The exhilaration from passing the makeshift graduation exam buzzed through Arashi long after he left Training Ground 7. He practically bounced home, the Hokage's words of approval echoing in his ears. Genin. He'd done it. Step one accomplished. He replayed the fight with Kenji in his head – the dodges that felt increasingly natural thanks to his 'sense', the surprising ease with which his chakra molded into sticky threads, the look of grudging respect on the Chunin's face. It felt good.
He burst into the apartment he shared with Minato, finding his older brother setting down a mission scroll. Minato looked up, a gentle smile gracing his features as he took in Arashi's beaming face and slightly disheveled state. News travelled fast in Konoha, especially news concerning a Namikaze.
"I heard," Minato said, his voice warm with pride. "Passed with flying colours, they said. Congratulations, Arashi. You earned it."
"Totally did!" Arashi puffed out his chest. "Showed 'em what the great Arashi Namikaze can do! Tanaka-san barely knew what hit him. My threads were awesome, Nii-san, you should've seen it!" He launched into his typical, slightly exaggerated retelling, focusing on his skill and Kenji's supposed fluster. Minato sighed at the how Arashi played with Tanaka-san 'I hope he won't develop a habit out of it..'
Then minato listened patiently, his smile widening. He knew Arashi's flair for drama, but the underlying truth was undeniable: Arashi possessed unique and powerful abilities. "I'm proud of you. But remember," he added, his tone shifting slightly, becoming more serious, "being a Genin is a responsibility. The missions get harder, the risks are real. Skill is crucial, but so are diligence, awareness, and knowing when to be serious."
"I know, I know," Arashi said, the usual flicker of solemnity touching his features as he thought of the future he carried knowledge of. He looked at his kind, brilliant brother. "Gotta get strong, right? Learn everything I can. I'll be serious when it counts, Nii-san. Really."
Minato ruffled Arashi's electric blue hair. "I know you will. Just... stay focused."
The next morning, a formal summons arrived, bearing the Hokage's seal. Arashi was requested at the Hokage Tower. His stomach did a nervous flip-flop. Was this about his informal attitude yesterday? Or was it... the next step?
He presented himself at the secretary's desk, trying to appear more composed than he felt. Soon, he was ushered into the Hokage's office. The large, circular room was bathed in morning light streaming through the panoramic window overlooking the village. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with scrolls and records. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his large desk, pipe in hand, offering Arashi a kind smile.
Standing near the window, observing the village below with an air of detached contemplation, was another figure. Tall, pale, with long black hair and unnervingly intelligent golden eyes that flicked towards Arashi as he entered. Arashi immediately recognized him from his fragmented memories: Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin. His breath hitched for a split second before he forced himself to relax, offering a respectful bow.
"Hokage-sama, you summoned me."
"Ah, Arashi-kun. Come in, come in," Hiruzen said warmly. "Your performance yesterday was most impressive. Exceeding expectations, even given the reports from the Academy. Your chakra control, your unique Kekkei Genkai – the Thread Release, was it? – and your physical prowess are all remarkable for your age."
Hiruzen stood and walked around his desk. He held out a brand new Konoha forehead protector. "Arashi-kun, you know what this is?", "Yes, it is the forehead protector that symbolise Konoha Ninjas" said arashi as if it is not difficult question. Hiruzen then smile solemnly and said "Yes, that is correct but also This is a symbol of your commitment to Konoha and your path as a shinobi. Wear it with pride and honor.", "Yes, Hokage-sama" Arashi said with seriousness.
He handed out the headband to Arashi, feeling the weight of headband 'Super!! Now I am one step closer to kick madara's ass', he then tied it around his head, the cool metal pressing against his skin felt even more significant this time.
Arashi beamed, touching the leaf insignia. "Thank you, Hokage-sama! I won't let you down!"
"I trust you won't," Hiruzen chuckled. He gestured towards the other occupant of the room. "Now, regarding your training. Given your unique circumstances – graduating early and alone, possessing abilities that require specialized understanding – placing you on a standard Genin team immediately wouldn't be the most efficient path for your development."
Arashi's attention snapped fully to the Sannin by the window. No way...
"Therefore," Hiruzen continued, his gaze serious, "I have asked one of our most brilliant Jonin to oversee your initial training personally. Arashi Namikaze, here after this is your sensei: Orochimaru." When saying that Hiruzen couldn't contain his pride. As this is his favourite student.
