After hearing Orochimaru, Gojo Yoru fell into thought.
He hadn't expected Lightning Release to have that kind of effect.
As a transmigrator, Yoru actually had ways to strengthen his resistance to genjutsu—more than one.
First: train senjutsu. Once he entered Sage Mode, not only would his strength skyrocket, his resistances in every aspect would be massively enhanced.
Natural energy is overwhelmingly domineering. Even a genjutsu master can't manipulate senjutsu chakra that has fused with natural energy.
Second: the Eight Gates, one of the three "divine techniques" in Shippuden, alongside Impure World Reincarnation and Flying Thunder God.
He didn't need to train the Eight Gates to an extreme level. As long as he opened the First Gate—Gate of Opening—removing the brain's limiter, he could not only bring his physical ability to 100%, but also throw his chakra into chaos.
The only downside was that it overconsumed physical energy. Unless you were built like iron, you couldn't sustain it.
Yoru had never planned to chase the Eight Gates. To bring that technique to full potential, you had to temper the body through endless hardship—and doing all that just to open the First Gate wasn't worth the return.
From the start, Yoru only wanted Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode.
Unfortunately, to train senjutsu, you needed enormous chakra reserves. Otherwise you not only couldn't train it—you could die.
He'd thought he'd need to wait until adulthood to raise his genjutsu resistance. He never expected Lightning Release could also do it. A pleasant surprise.
That was the advantage of having a good teacher.
So Yoru asked with bright eyes, "Orochimaru-sensei, is there a fast way to master Lightning Release nature transformation?"
"Of course." Orochimaru's smile became meaningful. "Do you know why Kumogakure shinobi praise and specialize in Lightning Release nintaijutsu so much?"
"Why?"
"Because of their environment—mountains shrouded in clouds, thunder rumbling year-round," Orochimaru said with a smile. "Living under lightning all the time, some unlucky people inevitably get struck. So shinobi and scientists there developed a method: using natural lightning to help their own shinobi quickly cultivate Lightning Release nature transformation and strengthen the body. Over time, it became Kumogakure's signature Lightning Release nintaijutsu!"
Yoru understood and couldn't help the twitch at the corner of his mouth. "This 'fast method' isn't…?"
"To cultivate Lightning affinity after birth, you naturally have to experience lightning first," Orochimaru teased. "What—are you scared?"
Kushina also covered her mouth and giggled at Yoru.
Even though he knew it was a provocation, Yoru really couldn't stand that look. He grinned. "Perfect. Exactly what I want."
"Then tomorrow we'll begin the next stage of training."
Orochimaru stood and patted Yoru's shoulder, then ended the session.
Yoru and Kushina went home together.
On the way, Kushina mentioned something. "Oh yeah, Yoru—someone else in our class graduated early too. Besides you."
"Minato?" Yoru raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, that sissy," Kushina nodded. "Seems like he also took a really amazing person as his teacher. But unlike you, he still has two teammates."
"With his talent and strength, he could've graduated early long ago."
Yoru vaguely remembered Minato's graduation age was ten.
In his previous life, plenty of people wondered whether Nagato or Minato was actually Jiraiya's earlier student.
The truth was: before the three orphans, Jiraiya already had three students.
Those three were Minato and two other boys—Jiraiya's team.
A ninja team didn't have to be two boys and one girl.
Often, to prevent a team of three boys from isolating one boy, the academy would add a girl into a two-boy team.
But if there weren't enough girls, teams of three boys could happen.
For example, canon Might Guy teamed with Genma Shiranui and Ebisu.
Jiraiya's team was also three boys.
Yoru remembered this so clearly because in the Minato one-shot, those two boys got screen time.
As for their names, Yoru didn't know.
Kushina, of course, didn't know what Yoru was thinking.
Seeing Yoru give Minato such a high evaluation, she pouted and complained, "That sissy is always sneaking looks at me for no reason, like he's never seen a redhead before. So annoying. It's good he graduated early—one less eyesore in class."
Yoru: "…"
Poor Yellow Flash. Fell in love at first sight, didn't dare say it, and now even his glancing is "an eyesore."
But he was also incredibly pure—he saw basically zero hope and still hadn't fully given up. Maybe because Yoru graduated early, Minato started fantasizing again?
…
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office.
The moment Orochimaru entered, he asked, "Sarutobi-sensei… did you see it?"
"See what?" Hiruzen looked up from grading documents, confused.
"You didn't spy today?" Orochimaru flicked his gaze toward the crystal ball on the desk.
"Ahem…"
Hiruzen's old face flushed red. He cleared his throat. "Normally I'm just observing the village and public sentiment, seeing where construction is still needed. Other than that, I rarely use the Crystal Ball Telescope Technique."
"Heh."
Orochimaru merely chuckled, but it hit harder than Jiraiya bluntly calling him out.
"You brat, why are you here?" Hiruzen snapped in embarrassment.
Orochimaru's next line made Hiruzen shoot to his feet.
"Yoru has mastered Flying Thunder God."
"Really?!"
Hiruzen braced both hands on the desk, staring at Orochimaru with disbelief written all over his face.
When Orochimaru nodded, Hiruzen could no longer contain his joy. "Excellent! After Tobirama-sensei, Konoha finally has someone who can use Flying Thunder God again."
Then, as if he thought of something, Hiruzen hurriedly asked, "How far can that child sense his formulas right now?"
Flying Thunder God was incredibly powerful. Even a once-in-a-decade genius like Orochimaru lacked the aptitude for it—one of the shinobi world's few super S-rank techniques.
But it wasn't truly "unsolvable."
Ironically, the Second Hokage died because he chose to stay behind alone and hold off enemies for his students and subordinates—instead of using Flying Thunder God to take everyone away.
Flying Thunder God requires the user to sense the Flying Thunder God formula in order to teleport.
In canon, Uchiha Obito had a formula on him, yet Minato couldn't instantly reach the battlefield because he couldn't sense it.
Hatake Kakashi also had a Flying Thunder God kunai on him, but Minato still couldn't instantly arrive to support him—leading Obito to hold a grudge and mock the "fastest man in the shinobi world" for always being late at crucial moments.
Which showed: sensing formulas has a distance limit.
~~~
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