Inside the ninja school. Today was the day of the graduation examination. The assessment focused on the Three Body Techniques.
For Shiranui Riku, this kind of test was a walk in the park.
Graduation exams at the Ninja Academy were relatively simple. Even prodigies like Minato Namikaze, who graduated early, didn't have to engage in combat to prove themselves. They weren't tested by seeing how long they could hold out against a Chunin.
Instead, students who graduated early like Minato had to demonstrate proficiency in the Three Body Techniques, as well as basic taijutsu, shuriken handling, and other foundational skills. In short, they had to show they had mastered everything the Academy had taught to prove themselves ready to be a full-fledged ninja.
As the time for the test approached, Riku entered the classroom where the exam was being held.
The teacher overseeing the exam was Masada Hayabusa.
Riku knew that Masada looked down on him and didn't bother exchanging pleasantries.
When Masada Hayabusa announced the start of the assessment, Riku immediately and efficiently performed the Clone Technique, Substitution Technique, and Transformation Technique.
Masada Hayabusa found no faults. Reluctantly, he stamped the exam certificate with a "Passed" seal and handed Riku his forehead protector.
Without even glancing at Masada, Riku silently accepted the protector and left the room.
Masada Hayabusa fumed. Most students at least expressed gratitude after passing the exam, thanking him for his years of teaching. But Riku was so cold.
"That kid's a traitor by nature. Cold-blooded. I don't want someone like that becoming a ninja," Hayabusa muttered under his breath.
Riku waited near the academy gates. Before long, Uzumaki Kushina emerged, beaming.
She couldn't wait to put on her forehead protector.
"Riku, how do I look?"
She twirled playfully in front of him.
"You look great," Riku said with a smile.
But inside, his emotions were conflicted. Now that they were officially ninjas, the real trials would begin. Soon, the ninja world would become a battlefield. Only the strong would survive.
"Time to go."
At some point, Orochimaru had appeared behind Riku.
Riku turned and bowed respectfully. "Teacher Orochimaru."
Seeing Orochimaru sent a chill down Kushina's spine.
His pale complexion and vertical, snake-like pupils made him seem less like a person and more like a predator.
Tsunade and Jiraiya, the other two of the Legendary Sannin, looked like normal people. But Orochimaru had a terrifying presence.
Nervously, Kushina stepped behind Riku. But since Orochimaru was Riku's teacher, she mustered the courage to speak.
"Lord Orochimaru..."
Orochimaru glanced at her but said nothing.
Riku turned to her. "Kushina, Orochimaru is here for me. You should head home. And remember—if anything happens, ring the bell."
Kushina nodded solemnly. "Got it, Riku."
He patted her head. "Go on and tell Grandma Mito the good news. You're officially a ninja."
Kushina walked away slowly, looking back at him every few steps.
Riku also felt reluctant. But he didn't want her to be under Orochimaru's gaze for too long.
No one could guess what Orochimaru might be thinking. Being on his radar wasn't a good thing.
Turning back, Riku said, "Sorry for making you wait, Teacher."
"Let's go."
Riku followed Orochimaru away from the academy.
They walked for what felt like a long time, finally arriving at an underground base near Konoha.
Riku glanced around, raising an eyebrow.
So even now, Orochimaru had a habit of constructing secret underground facilities?
Inside, they reached a room that resembled a lab or office, cluttered with open ninjutsu scrolls.
Orochimaru sat and asked, "Do you know your chakra attributes?"
"I only know I have a lightning attribute," Riku replied.
Orochimaru produced a chakra test paper. "This will determine your chakra nature. Just inject your chakra into it."
Riku complied. The paper changed visibly: one section wrinkled, another ignited, a third became damp, and the last crumbled into dust.
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Lightning, fire, water, and earth? Only wind is missing from the five basic elements."
He closed his eyes, thinking deeply.
Riku stood quietly, waiting.
After half an hour, Orochimaru finally opened his eyes. "I'm not highly specialized in lightning, fire, or water techniques, but I can teach you the basics.
As for physical combat, you've trained in the full sword form of Thunder Breathing. You should continue that on your own. I don't have any taijutsu more refined than that.
You already grasp the form and nature transformation of lightning chakra. Focus on mastering lightning-style ninjutsu first. Then gradually work on fire, water, and earth techniques.
You're not proficient with your Sharingan either. Training in visual prowess should be part of your regimen. Even a single-tomoe Sharingan can be a powerful asset.
Combined with your Thunder Breathing techniques, the Sharingan's predictive abilities will amplify your combat potential.
Additionally, my personal techniques require proficiency in summoning jutsu. So you'll need to master that as well.
This is your current training plan. Any objections?"
"None, Teacher Orochimaru."
"Good. Then we begin tomorrow. I'll show you to your room."
Orochimaru led Riku through the base to a small, sparse room. There was only a bed and a nightstand.
"You're free to explore most of the base," Orochimaru instructed. "But stay out of the sealed rooms."
"Understood, Orochimaru-sensei."
After Orochimaru left, Riku lay on the bed that would now be his for the foreseeable future.
This was Orochimaru, after all. The moment Riku heard the training plan, he knew his days ahead would be intense—but also fulfilling.