Chapter 15 | Achivement System in Naruto

Chapter 15

The next day, we gathered in the training ground. The air was cool, the usual pre-training tension hanging between us. Orochimaru's arrival was as sudden and silent as ever. One moment, the space in the center of our triangle was empty; the next, he was there, his expression grim but not particularly surprised.

He didn't speak. Instead, he produced three identical, thin books from within his sleeve — Bingo Books. He tossed one to each of us. They felt heavier than they should have.

"Page 43, 44, and 45," he said, his voice flat.

My hands felt cold as I opened the book. I went to Anko's page first. There was her Genin ID photo, a picture of a girl trying to look tough and succeeding. Beneath it, the text was stark.

Name: Anko Mitarashi

Rank: Low - C

Bounty: 25,000 ryo

Threat Level: Genin to Low-Chunin.

Affiliation: Konohagakure. Student of the Sannin, Orochimaru (See pg. 16).

I flipped to the next page. Asuma's photo was more composed, his face held high and a determined expression on his face.

Name: Asuma Sarutobi

Rank: Low - C

Bounty: 25,000 ryo

Threat Level: Genin to Low-Chunin.

Affiliation: Konohagakure. Son of the Third Hokage. Possesses a Wind affinity. Student of the Sannin, Orochimaru (See pg. 16).

My own stomach tightened. I already knew what was coming, but seeing it in print felt different. I turned to page 45. My own Genin photo stared back at me, a neutral expression on the face of a boy who had no idea what was coming.

Name: Yuuki Kagurazaka

Rank: High-B/Low-A

Bounty: 100,000 ryo

Threat Level: Engagement by Jonin is advised. If engaged by a squad, multiple Chunin are required. Suspected to possess an unknown Hidden Technique granting unnatural strength, speed, and durability. Extreme caution is advised. Student of the Sannin, Orochimaru (See pg. 16).

I winced. I knew about the bounty, but damn. One hundred thousand ryo. That was a lot of money. It wasn't just about the cash; it was about what it represented. That amount would attract not just opportunistic missing-nin, but dedicated hunting teams. Every mission, every step outside the village walls, had just become exponentially more dangerous.

"A C-Rank bounty..." Anko breathed, a slow, wide grin spreading across her face. "Heh. Awesome." She looked from her page to mine, her eyes gleaming with competitive fire. "Don't get too cocky, Kagurazaka. I'm gonna match and surpass yours in no time!"

"A higher bounty isn't a good thing, Anko," I deadpanned, my voice flat.

Her grin didn't falter. "Says you."

I glanced at Asuma. He was staring at his own entry, his expression complicated. There was a flicker of something in his eyes — frustration, maybe, or envy — but he quickly suppressed it, his face settling into a grim mask.

I turned to face my sensei, catching his eye and giving a slight, almost imperceptible gesture to talk privately. He saw it, his golden eyes narrowing for a fraction of a second before he gave a subtle nod in return. Anko and Asuma were too preoccupied with their own thoughts, staring at their newfound infamy in the pages of the book, to notice the silent exchange.

Orochimaru cleared his throat, his voice cutting through their reverie. "Gather yourselves. Meet back here in one hour. It is time we take your training to new heights."

Everyone nodded, the weight of the new reality settling in. I turned and walked deeper into the woods, needing a moment of quiet. Anko and Asuma scattered in their own directions. A minute later, I heard a faint rustle of leaves behind me. Orochimaru had followed.

He came to a stop beside me, his presence a familiar, unsettling weight.

"Is it wise for them to be taking missions with me now?" I questioned, a frown on my face as I stared into the dense foliage. I could take care of myself. I was strong, if the worst was to happen, then with the help of [Living Disaster] I knew I could survive nearly anything normal this world could throw at me. But what about them?

Orochimaru looked contemplative. Over the past few months, he had relaxed around us, a subtle shift in his demeanor. He seemed almost fond of our team's antics, and while he tried to maintain his mask of clinical detachment, the glint of pride in his eyes after each successful mission was clear enough.

