The moon was bright in the sky, and the clear moonlight shone on the lake, the moon's shadow reflected on the lake's shimmering surface.
Orochimaru walked on the water, step by step, carrying a huge stone on his back. On the cliff in the distance, another Orochimaru climbed up step by step, holding a huge stone.
This wasn't a physical exercise, but an exercise to train one's ability to control chakra.
Shadow clones cannot refine chakra.
Orochimaru had already attempted this long ago. The shadow clone will distribute the caster's chakra evenly, consuming chakra every minute and second. When the shadow clone is released, the shadow clone's experience, fatigue, and remaining chakra will return to the original body.
Using shadow clones to train chakra control and ninjutsu is perfect. The chakra consumed and the fatigue caused are within Orochimaru's tolerance and will not cause excessive damage to the body.
The reason the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was listed as a forbidden technique by its inventor, Tobirama Senju, is that many shadow clones are created in an instant, and maintaining the existence of shadow clones consumes chakra every minute and second. People without Uzumaki clan chakra will have their chakra drained instantly when using the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, and in severe cases, it can even lead to the caster's death.
It's certainly fine to use the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique with Senju clan chakra, but Senju Tobirama is considering whether more people can use this technique.
However, the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique obviously wouldn't achieve what Senju Tobirama wanted. If a young person were to learn it secretly, they might end up dead. Therefore, Senju Tobirama simply listed the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique as a forbidden technique.
Through his own research, Orochimaru discovered that the number of cells in the human body of this world far exceeds that of people on Earth, which is why the average physical fitness of people in this world is superhuman.
If a human from Earth were to come to this world, even a child who wasn't a ninja might not be able to defeat him. However, a child who had attended a ninja school for a few days could defeat the time traveler in this world single-handedly.
This isn't just due to physical constitution, but also to the difference in the number of cells in the body, and the number of cells in the body determines the upper limit.
"Orochimaru, you're still training so late."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood on the cliff, watching Orochimaru holding a large rock and climbing up step by step. His eyes fell on Orochimaru walking across the lake, and a hint of shock flashed in his eyes.
It's not that no one has ever tried using shadow clones for training, but the main problem is that it consumes a lot of chakra. When the shadow clones are removed, the fatigue also returns to the original body. Excessive fatigue can cause irreversible damage to the body.
"Sarutobi-sensei."
Orochimaru walked to the cliff and placed a large stone on the ground. Sarutobi Hiruzen felt the ground vibrate, and the corners of his mouth twitched.
"Orochimaru, you're training too much. If this causes damage to your body, it could even affect your future as a ninja."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said this seriously; he wasn't exaggerating; there was such a possibility if he practiced without restraint.
Orochimaru is a child with great potential, both in terms of talent and ninja qualities. He doesn't want this child to cause damage to his body to rapidly improve his strength.
"Sarutobi-sensei, two shadow clones are within my tolerance. I've been training like this for some time."
"What?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was shocked. Isn't his real body here?
He thought Orochimaru was just using a shadow clone to aid his training, but he never imagined that the Orochimaru here and the Orochimaru walking by the lake were both shadow clones.
(The shadow clone is exactly the same as the original body. Neither the Byakugan nor the Sharingan can distinguish the original body from the shadow clone, not to mention Sarutobi Hiruzen. Even if Tobirama Senju had come, he wouldn't have been able to tell which was the shadow clone and which was the original body.)
"Are you alright?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked worriedly, a hint of concern in his eyes, wondering if he should get a medical-nin to examine Orochimaru's body.
Orochimaru said sincerely, "Professor Sarutobi, the training is within my tolerance, so rest assured."
"Well, if you have any problems with your training, let me know, but never try it alone. Understand, Orochimaru?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said sincerely that he was truly worried that Orochimaru would practice recklessly alone. Instead, it would be safer to practice under his guidance.
"Yes, I understand, Sarutobi-sensei."
Orochimaru nodded.
"You're a bit too mature, kid."
