Looking at Orochimaru's suddenly elongated hands, Gekko Chizan couldn't help but swallow nervously.
Originally, he thought his mental resilience was strong enough—otherwise, he wouldn't have become Orochimaru-sensei's disciple.
But animation is animation, manga is manga, and reality is reality.
At this moment, he realized he had been wrong. This visual impact... was really a bit much!!!
"Sometimes human joints can be quite inconvenient, but with my technique, that will no longer be a problem. It grants an unparalleled advantage in terms of human body development."
"So, Chizan-kun, do you want to learn this technique from me?"
Orochimaru retracted his hands, then his neck began to extend. The sight made one's scalp tingle—paired with the dim lighting, it was… rather terrifying.
"Uh, sensei, whatever makes you happy."
"Your disciple here doesn't have the talent for such advanced ninjutsu. I'll pass. If there's nothing else, I'll head back. Pakura is waiting for me, after all."
Orochimaru drew his neck back. When he heard Pakura's name, he nodded, and the corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile.
"What? Planning to start a family?"
"Pakura's Kekkei Genkai isn't bad at all. If you two were to unite, you might even pass down both Kekkei Genkai to your descendants. Mm, Chizan-kun, bring me some of her blood next time."
Gekko Chizan nodded helplessly. Orochimaru had already asked him for Pakura's blood before, but back then he had substituted his own blood instead.
Now… there was no escaping it.
"Oh, by the way, take this. I heard Hayate has started school already? After all, he's your younger brother. A few days ago, Kakashi went to exchange for a copy of Crescent Moon Dance—I'm guessing it was for him."
"While you were away, your three disciples have been quite diligent."
Orochimaru stretched out his arm again, retrieving a sword from a distant corner.
Gekko Chizan took it and drew the blade. Oh! Wasn't this exactly what he had been wanting?
The Kusanagi Sword—though this one was simpler than his own. It had nothing but the blade and hilt, no other decorations.
"If you need a guard, have one forged at the smithy."
"I only collect these. My own Kusanagi Sword also has a custom-made guard."
This was a longsword similar to Orochimaru's Kusanagi, not the same type Chizan had taken before.
Perhaps this was a spare Orochimaru had prepared for himself rather than a weapon meant for others.
"Hehe, then I'll thank you on my brother's behalf, sensei."
"Hehehe, no need for formalities. Haven't you taken plenty from me already? Even if I didn't give it to you, you'd probably come for it sooner or later, wouldn't you?"
Gekko Chizan chuckled. Wasn't taking things from his teacher normal?
Holding the Kusanagi Sword, he inspected it curiously.
"What? Wondering about the Kusanagi Sword's abilities?"
"Chizan-kun, do you know what each Kusanagi Sword can do?"
Orochimaru instantly saw through his thoughts and prepared to explain.
"Each Kusanagi Sword has unique abilities. For example, the one in your hand communicates with its wielder."
"If you gain its true recognition, it becomes an extremely responsive blade."
"You can even summon it without holding it."
Gekko Chizan suddenly remembered Orochimaru beckoning his own sword with a single gesture.
The Longsword of the Sky?
He hadn't expected to get this sword.
"Then, sensei, what about mine and yours?"
Orochimaru smiled faintly and continued.
"Your Kusanagi Sword has the highest chakra compatibility. It can absorb the wielder's chakra nature and amplify its power infinitely."
"I tested it with various chakra attributes and found it has the greatest affinity with Lightning Release chakra."
"It can even enhance Lightning Release to a terrifying degree."
"As for mine… I won't tell you. I'll leave you some mystery."
Tsk, no wonder in the original story his sword ended up with Sasuke. Wasn't it basically tailor-made for him?
A Lightning Release Chidori Blade, huh? Hmph, mocking him, Gekko Chizan, for not having Lightning Release, was it? How hateful!
As for Orochimaru's own sword, it was probably the one that could extend freely.
Hmph, not telling him? As if he didn't already know!
"Alright, sensei, I'm leaving."
"Mm, go ahead. Things should stay quiet for a while. Try not to come here too often. I won't be exposed, but staying too close to me will draw suspicion."
Orochimaru didn't want to bring trouble to his beloved disciple. Given his current situation… it wasn't great.
Gekko Chizan casually left behind a kunai marked with a teleportation formula, meaning he'd fly straight here next time.
"Sensei, what about Yamato?"
"Are we sending him to the Academy?"
"Or…?"
After discussing it, Orochimaru and Gekko Chizan decided to report Yamato's case to the Hokage.
Yamato's situation was highly unusual. If they didn't make arrangements soon, Danzō would definitely recruit him into Root—and that was bad news.
For now, Yamato would stay in the research facility. Aside from Orochimaru, no one else fully understood his condition.
"Come train Yamato when you have time."
"Compared to me, you're better suited for it."
"You can even bring Hayate along. They're about the same age—they might get along."
Gekko Chizan nodded.
That was indeed the best solution.
...
Leaving the research facility, it was already noon.
He hurried straight to the Academy, where he found a group standing in front of Pakura.
Their black, red, and white outfits stood out strikingly.
"Tsk tsk, Chizan moves faster than I do."
"Kushina and I haven't even—"
"Ow, ow, ow! Kushina, easy, easy!"
The red-haired pepper grabbed the yellow-haired man by the waist, twisting viciously.Even Fugaku's mouth twitched at the sight.
Pakura and Mikoto, however, nodded in perfect unison, looking like they strongly agreed.
"Tsk tsk, isn't this the Yellow Flash and the Uchiha big shot?"
"What brings you two to the Academy?"
Gekko Chizan flickered beside Pakura in an instant.
Now three couples—or rather, two couples and one married pair—had come face to face.
"Hmph, you've got some nerve, kid. That was a Tailed Beast you tangled with. Not afraid of dying?"
"I guess I—"
"Ow, ow! Mikoto, easy!"
After the yellow-haired one, the black-haired man was also sanctioned.
Laughter rang out instantly. At this moment, the pressure of war finally disappeared, if only for a while.