"I myself find it conflicting," he admitted, his voice a low hiss. "Now that it is openly known that you are my students, the danger of every mission will spike. Not just from opportunistic rogues, but from dedicated Hunter-nin squads." He paused, his expression turning serious. "Rogue shinobi often grow weaker over time, lacking the resources and regular training needed to maintain their skills. But Hunter Squads are a different breed altogether."

He frowned, a genuine look of concern that was somehow more unnerving than his usual smile. "Hunter-nin are designed to take down a specific target. They will gather information from every fight, every new skill you show which is then passed down their network if even one is to escape alive. They are relentless, and they are hard to escape.”

He took a breath and turned to face me, and in an instant, the concerned sensei vanished, replaced by the predator I knew him to be. A slow, sadistic smile spread across his face.

"Worry not about them, Yuuki-kun," he purred. "As your sensei, I will handle their training."

A sudden, profound sense of pity for Anko and Asuma washed over me. I felt really, really bad for them.

The next morning, I found Orochimaru waiting in our usual training spot, his expression thoughtful as he observed Anko and Asuma running through their morning drills. 

"Sensei," I said, approaching him as my teammates continued their exercises. "I need to ask you something."

His golden eyes shifted to me, curious. "Oh?"

"I want to focus on my wind affinity," I said directly. "With these bounties... I need techniques I can use openly. My other abilities..." I let the implication hang in the air. We both knew what I meant. My nature release was too dangerous to reveal, too valuable to risk exposing in every skirmish unless I want an even bigger target on my back.

Orochimaru's lips curved into a thin smile. "Wise. Your wind affinity is exceptional, but raw talent means nothing without proper development." He paused, considering. "Very well. I will provide you with the foundational exercises for chakra nature transformation. The rest... will be up to your own dedication."

That afternoon, he led me to a secluded section of a different training ground where a small waterfall cascaded down a rocky cliff face. The sound of rushing water filled the air, a constant, soothing backdrop.

"Nature transformation," he began, his voice taking on the instructional tone I'd grown familiar with, "is the process of changing the fundamental properties of your chakra. For wind users, this means developing cutting power, sharpness, and penetration."

He picked up a leaf from the ground, holding it between his fingers. With a small pulse of chakra, the leaf split cleanly in half, the cut so precise it looked like it had been made with a razor.

"You will start with leaves," he said, handing me a small pile. "When you can cut through them consistently, you will move to rubber, then branches, then rocks and boulders. Eventually..." He gestured toward the waterfall. "That will be your final test."

He spent the next hour explaining the theory, the mental exercises needed to shape chakra into its elemental form. Then, with characteristic directness, he simply said, "Practice," and left me alone with my thoughts and a pile of leaves.

The first day was humbling. I could feel my wind chakra, could sense its sharp, cutting nature, but translating that into actual results was another matter entirely. Leaf after leaf crumbled in my hands, torn rather than cut, my chakra too unfocused to achieve the precision required. There was a difference between Wind Nature Manipulation and using a Wind Jutsu, when performing a jutsu, the handsigns took care of a majority of the work and concentration.

But I persisted. Hours passed. My chakra reserves drained steadily as I pushed myself through exercise after exercise, each failure teaching me something new about the nature of wind itself. By the time the sun began to set, I had managed to cut through exactly three leaves cleanly. It wasn't much, but it was progress.

The next day was better. And the day after that, better still.

By the end of the first week, I was cutting through branches with ease, my chakra responding to my will with increasing precision. The constant cycle of exhaustion and recovery, amplified by [Training From Hell], was paying dividends. Not only was my wind manipulation improving at an accelerated rate, but I could feel my chakra capacity expanding, growing to accommodate the demands I was placing on it.

"Your progress is remarkable," Orochimaru observed one afternoon, watching as I sliced through a thick branch without visible effort. "Most students require months to reach this level of control."

I felt heat rise in my cheeks at the unexpected praise. "I just... I know what needs to be done," I said, scratching the back of my head awkwardly. "You gave me the foundation. The rest is repetition."

