Ihe Ninja Academy

  Today marked the day of the graduation assessment.

  The focus of the assessment was the Three Basic Teiques: the e Teique, the Body Rept Teique, and the Transformation Teique.

  For Sora, this type of assessment was easy to hahe graduation exams at the Ninja Academy were generally straightforward. Even for exceptional students like Namikaze Minato, who graduated early, it wasn't a matter of defeating a in. As long as they could survive uhe in's scrutiny, they could pass.

  didates like Namikaze Minato, who sought early graduation, faced additional tests. They were evaluated not only ohree Basic Teiques but also on fual skills such as Taijutsu and shuriken throwing. In essehey had to demonstrate mastery of all the knowledge acquired during their time at the academy and prove they were ready to bee shinobi.

  The assessment began soon after.

  Sora ehe where the exam was being ducted. The instructor overseeing the assessment was Masada Hayame.

  Sora was well aware that Masada Hayame held her in lard. Knowing this, she chose not to eh him unnecessarily.

  When Masada Hayame annouhe start of the assessment, Sora performed the required teiques without hesitation. She executed the e Teique, the Body Rept Teique, and the Transformation Teique fwlessly.

  Masada Hayame couldn't find a single fault with Sora's performance. With a begrudging expressioamped the examinatioificate with the seal of "Passed" and handed Sora his forehead protector.

  Without saying a word or sparing Masada Hayame a gnce, Sora took the forehead protector ahe .

  Masada Hayame puffed out his beard and gred in frustration. After all, most didates would express their gratitude for his teag over the years. But Sora? He remained cold and indifferent.

  "That boy has su aloof nature," Masada Hayame muttered bitterly. "I 't believe someone like him is going to bee a ninja."

  Sora waited for a while at the entrance of the academy. Soon, Uzumaki Kushina emerged, brimming with excitement.

  Kushina couldn't wait to put on her forehead protector.

  "Sora, how do I look?" she asked eagerly, spinning around to show it off.

  "You look great," Sora replied with a small smile.

  Seeing Kushina proudly wearing her forehead protector stirred mixed feelings in Sora. The reality of being a ninja was harsh. From this point forward, they were stepping into a world that was akin to a battlefield—a merciless grinder where the erished and only the strong survive.

  "It's time to go."

  At some point, Orochimaru appeared silently behind Sora.

  Sora turned around and bowed respectfully. "Teacher Orochimaru."

  When Uzumaki Kushina saw Orochimaru, a chill ran down her spine.

  With his pale, almost ghostly skin and snake-like vertical pupils, Orochimaru appeared to Kushina as a predator, like a lion ready to devour its prey.

  Tsunade and Jiraiya, the other two Sannin, look normal enough, Kushina thought uneasily. Why does Orochimaru have to be so terrifying?

  She instinctively shrank behind Sora in fear.

  Still, out of respect for Orochimaru as Sora's teacher, Kushina mustered her ce and greeted him. "Orochimaru-sama…"

  Orochimaru g her briefly, his expression unreadable, before saying nothing.

  Sora turo Kushina. "Kushina, Orochimaru-sensei is here for me. You should head baow. Remember—if anything happens, ring the bell."

  Kushina nodded obediently. "I uand, Sora."

  Sently rubbed her head. "Go back quickly and tell Grandma Mito the good news about being a ninja."

  Kushiated, knowing that after this moment, she might not see Sain for a long time. Relutly, she turned and walked away, not looking back.

  Sora watched her go, his heart heavy. He, too, was relut to part ways, but he didn't want Kushina exposed to Orochimaru's presence for too long.

  No one ever knows exactly what Orochimaru is thinking, Sora thought. Being noticed by him isn't a good thing.

  He turo Orochimaru, bowing slightly. "Sorry for the dey, Orochimaru-sensei."

  "Let's go," Orochimaru said.

  Sora followed him as they left the Ninja Academy.

  After what felt like an endless walk, they arrived at an underground base oskirts of Konoha.

  Sora surveyed the dim surroundings with curiosity. So Orochimaru already had a habit of building underground bases, even back then?

  Orochimaru led Sora to a room that appeared to serve as his office. Scrolls filled with various ninjutsu y open on the desk. Orochimaru sat in his chair aured for Sora to approach.

  "Do you know your chakra nature?" Orochimaru asked.

  Sora replied truthfully, "I only know that I have the Lightning Release nature."

  Orochimaru reached for a small piece of paper and ha to Sora. "This is chakra test paper. It will reveal your chakra nature. I with your chakra."

  Taking the test paper, Sora elled his chakra into it.

  The paper reacted immediately. Oion wrinkled, another caught fire, a third became soggy, and a fourth crumbled into pieces.

  Orochimaru observed the results, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. "Oh? You possess four chakra natures: Lightning, Fire, Water, ah. Only Wind Release is missing to plete the set."

  He leaned back, closing his eyes in thought.

  Sora stood quietly, waiting for his teacher to speak.

  After half an hour of silence, Orochimaru opened his eyes and spoke. "I am not a master of Lightning, Fire, or Water Release, but I guide you suffitly. For now, you will focus on refining yhtning Release.

  "As for Taijutsu, tinue practising the Full Sword Form of the Thunder Breathing Style. It's already well-suited to your strengths, and I have er alternatives for you.

  "Since you've mastered both the form manipution and Nature Transformation of Lightning Release, deepen your proficy there before brang out to Fire, Water, ah.

  "You're also g in Sharingan mastery. Even a Oomoe Sharingan has signifit potential if used correctly. You must include rigorous Sharingan training in yimen. bining the insight granted by your Sharingan with the Thunder Breathing Full Sword Form will amplify your effectiveness.

  "Additionally, you'll o master the Summoning Teique. My teiques rely heavily on summoning, and I expect you to use them profitly.

  "Do you have any objes to this training pn?"

  Sora shook his head. "No objes, Orochimaru-sensei."

  Orochimaru stood. "Good. We'll start tomorrow. I'll show you to your room."

  He led Sora out of the offid to a small, spartan room.

  It was bare, save for a bed and a bedside table.

  "This will be your room," Orochimaru said. "You may explore the base freely, but you are forbidden from entering the sealed room. Do you uand?"

  "Yes, Orochimaru-sensei."

  With that, Orochimaru left.

  Sora y down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

  As expected of Orochimaru. His training pn alone makes it clear—I'm going to have a very intense and fulfilling life ahead.