As night fell and Gojo Yoru returned home, he finally opened the scroll gifted by Orochimaru.
Densely packed characters greeted his eyes. After just a few glances, Gojo Yoru clicked his tongue in wonder: "As expected of 'Orochimaru-sama,' truly just as generous as in the original work!"
Gojo Yoru did not lack training methods for nature transformation.
His father in this life was an all-rounder Jonin, and a basic condition for becoming such a Jonin was mastering at least two nature transformations.
Moreover, having a surname meant the family had once been glorious.
In the Gojo family's basement, there were scrolls containing training methods for a total of four nature transformations.
However, these training methods were commonplace.
The scroll in Gojo Yoru's hand, however, recorded Orochimaru's understanding of nature transformation.
As a rare all-attribute genius in the Ninja World, the scroll Orochimaru gifted not only recorded the nature transformations of the five elements but also his understanding of the two hidden attributes: Yin and Yang.
Hidden attributes were naturally attributes that even Chakra paper couldn't detect.
But Gojo Yoru knew he possessed Yin and Yang attributes.
His development was too abnormal; his powerful vitality and Chakra were both related to the Yang attribute.
With his powerful soul, he had mastered the Sensing Technique and a C-rank Genjutsu by the end of last year.
Coupled with the Fire and Earth attributes detected by the Chakra paper, Gojo Yoru should have four attributes: Yin, Yang, Fire, and Earth.
But Gojo Yoru had no clue how to develop these two hidden attributes.
Because such knowledge was an important heritage held firmly in the hands of the village's higher-ups and clans with Hiden techniques.
And now, such knowledge actually appeared in the scroll gifted by Orochimaru.
That was why Gojo Yoru was so emotional.
This kind of knowledge might be of immense help to him in mastering Space-Time Chakra.
After all, Yang Release represents the physical body, and Yin Release represents the spirit.
Having reached a certain level of Chakra control by cheating with the Rasengan, Gojo Yoru needed the help of Yang Release knowledge or Medical Ninjutsu to go further.
Only by perfectly controlling the flow, release, and transformation of Chakra in every meridian and acupuncture point—like the Senju Clan's Heavenly Foot of Pain, the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist, and the Akimichi Clan's Multi-Size Technique... could Gojo Yoru further master Space-Time Chakra, merging ordinary Chakra and Space-Time Chakra in a certain proportion to perform techniques.
Once successful, he could not only buff ordinary Ninjutsu with space-time effects but also reduce the consumption of Space-Time Chakra.
Gojo Yoru wouldn't be just an ordinary ninja when fighting with ordinary Chakra; only when using Space-Time Chakra would he possess the terrifying combat power to challenge those above his level.
By then, perhaps the Rasengan could truly be injected with Space-Time Chakra, becoming a unique Rasengan Secret Technique that never appeared in the original work!
Thinking of this, Gojo Yoru immediately performed the Shadow Clone Technique, which he had mastered last year, creating two Shadow Clones to read the scroll with him and cheat in his studies.
...
While Gojo Yoru was frantically absorbing new knowledge.
Inside an izakaya on the central street of Konoha.
"Orochimaru, it's really hard to see you nowadays!"
"If you want to see me, you can ask Sarutobi-sensei to transfer you to the border. I believe he would be very happy to do so."
"Haha... forget it then. My dream isn't to be Hokage, I don't need that many achievements to run for election. This life of eating and waiting for death is much more comfortable."
"I think you just don't want to leave someone, right?"
"Cough, cough..."
The sounds of clinking glasses and banter rang out from behind the noren curtain.
The future Sannin of Konoha were having a class reunion.
At this time, they were in their prime, full of spirit and vigor.
Still single, Tsunade was beautiful and charming. Resting her cheek on one hand and shaking a sake bottle with the other, she displayed a valiant and heroic bearing.
Looking at the two who hadn't changed since childhood and started bickering at the slightest disagreement, Tsunade smiled without speaking.
She paid no mind to Orochimaru using her to tease and "assist" Jiraiya, causing the guy to choke on his sake, blushing and looking somewhat shy.
Tsunade was very clear about Jiraiya's feelings for her and had said more than once that he wasn't her type.
The bond between the three of them wouldn't be estranged because of romance.
Taking the initiative to clink glasses with Orochimaru, Tsunade changed the subject and asked, "How many days can you stay this time?"
Hearing this, the slight smile on Orochimaru's lips suddenly vanished. He shook his head with a serious expression: "I don't know. The border has been very quiet recently. Those major powers stopped simultaneously; I don't know if they have secretly united or are plotting something."
"That shouldn't be likely, right? Unless they are willing to let go of hatred, it's impossible for the four countries to unite like in the last Ninja World War."
"Maybe they've all given up on expansion. After all, with their national economies, they can't support such huge consumption."
"I hope so." Orochimaru took a sip, his eyes deep. "It's just that the atmosphere makes me very uncomfortable."
"You've stayed at the border too long and are having mental issues. Let Tsunade prescribe some medicine for you." Jiraiya first teased, then sensing the change in atmosphere, he changed the topic, looking excited: "By the way, I found a very good seedling at the Ninja Academy some time ago. He's only advancing to the fourth grade in April, but he already has the strength to graduate early. And the talent he displays, I feel, is not inferior to ours."
"What, you lazy bum want to be a Jonin instructor?" Tsunade couldn't help but mock him. At the same time, her heart moved, and she looked at Orochimaru again, about to say something.
Orochimaru suddenly looked up at Jiraiya and asked, "What is his name?"
"Na... Namikaze Minato. What's wrong?"
Jiraiya was startled by the look in Orochimaru's eyes and couldn't help but feel apprehensive. "Don't tell me he's your person, or you've already set your sights on him in advance?"
If that were the case, it would be awkward.
Hearing it wasn't Gojo Yoru, Orochimaru returned to his original demeanor and chuckled lightly, "I have indeed set my sights on a seedling too. He is only nine years old this year. If they both enrolled at six, maybe they are in the same grade, or even classmates."
"Oh?"
Jiraiya and Tsunade were instantly interested. The former breathed a sigh of relief while asking curiously, "To be chosen by you, his talent must be very good. Is he a descendant of those major ninja clans?"
"No, and you know his parents too." Orochimaru shook his head and said, "He is the son of Gojo Hayate and Gojo Mio."
As if remembering something, Tsunade couldn't help but say with sympathy, "Is he one of the orphans from that major mission?"
"Lord First distributed the Tailed Beasts to give them trump cards to balance each other. But those ninja villages actually sent Jinchuriki out on missions. Damn it!" Jiraiya said indignantly.
"Life is sometimes this fragile. Since we became ninjas, we must be prepared for accidents at any time," Orochimaru said faintly.
"Stop talking about it, let's drink."
Sensing the change in atmosphere, Tsunade raised her glass to interrupt in time, and also dismissed the thought that had just risen.
Originally, she wanted Orochimaru to take Nawaki as a disciple. Since the other party already had someone in mind, and it was her brother's junior, there was no need to trouble him.
Better to go back and discuss with her grandmother, either do it herself or arrange for a clansman who had abandoned their surname and integrated into Konoha to be Nawaki's Jonin instructor.