer that didn't seem abrupt.

But this time, dispelling five Shadow Clones at once was far beyond what Toneri had ever experienced. The first-time impact was almost too much for him to bear.

Truthfully, Toneri was overestimating himself. If he had dispelled the clones one at a time, the mental shock might not have been this intense.

Kneeling by the riverbank, hands pressed into the ground, his face pale, Toneri gasped heavily.

If it weren't for his past experience with memory surges, he would likely be convulsing on the ground, foaming at the mouth by now.

After what felt like ages, his vision slowly returned to normal.

A flood of knowledge from the ninja academy entered his mind, coupled with an overwhelming fatigue—not just from physical training but also from the muscle memory imprinted by his kunai throwing and hand-sign practice sessions.

Shadow Clones, as Toneri knew, indeed accelerated his learning speed. However, it became evident that five clones were probably his current limit.

"Whew... Next time, I'll dispel the clones one at a time. Otherwise, a few more rounds of this might just kill me. And as for Kushina skipping class, she can do it herself next time! I'm not sacrificing a Shadow Clone for that again."

Shakily rising from the ground, Toneri massaged his temples, trying to ease the throbbing in his head.

"Oh? It seems Toneri-kun understands the mechanism behind Shadow Clones quite well. Who would've thought that the Second Hokage's creation would be so well-suited for jinchūriki like you? Such vast chakra reserves and durable bodies..."

A sudden voice, soft yet strangely chilling, whispered into his ear.

Toneri's body froze. He was certain that after Minato and Kushina had left, he was the only one in this grove.

With ANBU operatives stationed nearby, there was no way someone could approach him unnoticed.

Yet, with the voice so close, Toneri could feel the subtle airflow of the speaker's breath beside his ear.

Turning his head slowly, he saw the source of the voice.

A pale complexion, jet-black hair, and the standard green Konoha flak jacket. Golden, snake-like eyes rimmed with purple shadow stared back at him, a long tongue licking thin lips.

This figure exuded the aura of a predator—like a venomous snake eyeing its prey.

Toneri could feel every hair on his body standing on end as he cautiously turned to face the man standing behind him.

That man!

Currently a rising star in the ninja world, highly regarded within Konoha as one of the top three candidates for the Fourth Hokage. This man single-handedly advanced the shinobi world's "technology tree."

The legendary Orochimaru.

Or, as Toneri's memories from his previous life would call him, "Snake Aunt."

Among the major characters in Naruto, Orochimaru was one of the most successful survivors, enduring until the series' conclusion. Furthermore, he was the only rogue ninja labeled S-class who eventually managed to reintegrate into the village.

A role model of perseverance, someone Toneri secretly admired.

But, despite all of this, Orochimaru was also the last person Toneri wanted to meet in Konoha.

You could never predict when you might end up on his operating table, dissected like a lab specimen.

Granted, Orochimaru hadn't gone entirely down his dark path yet, but his current mindset was already deviating from the norm.

That unnervingly long tongue flicked across his lips once more as those snake-like eyes scrutinized Toneri with unsettling interest.

"Hmm? Toneri-kun seems to know me. Why are you so afraid, though?" Orochimaru tilted his head, his curiosity only growing.

Toneri felt his heart sinking. He had tried to suppress his emotions, but Orochimaru's sharp instincts caught the faintest flicker of fear in his eyes.

He truly wished he didn't know so much about Orochimaru. If only he could face this man with ignorance, maybe he wouldn't feel this terrified.

With great effort, Toneri forced down the surge of emotions, forming a shaky smile that was closer to a grimace.

"L-Lord Orochimaru..."

He nearly called him "Snake Aunt" aloud but managed to stop himself in time.

Orochimaru smiled faintly, his voice as smooth as silk. "Oh? It seems the old man was right—you're quite the clever little one, the Two-Tails jinchūriki, hmm?"

Toneri almost cried.

Now he understood what was going on.

So this was why Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, had been so relaxed about letting him live in the Nara clan's care, attend the ninja academy freely, and roam around Konoha without worry.

The Hokage had been waiting.

Waiting for Orochimaru to return—so someone "capable" could keep an eye on him.

But why Orochimaru? Wouldn't Tsunade have been a better choice?

Didn't the Hokage know that, on a rainy day, milk and cats go better together?

What was this nonsense about pairing a cat and a snake?

Although his mind was flooded with complaints, Toneri didn't dare show any of it outwardly.

"Lord Orochimaru, may I ask why you sought me out?" Toneri forced himself to ask, suppressing his terror.

Orochimaru's golden eyes glinted as he licked his lips again—a trademark sign that something had piqued his interest.

"Hmm, nothing much. The old man insisted I take on a disciple." Orochimaru brushed a hand through his sleek black hair, speaking casually.

Toneri: "..."

At this point, Orochimaru wasn't the mad scientist of Toneri's imagination yet. Though his methods were already cold and ruthless, he still had some respect for his teachers, comrades, and even his disciples.

However, the scars of the Second Shinobi World War—particularly the death of his comrade Tsunade's younger brother, Nawaki—had left a deep impact on him. It solidified his views on the fragility of human life, shaping his ambitions.

Reluctant as he was, Orochimaru wasn't ready to defy Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders.

For Toneri, the implications were clear: if he became Orochimaru's disciple, he would be directly tied to the Hokage's faction. It was a massive identity shift, aligning him with the power struggle for the Fourth Hokage position.

It also meant he had a front-row seat on Hiruzen Sarutobi's political chessboard.

The Hokage was paving the way for Orochimaru's rise, connecting him with a jinchūriki as a strategic move.

So, Toneri, would you take the offer, or walk away?

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