"Orochimaru, so you are indeed here!"
In the cemetery, Orochimaru, who was kneeling in front of a tombstone in a daze, raised his head slightly, noticing the movement behind him.
"Oh? Kirito-kun?" He recognized the person, slowly stood up, "May I ask if you need something from me?"
Kirito, with Uchiha Nen, ran over panting.
"Orochimaru, let's just say we're friends, no need to be so polite." Kirito waved his hand magnanimously, "In the future, when you talk to me, don't use honorifics."
Orochimaru was slightly stunned. He was just from a commoner background, and coupled with his gloomy personality, he usually didn't have many friends at school, let alone children from a large clan like the Uchiha Clan.
But Uchiha Kirito was different. This guy didn't have the arrogance of a noble, was very easy-going, and didn't put on airs when he spoke. Plus, his delicate appearance and purple hair that was even more beautiful than a girl's made him very popular in the class.
Therefore, he could get along with anyone, and Orochimaru was also his "default" friend.
"Okay, Kirito, what do you need from me?"
Kirito pulled Uchiha Nen from behind him to the front, "Today, I want to introduce you to a new friend, this is him, his name is Uchiha Nen, he will be entering school next year, you two should have a lot in common."
Another child from the Uchiha Clan... Orochimaru's gaze fell on Nen, thoughtfully.
At the same time, Nen was also sizing up the Orochimaru in front of him.
This child was wearing white clothes, with a pale complexion, long black hair, and narrow eyes, looking very delicate. Just by looking at his face, you could tell he was a very introverted person.
"Y-you... hello, my name is Uchiha Nen." Nen mustered his courage, and following what Kirito taught him, extended his small hand towards Orochimaru, "N-nice to meet you, please take care of me..."
Orochimaru was stunned for a moment, and belatedly extended his hand as well. Although the other party's gaze was shifty, he could still see a hint of inferiority and timidity in Nen's eyes.
That was what he used to be like.
"Hello, my name is Orochimaru."
Under Kirito's gratified gaze, the two children's hands clasped together.
The three of them returned to the center of the village together. Orochimaru and Nen were both taciturn people, but with Kirito as the adhesive, the atmosphere didn't cool down at all.
Most children have simple minds, and no one would hate making friends, especially special children like Nen and Orochimaru, who both longed for playmates in their hearts. Therefore, the few of them quickly became acquainted.
"Orochimaru, I still find the Wind Release Technique you showed in training that day amazing, can you open our eyes again?" Kirito patted Nen's back, "This guy is very eager to get stronger."
"Ninjutsu?" Orochimaru thought for a moment, nodded and said, "I can, but we need to find a training ground first."
With that, the few of them turned back halfway and walked into the Hidden Leaf Village forest. There was a remote training ground there. According to Orochimaru, that place was basically unattended, and even Nen could sneak in, so it could be used as their secret base in the future.
The few of them passed through layers of trees, walked along a small path with branches growing everywhere, and finally arrived at a slightly dilapidated training ground.
Although it was simple, the site was extremely spacious, with all kinds of equipment such as throwing targets and practice wooden stakes.
Nen's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but caress his Shuriken. Today was definitely his happiest day.
"Alright, this place will do."
Orochimaru told the two to stand aside, and then began to form hand seals in a methodical manner:
"Rabbit, Rooster, Rat, Dragon, Rooster."
Nen watched very carefully, only to see Orochimaru end with the "Rooster" seal, and then stretch one hand forward.
"Wind Release: Airflow Dance!"
A breeze suddenly stirred, causing the branches to sway wildly and the leaves to tremble in unison.
Orochimaru panted slightly, explaining, "This is a Ninjutsu scroll my father left me. When mastered, it can create a gale that renders any Shuriken aimed at the user useless."
"Heh, let me show off a little too!"
Kirito rolled up his sleeves and formed hand seals with a crispness, "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
He put all his effort into it, his small face flushed red, and then opened his mouth towards the open field.
"Whoosh."
A cluster of crimson flames appeared like a fleeting moment, only the size of a watermelon, but it made the air temperature rise slightly.
"This is the first Ninjutsu my sister taught me." Kirito panted, exhausted, but also proudly put his hands on his hips.
"So amazing..." Nen was stunned, a deep envy flashing in his eyes, but he suddenly felt lost. What did his father... leave him?
At this moment, Orochimaru walked over and touched his shoulder, "If Nen-kun wants to learn, I can definitely teach you."
"That's right, me too." Kirito smiled and put his arm around Nen's neck, then suddenly changed the subject, "But first, we need to confirm your Chakra nature. You're an Uchiha, so you definitely have Fire Release affinity, but I don't know if you can learn Orochimaru's Wind Release?"
"That's indeed a problem. Testing Chakra nature requires Chakra Paper..." Orochimaru stroked his chin, "Although you'll be entering the academy next year, seeing how eager you are to become stronger, I can think of a way to get Chakra Paper..."
"Then thank you!" Nen bowed politely, his eyes filled with excitement, "If I can master these Ninjutsu, I'll definitely become a powerful Ninja!"
Orochimaru sighed, "I don't want to discourage you, but in my opinion, these Ninjutsu are nothing."
"Why?"
"My father's Wind Release could easily cut through rocks, but he still died in the war." Orochimaru lowered his eyes, "If a certain Ninjutsu could make oneself invulnerable, transcend the boundaries of birth, aging, sickness, and death, and reach... eternal life, that would be a truly powerful technique!"
Just then, a layer of invisible ripples spread out, like a breeze blowing through the training ground.
The three children pricked up their ears at the same time, the breeze carrying faint words:
"What kind of move is that?"
It was a slightly deep voice. The moment they heard it, Kirito and Nen exchanged a look, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.
"Don't be nervous, it's just a simple Barrier Technique, which can shield our presence to the greatest extent and weaken the wind force. You don't want Hidden Leaf Village to know we're fighting here, do you?" A young man's voice responded.
"Hmph, you don't really think this is just a simple spar, do you?"
"Sorry, in my eyes, this isn't even a warm-up."
"How arrogant."
Orochimaru immediately grabbed the two's hands, quietly lowered his body, and lay down in the lush grass.
Kirito carefully touched Orochimaru's shoulder, while raising both hands and making a "run away" gesture.
Orochimaru cautiously shook his head, signaling the two to look east, then placed his finger horizontally on his throat and slowly drew it across.
Nen was so nervous for the first time, carefully parted a gap in the grass, and looked in the direction Orochimaru pointed.
Through the trees dozens of meters away, they could vaguely see two figures confronting each other.
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