Orochimaru turned fully towards Arashi, his golden, snake-like eyes examining the boy with disconcerting intensity. There was no malice in the gaze, only sharp, analytical curiosity. "So this is the Hokage's new subject of interest," Orochimaru murmured, his voice a smooth, low hiss. "Minato-kun's younger brother, displaying such... different talents. Intriguing."
Arashi felt a thrill course through him, overriding the faint whisper of warning from his past-life memories. This was Orochimaru – the genius Sannin, Hiruzen's own student, a master of Ninjutsu spoken of in tones of awe throughout the village. Yes, his future knowledge painted a dark picture, but this Orochimaru, standing here now, represented an unparalleled learning opportunity. He wasn't some monster yet; he was a pinnacle of shinobi knowledge and power in Konoha. Arashi pushed aside the future visions, focusing on the present. He wouldn't prejudge. He needed to learn, needed to get strong enough to change things, and who better to learn from?
"Orochimaru-sensei!" Arashi bowed deeply, genuine admiration and excitement colouring his voice. "It's an honour! I've heard so much about your skills! I'm ready to learn everything you can teach me!" His eagerness was palpable, his usual mischievous grin replaced by the focused intensity of someone truly dedicated to mastering his craft.
I am not wasting on speculation of previous fan novels and OG naruto, Even if he takes my blood I am glad to be his student, Oh my God.. you know how many jutsus and forbidden jutsus are in his disposal. I am going to milk out him completely.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Orochimaru's lips. "Kukuku... Such enthusiasm. Excellent. Raw potential requires a firm hand to mold." His eyes seemed to gleam. "Meet me at Training Ground 44 in one hour. We will begin your assessment."
Leaving the Hokage Tower, headband secured, Arashi felt like he was walking on air, albeit slightly unnerving air. He quickly found Minato, who was just returning from a short patrol.
"Nii-san! Guess what? Hokage-sama gave me my headband! And guess who my sensei is?" Arashi blurted out, practically vibrating.
When Arashi revealed it was Orochimaru, Minato's smile tightened slightly. His concern wasn't born from rumour or suspicion – Orochimaru was widely respected, if seen as eccentric – but from what he knew of the Sannin's reputation from his teacher. "Orochimaru-sama? He is... exceptionally demanding, Arashi. His training methods are rigorous, pushing shinobi to their absolute limits. You'll need more than just talent; you'll need unwavering focus and resilience."
"I know!" Arashi nodded firmly, of course how shouldn't I know, even though few years after he took anko, but what can I say, apart from talent there needs to be commitment, Now I am going to 'John Wick' the whole session whenever his sensei going to teach him something.
Hhis blue eyes shining with determination. "But he's a genius, Nii-san! Think of how much I can learn! This is perfect! I'll work hard, harder than ever. I can handle it." I gotta convince my brother that this is not a problem.
Minato sighed softly, seeing the familiar Namikaze resolve set firmly in his younger brother's features, albeit usually directed towards pranks or challenges. "Alright. But listen to him, work hard, and... be careful. His intensity is legendary for a reason."
An hour later, Arashi stood at the ominous entrance to Training Ground 44, the infamous 'Forest of Death'. The air was thick, humid, and filled with the sounds of unseen creatures. It was a far cry from the standard training fields.
Orochimaru appeared as silently as mist, his presence instantly commanding attention. "Training Ground 44," the Sannin stated, his golden eyes sweeping across the forest, "A place that tests adaptability and survival instincts. Standard Genin teams learn teamwork here. You, however, are unique." His gaze fixed on Arashi.
"Your assessment begins now. I wish to see this Thread Release, this agility the Hokage mentioned. More importantly, I wish to see your potential, your limits." He gave that slight, unsettling smile. "Your task is simple: Survive within these grounds, while actively evading and engaging with me, until sunset. Show me why you are worth my time."
Without further warning, Orochimaru moved. It wasn't just speed; it was predatory grace. A flurry of shuriken sliced through the air, forcing Arashi to immediately rely on his heightened senses and agility.
The 'Spider-Sense' screamed danger. Arashi twisted, flipped, and dove, the shuriken thudding into the tree trunk behind him. He shot a thread line to a higher branch, swinging away just as Orochimaru blurred past his previous position, kunai flashing.
"Kukuku... adequate reflexes," Orochimaru's voice echoed from the shadows. "But reaction is not enough. Show me ingenuity."
