Orochimaru’s Magic Lamp

After listening to Orochimaru's plan, the Third Hokage puffed silently on his pipe. After a while, he asked,

"What's your true purpose in doing something like this?"

Creating a standardized growth system for Chūnin and Jōnin would sound like an overambitious dream coming from anyone else. But in all of Konoha—no, in the entire ninja world—Orochimaru might be the only person truly capable of pulling it off.

No other ninja had mastered all five chakra natures, dabbled so deeply in every field of ninjutsu, and possessed the same level of persistence and intellectual curiosity. The Third Hokage had often wondered what might have been possible if Orochimaru devoted himself entirely to serving the village.

Now, hearing this plan, he realized his past expectations had been far too modest.

Still, Orochimaru offering his talents so freely was unusual—suspicious even. Instead of feeling moved, the Third Hokage's instincts made him wary.

"If I say I'm doing it for the village... you wouldn't believe me anyway," Orochimaru said with a smile.

"But regardless, what I'm doing is aboveboard, and the village will benefit immensely. If you're still uneasy, you can assign someone to supervise everything. In fact, I've already found the perfect candidate."

Standing nearby, Uchiha Shisui looked a little stunned. He hadn't expected Orochimaru to pull him into this. Still, the Third didn't hesitate—he readily admitted his distrust and accepted the suggestion.

Shisui was someone he'd watched grow since childhood. He knew the boy's heart well. Loyal and conscientious, Shisui would never turn a blind eye to anything suspicious.

The Hokage glanced at Shisui, then turned back to Orochimaru.

"So what, exactly, are you planning to do?"

"Let's wait for it to begin. Shisui can report back as it unfolds," Orochimaru said, lips curled into a faint smirk.

"After all, even well-laid plans may need adjustment once put into action."

---

In the jungle…

Mitarashi Anko was leaping cheerfully between tree branches, clearly in high spirits. It had been a long time since Orochimaru-sensei had invited her for personal training—and even sent a messenger. How could she not be excited?

After getting the location from the messenger, Anko rushed off at full speed, not caring how much chakra she burned.

Shff-shff-shff...

As she approached the training grounds, she began to hear not only the sounds of wildlife, but also rapid movements slicing through the air. She glanced sideways—several other Konoha ninja were also headed in the same direction.

"Weird... are they going to the same place?"

Probably just coincidence, she told herself. There are lots of training areas around here.

But that illusion didn't last long.

She sensed numerous chakra signatures gathered at her destination. Though not particularly skilled in sensory techniques, the sheer number made it obvious—there were a lot of people there.

"No way…" Anko bit her lip, feeling a growing unease.

She dropped from the trees, landing lightly on the training ground floor—and her vision was instantly filled with black.

Not literal darkness—just dozens upon dozens of figures. Nearly a hundred ninja stood in groups, crowding the area.

From Chūnin to Jōnin, commoners to clan members—it was a full house.

"So… Sensei didn't just call me…" Anko pouted, stomping in frustration.

Still, with so many eyes on her, she couldn't exactly throw a tantrum. That would only embarrass Orochimaru. She scanned the crowd—no sign of Might Guy—then smiled in relief and headed toward someone familiar.

"Anko, you're late," said Yūhi Kurenai, who didn't seem surprised to see her.

"Any idea why Orochimaru-sama gathered so many people?"

Anko had no idea.

But there was no way she'd admit that. As Orochimaru's "first disciple," it would be humiliating. So she put on a knowing smirk, looked toward the sky, and replied,

"Sensei has his reasons. You know how it is—I can't say too much."

"Come on, just a little hint?"

"It's… complicated. You'll understand when he explains it himself."

Nearby, Kakashi observed the two women quietly. He could tell Anko was bluffing and that Kurenai was just teasing her. Still, he said nothing. Only when Anko looked cornered did he chime in softly,

"Orochimaru-sama is arriving."

Kurenai chuckled and backed off. Her playful smile caught the eye of Sarutobi Asuma, who kept sneaking glances in her direction.

Shff...

A rush of wind signaled Orochimaru's arrival. He stepped into the center of the field and surveyed the packed training ground.

"Hm. A bit small, isn't it?"

Smirking, he clasped his hands together. The ground beneath them stretched outward, expanding the training space several times over. Trees pulled away unnaturally as the terrain reshaped itself.

The crowd collectively shuddered—not because he destroyed anything, but because he did it so effortlessly, so elegantly. The absence of force only made it more impressive.

"Today," Orochimaru announced, "you'll be undergoing a test."

A platform rose beneath him, its square base inscribed with three labels on three sides:

Single Chakra Nature

Multiple Chakra Natures

Non-Basic Chakra Nature

"Please step into the category that applies to you."

Shff-shff-shff...

In a matter of seconds, the ninja reorganized themselves.

Those with only one chakra nature—mostly Chūnin—gathered under the first. Jōnin, who typically mastered two or three, took the second. Clan ninja stood in the third section: their inherited techniques often fell under specialized chakra natures, like the Yamanaka's Mind Transfer Jutsu or the Nara's Shadow Possession—technically Yin Release, not part of the five elemental basics.

Behind Orochimaru, a certain figure peeked out.

"Tch... Naruto really is one of a kind," muttered the hidden observer.

Most genin had to work hard just to master the five basic elements. Naruto, on the other hand, had somehow skipped all of that and jumped straight to developing something as complex as the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.

_____________________

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