"It's freezing! Damn it!"
Screams akin to a pig being slaughtered rang out from time to time.
Hagoromo's courtyard wasn't large, but it originally featured a shallow ornamental pond. Perhaps he should have raised a few goldfish in it, but he never had any interest in such things, so it had essentially always been dry.
However, it was now being repurposed. First, it was deepened by two meters; second, it was filled to the brim with water; and finally, that water had been given a special "treatment" by their natural, walking refrigerator, Haku.
It was already winter, and with Haku's added touch, the water was bone-chillingly cold. Falling in was absolutely not a pleasant experience.
Therefore, Naruto was having a very unpleasant experience... He genuinely couldn't maintain his footing on this water.
In the short term, Hagoromo had no intention of directly teaching Naruto ninjutsu. He only planned to teach three things: first, chakra control; second, taijutsu training; and third, the basics of chakra nature transformation.
Ninjutsu training was pushed to the back burner. There was no rush; the foundation was the most important thing.
Compared to ordinary ninjas, someone like Naruto might not need overly meticulous precision in his chakra control, because wasting a little chakra during a jutsu... meant absolutely nothing to him. Considering the abysmal chakra utilization rate of the "original" Naruto's shadow clones and Rasengan, it was a tragic sight to behold.
But even if he didn't need "precision," basic "control" was still indispensable. Thus, Hagoromo adopted Konoha's most traditional method, adding a punitive measure—if he failed, the consequences were rather miserable.
This helped engrain the muscle memory into a thick-skulled kid like Naruto.
As for taijutsu... simply put, a ninja with poor taijutsu can never become a true, seasoned expert.
But Naruto seemed to have some issues in this area, likely related to his boisterous personality. His physical movements easily lost their form, becoming too "wide and reckless," requiring constant, repetitive correction.
Finally, there was chakra nature transformation—something best taught from a young age.
This wasn't just for practicality and his future, but also for legacy. Regardless of anything else, Hagoromo fully intended to pass the Fourth Hokage's Rasengan down to Naruto.
It was a jutsu with immense developmental potential. If Naruto could master chakra nature transformation, who knows, something like a Lightning Release: Rasenshuriken might emerge.
Lightning Release was notoriously difficult to shape and control, which was exactly why Storm Release—a combination of lightning and water—held such profound significance. Using conductive water to directionally guide the lightning allowed for a focused beam that made Lightning Release far more precise and destructive.
Kneading Lightning Release into a Rasengan was certainly difficult, but no one could deny Naruto's potential for it. He was, after all, the No. 1 unpredictable ninja.
If Naruto could master all five basic chakra nature transformations like Hagoromo, he might just invent a move like Ninja Art: Five Natures: Rasengan... Just imagine it, its lethality would definitely surpass S-rank. Anyone who witnessed that jutsu... in short, its power would make listeners weep and viewers shed tears.
Ever since that day, Naruto would frequently run over to Hagoromo's place under the guise of "learning ninjutsu"... Well, he was indeed learning.
Today, however, the four children were practicing entirely on their own. Hagoromo was not there.
Over a month had passed since his return to Konoha, and the actions that needed to begin were truly about to start.
However, there was one thing Hagoromo hadn't anticipated. That night, he met someone who shouldn't have been in Konoha.
Hagoromo's instinctive reaction to the suddenly appearing small-scale barrier was resistance, but he ultimately relented, having already realized what it was.
The Uchiha affair was attracting all sorts of monsters and freaks. The Sharingan would draw many interested parties to arrive in, or return to, the village.
"Why have you returned to Konoha... Orochimaru?"
Jiraiya was searching all over the world for him, yet Orochimaru chose this exact moment to sneak back into Konoha. One had to admit, this was practically courting death.
"First, there is something here that interests me."
Orochimaru replied. Fundamentally, he only acted for his own amusement. This was the primary reason for his return—his interest was clearly focused on the Uchiha.
"Second, although I am not a doctor, I received a rather interesting surgical request."
He stated this somewhat vaguely, making it impossible for Hagoromo to form a definitive judgment. In reality, it was a certain someone in Konoha who had always collaborated with him, requesting his return to complete a long-agreed-upon body modification.
"Third, it is an order from the 'Organization'."
The Organization.
"The Organization, huh... That cloak you're wearing will attract the Grim Reaper. Do you know what 'absolute defeat' is?" Hagoromo's eyes were calm, but the outfit the man before him was wearing was absolutely not a wise choice to parade around in.
"Heh, as expected, you don't seem to like this outfit very much," Orochimaru said. There was only one absolute defeat, and that was total death.
Without seemingly doing anything, Orochimaru had already swapped back to his usual, ordinary attire. "That place merely holds things that interest me. My so-called 'joining' and 'cooperation' will only last until my interest wanes."
Hagoromo nodded. If that hadn't been the case, he would have already struck.
To say Orochimaru was unwilling to bow to others might be an understatement; he would absolutely never allow anyone else to dictate his will.
"'We' are paying close attention to the Uchiha situation. However, due to various reasons..." At this point, Orochimaru shot Hagoromo a peculiar look before continuing, "It is inconvenient for certain individuals to come here, so the task was handed to me."
The 'Organization' had never trusted Orochimaru; monitoring him was a daily routine. But since he dared to speak like this, he must be certain he wasn't currently being monitored.
"What is your objective? And why appear before me? Regardless of the reason, Konoha is not a safe place for you."
Orochimaru's thoughts were impossible to read. Hagoromo was often the same way. Neither could guarantee that Hagoromo wouldn't attack just because Orochimaru showed his face.
"Nothing much. We simply want to watch this clan be annihilated. Some people do not wish for there to be too many Uchiha left in this world... As for why I appeared before you, I only hope that you will not interfere in this matter. You have no reason to help or save the Uchiha, do you?"
"There are very few things in Konoha that can threaten me... as long as I remain undiscovered." More importantly, Orochimaru had inside connections and could receive certain intel.
Orochimaru's read was spot on; Hagoromo indeed had no such reason to help.
Hagoromo neither confirmed nor denied this, instead bringing up a different matter. "Your arrival is actually perfect timing. I actually have something I need to find you for. I discovered a ninja in Konoha who can use Wood Release..."
"Ah, one of my test subjects from a long time ago. The only one who survived."
"Which means you've already found a viable possibility for transplanting Wood Release cells?" Hagoromo continued. "Then this makes things simple. I have a favor to ask of you."
No matter how low the probability, a possibility was a possibility.
Hagoromo then explained what he needed Orochimaru to do.
"The task isn't difficult, but I cannot guarantee absolute success."
Orochimaru didn't know what Hagoromo was planning, but he didn't mind lending a hand.
He always felt that the things Hagoromo did were quite interesting. Observing it wouldn't cost him anything, and it might even be an eye-opening experience.