The bright moon hung high, its pure light spilling onto the lake, where the shimmering surface reflected the moon's silhouette.
Orochimaru walked step by step on the water, carrying a huge stone on her back.
On a distant cliff, another Orochimaru climbed step by step, holding a large stone.
This was not physical training, but rather training in Chakra control.
Shadow Clones cannot refine Chakra.
Orochimaru had already tried this. A Shadow Clone evenly distributes the caster's Chakra, and it consumes Chakra every second. When a Shadow Clone is dispelled, its experience, fatigue, and remaining Chakra return to the main body.
Using Shadow Clones to train Chakra control and Ninjutsu is perfectly suitable. The Chakra consumed and the fatigue incurred are within Orochimaru's tolerance, and will not cause excessive damage to the body.
The reason why the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu was listed as a Forbidden Technique by its inventor, Senju Tobirama, is that it creates too many Shadow Clones in an instant. Maintaining a Shadow Clone consumes Chakra every second, and people without the Uzumaki Clan's vast Chakra reserves would be drained of Chakra by this Jutsu in an instant. In severe cases, it could even lead to the caster's death.
Using Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu with the Senju Clan's Chakra would certainly not be a problem, but Senju Tobirama considered whether more people could use this Jutsu.
The Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu clearly did not meet Senju Tobirama's requirements. If some hot-headed youth secretly learned it, they might end up killing themselves. Senju Tobirama simply listed the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu as a Forbidden Technique.
Through his research, Orochimaru discovered that the number of cells in the human body in this world far exceeds that of Earthlings. This is also why the people of this world have average superhuman physical abilities.
If an Earthling were to transmigrate here, they might not even be able to defeat a child who isn't a Ninja. A child who has attended the Ninja Academy for a few days could single-handedly beat a transmigrator.
This is not only due to physical constitution but also the difference in the number of cells in the body, and the number of cells in the body determines the upper limit.
"Orochimaru, still training so late?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on the cliff face, watching Orochimaru walk up step by step, carrying a large stone. His gaze then fell on Orochimaru walking on the lake, and a hint of shock flashed in his eyes.
Using a Shadow Clone for training was not unheard of; the main issue was that it consumed too much Chakra, and when the Shadow Clone was dispelled, the fatigue would also return to the main body. Excessive fatigue could potentially cause irreversible damage to the body.
"Hiruzen-sensei."
Orochimaru walked onto the cliff face and placed the large stone on the ground. Hiruzen Sarutobi felt the ground shake, and his mouth twitched.
"Orochimaru, your training is too extreme. If you cause harm to your body, it could even affect your future path as a Ninja."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a serious expression. He wasn't exaggerating; unrestrained training indeed carried such a possibility.
Orochimaru was a very promising child, both in terms of talent and as a Ninja. He didn't want this child to harm her body in pursuit of rapid strength improvement.
"Hiruzen-sensei, two Shadow Clones are within my tolerance. I've been training like this for a while now."
"What?!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was startled. Was the main body not here?!
He had thought Orochimaru was only using one Shadow Clone to assist in training, and he never expected that both the Orochimaru here and the Orochimaru walking on the lake were Shadow Clones.
(A Shadow Clone is an exact replica of the main body. Neither the Byakugan nor the Sharingan can distinguish between the main body and a Shadow Clone, let alone Hiruzen Sarutobi. Even if Senju Tobirama came, he would not be able to tell who was a Shadow Clone and who was the main body.)
"Is your body alright?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with concern, a hint of worry in his eyes, wondering if he should find a Medical Ninja to examine Orochimaru's body.
Orochimaru said sincerely, "Hiruzen-sensei, the training is within my tolerable limits. Please rest assured."
"Then, if you have any problems with your training, you must tell me, alright? Don't try to figure things out on your own, do you understand, Orochimaru?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke earnestly. He was genuinely worried that Orochimaru would train recklessly on her own. It would be safer to train under his guidance.
"Yes, I understand, Hiruzen-sensei."
Orochimaru nodded.
"You child, you're a bit too mature."
Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out and ruffled Orochimaru's hair. He really wished she could be as cheerful as Jiraiya, but then he felt that with Orochimaru's personality, it was impossible for her to become like Jiraiya.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat worried about Orochimaru's future development. He found it difficult to understand this child's thoughts.
"Hiruzen-sensei, I am already a Ninja."
Orochimaru took out her forehead protector from her Ninja tool pouch. She had considered wearing it on her forehead.
How to put it, she thought it was cool when she was little, but now she found it a bit chuunibyo.
"It's getting late. Let's end today's training early."
Seeing that it was getting late, Hiruzen Sarutobi planned to go home to his wife and children and a warm bed.
"Hiruzen-sensei, I want to learn Ninjutsu."
Orochimaru said quickly when she saw Hiruzen Sarutobi about to leave.
He touched her head and still wanted to leave? Don't even think about leaving without leaving something behind.
"Ninjutsu? For you right now..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to refuse, but then he remembered that Orochimaru had learned Earth Release: Underground Headhunter Technique just by seeing it once, and could even use Shadow Clones to assist with training. Given her current Chakra reserves and Chakra control, learning some low-level Ninjutsu would be no problem.
"Orochimaru, what are your Chakra natures?"
"Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, Water."
Orochimaru thought for a moment and replied. She had tested with Chakra paper before and found that she possessed five Chakra natures. If it was the same as in the original story, then she also had Yin and Yang natures.
"Oh! Just like me!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was surprised, and a smile appeared on his face. "Orochimaru, I need to prepare. Tomorrow I'll give you scrolls with Ninjutsu recorded on them."
"Thank you very much, Hiruzen-sensei!"
Orochimaru's quiet and cool face bloomed into a happy smile.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu." Not thoroughly extracting his knowledge would be a disservice to herself.
Forbidden Techniques and science could be researched later. For now, the priority was to exhaust Hiruzen Sarutobi's Ninjutsu knowledge and improve her own strength.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was slightly taken aback, then a relieved smile appeared on his face. It seemed his previous worries were unnecessary.
In the hot spring district, walking on the wooden bridge, one could clearly feel the rising steam from the hot springs below. These hot springs were said to have been brought in from the Land of Hot Springs at great expense.
Most Konoha Ninja, after completing their missions, would come to the hot spring district to comfortably soak in the hot springs. This area also had Konoha's largest tavern and Casino, offering a complete range of services.
After a relaxing hot spring bath, one would go to the tavern for a drink, then drunkenly head to the Casino and lose everything.
Inside the tavern, by the window seat.
"Miya-san, are you satisfied with this contract? Please believe that this is our utmost sincerity."
The male publishing agent, with a forced smile, looked at the cold-faced man with long black hair sitting opposite him. It was hard to imagine such a person writing books that made people blush.
"I see your sincerity."
The man named Miya gracefully signed his name on the contract.
"Miya-san, this is your royalty for this time."
The publishing agent placed the envelope on the table, put away the contract, and said, "Miya-san, I'll take my leave now."
75,000 ryo... For a relatively unknown new novelist, getting this much money was not bad.
In the alley behind the tavern, Orochimaru, who had not yet dispelled her transformation Jutsu, counted the money in the envelope: 75 Land of Fire bank notes, each worth a thousand ryo. Sensing someone approaching, she leaped up and hid.
Huh? Tsunade?
Orochimaru watched Tsunade sneak in, carefully looking around, not understanding what she was up to.
"Transform!"
Tsunade, making sure no one was watching her, formed hand signs, and a mature-looking woman appeared in her place.
"Alright, today I'm definitely winning back everything I lost before!"
Tsunade clenched her fists and said with great enthusiasm, then marched confidently towards the Casino, preparing for a major battle at the gambling table.
So she's going to the Casino... Orochimaru watched Tsunade rush towards the Casino as if going to war, blinking her eyes. She finally understood why she was so cautious.
Wait, Tsunade went to the Casino since she was little?!
So, perversion and gambling are innate, and only Orochimaru's poison is acquired!