They traveled through time at the same time, but the villainous scientist

Chapter 4: Konoha's tradition is to steal bells.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice echoed across the empty training ground, clearly reaching the ears of Orochimaru and the other two.

"Stealing bells? I've never heard of that before?"

Jiraiya stared wide-eyed, scratching his signature white hair with a puzzled expression.

Nobody told him about this part when he graduated.

"The focus is not on the assessment content, Jiraiya."

The key point is... there are only two bells, but there are three of us.

Orochimaru spoke, his gaze sweeping over the bewildered Jiraiya and the thoughtful Tsunade, before finally settling on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

really……

Upon hearing this, Tsunade's slightly raised chin tightened instantly, and her expression changed drastically.

She naturally also considered the cruel implications hidden behind these seemingly simple rules.

Two bells, three people – this means one person will inevitably be eliminated!

Who is she? She is the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage!

With the blood of the Senju family flowing through my veins, how could I possibly be eliminated in such an initial test?

If we were to be eliminated, that would be a huge joke!
"Ah! I see! Teacher, you forgot to bring a bell, didn't you?"

However, Jiraiya, who was standing next to him, still didn't understand. He clapped his hands as if he had just realized something, looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, and said in a somewhat naive tone.

puff--

Upon hearing this, Tsunade nearly choked and abruptly turned to look at Jiraiya.

His eyes were filled with disbelief, as if he were looking at a hopeless idiot.

She didn't even bother to argue, but silently labeled Jiraiya as "pre-elimination" in her mind.

This idiot can't even understand such a simple principle. It seems he's destined to go back to school for retraining.

Orochimaru was also starting to lose his composure, completely baffled by Jiraiya's thought process.

Even the usually composed Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but twitch his lips a few times upon hearing Jiraiya's "refreshing and unconventional" remarks.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the urge to facepalm, and patiently explained:
"No, Jiraiya, I didn't bring less than two. That's the rule; there can only be two bells."

This means that even if some of you manage to snatch the bell, only two people will ultimately pass the test and officially become genin.

Those who fail to catch the bell, or rather... are deemed unqualified, will be sent back to the ninja academy to retake the training.

As he finished speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone became increasingly stern, even carrying a hint of murderous intent.

Back to... the Ninja Academy...

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya's smile froze instantly, and he finally realized the seriousness of the problem.

Because what Hiruzen Sarutobi said didn't sound like a joke...

"The time limit is noon! Now, the test begins! Unleash your full power, and attack with the resolve to... kill me!"

Seeing that his words had had an effect, Hiruzen Sarutobi's sharp gaze swept over the three of them, taking in their different expressions, and finally announced in a deep voice.

And almost the instant the words fell...

"Shh!"

"Shh!"

The two figures vanished from their spot in an instant, like ghosts, leaving only faint afterimages.

Orochimaru and Tsunade reacted almost simultaneously, instantly disappearing into the woods at the edge of the training ground.

Its aura also subsided and disappeared from Hiruzen Sarutobi's perception range.

Seeing their reactions, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible hint of approval, and he nodded in satisfaction.

This keen judgment and decisive action are the qualities a qualified ninja should possess.

Of course, with his current strength, let alone three six-year-old kids who have just graduated, even an experienced Jonin team wouldn't be able to take anything from him if he didn't want to. This test wasn't meant to eliminate anyone.

His real purpose was to take this opportunity to understand the personalities, potential, and strengths of the three children.

Simply put, it's about getting a feel for things...

As for sending them back to the ninja academy? That was just a lie to get those three kids to take things seriously.

Putting everything else aside, given the current severe shortage of ninjas in Konoha due to the war, it's impossible to turn away any potential combat force.

After all, if they don't go out and take on missions, Konoha's finances will really collapse!

When faced with a powerful enemy that they cannot defeat, a ninja's first priority is always to hide themselves, protect themselves, and wait for an opportunity to strike.

From this perspective, Orochimaru and Tsunade's performance was undoubtedly excellent.

Especially Orochimaru...

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly, scanning the bushes where Orochimaru had disappeared.

To his surprise, he discovered that the child's presence was perfectly concealed, blending seamlessly into the forest, and even he couldn't pinpoint its exact location immediately.

Judging solely from this skill in concealing one's presence, even among the village's Jonin, few possess this level of ability.

In comparison…

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze to the center of the training ground, to the white-haired brat who was still standing there dumbfounded, seemingly completely unaware of the situation.

Seeing Jiraiya's bewildered yet eager expression, the Third Hokage felt his forehead veins throb and his face darken.

When Jiraiya noticed that Hiruzen Sarutobi was looking at him, he finally realized what was happening.

His eyes lit up, and instead of feeling uneasy about his companion's disappearance, he showed a look of surprise.

Since those two guys are hiding, doesn't that mean that as long as he snatches the bell from the teacher, he can pass smoothly?

"Teacher! Take this!"

Having figured out the "key" to it, Jiraiya roared, struck what he thought was a very cool charging pose, and with a burst of power from his legs, charged straight toward Hiruzen Sarutobi like a cannonball!

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was speechless. Did the teachers at the Ninja Academy not even teach the most basic common sense?
He didn't even bother to form hand seals; he simply turned to the side casually and easily dodged Jiraiya's haphazard straight punch.

Then he extended his finger and gently flicked the back of Jiraiya's head...

"Oh!"

With a muffled thud, accompanied by Jiraiya's scream, he collapsed to the ground, his limbs twitching a few times before falling still, leaving only a smoldering back of his head facing the sky.

Instant kill.

Orochimaru, hidden in the shadows of the bushes, saw this scene through the gaps in the branches and leaves, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Jiraiya... isn't he a bit too straightforward? Facing a Kage-level powerhouse, he actually dared to charge head-on? Should we call him courageous, or utterly foolish?
Forget it...

Orochimaru withdrew his gaze, his mind racing.

Although Jiraiya's reckless behavior was foolish, it successfully drew Hiruzen Sarutobi's full attention.

But this flaw was likely deliberately shown to him and Tsunade by the other side...

His goal was clear: to steal the bell was secondary; his primary objective was to demonstrate his value and potential in this test as much as possible.

After all, the tallest tree in the forest will be felled by the wind;
However, if the environment is harsh, only by standing out high enough and conspicuous enough can one receive more sunshine and rain.

Just like Orochimaru in the original work, if he hadn't gotten involved with the Third Hokage, how could he, as a commoner, have obtained research materials and data?
Born into a commoner ninja family, in this world that values ​​bloodlines and traditions, one must demonstrate extraordinary talent to obtain more resources and conduct more in-depth research.

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention was completely focused on Jiraiya, who was lying on the ground like a corpse.

"Shh!"

A golden figure shot out from the woods on the other side like an arrow!
Tsunade! She seized this fleeting opportunity, launching a surprise attack while Hiruzen Sarutobi was distracted...

(End of this chapter)