Only five of the eighteen children survived Orochimaru's curse mark experiments.
That much, Akio had seen with his own eyes. And those eighteen were clearly not the first batch—there must have been several earlier rounds, perhaps even dozens. If this had truly been the first attempt, the survival rate wouldn't have been this high. Senjutsu power was never something you obtained easily.
Compared to canon history, the type of curse mark had changed—but the survivors hadn't.
It was still the same group: Jirōbō, Tayuya, Kidōmaru, and Sakon with Ukon.
The only one missing was Kimimaro.
Akio also noticed something different about the first-stage curse mark. In the original timeline, activating it covered the face with dense black tomoe patterns. This version was far worse—white, snake-like scales spreading across the skin.
The power boost was real, but Akio honestly found it hard to look at. He was, after all, a man who valued appearances. Jirōbō had once been a harmless, chubby kid. Tayuya, at least, had been a sharp-looking girl. Now… just imagining that scaly face was enough to kill Akio's mood completely.
As for Kidōmaru and Sakon–Ukon—well, they'd never exactly been easy on the eyes to begin with.
So Akio kept his head down and focused on brewing medicine, acting as Orochimaru's pharmacist and preparing Awakening Pills.
This medicine was notoriously difficult to refine. Even skilled medical ninja could usually manage only three or four pills per batch. Akio, however, produced nearly twenty—more than enough to repay the favor he owed Orochimaru.
The brewing didn't take long. Over the next few days, Akio focused on teaching the three children his newly developed taijutsu.
The results were… encouraging.
The technique's lack of raw killing power wasn't an issue for Kimimaro. Moves that were merely restraining or deflective for others became lethal once a bone spike extended from his palm.
Haku, surprisingly, learned even faster than Kimimaro. She had never fought with killing intent to begin with, favoring control and positioning. This style suited her perfectly.
Karin, however…
"Karin, that move is wrong again! You're swinging too hard—if you miss, you're wide open!"
"No, still wrong! You don't need to put your whole body into it—seriously…"
After a week, Kimimaro and Haku had successfully grasped the basics.
Karin was… politely dropped from the curriculum.
Akio eventually accepted that someone with Karin's temperament simply wasn't suited for a defensive, control-based fighting style. She couldn't hold back when needed—every move screamed all or nothing.
As for the taijutsu itself, it was still too early to judge its long-term effectiveness. Mastering even the fundamentals within a week was already impressive.
Akio decided to wait and see how the three developed before deciding whether to pass the style on more widely.
For now, it was time to leave the Sound Village.
"Pack your things. We're heading out."
Karin's excitement was impossible to hide.
"We're really leaving? Finally?"
Ever since she'd accidentally insulted Orochimaru and realized he'd heard her, she'd been half-convinced he might abduct her for experiments at any moment.
Akio nodded.
"Yeah. We've been here almost two months. Time to move on. So—where do you want to go next?"
Kimimaro and Haku stayed silent.
Karin's eyes darted between them before lighting up.
"Elder, all three of us want to go to the Land of Wind. We want to see the desert!"
"All three?" Akio repeated with a smile.
"All three!" Karin said firmly.
"Alright then," Akio said pleasantly. "We'll go to the Land of Earth."
"Yes—wait, what?! The Land of Earth?!"
Akio turned to Kimimaro.
"Interested in the Land of Earth?"
"Wherever you go, I'll go," Kimimaro replied without hesitation.
"Haku?"
Haku glanced at Karin, then nodded softly.
"…I'd like that."
Akio smiled.
"Good. Then it's settled."
"But you said democracy!" Karin protested.
"You did listen," Akio replied calmly. "Kimimaro and Haku want the Land of Earth. You want the Land of Wind. Two to one."
"…That's not fair."
They soon departed the Sound Village and resumed their journey.
The Land of Rice Fields lay in the southwest of the shinobi world, while the Land of Earth was far to the northwest. Even at a ninja's pace, the journey would take five or six days at minimum.
Akio deliberately avoided flying or using shortcuts. Instead, the four traveled normally, taking nearly half a month—sightseeing, helping villages, resolving small conflicts along the way.
He mostly observed, letting the children handle situations themselves. They rose to the challenge, growing stronger with each encounter.
They passed through Takigakure along the way, though Kakuzu was nowhere to be found—probably off making money somewhere. A pity. Akio had half a mind to catch up.
Once inside the Land of Earth, they slowed even further. Akio showed the children local specialties—though most goods were still imported from Uzushiogakure.
By late June of Konoha Year 54, they finally reached the forests near Iwagakure.
"We're almost there," Akio said with a grin.
"You're about to see the village that recently dealt Konoha a serious blow."
The children were visibly excited. Without Akio, they'd never have had the chance to cross the shinobi world at their age.
"Another five or six kilometers and we—"
Akio suddenly paused.
"What is it?" Haku asked.
Before he could answer, explosions echoed in the distance.
Akio focused for a moment—then smiled. He reached into his clothes and pulled out… a slingshot.
Karin stared.
"Why do you even have that?"
"Confiscated it from Naruto after he broke my window."
"…Then why are you still carrying it?"
Akio froze for half a second.
"Don't worry about that. It's almost noon—I'll get us lunch."
He picked up a small stone, aimed upward, and released.
A massive white clay bird was flying overhead.
Its head exploded instantly.
A blond boy—no more than ten—was riding it. He spun wildly as he fell, shouting curses the entire way.
"Which bastard did that—?!"
Akio spread his hands innocently.
"Oops. Looks like I hit someone."
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