Naruto Infinite New World

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Gin never expected to encounter Orochimaru here, so suddenly.

However, if there was anyone in Konoha he wanted to meet, it was Orochimaru.

But not this version of Orochimaru.

At this point in time, Orochimaru was still devoted to the village and had not yet awakened from the Will of Fire's brainwashing.

His transformation would come later, solidifying when he lost to Minato and didn't become Hokage.

If Gin handed over his Basic Inner Power technique to Orochimaru now, Orochimaru would likely turn it over to the village immediately.

That would ruin all his plans.

Although giving the technique to the village would certainly speed up its dissemination and ensure that only elite ninjas could train it...

The problem was...

He was an Uchiha, and he had no idea how the village would react. They probably wouldn't treat him kindly.

Konoha's higher-ups would be the last to want an outstanding Uchiha.

As Gin remained silent, lost in thought, Orochimaru's snake-like pupils watched him. The scattered killing intent warned him that any unusual reaction would provoke Orochimaru's attack.

Even though Orochimaru wasn't at his peak, he was still an elite Jonin.

Gin, with only the strength of a Tokubetsu Jonin, was no different from an ant in front of him.

Orochimaru spoke casually, as if he didn't care.

"Can you tell me how someone who can't use ninjutsu can freely use Shadow Clones and Fire Release?"

Damn it.

This man not only saw him use ninjutsu but also knew who he was.

His reputation was widespread, but few knew his face. How did Orochimaru know?

With trepidation in his heart, Gin spoke calmly and respectfully. "I didn't expect Orochimaru-sama to know about a nobody like me."

Being recognized by Orochimaru was a death sentence!

Wasn't this equivalent to telling the village he had secrets?

"Danzo's doing, to undermine the Uchiha's reputation."

Orochimaru's tone was flat.

This explained why Gin's reputation had spread so widely.

After all, that man hiding in the shadows would use any means to undermine the Uchiha's prestige.

"Damn Danzo."

Gin ground his teeth. Without this meddler, his reputation wouldn't be so tarnished.

He'd remember this.

Orochimaru, curious and puzzled, watched Gin. Despite maintaining a calm expression, Gin's subtle changes didn't escape his notice.

"You seem to know about Danzo's existence."

Although Danzo was a high-ranking Konoha official, he was also its shadow. Only Jonin and above typically knew of him.

Otherwise, why call it 'Root,' hidden deep beneath the tree?

Even if he died, it wouldn't cause any panic on the surface of Konoha.

Of course Gin knew about Danzo, the future 5.5 Hokage and the first "Blame Shadow."

But Orochimaru's killing intent surged.

Gin's body stiffened. Years of peace hadn't prepared him to resist such overwhelming killing intent.

He could only explain, word by word.

"My parents' diary... had records."

Orochimaru's face revealed nothing. Concealing expressions was basic ninja training.

But Gin understood that Orochimaru didn't believe a word.

Because the killing intent intensified.

"I suppose... Orochimaru-sama doesn't believe Uchiha would be spies!!"

Gin almost shouted, his words draining all his energy.

But the effect was immediate, the killing intent lessened.

Orochimaru pondered briefly, reaching a conclusion.

Indeed.

If any clan in Konoha were the least likely to betray the village, it was the Uchiha.

To Orochimaru, any clan might betray the village if the benefits were great enough, especially since many old warriors from the Warring States period were still around.

But the Uchiha were different. From the old relics of the Warring States to the new generation, they all saw Konoha as their own.

According to the Uchiha extremists, Konoha belonged to the Uchiha.

They wouldn't let go of their possession.

To Orochimaru, the Uchiha might be crazy, but they were the least likely to backstab. Even if they did, it would be upfront.

Such allies were heavily guarded by Konoha's leadership.

He didn't understand it.

"Are you afraid of the war?"

Orochimaru's gaze dropped, his eyes unreadable.

If Nawaki had feared the war and fled, he might still be alive.

"No!"

Gin, no longer feeling the killing intent, sat down heavily, hurriedly explaining.

"The Chunin Exams both tested ninjutsu. I couldn't use ninjutsu at that time. Only recently did I succeed in using it."

Orochimaru had no interest in Gin's excuses and turned to leave.

"Orochimaru-sama, have you ever thought that ninjas can achieve immortality?"

