Both time-traveled characters ended up as villainous henchmen.

The Hokage's office.

Orochimaru didn't speak, but just smiled and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was sitting in front of the Hokage's desk.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the contents of the scroll in his hand, his expression somewhat uneasy.

Although Orochimaru's smile seemed somewhat eerie given his distinctive appearance, Hiruzen Sarutobi had long since gotten used to it.

What truly unsettled Hiruzen Sarutobi was the contents of the scroll in his hand.

A special sealing technique for spiritual energy in the eyes and brain.

As Orochimaru's teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi was naturally aware of the hidden meaning behind spiritual energy: Yin Release.

The creator of this scroll is none other than Izumi Nen, who recently showed him the Yin Release Bloodline Limit.

Based on Izumi Nen's previous blood-taking experiment on his classmate Obito Uchiha, Hiruzen Sarutobi had some unpleasant thoughts.

Orochimaru, what is your opinion on Izumi Nen in this matter?

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at Orochimaru, his face unusually serious.

Although Orochimaru said that the contents of this scroll were made by Izumi Nen, it is obvious that Izumi Nen alone could not have completed such a complex research. Orochimaru, as the teacher, must have been involved.

"Izumi Nen is an extremely talented child, and at the same time, he has great ambition."

Orochimaru said in a hoarse voice, his smile seeming to deepen.

"Talent and...ambition?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi read aloud, then looked at the contents of the scroll spread out on the table.

"This sealing technique concept... is indeed astonishing. Orochimaru, are you sure this plan is feasible?"

"It's feasible. I've already tested the relevant preliminary experiments, and this sealing technique can indeed work."

"So, your purpose in coming here is... to recommend Izumi for credit?"

"It is naturally something I, as a teacher, should do to seek credit and rewards for my students."

Orochimaru said calmly.

"What reward do you want to give him, no, what reward does that child want?" Hiruzen Sarutobi put down the scroll and brought the pipe to his lips.

"Sealing Technique, Four Symbols Sealing Technique," Orochimaru said slowly, his eyes flashing.

"The Four Symbols Seal?" Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment while smoking, but quickly resumed his normal actions. "Alright, you can take my token and retrieve the scroll of the Four Symbols Seal yourself."

As a high-level sealing technique left behind by the Uzumaki clan, the Four Symbols Seal naturally has a copy preserved in Konoha.

Since the requirements for the Four Symbols Seal had been put forward, Hiruzen Sarutobi guessed that Izumi Nen and Orochimaru would be conducting research on a more advanced level.

Artificial synthesis of Yin-type pupil techniques and bloodlines.

Once successful, it will no longer be a complex sealing technique, but a high-level dojutsu-type ninjutsu that can be learned by ninjas.

The significance of bloodline limits and learnable ninjutsu cannot be explained in just a few words.

This paves a brand new path for more ordinary, talented ninjas.

Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally had to give his full support.

"Oh, and when you get back, don't forget to give my regards to that child."

"That's natural, after all, this is the Hokage's favor."

Orochimaru nodded in agreement, but this response made Hiruzen Sarutobi frown again.

"Orochimaru, you still need to guide this child properly; his talent is truly astonishing."

Hiruzen Sarutobi reiterated that he wasn't worried about Izumi Nen's ambition, but rather that Izumi Nen's ambition was being misdirected.

Orochimaru smiled and nodded, without replying.

After a moment, Orochimaru spoke again: "Besides praising Izumi Nen, I have another matter concerning Izumi Nen that I would like to request of the Hokage."

"What is it?" Seeing Orochimaru's serious tone, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but take him a closer look.

"Regarding Izumi Nen's participation in the Chunin Exams."

"The Chunin Exams..."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly understood, but soon became puzzled again.

"This child seems to have just graduated from the Ninja Academy, and because of you, he doesn't even have basic low-level mission experience, only some experience in auxiliary research."

"Isn't it a bit too early to rush him into the Chunin Exams?"

"It's getting late. Geniuses should have something extraordinary about them. I remember that White Fang's son, wasn't he also involved in this Chunin Exam selection?"

Orochimaru explained, "Moreover, Izumi Nen's strength is not weak. Low-level mission experience can be replaced by scientific research assistance work. This time, his mental energy sealing technique can even replace some mid-to-high-level missions."

As Izumi Nen's mentor, I strongly recommend that he take the Chunin Exams.

Seeing Orochimaru's resolute attitude, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't say anything more and nodded in agreement after a moment's thought.

Having achieved his main objective, Orochimaru did not linger in the Hokage's office. After taking his leave, he went to retrieve the Four Symbols Seal.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat alone in the Hokage's office, looking out the window at the view of Konoha Village, puffing on his cigarette.

Izumi Nen, what an unexpected genius...

Will the eye-based ninjutsu succeed?

"However, we also need to appease the Uchiha clan to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings."

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of the Uchiha clan members, who were prone to emotional outbursts and acting impulsively, and felt a headache coming on.

Let's hope these guys don't start causing trouble again when the results are announced.

However, if this matter is handled properly, it could further ease the relationship between the ninja clan and the village.

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was racking his brains over how to deal with the potential problems he might face with the Uchiha clan, Orochimaru had already obtained the scroll of the Four Symbols Seal and left the Hokage Building.

In fact, Orochimaru himself was also very interested in the Four Symbols Seal.

When he previously collaborated with Root, the relevant information provided by Danzo was severely incomplete, which resulted in him having only a superficial understanding of the Four Symbols Seal.

To be honest, when Izumi Nen proposed the Four Symbols Seal as a reward, he was somewhat surprised and delighted.

"Izumi-kun, I've put in a lot of effort for you, teacher. I hope you can give me more surprises in your research on Yin Release eye techniques in the future."

Orochimaru's smile deepened, and he quickened his pace.

……

Orochimaru's Laboratory.

Izumi Nen had been waiting for Orochimaru for a long time, or more accurately, for the Four Symbols Sealing Technique Scroll in the other's possession.

However, in addition to bringing him the Four Symbols Seal, Orochimaru also brought him another piece of good news.

Chunin Exams.

Izumi Nen was slightly taken aback. He had just graduated from the Ninja Academy and was about to take the Chunin Exams. This special treatment surprised him for a moment, but he quickly accepted the result.

The Chunin Exams are just a bunch of tests, and besides, they're not a joint exam with other ninja villages. They're just an internal test within Konoha Village, so they're not that difficult.

"Izumi-kun, once you've successfully become a Chunin, come with me on missions."

Orochimaru patiently explained to Izumi Nen, "Staying in the village all the time will not make you a qualified ninja. Your talent should not be wasted in this one place. Come with me to see a wider world, and you will gain more inspiration for your research."

After much deliberation, Orochimaru finally decided to treat Izumi Nen as his disciple from the bottom of his heart.

Once he is promoted to Chunin, he will have more opportunities to seriously teach Izumi Nen.