"Repetition with purpose," he corrected, his voice carrying what sounded like genuine approval. "Many students practice. Few truly train. There is a difference, and you understand it instinctively."

The compliment sat strangely with me. Part of me wanted to dismiss it, to maintain the careful distance I'd built between us. But another part, the part that had been working alone for hours every day, appreciated the recognition. After years of hiding my true capabilities, having someone acknowledge my dedication felt... good.

By the second week, I had progressed to cutting through rocks and small boulders. The exercises were becoming more demanding, requiring not just precision but raw power. I would stand before increasingly thick pieces of boulders, forming the single bird seal to get the flow of chakra that soon had become second nature, and release focused blades of wind chakra until my reserves were completely depleted.

The training ground around me bore the scars of my efforts. Dozens of wooden targets lay split and scattered, testament to hours of relentless practice. My single-handed seals, already effective for basic techniques, were becoming more refined, more powerful. I could feel myself approaching the level where even B-rank wind jutsu might be possible with just that simple gesture.

But the waterfall remained unconquered.

I stood before the rushing cascade, my chest heaving, sweat dripping steadily onto the packed earth beneath my feet. My chakra reserves were nearly empty, that familiar hollow ache settling deep in my bones. I raised my hand, forming the bird seal with practiced ease as I held a hand to the water, and released everything I had left.

The wind chakra struck the waterfall with tremendous force, carving a visible channel through the rushing water. For a moment, the flow was disrupted, split by the sheer cutting power of my technique. But then my chakra sputtered and died, and the water resumed its natural course, as if nothing had happened.

"Damn," I muttered, letting my hand drop to my side. I was close, so close I could taste it. But something was still missing.

"The waterfall requires more than just power," Orochimaru said, appearing beside me with his characteristic silence. "It demands perfect unity between strength and control. You are attempting to split your focus between raw force and technical precision. Perhaps... too ambitious for now."

I frowned, knowing he was right but hating the limitation nonetheless. "I can feel it," I said, staring at the rushing water. "I know I have the power. It's just..."

"Patience," he advised, his voice unusually gentle. "Mastery cannot be rushed, no matter how exceptional one's talent. You have made remarkable progress in just two weeks. Most shinobi would require years to reach your current level."

Praise was rare, and each time it caught me off guard. There was something in his tone, something that seemed almost... proud. Not the clinical satisfaction of a researcher observing a successful experiment, but the genuine pleasure of a teacher watching a student excel.

"Your dedication is impressive, Yuuki-kun," he continued, his golden eyes taking in the scarred training ground around us. "Most shinobi require constant supervision to maintain such intensity. But you... you push yourself harder than I would push you. It's a rare quality."

I felt that familiar flush of embarrassment, the conflicted pleasure of recognition from someone whose approval I feared. "Thank you, sensei," I said quietly.

He nodded, a small, genuine smile touching his lips. "You are welcome. It is... satisfying to teach a student who truly wishes to learn."

As we parted ways that evening, I found myself thinking about that smile. It hadn't been the predatory grin I was used to, or the polite mask he wore in public. It had seemed real. Human.

Maybe that was the most dangerous thing of all.

— Orochimaru —

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the training ground as Orochimaru observed his students from the treeline. Anko was practicing her throwing accuracy with typical intensity, her movements sharp and focused. Asuma sat apart from her resting, his back against a tree, staring at nothing in particular with a brooding expression that had become all too familiar.

The boy's jealousy was becoming a problem.

Orochimaru had seen this pattern before, though the memory it stirred was an unwelcome one. The way Asuma's jaw tightened whenever Yuuki demonstrated a new technique, the flash of resentment in his eyes when praise was directed elsewhere... It reminded him uncomfortably of Jiraiya in their early days. The same bitter envy, the same sense of inadequacy when faced with natural talent.

