Splash—
The sound of something heavy hitting water, along with the crackle-pop of sparks, rang out in the quiet woods.
Then, one fish after another—like they'd jumped too hard—flew from the water onto the bank, where Gojo Yoru and Uzumaki Kushina caught them.
With practiced motions, the two used kunai to kill the fish, gut and clean them, then skewered them and started grilling by the fire.
Only when they ran out of bamboo skewers did no more fish fly out of the water.
As a huge bubble surfaced, the shadow clone down at the bottom of the pond—serving as their "tool man"—automatically dispelled.
It was dusk. Yoru and Kushina didn't go home. They made dinner out in the wild instead.
Over the past two months, they'd done this often.
After Uzumaki Mito died, Kushina rarely ate dinner in the mansion anymore.
Even though Tsunade and Nawaki were very kind to her, in front of them Kushina still felt guilty.
Because Mito could've lived a while longer—it was Kushina who had caused her to end her life early.
So Kushina was a little afraid to face them.
And besides, in front of that brother-and-sister pair, Kushina—who wasn't even truly family—always felt out of place.
Before, she at least still had Mito, a clanswoman.
Now, Kushina felt like nothing but a parasite.
She didn't want to go back—and she was even a little afraid of returning to that mansion that had become so quiet.
Noticing this, Yoru had tried to change things. He even allowed Kushina to give the Rasengan to Nawaki as a birthday gift.
That would not only bring them closer, but also help Kushina obtain Senju secret techniques more smoothly.
The Rasengan was one of the most suitable jutsu for both the Uzumaki and Senju. Yoru didn't believe Nawaki—so similar to Naruto—wouldn't be tempted.
But Nawaki's birthday was still some time away, and Kushina hadn't decided or acted yet.
"It smells so good… mind if I join?"
The fish quickly turned golden on both sides, sizzling with oil.
After sprinkling on seasoning, Yoru and Kushina were about to eat.
Just then, a familiar-yet-strange voice suddenly reached their ears.
Both of them jumped.
When Yoru saw who it was, his face lit up with delight. "Orochimaru-sensei!"
"Sensei?!" Kushina jumped again and hurriedly looked the newcomer over.
Long black hair, purple eye shadow, golden slit pupils, a handsome face, pale skin, and the jōnin flak vest that marked his rank…
So Yoru had a sensei—and a jōnin sensei at that. Kushina was hearing this for the first time.
Her lips puffed up slightly, a little mood forming in her chest.
She'd thought she and Yoru had already told each other everything—she even knew where the Gojo family "treasure vault" was.
And yet Yoru had still kept something from her.
Seeing Yoru blurt out "sensei" instead of "san," the corners of Orochimaru's mouth rose slightly, his mood clearly brightened.
"Long time no see. You've grown taller again," Orochimaru said, smiling as he walked over.
"Yeah. Long time no see," Yoru replied.
Yoru stood and offered his spot to Orochimaru, then sat beside Kushina and introduced him. "This is one of the Hokage's direct students, and Tsunade-sama's companion. The nature-transformation scroll we've been training from was a gift from Orochimaru-sensei."
Yoru shamelessly kept using that title.
Kushina startled and sprang up, words stumbling. "O-Orochimaru-sensei… y-you… hello!"
The moment she realized what she'd said, her face turned as red as the sunset sky.
It was so embarrassing—she'd called him "sensei" too instead of "san," th-this…
"Hello. Don't be nervous. Sit down first," Orochimaru said politely, smiling gently, his voice warm.
At this time, Orochimaru hadn't joined Root yet, and he wasn't chasing immortality. In Hiruzen's eyes, he was the perfect inheritor of the Will of Fire.
All-attribute talent, exceptional ninjutsu aptitude, and strong battle achievements—many saw him as the strongest candidate for Fourth Hokage.
A certain "pot king" who also dreamed of becoming Hokage had already identified Orochimaru as his greatest enemy.
In Yoru's eyes, Orochimaru was an even better thigh to cling to than Jiraiya.
Not only was he well-rounded and loaded with resources, he also represented the Hokage's will.
If Yoru could become his student—not just a subordinate—plus his bond with Kushina, he'd be able to stroll around Konoha like he owned the place.
Given Orochimaru's generous nature, once he earned Orochimaru's approval, Yoru would never lack jutsu, forbidden techniques, or senjutsu.
So Yoru was intensely curious about why Orochimaru had come.
A chance encounter? Impossible.
"Orochimaru-sensei, please try my cooking."
The moment Orochimaru sat down, Yoru handed him a seasoned grilled fish.
"Not bad," Orochimaru said after a bite, giving a decent evaluation.
There was no dramatic "eyes lighting up in amazement" scene, of course.
With Orochimaru's status, what delicacies hadn't he eaten?
Seeing Orochimaru quietly eating, Yoru handed Kushina her own skewer and then proactively made conversation. "Orochimaru-sensei, did you just come back from a mission?"
"More or less. I went to the border to hand over duties," Orochimaru said with a meaningful smile. "For a long while after this, I'll be on leave."
"Really?" Yoru's eyes lit up. "Then could you guide Kushina and me in our training?"
Kushina also looked at the Hokage's student with eager eyes.
"You've already called me 'sensei,' so naturally that's not a problem," Orochimaru said, placing the finished fish bones into a small pit. He smiled at Yoru. "Actually, I came to see you this time on behalf of the principal's will."
"You mean…" Yoru instantly understood.
Orochimaru nodded and advised calmly. "Since your 'hiding' has already failed, don't waste time at the Ninja Academy anymore. Graduate early and come with me."
Before Yoru could respond, Kushina asked excitedly, "Does the school want me and Yoru to graduate early together?"
"Though I'd very much like to take you as a student too, you should know that's impossible," Orochimaru said, shaking his head with a heavy expression. "Your special identity means that until you can suppress the tailed beast inside you, you can't leave the village freely."
Kushina's face fell instantly.
To keep Kushina's emotions from affecting Yoru's decision, Orochimaru added fuel to the fire: "So the higher-ups want me to cultivate Gojo Yoru—raise his strength quickly so he can help you suppress the tailed beast inside you. And early graduation doesn't mean separating you. As long as Yoru trains in the village, you can join us anytime."
Kushina's eyes brightened again, no longer thinking Orochimaru had come to split them up.
And Yoru—who had been about to speak—also fell into deep thought.
~~~
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