Chapter 24: The Bell

Chapter 24: The Bell

Now an apprentice of Orochimaru, Chiba hobbled home under the moonlight. 

Despite the pain in his legs, Chiba's excitement was evident on his face.

With no background to rely on, Chiba's only real asset was his mastery of the Thunder Breathing Full Sword Style. 

But Thunder Breathing alone couldn't cover all his needs, so Chiba required other means to strengthen himself.

Without Orochimaru, Chiba could only enhance his abilities by exchanging Witness Points for necessary skills.

However, the amount of Witness Points required in the system's exchange shop made Chiba feel disheartened. 

With only 40 Witness Points, he couldn't afford what he wanted.

To acquire a large number of Witness Points, he would have to wait for the Third Great Ninja War.

By then, it would be too late.

The system's exchange abilities, based on Chiba's current mastery of Thunder Breathing, didn't directly give him complete control. 

The system only helped him learn and left him to refine his skills on his own.

However, this also had its advantages. Chiba could understand Thunder Breathing in his own way, avoiding rote application and allowing for adaptability.

For example, Thunder Breathing, First Style: Thunderclap and Flash, Sixfold.

Although Chiba had mimicked it based on the techniques of its user, Zenitsu Agatsuma, how to adjust the thrust direction to minimize leg strain was something Chiba figured out himself.

Taking a deep breath, Chiba encouraged himself internally, determined to absorb all the knowledge Orochimaru had to offer like a sponge.

With Orochimaru's guidance, Chiba was confident he could stand on his own when the war came!

---

Four days later, at the Ninja Academy.

Seated at her desk, Kushina Uzumaki was complaining to Chiba.

"Chiba, you have no idea how difficult sealing techniques are. There's so much to remember! Do you know how thick 'Basic Introduction to Sealing Techniques' is? It's as thick as my palm, and Granny Mito wants me to memorize it all!"

Kushina's small face was scrunched up in frustration as she vented to Chiba.

Chiba chuckled and ruffled Kushina's hair. "It's tough now, but things will get easier later. I'm sure you'll become one of the strongest female ninjas."

Despite Chiba's comforting words, Kushina, who usually would have smiled, pouted instead. "It's not just the difficulty; Granny Mito said that after graduation, I have to stay with her to learn sealing techniques. Only after mastering them will I be allowed to take on missions.

I really wanted to team up with you and go on missions together. I've been looking forward to it for so long…"

Kushina drooped her head, looking unhappy.

Chiba laughed softly. "Kushina, I have something to tell you too. After graduation, I probably won't be teaming up with anyone for missions. I was accepted as Orochimaru-sensei's apprentice four days ago and will be training with him from now on."

Kushina tilted her cute little head in confusion. "Orochimaru-sensei? I haven't heard of him."

Orochimaru had been reclusive recently, so few had seen him. Besides, Kushina was mostly at the Ninja Academy or Mito's residence, with little opportunity to learn about Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru-sensei is one of the Legendary Sannin, you know."

"Yeah, I know."

"Orochimaru-sensei is also one of the Sannin."

Kushina's eyes widened in surprise, and she covered her mouth in disbelief. "One of the Sannin accepted you as an apprentice?"

Chiba nodded with a smile. "Yes, that's right. I passed Orochimaru-sensei's test four nights ago and became his apprentice. According to what he said, he'll come to find me today."

Kushina's eyes lit up with excitement. "It's amazing that Lord Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, accepted you as his apprentice!"

Chiba felt a bit guilty. "But Kushina, with my training under Orochimaru-sensei, we might not get to spend much time together anymore. We won't be able to see each other every day."

Kushina smiled and lightly punched Chiba's shoulder. "Oh, it's fine. Once you've learned everything and we both have time, we'll catch up."

Inside, though, Kushina felt a pang of sadness.

Since becoming friends with Chiba over the past few years, she had grown accustomed to seeing him daily. The thought of parting ways after graduation made her very reluctant.

Yet, to avoid making Chiba worry, Kushina forced a cheerful facade.

Chiba, who had spent so many years with Kushina, knew her well.

He could clearly see through her true feelings.

But now wasn't the time for such concerns; danger was imminent, and Chiba needed to become stronger to face future crises with Kushina.

Chiba took out a bell from his pocket.

It was one of a pair of bells he had exchanged for 30 Witness Points in the shop.

These bells had a simple function: when one bell rang, the other would ring as well, and they could guide each other to their locations.

Chiba had obtained this bell to prepare for the possibility of a future kidnapping of Kushina by the Cloud Village ninjas.

He handed the bell to Kushina. "This is for you, Kushina."

Kushina took the small bell with joy and asked expectantly, "Is this a gift for me?"

Seeing her eager expression, Chiba smiled. "Yes."

Kushina's smile was radiant. "I love it! Thank you, Chiba."

Chiba was touched. He hadn't expected that a single bell could make Kushina so happy.

Chiba looked at Kushina seriously. "Kushina, this bell has a special function. I have an identical bell. If you ring yours, mine will ring too, and no matter where you are, it will help me find you.

So always keep this bell with you. If anything happens, ring it, and I'll come to you as quickly as possible. Do you understand?"

Kushina, seeing Chiba's serious expression, nodded earnestly. "I will always keep this bell with me!"

After saying that, Kushina couldn't help but ring the bell and listen carefully for any sound from Chiba's bell.

When she heard the sound of the bell from Chiba, she smiled sweetly.