Chapter 9.1 : Generous Reward!!

A clearing in the forest of Konoha Village.

Kagetsu stood under a tree, feeling a mix of emotions. His mind kept replaying the scene from two days ago when Orochimaru visited his parents and asked to take him as a disciple.

As one of the legendary Sannin and a potential future Hokage, Orochimaru had even received permission from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, to personally visit the Nara couple and make the request. This alone showed how much Orochimaru valued Kagetsu.

This wasn't just like the teachers assigned to students after graduating from the ninja academy. It was a step further—a true master-disciple relationship where the student is seen as a successor.

Your team leader is just your superior, and how much they teach you depends on their willingness. But in a true master-disciple relationship, the master doesn't hold back and shares all their knowledge.

A clear example is the future Team 7. Kakashi was the leader of Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto, and Sakura, but the only one who truly inherited his techniques was Sasuke.

Similarly, such a formal visit showed not only how much Orochimaru valued Kagetsu but also that there was no room for refusal unless they wanted to offend Orochimaru.

So, whether Kagetsu liked it or not, from the moment Orochimaru visited, he had already become Orochimaru's disciple. Even his father, Shikakichi Nara, couldn't do anything about it.

Today was the agreed-upon day for their first meeting since Kagetsu became Orochimaru's disciple.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a gust of wind rushed by. A girl, around eight or nine years old, wearing a Chūnin forehead protector and a mesh outfit, jumped down from a tree branch above and lightly landed beside Kagetsu.

"Are you the kid from the Nara clan?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked at Kagetsu's traditional Nara clan attire.

"You're already here. That's good."

Before Kagetsu could respond, a familiar raspy voice suddenly echoed nearby, as if someone had been waiting for a long time and suddenly decided to speak. The sudden voice startled both Kagetsu and the girl.

"Orochimaru-sensei!"

"Orochimaru-sensei!"

Two young voices called out simultaneously. Compared to Kagetsu's unenthusiastic tone, the girl's shout was filled with energy and undisguised admiration.

This made Kagetsu instinctively move a little further away from her.

By now, he had already figured out who this slightly immature girl was.

Anko Mitarashi!

Orochimaru's only surviving disciple after he defected from Konoha.

The reason Kagetsu thought she was the only survivor was that he wasn't sure if Anko was truly the last disciple after Orochimaru's other student, Nawaki.

Though she wasn't known for any remarkable achievements, she had been taught by Orochimaru himself, so she must have some talent. If she were completely untalented, Orochimaru wouldn't have taken her as a student or passed on the Ryūchi Cave contract to her.

"Let's introduce ourselves. I'm Orochimaru, your future team leader. I like exploring and learning all the ninjutsu in the world. I dislike people without talent and those who are foolish beyond help." 

Orochimaru led the two to a nearby clearing and stood facing them, about five or six meters away, waiting for their introductions.

"I'll go first! I'm Anko Mitarashi. I just turned ten and am about to graduate from the Ninja Academy! I hope to become a powerful ninja like Lord Orochimaru! As for dislikes, hmm, I don't dislike anyone at the moment." Anko eagerly raised her hand and shouted, beating Kagetsu to the introduction.

"Kagetsu Nara, six years old. I'm still attending the Ninja Academy. I like doing research that interests me. I dislike troublesome things that have nothing to do with my research." 

Seeing Orochimaru's gaze shift to him, Kagetsu also gave a brief self-introduction.

"Before I start teaching you, I need to test you first. You can use any means necessary, working together with the intent to kill me. Don't hold back. I need to understand your current strength and abilities," Orochimaru said.

He licked the corner of his lips, and a bell dropped from his raised fingers. Using his foot, he drew a circle around himself. "See this bell? If any of you can take it from me, you'll pass the test. To be fair, I will stay within this circle and not move."

"What happens if we can't get the bell?" Anko raised her hand, eager to start. She knew they couldn't possibly defeat Orochimaru, but if it was just about taking the bell, maybe with teamwork, it could be done.

As she thought this, Anko glanced at Nara Kagetsu beside her and felt a bit overconfident.

"Then you'll fail the test, and there will be a very harsh punishment," Orochimaru said with a smile that sent a chill down their spines.

"But, if you succeed, I will give you a reward," Orochimaru continued, as a small scroll the size of a palm slid out from his sleeve. Under the watchful eyes of Kagetsu and Anko, Orochimaru made hand signs to unlock the scroll.

Poof!

A cloud of smoke dispersed, revealing a giant scroll almost as tall as a person standing in front of Orochimaru.

"This is the summoning contract scroll of Ryūchi Cave! If you manage to get the bell or perform exceptionally well, I will write your names on it after the test," Orochimaru's tone was full of temptation.

Anko's body trembled with excitement.

A summoning beast!

Who wouldn't want to have a powerful summoning beast?

Especially one from Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin!

She didn't need any more encouragement from Orochimaru; she was already filled with fighting spirit. Kagetsu took a deep breath, feeling like this reward was meant specifically for him.

But no matter what, Orochimaru's reward struck a chord in his heart. With the influence of his talent cards, his desire to study one of the Three Sage Regions, Ryūchi Cave, was boiling over.

Even just for the sage arts, Kagetsu was ready to give it his all.

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