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Qianyu limped home under the moonlight, now officially a disciple of Orochimaru.
His legs throbbed, but his expression couldn't hide the excitement.
Without a prominent background, the only real card Qianyu had to play was his mastery of all the Thunder Breathing sword forms. But Thunder Breathing alone wasn't enough to guarantee he'd always come out on top. He needed other methods to strengthen himself.
If not for Orochimaru, Qianyu's only path to power would have been through the system, trading hard-earned Witness Points for new abilities. But one glance at the price tags in the system's exchange shop was enough to make his vision swim. With a measly 40 Witness Points to his name, everything he wanted was completely out of reach.
The real jackpot for Witness Points was the Third Great Ninja War. But by then, it would be too late. Based on his experience with Thunder Breathing, the system didn't grant instant, perfect mastery. It only provided the foundationāthe initial knowledge and technique. The rest, the grinding refinement, was up to him.
That had an upside, though. It meant Qianyu's understanding of Thunder Breathing was his own, not some rigid, copied template. It was malleable. Adaptable. Like his First Form: Thunderclap and Flash: Sixfold. While inspired by the original user's version, every adjustment to minimize the strain on his legs during directional changes was something Qianyu had figured out through bloody trial and error.
He took a deep breath, steeling his resolve. I have to be like a sponge, he told himself. Soak up everything Orochimaru teaches me.
With Orochimaru's guidance, he was confident he could stand his own ground when the war finally arrived.
ā¦
Four days later, at the Ninja Academy.
At their desks, Kushina Uzumaki was venting to Qianyu. "You have no idea how hard fuinjutsu is, Qianyu! There's so much to memorize. The Basic Theory of Sealing Techniquesāhave you seen it? It's this thick!" She spread her fingers wide. "And Grandma Mito wants me to memorize the whole thing!"
Her face was a picture of misery as she poured out her woes.
Qianyu chuckled and ruffled her red hair. "A little hard work now means less struggle later. You'll definitely become the strongest kunoichi, Kushina."
Normally, such praise would have made her beam. Today, her lips just stayed in a pout. "It's not really the hard workā¦ It's justā¦ Grandma Mito said after graduation, I have to stay with her for fuinjutsu training. I can't go on missions until I've learned it properly." Her shoulders slumped. "I really wanted to be on the same team as you. Go on missions together. I've been looking forward to it for so longā¦"
She looked utterly dejected.
Qianyu gave a wry smile. "Kushina, there's something I need to tell you, too. After graduation, I probably won't be teaming up with anyone for regular missions. Four days agoā¦ I was taken as a disciple by Orochimaru-sensei. I'll be training under him from now on."
Kushina tilted her head, confused. "Orochimaru-sensei? I've never heard of him."
Orochimaru kept to himself these days, a virtual ghost. And Kushina's world was a triangle: the Academy, Grandma Mito's residence, and Qianyu's house. No room for rumors about a reclusive Sannin to reach her.
"You know how Lady Tsunade and Lord Jiraiya are two of the Legendary Sannin, right?"
"Mhm."
"Orochimaru-sensei is the third."
Kushina's hands flew to her mouth. She leaned in, voice dropping to a hushed whisper. "One of the Sannin took you as a disciple?"
Qianyu nodded. "Yeah. Four nights ago, I passed his test. He said he'd come for me today."
"That's amazing, Qianyu!" Her initial shock melted into genuine delight. Then, a flicker of guilt crossed Qianyu's face.
"But Kushinaā¦ training with Orochimaru-sensei meansā¦ we probably won't see each other much anymore. Not like this."
She punched his shoulder lightly, forcing a bright smile. "Hey, it's fine! Once you're all trained up, we'll have plenty of time later!"
Inside, a heavy disappointment settled in her chest. For years now, ever since they'd become friends, not a single day had passed without seeing Qianyu. His presence had become as constant as her own heartbeat. The thought of that ending after graduation was a physical ache.
But she didn't want him to worry. She kept the smile plastered on.
Qianyu had known Kushina for years. He could read her like an open scroll. He knew exactly what that bright smile was hiding.
But now wasn't the time for sentiment. The crisis was looming. He had to get stronger, by any means necessary. For himself. For her.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bell. One of a pair he'd bought from the system's exchange shop for a staggering 30 Witness Points. They had no flashy powers. Just one simple function: ring one, and its twin would ring in response. And they would always guide the holder to its partner.
He'd gotten them for one reason: the future kidnapping attempt by Cloud ninja.
He handed it to her. "This is for you, Kushina."
Her eyes lit up as she took the little bell. "A present?"
"Yeah."
A sweet, wide smile spread across her face. "I love it. Thank you, Qianyu."
She's this happy over a bell? Qianyu scratched his cheek, a little bemused.
His expression turned serious. "Kushina, this bell is special. I have its twin. If you ring yours, mine will ring too. No matter where you are, it'll guide me to you." He met her eyes, his gaze intense. "You have to keep it on you. Always. If anything happensāanythingāyou ring this bell. I'll come. Promise me you understand."
Seeing how serious he was, her own expression sobered. She clutched the bell tightly. "I promise. I'll keep it with me every second."
She couldn't resist. She gave the bell a little shake, then strained to listen.
A faint, answering chime came from Qianyu's person.
A wave of pure, warm happiness washed over her, and her smile returned, sweeter than before.
~~~~āā~~~~~~~~āā~~~~
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