Walking on the way to the training ground, Orochimaru looked around with great interest.
Because the First Shinobi World War had just ended not long ago, Konoha Village still looked a bit desolate.
And from the population distribution, there were very few young and strong males…
Orochimaru sighed, once again lamenting the cruelty of this World.
The reason for this phenomenon was naturally the war; a large number of young adults died during the First Shinobi World War.
This led to a large number of war orphans like him…
This should also be the reason why their batch of Ninja Academy students graduated at the age of six.
Firstly, because the number of Konoha Ninja at this time was already insufficient and could not support the economic system established based on mission requests.
Secondly, Konoha's finances could not bear the burden of a large number of orphans like him.
Overall, the best and simplest way was as it was now, to let them quickly graduate from the Ninja Academy and start taking missions to earn money.
Otherwise, why would the esteemed Third Hokage personally take on the role of instructor?
In a sense, this Ninja World War should have been the most tragic one, because the fuse for this war was the death of the God of Ninja, Senju Hashirama.
During Senju Hashirama's lifetime, in order to maintain peace in the Ninja World, he distributed the Tailed Beast to various Ninja Villages.
He hoped that the power of the Tailed Beast would create a deterrent, making the Villages afraid to act rashly.
But what truly made the other Ninja Villages afraid to act was clearly Senju Hashirama, who could suppress several great Tailed Beast with his own strength.
Otherwise, why did the First Shinobi World War break out as soon as Senju Hashirama died? And why did it last for several years?
I have to say, this God of Ninja was still a bit too naive.
After walking for a while, he arrived at the designated training ground.
Because he had deliberately left early, the large training ground was empty, with only three lonely wooden stakes standing on the open ground.
Orochimaru was not in a hurry; he casually found a clean patch of grass, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest.
Then he began to sort out the basic cultivation methods of the “One Person Below” World in his mind, after all, from the current perspective, only this one was useful to him.
The cultivation method of strengthening the foundation and cultivating both body and spirit… This was much more advanced than the simple and crude Chakra refining technique in the Naruto World.
Perhaps, he could try to combine them, taking the best from each and compensating for their weaknesses?
While he was pondering, a slightly arrogant female voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Hey, you’re quite early, Orochimaru.”
Orochimaru opened his eyes, and what greeted him was a head of brilliant blonde hair.
The person who came was Tsunade.
She stood with her arms crossed, her chin slightly raised, looking like “I, this young lady, am awesome.”
“It’s alright.”
Orochimaru responded indifferently, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.
Is this the future “Legendary Big Loser” plus “Medical Saint”?
Tsunade seemed a little displeased with Orochimaru’s coldness, she pouted, and said nothing more.
After all, this person was pretty much the same at the Academy…
She walked to the other side on her own, leaned against a large tree, and occasionally glanced towards the entrance, appearing a bit impatient.
After a while longer, a figure appeared on time at the training ground entrance.
The person who came was their instructor, the current Third Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Unlike the kind old man in the manga, Hiruzen Sarutobi at this time was in his prime, still with a hint of sharpness.
His sharp gaze swept across the training ground, and when he saw that there were only Orochimaru and Tsunade, his face immediately darkened.
He, the esteemed Hokage, personally came to serve as a Jonin instructor, and someone still dared to be late?
These brats, they have some nerve!
His gaze lingered on Orochimaru for a moment; this child was indeed as the file said, so calm that he didn’t seem like a child.
As for Tsunade… hmm, Shodai(1st)-sama’s granddaughter, exceptionally talented, just a bit impatient.
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was secretly evaluating, a boisterous voice accompanied by hurried footsteps approached from afar.
“Sorry, sorry! I’m late!”
A spiky-haired white-haired boy rushed in, sweating profusely, and awkwardly scratching the back of his head as he ran.
“Phew… I encountered a Black cat crossing the road, and to avoid it, I took a slight detour…”
Jiraiya explained breathlessly, finding a reason that was so fresh and unconventional.
Pfft—
Hearing this classic excuse for being late, Orochimaru almost couldn’t hold back.
Good heavens, this reason is exactly like that masked white-haired fifty-fifty guy!