The next hours were a blur of evasion, counter-attempts, and relentless pressure. Arashi used every trick he had. He laced the underbrush with near-invisible tripwires made of sticky threads. He used non-sticky threads to swing through the canopy like a blue-haired blur. He employed his burgeoning strength and speed to narrowly avoid Orochimaru's precise Taijutsu strikes. He even tried incorporating basic elemental Ninjutsu learned at the Academy, though they felt clumsy compared to his innate abilities.
Crucially, Arashi wasn't just playing defense. He was observing, analyzing Orochimaru's movements, his timing. When Orochimaru paused after a Ninjutsu assault, Arashi would try a quick counter – perhaps attempting to ensnare a limb with a fast-shooting sticky thread, or using a thread-pull to redirect a branch into the Sannin's path. Most attempts were easily countered by Orochimaru, but the Sannin didn't punish the attempts; his slitted eyes merely noted the strategy, the adaptability.
Arashi was serious, utterly focused. The playful prankster was gone, replaced by a determined shinobi soaking up every scrap of information, every lesson learned through near-misses. This wasn't just a test; it was his first real lesson under a master, and he treated it with the gravity it deserved. Oh god!!! He is not holding back!!! FOCUS Arashi!!!
As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows through the forest, Orochimaru increased the pressure. He forced Arashi into a corner near a giant, gnarled tree. A swift combination of Taijutsu and a minor earth-style jutsu that caused the ground to ripple unexpectedly sent Arashi stumbling backward, off balance. Orochimaru lunged, his hand outstretched, not for a lethal blow, but clearly aiming for capture.
Trapped, off-balance, with his 'sense' flaring but offering no immediate escape route, Arashi grit his teeth. He remembered the old, dusty scroll he'd found hidden away in a chest in their apartment's storage – diagrams of spiders, hand seals, and whispers of a forgotten pact. He hadn't truly tested it beyond theoretical practice. Now or never.
He bit his thumb hard, smearing the blood onto his palm as he slammed it against the rough bark of the giant tree. Channeling the chakra that felt intrinsically linked to his threads, he yelled the words from the scroll:
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu! (Summoning Technique!)"
No dramatic explosion of smoke. Instead, the air beside his hand seemed to warp, and a creature materialized, clinging silently to the bark. It was a spider, easily the size of a large dog, predominantly black with intricate, pulsing silver markings across its abdomen and legs. Its multiple eyes fixed intently on Orochimaru, clicking its mandibles softly.
Orochimaru stopped dead in his tracks, landing silently a few feet away. Genuine surprise registered in his golden eyes, quickly followed by intense, undisguised curiosity. "Well now... what is this? The Namikaze line holds no known summoning contracts, certainly not with the Spider Clan." His gaze flickered between the imposing arachnid and the exhausted, panting Arashi.
The spider, sensing its summoner's fatigue and the threat, reacted defensively, spitting a thick, viscous stream of white webbing directly at the Sannin. Orochimaru dodged with serpentine fluidity, the web splattering harmlessly against a tree behind him.
"Fascinating," Orochimaru breathed, his earlier detachment replaced by palpable scientific interest. He looked at Arashi, truly looked at him, seeing not just Minato's quirky little brother, but something entirely new. A unique Kekkei Genkai, exceptional chakra control, startling physical abilities, and now, a rare summoning contract thought lost to time. "Kekkei Genkai, summoning, innate physical enhancements... Namikaze Arashi, your potential is... exceptionally intriguing."
"Okay, session's over." Orochimaru said.
The setting sun signaled the end of the test. The giant spider shimmered and vanished, leaving Arashi leaning heavily against the tree, drained but standing. He had survived. He had impressed Orochimaru, not through sheer power, but through resilience, adaptability, and unexpected potential. The path ahead under the Snake Sannin's tutelage promised to be arduous and perhaps perilous, but Arashi met Orochimaru's calculating gaze with weary determination. This was his chance. He would seize it.
"Ha..ha..ha... how is.. it? Sensei.. I passed right....?" Arashi flopped to the ground and panting heavily.
"Kukuku... Arashi-kun, you fascinated me. Okay, Tomorrow 7 AM, Training ground 1." Orochimaru said with some smile then vanished.
Yosh!! I finally succeed. Arashi raised his hand with smiling face. After some times.. Roar.. Growl..Ssss... All different sounds surrounded him.
"SENSEI!!! don't leave me alone in this forest!!!" Arashi said with terrified face.