Both time-traveled characters ended up as villainous henchmen.

Orochimaru looked at the child not far away, whose face showed no fear whatsoever, and the playful smile on his lips deepened.

"How did Nianjun discover me?"

A hoarse, chilling voice echoed through the silent, dense forest, adding to the eeriness of the place.

Orochimaru was arrogant because of his ability to conceal his presence; unless he deliberately exposed himself, few ninjas could detect him.

Especially since the other party was just a student who had just graduated from the ninja academy.

Seeing that Orochimaru seemed willing to talk, Izumi Nen felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.

"It's the natural energy around me that tells me this."

Izumi Nen smiled and pointed to the surrounding environment, explaining, "The natural energy around Lord Orochimaru will show some subtle changes, unlike the normal situation."

I can't really explain it clearly, I just have this feeling.

"Natural energy?"

Orochimaru's tone was questioning, but his expression was one of certainty. His snake-like eyes were fixed on Izumi Nen, as if he were looking at a rabbit waiting to be slaughtered.

"Where did you learn about natural energy, Nian-kun? As far as I know, ninja academies don't teach these esoteric topics."

Let alone professors, it's questionable how many teachers at the Ninja Academy even know about the existence of natural energy.

"It was discovered by chance in the school library, among some notes and records left by Lord Orochimaru."

"Oh?" Orochimaru was not surprised by this. In the public information he left behind at the Ninja Academy, he did mention some minor information about natural energy.

However, the fact that he could deduce complete information from those fragmented words shows that this kid does have some talent.

Or perhaps, he was deliberately showing off to me...

interesting.

This explains why the kid took the initiative to appear outside his research institute a while ago and absorb natural energy to attract his attention.

Since that day, Orochimaru has also conducted some investigations into Izumi Nen and learned about the relationship between Izumi Nen and Root.

At this point, all the information was put together.

Orochimaru had already guessed Izumi Nen's thoughts and intentions, so his gaze toward him became even more aggressive, as if he had already regarded Izumi Nen as his possession.

They possess a constitution that allows them to absorb natural energy on their own, and they are different from the race he has already discovered.

Izumi Nen's physique did not go out of control or undergo any physical deformities after absorbing natural energy.

Although the amount absorbed is very small, it is still a valuable subject of research!

Orochimaru has already decided to take Izumi Nen under his wing, and he can easily deal with the entanglements with Danzo.

However, he was eager to see what other surprises this little guy could bring him.

Seeing that Orochimaru seemed to be deep in thought, Izumi Nen paused briefly before speaking solemnly:

"Please, Lord Orochimaru, accept me as your disciple. I am aware of my special abilities and hope that you can help me understand the changes within me. And..."

Help me break free from the entanglement at the roots.

"Oh? Nian-kun, are you sure you've thought this through? There are plenty of ninjas who want to be my disciple. With your special physique, which is uncertain and unstable, you're not good enough."

Orochimaru's face still held a smile, but his tone had lost its initial chill.

He also made no mention of the Root organization, but questioned the conditions that Izumi Nen had offered.

"Then, please allow me to demonstrate more of my value to Lord Orochimaru."

Izumi Nen was not surprised by this answer. As it happened, in his perception enhanced by natural energy, the pursuer from the Root was almost there.

"Lord Orochimaru, there's no need for you to do it. I'll take care of those 'tails'."

As soon as he finished speaking, Izumi Nen moved swiftly and sped back the way he came.

That speed...not bad physical skills.

Orochimaru slowly suppressed his smile, his aura dissipating along with it, and then he set off to follow.

He also sensed the Root ninja who was tracking Izumi Nen. Since the kid had taken the initiative to suggest it, he decided to go and check it out.

……

Damn it, I was careless and got tricked by that brat!

The Root ninja, wearing a distinctive rabbit mask, chased after the trail left behind by Izumi Nen, cursing under his breath.

If we can't deal with that kid cleanly and decisively, he'll be in big trouble when he gets back.

Hmm? It can't run anymore?

Not long after venturing deeper into the dense forest, the Root ninja sensed Izumi Nen's location, which wasn't too far from where he was.

He's still just a kid. Even if he's a little clever, his strength is only at the genin level.

Without much hesitation, the Root ninja with the rabbit mask quickly gathered his chakra and rushed towards Izumi Nen's location.

A few breaths later, the Root ninja instantly appeared on a nearby tree branch, coldly watching the brat hiding behind the big tree, constantly suppressing his own panting.

Are you exhausted...? Don't worry, I won't let you die here. As long as you accept the training from the Root, you will definitely become stronger.

The Root ninja with the rabbit mask sneered inwardly, slowly adjusting the strength in his hand in an attempt to defeat his enemy with a single blow.

After silently sensing the surroundings for a while to confirm that there was no one else around, he activated the Body Flicker Technique again and appeared directly in front of Izumi Nen behind the big tree.

However, he did not see the panicked face he had expected.

Only one child stared at him with a calm, cold expression.

Instantly, the Root ninja realized something was wrong and was about to go all out to take down the kid.

However, Izumi Nen acted first.

A swift and precise punch landed on the Root ninja's wrist, disrupting the opponent's hand seal rhythm.

Wow, that's heavy... This kid's strength... and his judgment?!

Before the shock of Izumi Nen's sudden outburst had subsided, a physical power far exceeding his expectations and completely unlike that of an ordinary genin once again shattered his thoughts.

But this is not the end.

After successfully disrupting the opponent's offensive rhythm, Izumi Nen gathered all the natural energy he had absorbed over the past month into his right hand, and at the same time revealed the short blade hidden in his right hand.

puff-

A force far exceeding that of the previous one struck the Root ninja heavily in the chest, accompanied by an extremely sharp and piercing pain.

This kid's hiding weapons?!

Enraged, the Root ninja mustered all his strength and kicked Izumi Nen, but Izumi Nen, who was prepared, successfully blocked the kick and used the momentum to create distance.

Seeing this, the Root ninja were about to give chase when they were enveloped by an intense feeling of tightness in their chests.

He looked down and was horrified to find that his chest had been blown open, and a large amount of blood was gushing out.

Meanwhile, the heart inside the chest cavity was also impacted by an inexplicable force, causing it to collapse and shatter, and it had long since stopped beating.

After struggling for a few moments, the Root ninja clutched his chest and collapsed to his knees, falling completely silent.

Izumi Nen did not rush forward, but instead took out his shuriken and began to finish off the enemy.

"Okay, that's enough."

Orochimaru, who had been secretly observing the battle, stepped forward at that moment and stopped Izumi Nen's actions.

After this battle, he discovered something new in Izumi Nen.

Greater physical abilities, and a special way of utilizing natural energy.

The latter, in particular, was the real decisive factor in this battle.

"I can grant your request."