Sarutobi Hiruzen reached out and ruffled Orochimaru's hair, hoping she could be as cheerful as Jiraiya. However, he felt it was impossible for Orochimaru to become like Jiraiya with her personality.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was somewhat worried about Orochimaru's future development. He found it difficult to understand the boy's thoughts.
"Sarutobi-sensei, I'm already a ninja."
Orochimaru took a forehead protector out of his ninja tool bag. It's not like he'd never thought about wearing it on his forehead.
How can I put it? I thought it was really cute when I was a kid, but now I think it's just too childish.
"It's getting late, let's finish today's training early."
Seeing it was getting late, Sarutobi Hiruzen decided to go home with his wife and children.
"Sarutobi Sensei, I want to learn ninjutsu."
Orochimaru said hurriedly when he saw Sarutobi Hiruzen about to leave.
You want to leave after touching her head? You can't leave without leaving something behind.
"Ninjutsu? For you now..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to refuse, but he remembered that Orochimaru had learned the Earth Release: Heart Decapitation Technique with just a glance and could use shadow clones to aid his training. With her current chakra and chakra control ability, she shouldn't have any trouble learning some low-level ninjutsu.
"Orochimaru, what is your chakra attribute?"
"Fire, wind, thunder, earth, and water."
Orochimaru thought for a moment and said he had tested it with chakra paper before and discovered it possessed five types of chakra. If it was the same as the original, then she also possessed yin and yang attributes.
"Ah! Just like me!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was surprised, but a smile appeared on his face. "Orochimaru, I need to prepare something. Tomorrow I will give you a scroll with a ninjutsu record."
"Thank you very much, Sarutobi-sensei!"
Orochimaru's quiet, cold face broke into a happy smile.
Sarutobi Hiruzen is known as the master of ninjutsu, and I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn't eliminate him completely.
As for the forbidden techniques and science, they can be studied later. For now, the main focus is to drain Sarutobi Hiruzen's ninjutsu knowledge and hone his strength.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was slightly stunned, and a relieved smile appeared on his face. It seemed his earlier worries were unnecessary.
On Hot Springs Street, walking over the wooden bridge, you can clearly feel the hot steam rising from the hot springs below. It's said that the hot springs here were brought from the Land of Hot Springs at great expense.
After completing their missions, most Konoha ninjas would head to Hot Springs Street for some comfortable relaxation. This is also home to Konoha's largest tavern and casino, which can be considered a full-service establishment.
After a comfortable hot spring bath, I went to the pub for a drink, then got drunk and lost everything at the casino.
A seat by the window in the pub.
"Mr. Shiye, are you satisfied with this contract? Please believe that this is our utmost sincerity."
The publishing agent looked at the man with long black hair and a cold expression sitting across from him, a forced smile on his face. It was hard to imagine that such a man would write a book that made people blush after reading it.
"I see your sincerity."
The man named Miya casually signed his name on the contract.
"Mr. Miye, this is your payment for this article."
The publishing agent placed the envelope on the table and put away the contract. "Mr. Miye, I'm leaving now."
75,000 taels... For a fledgling novelist with little fame, it's quite a sum of money.
In the alley behind the tavern, Orochimaru, who hadn't yet unleashed his transformation ability, was counting the money in an envelope: 75 notes from the Land of Fire, each worth 1,000 taels. Noticing someone approaching, he jumped up and hid.
Huh? Tsunade?
Orochimaru glanced at Tsunade, who had sneaked in and looked around cautiously, and didn't understand what she wanted to do.
"Transform!"
Tsunade made sure no one was watching her and formed hand seals when a mature-looking woman appeared.
"Okay, today I need to get back what I lost earlier!"
Tsunade clenched her fists and said with great enthusiasm, rushing straight to the casino with great vigor, ready to have a grand battle with the gaming table as the battlefield.
So we went to the casino...
Orochimaru looked at Tsunade, who was running toward the casino as if she were heading to a battlefield, blinked, and finally understood why she was so cautious.
Wait, Tsunade has been going to casinos since she was a child?!
It turns out that promiscuity and gambling are innate, but Orochimaru's poison is acquired!