Their sensei, Hiruzen, had been too gentle then. Too trusting that the issue would resolve itself through time and camaraderie. He had let it fester, allowed the poison of comparison to eat away at team cohesion until it nearly destroyed them entirely. The memory of those early missions, tense with unspoken resentment and barely contained hostility, still left a sour taste in his mouth. Sure, it had worked out in the end but it was a problem that could have been contained from the beginning.

Orochimaru would not make the same mistake.

He formed a single shadow clone with practiced ease, the duplicate materializing silently beside him. "Handle Anko's training," he instructed with a subtle gesture toward the girl. "Standard accuracy drills, then conditioning. Keep her occupied."

The clone nodded and moved toward Anko, who barely looked up from her target practice as it approached. Good. She was focused, driven by her own competitive fire rather than poisoned by comparison. Her issues were different, more manageable.

Orochimaru himself approached Asuma, his footsteps deliberately audible on the packed earth. The boy looked up as he drew near, his expression carefully neutral in the way that only came from years of needing to keep his expressions contained. The mask of a Hokage's son, designed to hide weakness.

"May I?" Orochimaru asked, gesturing to the ground beside the tree.

Asuma nodded, shifting slightly to make room. Orochimaru settled beside him with fluid grace, his back against the rough bark. For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, watching the clone put Anko through her paces.

"What are you lost in, Asuma-kun?" Orochimaru asked finally, his voice carrying the gentle tone he reserved for moments like this. Not the clinical detachment of instruction, but something warmer. Well, as warm as he could make it, to him it likely came off as neutral and blunt, he hadn’t been much for emotions and bonding.

Asuma was quiet for a long moment, his gaze fixed on his hands. When he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper. "I feel... inadequate. When I watch him train, when I see what he can do..." He trailed off, his jaw clenching. "I'm supposed to be the Hokage's son. I'm supposed to be special."

The honesty was refreshing, if painful to witness. Orochimaru had seen too many promising shinobi destroyed by their own pride to dismiss such admissions lightly.

"I won't tell you not to compare yourself," Orochimaru said carefully, choosing his words with the precision of a surgeon. "Comparison is natural, inevitable. But there are people in this world who are monsters, Asuma-kun. Born to be special, gifted with talents that defy explanation or replication."

He paused, letting that sink in before continuing. "That does not mean those not born with such gifts cannot keep up. My teammate Jiraiya was..." He made a face, the expression genuine despite himself. "A complete loser, if I'm being honest. Loud, crude, perpetually distracted by women and sake. In our early days, I considered him barely worthy of the title 'shinobi.'"

Asuma looked up, surprise flickering across his features. It was rare for his sensei to speak so candidly about his past, his emotions.

"And yet," Orochimaru continued, his voice taking on a note of grudging respect, "over time, with dedication and relentless hard work, he not only caught up but earned my respect. Even if his usual antics make me want to strangle him within minutes of any conversation." The last part was delivered with such dry exasperation that Asuma actually cracked a small smile.

"The point," Orochimaru said, his tone becoming more serious, "is patience. You have advantages that Yuuki lacks. A clan, backing, resources. Use them. I've observed his training methods, and while his talent is undeniable, he puts in an extraordinary amount of effort. Hours upon hours of solitary practice, pushing himself to complete exhaustion daily."

Asuma's expression darkened again. "My father's always too busy to train with me properly. The clan elders are..." He gestured vaguely, frustration clear in the motion. "They expect me to simply absorb knowledge through proximity."

"Your father has the weight of an entire village on his shoulders," Orochimaru replied, his voice gentle but firm. "It's unfair, I'm aware, but there is a war ongoing, Asuma-kun. His attention is divided among a thousand critical concerns, each one potentially meaning life or death for hundreds of people."

He shifted slightly, turning to face the boy more directly. "But you have the rest of your clan. Experienced jonin who would be honored to train the Hokage's son, if approached with proper respect and genuine dedication."

Asuma nodded slowly, though the disappointment in his eyes remained.

Orochimaru studied him for a moment, weighing his options. The boy needed motivation, something to channel his frustration into productive growth rather than destructive envy. An idea began to form, dangerous perhaps, but potentially transformative.