Gin's words stopped Orochimaru, who looked back at him with deep eyes.

The dream of immortality had only just sprouted in Orochimaru's heart. For now, he was more focused on pursuing ninjutsu.

No one could know his budding thoughts. Gin continued, ignoring Orochimaru's reaction.

"I've developed a technique that allows one to live forever without harming the body by continuously accumulating chakra. Theoretically, if chakra is sufficient, immortality is achievable."

And it must be one's own chakra. Using a tailed beast's chakra, like a Jinchuriki, could be life-threatening.

Orochimaru pondered. The idea was theoretically sound. Ninja couldn't live long mainly due to dying in battle.

Constantly extracting one's chakra equated to consuming one's life force. Even so, many ninja lived into their sixties and seventies.

"Can I see your technique?"

Orochimaru approached, his tone polite.

Unknown knowledge deserved respect.

"I happen to have a copy on me." Gin grinned, showing his white teeth, and took out a small notebook from his tool pouch.

"But in exchange, can you take me as your disciple?"

After quick consideration, he realized that wearing the hat of a coward would hinder his future actions.

Facing this opportunity with Orochimaru was too precious to miss. He didn't want to let it slip.

Orochimaru might have different insights and modifications for Basic Inner Power.

He wanted to establish himself as a genius in ninjutsu research. As for dealing with the higher-ups' malice, becoming Orochimaru's disciple would alleviate much of that pressure.

Gin's plan seemed perfect, but things wouldn't go as he hoped.

Orochimaru paused, flipping through the notebook. "I currently have no intention of taking a disciple."

Nawaki's death still cast a shadow over him, and he wasn't ready to take on another disciple.

He glanced through the three stages composed entirely of sealing techniques. Just a few glances told him these seals were a deconstruction and reintegration of a larger seal.

Seeing the first seal explained why Gin previously couldn't use ninjutsu.

No more explanations were needed.

Deep eyes watched the disappointed Gin, whose face was sad, almost tearful.

But internally, Gin was cursing Orochimaru's ancestors.

How could he do this?

"A genius in ninjutsu research, indeed fitting of an Uchiha," Orochimaru murmured internally.

An Uchiha resembling the Second Hokage emerged. It was unclear whether this was good or bad for the village.

"I'll keep your secret."

Orochimaru closed the notebook, giving Gin a meaningful look.

"I can't be your teacher, but I'll find you one."

"Poof!" Orochimaru vanished in a cloud of smoke.

Gin was bewildered. Things hadn't gone as he expected. Orochimaru chose to keep his secret and promised to find him a teacher.

"Who? Explain clearly."

Preferably Tsunade, beautiful and skilled in medical ninjutsu.

Not Jiraiya, the fate-chasing hermit!

He couldn't get along with that fortune teller!

...

At the ninja academy.

Minato looked at Gin, who had dark circles like a panda, full of confusion.

"What happened to you? You look exhausted."

He hadn't seen him for a day, and now he looked like... overindulged or something.

"Don't ask," Gin sighed.

He was so tired he didn't notice Minato's odd look.

He had been exhausted all day yesterday and then stayed up all night after returning home. He was initially happy about the Eight Gates.

But then he encountered Orochimaru.

Who would Orochimaru find to teach him?

After returning home and absorbing the shadow clone's memories of learning ninjutsu, he continued to develop his own technique, trying to perfect his Swift Step.

But eventually, he realized the flaw.

It was a matter of scale. His body was too small to place the Bagua positions widely enough. It wasn't just about dodging attacks; the illusionary effect of Swift Step was also compromised.

He reluctantly gave up on Swift Step and focused on developing something else.

Lightness techniques were good but based on the body's capabilities. In a typical martial arts world, they couldn't compare to ninja techniques.

Unless it was a high-level world like "Feng Yun," where techniques could surpass ninjas, but those descriptions were too vague, lacking specific steps.

Creating from scratch was nearly impossible.

He switched to another approach and finally succeeded after an all-nighter.

He wouldn't create something requiring step-by-step improvement like Basic Inner Power.

Gin devised a technique that could harness its full power once mastered.

"I didn't sleep last night," Gin yawned.

"I'll nap. Wake me after class."

He laid his head on the desk and fell asleep.

Inoue's face darkened as he taught.

This repeat student seemed to lack respect for him.

(End of Chapter)