Chapter 164: Manda

Nawaki, who had recently been promoted to Chunin, was visibly impatient.

He was the only one on his team to achieve this rank, a source of pride for him, and that pride was starting to go to his head. Like any young shinobi who'd tasted early success, he was getting a bit overconfident.

"So, you're eager to go to the battlefield?" Orochimaru asked, not bothering to look back as he continued walking.

The battlefield… Orochimaru knew all too well that even Jonin-level ninja were just pawns there, easily cut down if they weren't cautious. From what he could tell, Nawaki's current strength would leave him with a 70% chance of dying on the front lines.

"Of course!" Nawaki replied, practically vibrating with excitement. "My dream is to become Hokage! If I don't go to the battlefield and earn some achievements, how else am I supposed to make that happen?"

"Hokage, huh?" Orochimaru paused, then turned to glance at the enthusiastic boy. "It's good to have a goal, but remember, you have to take things one step at a time."

"Come on, sensei! I've already mastered my basics! I'm a Chunin now!" Nawaki puffed out his chest. "I bet it won't be long before I can beat one of your clones…"

He continued talking excitedly, his aspirations growing with each sentence.

"Soon, I'll be able to surpass my sister, then you, and then… eventually surpass my grandfather and become the greatest Hokage ever!"

"Your grandfather, huh?" Orochimaru's gaze drifted to the necklace hanging around Nawaki's neck.

When did Tsunade give him that necklace?

It was a relic of the First Hokage, imbued with the chakra-sealing power Hashirama had left behind. Orochimaru remembered Tsunade wearing it every night and never mentioning any intention of passing it down.

"Oh, this?" Nawaki noticed Orochimaru's glance and grinned even wider. "My sister gave it to me for my twelfth birthday, just the other day! By the way, sensei, you didn't get me a gift since you came back late that night…"

"Your birthday, huh? So you're twelve now…" Orochimaru muttered thoughtfully. "Alright, I'll give you something when we get back."

"Really? Haha, thanks, sensei you're the best!" Nawaki's eyes sparkled with excitement, practically bouncing with energy as he followed Orochimaru back to the village.

The two walked side-by-side, engaged in easy conversation. Neither noticed the subtle frown on Kato Dan's face as he watched them from a distance.

"Dan, what's up?" a slightly chubby ninja approached, noticing his teammate lingering behind.

Kato Dan blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "Oh, it's nothing… I just feel like Lord Orochimaru might not be the easiest person to get along with."

"Is that so?" The ninja glanced at Orochimaru's retreating figure and laughed. "Well, that's not surprising. He is one of the Sannin, the man who fought Hanzo of the Salamander and survived! With strength like that, he's bound to have a unique personality."

"Haha, true enough…"

---

Meanwhile, Tsunade's journey to the front line had only just begun, and Orochimaru was already feeling the lull of boredom creeping back in.

After giving Nawaki a vial of the basic enhancement serum as a belated birthday gift, he returned to his lab to resume his research on the scientific ninjutsu scroll.

The enhancement serum worked by enhancing one's genetics, but the process had to be gradual—from basic to intermediate, and finally, advanced. Skipping levels could put a shinobi's body under strain it wasn't ready for. So, for Nawaki, Orochimaru had started him at the basic level.

While Nawaki's physique didn't inherit the full Senju "sage" body, his bloodline still made him sturdier than most civilian ninja. With the enhancement serhm and proper battlefield training, Orochimaru was confident Nawaki could one day reach the level of a Jonin.

"This stuff is amazing!" Nawaki marveled at the effects of the potion, clenching his fists as he felt the surge of energy. He looked across the yard at Orochimaru, his admiration bordering on awe.

At this point, Nawaki's respect for Orochimaru was through the roof. The man seemed capable of anything—ninjutsu, ninja tools, potions, even strange hybrid devices. Every new achievement only fueled Nawaki's hero worship.

"This is nothing," Orochimaru said without looking up. "But keep this between us, Nawaki. This is a secret."

Nawaki nodded eagerly, his voice filled with sincerity. "Don't worry, sensei. Ninjas are good at keeping secrets!"

BOOM!

Just as he finished speaking, a blast of lightning surged from the wall where Orochimaru was experimenting, blowing a small hole in it. Orochimaru examined the launcher strapped to his arm and nodded in satisfaction.

"It seems like it's finally working."

With his current technology, Orochimaru had almost completed his research on the scientific ninjutsu scrolls. Once he handed over the final specifications to Konoha's R&D team, he could start preparing for his next move.

---

That night, under the cover of darkness, Orochimaru made his way to a secluded canyon on the outskirts of Konoha. His hands tucked casually into his pockets, he moved with purpose, until he reached the heart of the open, deserted area.

Once there, he looked around, assessing the surroundings. Then, he raised two fingers in front of him.

Boom!

With a puff of white smoke, four identical clones appeared beside him. Without needing instruction, each clone immediately sprinted off in a different direction to secure the perimeter.

Satisfied, Orochimaru flipped his wrist, revealing four small mechanical scout flies that he released into the air. The tiny drones dispersed, adding another layer of surveillance to ensure his solitude.

"That should keep any interruptions at bay," Orochimaru murmured to himself.

With that, he bit his thumb, smeared blood across his palm, and swiftly formed the hand seals.

Summoning Jutsu!

Bang!

A massive plume of white smoke erupted, revealing a colossal snake with vivid purple markings, its scales glinting in the moonlight.

"Who dares summon me at this hour?" the serpent hissed, its voice deep and menacing.

This was Manda, the fearsome boss of the giant snakes from Ryuchi Cave. Even with a summoning contract, Manda was a creature of pride and intelligence. It wouldn't obey anyone without proper respect… or compensation.

"Ah, Manda. A pleasure, as always," Orochimaru greeted him with a smirk, undeterred by the snake's intimidating presence.

***

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