No wonder Kakashi later became obsessed with “Icha Icha Paradise” written by Jiraiya; the root cause was here!
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his “problem student,” his mouth twitched, and finally, he shook his head helplessly.
Oh well, he, a Hokage, didn’t need to bother with a little brat…
“Alright, since everyone is here.
From today onwards, I will be your Jonin instructor, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Before we begin training, as per custom, let’s do a self-introduction.
Tell me your names, what you like and dislike, and… your dreams.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi cleared his throat, his voice not loud, but carrying an unquestionable authority.
“Me first, me first!
My name is Jiraiya! What I like is… hehe, beautiful women!
As for what I dislike… I don’t seem to have anything I particularly dislike!
As for my dream! My dream is—to become a Hokage who surpasses all previous Hokage!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiraiya impatiently jumped out, hands on his hips, chest puffed out, and shouted with all his might.
His voice was loud, full of the flamboyance and… foolishness characteristic of a hot-blooded shonen manga protagonist.
Hearing the words “become Hokage,” Tsunade, who was standing by, couldn’t help but roll her Byakugan.
Hmph, a dead last wants to be Hokage?
As the First Hokage’s granddaughter, she naturally knew better than anyone the weight and meaning of the words “Hokage.”
Orochimaru couldn’t help but cover his face; although “Naruto” was a shonen manga, it was true.
But when the manga comes into reality, it’s really a bit awkward…
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s mouth twitched; he had, of course, seen the files of these three children.
Jiraiya was even the problem child among them, with terrible theoretical grades and only average to below-average practical grades, a typical dead last.
Become Hokage? This dream… seems a bit out of reach…
However, having a dream is always good.
“Hmm, very spirited!
But just wanting to be Hokage like this isn’t enough!”
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded noncommittally, his gaze turning to Tsunade, “Next.”
“My name is Tsunade. What I like is… gambling! I hate losing money!
My dream is to become a great… Medical Ninja like my Grandpa! To protect important people!”
Tsunade snorted, stepped forward, her arms still crossed over her chest, her tone carrying a hint of pride.
Towards the end, remembering her two deceased Grandpas, her eyes became exceptionally firm…
“Huh? Medical Ninja?
What’s so great about Medical Ninja?
They’re soft and can’t even fight enemies!”
Hearing this, Jiraiya immediately exclaimed, a hint of disdain on his face.
In his simple understanding, Medical Ninja were just support characters who hid in the back.
True Ninja should be charging on the front lines, using powerful Ninjutsu to defeat enemies!
“What do you know! Medical Ninja can also save lives!
They can also protect comrades! Much stronger than you, this boastful idiot!”
Tsunade immediately bristled, glaring at Jiraiya.
Orochimaru watched the two arguing, his mouth twitching.
Tsunade’s talent in Medical Ninjutsu was undeniable, arguably a generation ahead of others.
Without a solid foundation and firm belief cultivated from a young age, it would be impossible to reach such heights.
Jiraiya immediately denied her dream; no wonder he couldn’t compare to Kato Dan despite having the advantage of being close to her…
“Alright, alright, quiet.”
Watching the two arguing, Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly stepped forward to mediate, then looked at Orochimaru, “It’s your turn.”
“My name is Orochimaru. As for what I like… researching the unknown, I suppose.
I dislike being disturbed…
My dream… is probably to exhaust all truths in the World and turn all unknowns into knowns.”
Orochimaru said thoughtfully; he wasn’t lying.
He loved the process of exploration, the feeling of parting the mists and glimpsing the essence, which fascinated him.
Whether it was Ninjutsu, biotechnology, or that profound Qi.
In a way, he and Orochimaru were quite similar…
“Researching the unknown… exhausting all truths…”
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded thoughtfully, a hint of approval in his eyes.
This child’s ideas were indeed unique.
Oh well, everyone’s path is different.
“Very good, it seems each of you has your own goal.
Now, then, comes your first test.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s expression became serious.
Saying this, he took out two small golden bells from his Ninja tool pouch, shook them on his fingertips, producing a crisp sound.
“Do you see these two bells?
Today’s training content is simple: before noon, snatch these two bells from my hand.
Only those who snatch them will pass and can officially become Genin.”