"Tell me, Asuma-kun," he said carefully, "how much do you know about your clan's summoning contract?"

The boy's head snapped up, eyes widening. "The monkey summons? I... some. Father's never discussed the details, said I wasn't ready."

"Typically, one doesn't attempt the summoning trial until they reach chunin rank, or receive direct recommendation from the primary summoners," Orochimaru explained, watching Asuma's expression carefully. "In your case, that would be your father or your elder brother, both of whom are currently... occupied with more pressing matters."

He let the implication hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "However, if you can demonstrate the proper dedication this week, if you can show me that you're willing to set aside your envy and focus on your own growth rather than comparing yourself to others... I will speak with your father about allowing you to attempt the trial early."

Asuma's eyes went wide, his entire posture straightening. The monkey summoning contract was legendary, a mark of true strength within the Sarutobi clan. To attempt it and succeed as a genin would be unprecedented.

"You... you would do that?" he asked, his voice barely controlled.

"I would prepare you for it," Orochimaru clarified, his tone becoming more instructional. "The trial is not simply about raw power, but about understanding, respect, and the ability to form genuine bonds with beings far older and wiser than yourself. It requires maturity, patience, and above all, the ability to see beyond your own immediate desires."

He leaned forward slightly, his golden eyes boring into Asuma's. "Can you do that, Asuma-kun? Can you set aside your jealousy and focus on becoming the shinobi you're meant to be, rather than chase the shadow of someone else?"

The boy was quiet for a long moment, his mind clearly racing. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady, determined. "Yes, sensei. I can do that."

Orochimaru smiled, and for once, it was entirely genuine. "Good. Then we begin tomorrow. And Asuma-kun?" He stood, brushing dirt from his clothes. "Your father may be busy, but he is not blind. He sees your struggles, your potential. Give him something to be proud of, and you may find he has more time than you think."

As he walked away, leaving Asuma to contemplate his words, Orochimaru allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. The boy had potential, real potential, buried beneath layers of insecurity and misplaced envy. With proper guidance, he could become something remarkable.

The memory of his own team's early struggles lingered, but this time, things would be different. This time, he would not let pride and jealousy tear his students apart.

This time, he would succeed where his sensei had merely hoped.

As Orochimaru walked away from his conversation with Asuma, his attention shifted to the other half of his team's dynamic. Anko was still practicing her shuriken accuracy with the clone, her movements precise and economical. Each throw was followed by immediate analysis - adjusting her stance, correcting her grip, refining her technique without any external guidance.

Truth be told, he had neglected her training somewhat, and for that he felt a flicker of guilt. The girl's issues were less immediately pressing than Asuma's poisonous envy or Yuuki's need for advanced instruction, but that didn't excuse the oversight. Yet Anko had proven resourceful enough not to waste the time she'd been given. Every moment was spent attempting to improve what she had available to her - her accuracy, her physical conditioning, her basic ninjutsu forms.

It reminded him uncomfortably of himself at that age. The same relentless drive for self-improvement, the same refusal to accept limitations, the same hunger for knowledge and power that burned like a constant flame in the chest.

He gestured subtly to his clone, indicating it should take over Asuma's guidance, and approached Anko directly. She noticed his approach immediately, her throwing rhythm never faltering even as her attention split between targets and sensei.

"Sensei," she acknowledged, landing another perfect bullseye before turning to face him fully.

"Your accuracy has improved considerably," he observed, noting the tight groupings on each target. "But physical conditioning and weapons training can only take you so far at your current age. Your body needs time to mature before further gains become significant."

Anko's expression tightened slightly, the competitive fire in her eyes flaring. "So what, I'm supposed to just wait around while the others get stronger?"

"Hardly," Orochimaru replied, a thin smile touching his lips. "It simply means we shift focus. Your fire affinity shows promise, and your aptitude for ninjutsu is above average. It's time we developed that properly."

