Chapter 21: The Testing

Chapter 21: The Testing

Orochimaru suddenly appeared on the training field and announced that Hiruzen Sarutobi was very interested in him and wanted Orochimaru to accept him as a disciple.

Chiba's brain nearly crashed from the shock.

It was evident that Hiruzen Sarutobi was interested in him, as he had more than once suggested to Chiba, both directly and indirectly, that he could apply for graduation early and become a full-fledged ninja.

However, Chiba had been feigning ignorance and avoiding the issue.

Graduating early to become an ordinary ninja and taking on low-level missions was not appealing to Chiba; it felt like a waste of time.

Unless Hiruzen Sarutobi could guarantee that he would be able to participate in combat missions right after graduation.

Without such a guarantee from Sarutobi, Chiba was unwilling to gamble on those odds.

If he lost the gamble, he would end up picking up trash.

But now, with the graduation exam just days away, Orochimaru had personally come to see him.

And it was introduced by Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.

Chiba suddenly realized that Orochimaru was still one of the most esteemed of the legendary Three Ninjas of Konoha, Sarutobi's proud disciple, and a pillar of the village.

At this point, Orochimaru had yet to experience the complete humiliation of the Sharingan; he was still a Konoha ninja eager to learn every jutsu in existence.

Yet, in terms of danger, even this early version of Orochimaru posed some risk.

Orochimaru had lost his parents at a young age, and having witnessed the deaths of his friend Dan and his student Nawaki, his thoughts had already leaned towards darkness. By now, he might be beginning to descend further into the abyss.

Moreover, in the future, Orochimaru would collaborate with Konoha's higher-ups on research concerning the Wood Style bloodline.

Chiba, with his Senju bloodline, would be prime material for such experiments.

However, this research would likely only commence after the Third Great Ninja War, when the next Hokage was being selected.

At present, Chiba was unsure if Orochimaru had started studying the forbidden techniques of reviving the dead or immortality.

Overall, the risk of becoming Orochimaru's disciple seemed manageable at the moment, especially since it was Sarutobi who had made the introduction.

Furthermore, Orochimaru's teaching abilities were unquestionable.

In the future, as Orochimaru's disciple, Sasuke Uchiha would not only receive intense training but also benefit from Orochimaru's excellent strategic teachings and enemy analysis skills.

Though Chiba had mastered the Thunder Breathing: Full Sword Style, his knowledge was limited to what was taught at the ninja school.

Thus, Chiba's training had only involved refining his existing abilities, without learning anything new.

Becoming Orochimaru's disciple would mean learning new techniques.

Additionally, Chiba was eager to learn about enemy analysis and strategy.

With his decision made, Chiba knelt on one knee and earnestly pleaded, "Lord Orochimaru, please accept me as your disciple!"

Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "Although I am quite interested in you and the old man wishes for me to take you on as a disciple, it doesn't mean you will automatically become my apprentice.

I will give you a chance. If you are prepared to face the possibility of being killed if you don't kill me, you can pass my test. If you pass the test, you will be my disciple."

Chiba stood up and asked, "I understand, Lord Orochimaru. So, shall we begin the test now?"

Orochimaru nodded slightly. "That's right. It starts now."

The moment Orochimaru finished speaking, Chiba quickly retreated, distancing himself from Orochimaru. He rested his right hand on the hilt of his great sword, channeling chakra, with lightning flashing around his hands and feet.

Orochimaru was pleased with Chiba's actions. Without hesitation, he prepared for battle upon learning the test's nature.

"Thunder Breathing: First Form—Thunderclap Flash!"

Chiba launched forward with explosive speed, like a thunderbolt tearing through the air, rapidly approaching Orochimaru with a blade drawn for a swift strike.

However, after the strike, Chiba felt no resistance from the blade.

He had missed.

Orochimaru was already gone from his sight.

Chiba frowned. That was a very fast Body Flicker Technique.

Orochimaru's voice came from Chiba's side. "Your speed is impressive, but your weakness is also quite clear. You cannot change direction midway; you move in a straight line. As long as I can see through your attack and change direction before it reaches me, even by just a single step, your attack will miss."

Orochimaru formed hand seals and aimed his arm at Chiba. "Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

In an instant, Orochimaru summoned several snakes onto his arm, which lunged towards Chiba.

Chiba quickly adjusted his stance, facing Orochimaru head-on.

"Thunder Breathing: Fourth Form—Remote Thunder!"

A brilliant blue lightning erupted from Chiba, charging at Orochimaru with the speed of lightning. As he closed in, he swung his blade for a high-speed strike.

The snakes summoned by Orochimaru were electrified and scorched before they could even touch Chiba.

Chiba struck at Orochimaru with rapid slashes, but Orochimaru evaded with ease.

Orochimaru commented, "This technique sacrificed some speed but enhanced the intensity of the lightning nature transformation. Its power is quite good."

While dodging Chiba's strikes, Orochimaru quickly performed hand seals.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Orochimaru expelled a gale of wind from his mouth.

Though Wind Release: Great Breakthrough is a C-rank jutsu, its scale varies with the user's ability.

An excellent ninja can use it to topple ancient trees with its wind force.

And Orochimaru was certainly an excellent ninja.

The fierce wind blew Chiba away, dispersing the lightning around his body due to the wind's natural counter to lightning.

Just when Chiba thought he would be blown far away, he suddenly halted in mid-air.

A snake had wrapped around Chiba's body, and its tail was wrapped around Orochimaru's arm.

Chiba was like a kite, drifting through the air.

As he tried to free himself from the snake's grasp, Orochimaru yanked hard, sending Chiba uncontrollably towards him.

Orochimaru delivered a powerful punch to Chiba's abdomen, causing him to fly backward.

"Cough…"

Chiba's eyes widened, feeling like his stomach acid was about to erupt.

He crashed heavily to the ground and rolled twice before coming to a stop.

Orochimaru remained composed, commenting, "Your on-the-spot adaptability was lacking. During my use of Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, before I released the Wind Release, and when pulling you towards me, you had opportunities to escape or counterattack."

Chiba clutched his abdomen, stood up from the ground, took a deep breath, and, after regaining his composure, activated his Sharingan.

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