Chapter 99: Exchange
Orochimaru regarded Kei as a kindred spirit and wanted to learn under him.
At the same time, he knew very well that this goal would not be easy to achieve.
Leaving everything else aside, the enormous gap in status alone was already a major obstacle.
After all, Kei was the Hokage.
As for Orochimaru, although he performed well at the Ninja Academy, he was still just a child from a civilian background.
The difference in their positions was immense, and under normal circumstances, it was almost impossible to bridge.
"If I want to follow Hokage-sama, then I have to be noticed by Hokage-sama."
Orochimaru pondered inwardly.
"I have to perform well in this graduation assessment."
This time, because it was the first promotion exam after the establishment of the Middle Ninja Academy, Kei would personally attend and observe the assessment results.
If Orochimaru wanted Kei to notice him, then this was undoubtedly the best opportunity.
However, achieving that would not be easy.
The Ninja Academy was not lacking in geniuses.
Especially among this batch of graduates.
Originally, the number of students in the Academy had not been large, and with Orochimaru's talent, he could easily stand out and become one of the best.
After all, he was a genuine genius.
But this batch was different.
Because of the creation of the Middle Ninja Academy and Kei's forceful policy requiring all shinobi from the major clans to enter the Academy system, the number of students taking this promotion assessment had risen sharply.
And the shinobi from those clans were far from ordinary.
Among them were not only geniuses from the Senju and Uchiha, but also many outstanding children from other ninja clans.
Leaving everything else aside, Tsunade alone, standing right beside him, was already enough to place immense pressure on Orochimaru.
If he wanted to stand out among this group, it would be very difficult.
"Alright, time to come down."
Holding Tsunade, Kei spoke softly.
"When we get back this time, I'll spend more time with you. There will be plenty of time later."
He then turned around, his gaze falling on Orochimaru and the others.
"Are these your friends?"
The moment Orochimaru met his gaze, his eyes lit up.
He stepped forward eagerly.
"Hokage-sama, I am Orochimaru."
"I remember you."
Kei smiled and nodded.
"We exchanged some ideas before. Your thoughts were quite interesting and gave me a lot of inspiration."
He indeed had a deep impression of Orochimaru.
There were not many true research talents in Konoha, and Orochimaru was definitely one of them, one of the most outstanding, in fact.
Kei valued people like that highly, which was why he had deliberately found an opportunity before to speak with him and exchange ideas.
Judging from the current situation, that conversation had clearly left a deep impression on Orochimaru, so much so that he now looked eager to distinguish himself.
"I recently established a laboratory where many things are being researched."
Looking at Orochimaru, Kei thought for a moment before continuing.
"For this promotion assessment, I will personally set a special test."
"As long as someone receives an excellent evaluation in the assessment, they will earn the qualification to enter the laboratory and serve as my assistant."
"If you're interested, you can try for it."
"Yes."
Hearing those words, Orochimaru's eyes brightened even further, and he nodded immediately.
He had already made up his mind.
No matter what, he had to earn an excellent evaluation this time.
"Hokage-sama's laboratory must have many fascinating things..."
That thought flashed through Orochimaru's mind.
"This is Jiraiya. Even though he's the dead last, his ninjutsu and combat ability are actually pretty good."
After introducing Orochimaru, Tsunade continued.
Although she usually looked down on Jiraiya, she still considered him a friend, so she took the initiative to introduce him as well.
"Third Hokage."
Looking at Kei, Jiraiya had also lost his usual lively, frivolous manner and now looked a little nervous.
It seemed that the title of Hokage still carried some intimidation after all.
"So you're Jiraiya."
Kei's attitude toward him was still gentle.
"Tsunade has mentioned you to me. She said you're a very outstanding shinobi."
"Haha, really?"
Hearing Kei say that, Jiraiya's face immediately lit up.
"I'm definitely going to become a famous author in the future!"
"Then I wish you success."
Kei smiled.
If he remembered correctly, Jiraiya really did become a famous author later on.
That infamous Icha Icha Paradise seemed to sell extremely well throughout the entire shinobi world.
"Speaking of which, the publishing industry in the Land of Fire probably needs a little regulation too..."
As he chatted with them, that thought flashed through Kei's mind.
He stayed for a while longer, speaking with Tsunade's friends and getting to know them a little, then finally left.
After he was gone, the people behind him all let out long breaths of relief.
"Whew, I can't believe we actually met Hokage-sama here."
"But Hokage-sama doesn't look that much older than us."
"I have to do well on the graduation assessment. I have to make Hokage-sama notice me!"
As they watched Kei's departing figure, each of them had their own thoughts.
Kei, however, paid none of it any mind.
"What a bunch of naive brats."
The Nine Tails, walking at the side, spoke with disdain.
"With your strength, you're still mixing with a bunch of kids?"
Although Kei was not much older than them in age, in the Nine Tails' eyes, the two sides were beings from entirely different levels.
Those children's strength was ordinary to the point of being trivial in its eyes.
As for Kei, even without making a move, the aura and vast chakra he naturally gave off already made it clear that he was not someone to be underestimated.
In the Nine Tails' view, even if Kei was still not on the level of Hashirama or Madara in the past, he could already be considered top-tier among humans.
Many human powerhouses were inferior to him.
"The reason the Hokage is the Hokage is because the Hokage bears the duty of protecting Konoha."
Kei spoke softly.
"And in the final analysis, protecting Konoha means protecting those children who will become Konoha's future."
"They may be young now, but as long as they can grow up safely, they will someday unleash power that surprises everyone."
"You were born with overwhelming strength, so you probably wouldn't understand that."
"I don't care to understand something like that, brat."
The Nine Tails sneered.
"This old man is hungry again."
As a pure mass of chakra, a Tailed Beast naturally had no need to eat.
Its power came from the natural energy between heaven and earth, and it did not need ordinary replenishment through food.
However, the flesh clone currently carrying the Nine Tails' consciousness clearly could not achieve that.
…..
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