The idea had been forming in his mind for weeks now, crystallizing as he watched her train. Yuuki, with his wood release and unique physiology, could never truly be his successor - the boy's path was too divergent, too specialized. Asuma was a Sarutobi at heart, destined to follow his clan's traditions and his father's footsteps. But Anko... Anko had the hunger, the resourcefulness, the sheer bloody-minded determination that reminded him of his younger self.

That wasn't even mentioning the practical considerations. Finding a truly dedicated kunoichi was rare enough, but one with the right temperament for his particular methods? Almost unheard of. And if he was being entirely honest with himself, watching Jiraiya constantly brag about the Namikaze brat's talents had stirred something competitive in him. Let his teammate have his golden-haired prodigy - Orochimaru would craft something far more interesting.

"Your fire techniques are solid for a genin," he continued, "but they lack the refinement needed for true effectiveness. We'll work on chakra control exercises specific to fire nature, then move into more advanced applications."

Anko's eyes lit up with interest. "Advanced applications?"

"Patience," he chided gently, though his tone held amusement. "First, demonstrate your current capabilities. Show me your best fire technique."

She nodded eagerly, stepping back to give herself room. Her hands moved through the familiar seals - Tiger, Rabbit, Boar, Tiger - with practiced efficiency. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

The sphere of flame that erupted from her lips was respectable for her age and rank, roughly the size of a large melon and burning with steady intensity. It struck the designated target with a satisfying whoosh, leaving scorch marks on the wooden surface.

"Adequate," Orochimaru judged, "but inefficient. You're using nearly twice the chakra necessary for that level of output. Your control needs refinement."

He spent the next hour walking her through chakra flow exercises, teaching her to feel the precise amount of energy needed for each technique. It was delicate work, requiring patience and repetition, but Anko threw herself into it with characteristic intensity.

As they worked, an idea occurred to him. If he was truly considering her as a potential successor, it would be wise to gauge her compatibility with his more... unique methods.

"Anko," he said during a brief rest period, "how do you feel about snakes?"

She blinked, clearly not expecting the question. "Snakes? I... don't really have an opinion. Why?"

Instead of answering directly, Orochimaru bit his thumb and performed a quick summoning jutsu. A small puff of smoke cleared to reveal a young snake, no longer than his forearm, with scales that shifted between deep purple and black in the afternoon light.

"This is Kage," he said, as the snake coiled around his wrist with familiar ease. "She's young, but intelligent. I thought she might observe your training, provide... additional perspective."

The snake immediately lifted her head toward Orochimaru, her posture respectful. "Orochimaru-sama," she said in a soft, sibilant voice that made Anko jump. "You honor me with this assignment."

Anko's eyes went wide. "She can talk!"

"Of course I can speak," Kage replied, though her tone was measured, cautious. Her dark eyes fixed on Anko with obvious assessment. "I am a summon of the great serpent contract, not some common garden snake."

"The snakes of my summoning contract are far more intelligent than their mundane cousins," Orochimaru explained to Anko's amazed expression. "Kage here is still young, but she has excellent instincts."

Anko stared at the snake with fascination rather than fear. "She's beautiful," she said softly, extending a cautious finger toward the serpent.

Kage's tongue flicked out, tasting the air around Anko's hand. The snake remained coiled around Orochimaru's wrist, but her head tilted slightly as she studied the girl. "Your chakra is... warm," she observed neutrally. "Fire-natured. Interesting."

"Can I... can I hold her?" Anko asked eagerly, looking between the snake and Orochimaru.

Orochimaru glanced at Kage, who gave an almost imperceptible nod. "If she permits it," he said.

Kage uncoiled from his wrist with deliberate slowness, clearly still evaluating as she moved onto Anko's extended arm. She settled there carefully, maintaining perfect balance but without the relaxed comfort she'd shown with Orochimaru.

"Your chakra feels stable," Kage noted, though her tone remained reserved. "That is... not unpleasant."

Anko grinned, clearly delighted despite the snake's cautious demeanor. "This is so cool! I've never met a talking snake before!"

"Few humans have," Kage replied diplomatically. "We are selective about our associations."

As they resumed training, Orochimaru watched the interaction with interest. Kage remained alert and somewhat distant, though she did shift position on Anko's arm to help maintain the girl's balance during combat stances. It was professional courtesy rather than genuine partnership, but it was a start.

"Try your fireball again," Orochimaru instructed, curious to see if there would be any effect.

Anko nodded, her hands moving through the familiar sequence. This time, her chakra flow felt slightly different - not dramatically so, but there was a subtle smoothness to it. The resulting fireball was marginally more controlled, though the improvement was minor.

"Adequate," Kage observed clinically. "Your chakra becomes erratic when you force the technique. Less tension would improve efficiency."

"How can you tell?" Anko asked, fascinated.

"I can sense chakra fluctuations," Kage explained patiently, though she kept glancing at Orochimaru as if seeking approval for sharing such information. "It is a natural ability of my kind. When properly synchronized, a summon can help stabilize a partner's chakra flow - similar in concept to what the Inuzuka achieve with their ninken."

"Chakra synchronization," Orochimaru elaborated, noting Anko's confused expression. "It's quite rare - a natural harmony between a shinobi's chakra and that of a summon. Though it typically takes considerable time and trust to develop, if it occurs at all."

As the training session continued, Kage remained professionally helpful but clearly reserved. She would offer technical observations about Anko's chakra control and occasionally adjust her position to assist with balance, but there was none of the warmth or familiarity she showed with Orochimaru.

"That's enough for today," Orochimaru announced as the sun began to set. "Kage, would you be willing to remain with Anko for the rest of the week? Consider it an evaluation period - for both of you."

The snake lifted her head, thinking carefully. "If it serves your purposes, Orochimaru-sama, I am willing to observe this human more closely." Her tone was dutiful rather than enthusiastic.

Anko's face lit up with excitement. "Really? You'll stay with me?"

"For a week," Kage clarified, her voice still cautious. "We shall see how... compatible we prove to be."

"This is gonna be awesome!" Anko exclaimed, then caught herself and looked at the snake more seriously. "I mean, I'll do my best to be a good partner. Or... potential partner."

Kage's expression was unreadable, but she inclined her head slightly. "We shall see," she repeated.

As they packed up their training equipment, Orochimaru allowed himself a moment of cautious optimism. The interaction hadn't been the immediate bond he might have hoped for, but Kage's willingness to even consider the arrangement was promising. The young snake was naturally cautious - a trait that would serve her well - but she hadn't rejected Anko outright.

Time would tell if anything more substantial would develop between them. For now, it was enough that both were willing to try.

Truly, being a sensei was proving to be more complex than he'd initially expected. But as he watched his students - Asuma practicing his stances with renewed determination, Anko chatting animatedly with her new serpentine partner who looked to be overwhelmed, and Yuuki visible in the distance still pushing himself through wind training exercises - he found himself smiling.

Perhaps there was something to be said for this teaching business after all.

AN: There was a lot more that was supposed to happen in this chapter - an ambush from a Hunter-nin squad where you'd get to see the improved squad in action, interactions with Team Minato, and scenes with Minato and Kushina. But I wanted to develop the characters a bit more, specifically Orochimaru. He isn't a heartless monster yet - that only comes after the end of the Third War and his time under Danzo in ROOT when he truly goes evil.

Asuma's going to follow the path of the Monkey King because why not? By the way, he canonically does have an older brother (Konohamaru's father) who didn't even get a name in the series. Let me know if you'd want to see him undergo the trial for Monkey Summoning or if I should just skip it altogether.

Anko is going to get Snake Summoning earlier because I feel like I've been neglecting her and all the characters, really. Next chapter, I'll make it a Yuuki POV and actually move the plot forward.

As usual, thank you for your continued support on Patreon - I really appreciate you all. Please like and comment your thoughts: am I moving too slow? Was this chapter a nothing burger?

Spider-Lite, swinging away!