From Joy of Life, the Tian Gang is reversed

Chapter 380 My Lizard Can Play with Souls
Orochimaru refrained from commenting on whether the Third Hokage actually suffered a stroke, but instead became interested in Asuma's words.

"You want to ask me to teach you ninjutsu? What, do you have any questions about ninjutsu?"

“I have many questions.” Asuma nodded. “So, Orochimaru-senpai, after you’ve finished handing things over with your teacher, could you spare a little of your time?”

"That depends on what your question is."

Orochimaru said, "If it's a low-level question, there's no need for that."

Just kidding. He's Orochimaru, the one who researches forbidden techniques. Not just any ninjutsu will catch his eye. Even if you're the Hokage's son, it won't work. I'm the Hokage's beloved student, after all.

"Then let's get this over with quickly, Orochimaru-senpai. I'll be waiting for you outside." With that, he dashed out without waiting for Orochimaru's reply.

He's not even a genin yet, so he certainly can't be present during this handover between border commanders.

“Sakumo-senpai, this…” Orochimaru looked at Hatake Sakumo with a puzzled expression.

Sakumo forced a helpless smile onto his stiff face. "Don't worry, he won't let you down."

"Oh?!" Orochimaru's face showed a hint of interest upon hearing this.

An hour later, Orochimaru, having finished handing over his work to White Fang, left the tent and saw Asuma squatting on a tree branch, chatting happily with a young genin.

"Orochimaru-senpai!" Upon seeing Orochimaru, Asuma quickly reached out to greet him. The genin, upon seeing Orochimaru, immediately looked somewhat apprehensive, bowed, and hurriedly left.

"From the Sarutobi clan?!"

Looking at the background of that genin, Orochimaru licked his lips and said.

“Yes, the old man told me to build good relationships with the clan’s ninjas after I came to the border.” Asuma didn’t hide anything. “You know, the old man is very good at playing power games.”

A glint of light flashed in Orochimaru's narrow eyes. "It sounds like you have some complaints about the teacher!"

"It's not dissatisfaction, just a pity. The old man was proficient in all five elemental ninjutsu and was known as the Ninjutsu Doctor. He could be considered a genius." Asuma grinned and said, "What a pity, the wisdom of a mortal."

At this point, he looked up at Orochimaru and asked, "Senior, I heard you've been researching forbidden techniques?"

"You're interested in forbidden techniques too?!" Orochimaru looked at Asuma, his tone indifferent.

There's nothing we can do. Asuma is too young, not even seven years old yet. Even if he's a genius, how much of a genius can he be?

He was a genius himself, but he didn't really start studying advanced ninjutsu until he was a teenager. At six years old, his chakra reserves were so low that he could barely manage a C-rank ninjutsu, let alone forbidden techniques.

Although White Fang's words gave him some confidence, to be honest, it wasn't much.

"I'm not interested in forbidden techniques. What I'm interested in is the origin of forbidden techniques." Asuma looked at Orochimaru and said, "Orochimaru-senpai, you are a contractor of Ryuchi Cave. Did that sage from Ryuchi Cave ever tell you about the origin of chakra?"

"The source of chakra?!" Orochimaru was slightly taken aback, looking at Asuma with a strange expression. To be honest, such a profound topic was something that even he had only occasionally thought about once, without any intention of delving into it. But now, hearing such words from a six-year-old child surprised him.

What? From what he's saying, the sage of Ryuchi Cave knows the origin of chakra?

Seeing Orochimaru's expression, Asuma gave a wry smile.

"Then, have you ever heard of Tuilin River, senior?"

"The River of Fallen Scales?" Orochimaru nodded slightly. He seemed to have seen it somewhere before. Yes, it seemed like many years ago, in a book, though the description was somewhat vague. It was described as a place where summoned beasts lived—yes, a sacred place for summoning? A thought flashed through his mind, and he remembered the record he had seen. He suddenly looked up at Asuma, "You have a summoning contract for the River of Fallen Scales?"

"I ran into him by chance a few days ago, signed a contract, and went to the Tuilin River." Asuma's eyes flashed with satisfaction. It had to be Orochimaru. Look at Jiraiya and Hiruzen Sarutobi, the top figures in the ninja world, they had never even heard of him. They looked completely bewildered when he talked about it. They were obviously uneducated. How could such people govern the ninja world?

"Tuilinchuan is an ancient sacred place for spiritual communication, just like Ryuchi Cave, Mount Myōboku, and Shikkotsu Forest. It has been around for thousands of years and has accumulated a lot of knowledge over those years. The difference is that the other three sacred places have immortals living in the world. There are many things that the immortals do not say, so others do not know them. But Tuilinchuan is different. The immortals of Tuilinchuan have died, but they left behind many records from thousands of years ago, recording the incredible origin of chakra and various events from thousands of years ago."

At this point, he glanced at Orochimaru and said, "That's why I hate those old guys. A bunch of remnants of the old era. As long as they don't die, they'll hold on to their legacy and never let go. They're really annoying."

Orochimaru's breathing became heavier for no apparent reason. "So, you know the secret of the origin of chakra?"

“Of course.” Asuma nodded. “However, this matter is too unbelievable, and I can’t be sure if it’s true or not, so I wanted to verify it with the other holy sites, but Jiraiya-senpai…”

Speaking of Jiraiya, Asuma showed a disgusted expression, "If I were a toad from Mount Myōboku, I wouldn't tell him something like this either."

"Heh~" Orochimaru thought of his teammate and looked at Asuma's expression, and couldn't help but laugh. "So you came to find me? Too bad, you'll be disappointed. The Snake Sage didn't tell me either."

“It’s alright if I didn’t say it. Senior can take my answer to Ryuchi Cave to verify it.” Asuma said with a smile. Suddenly, his brows furrowed, and Orochimaru’s brows twitched as well.

Swipe!

Two figures shot out from the forest and appeared in front of the two.

ANBU?

No, it's the root!
"Lord Orochimaru, Lord Danzo has ordered you to return to the village immediately after handing over your duties. It's important." The Root member wearing a mask spoke curtly. According to the original plan, Orochimaru was supposed to return to the village after handing over his duties, and they were all waiting nearby. However, unexpectedly, Orochimaru started chatting with Asuma after the handover. They were far away and couldn't hear what they were talking about, but judging from their expressions, the two of them seemed to be getting along very well, so the two Root members couldn't help but chime in.

It wasn't that they were afraid Orochimaru and Asuma would do anything detrimental to Danzo; it was simply that within Root, Danzo's orders were paramount, and no one could disobey his will. They were getting impatient with Orochimaru's delay in taking action after handing over the mission.

Orochimaru was somewhat displeased by Root's words. Although Danzo was the Hokage's advisor, he was just an advisor. Orochimaru was still the Hokage's apprentice, and a capable one at that, with a high probability of succeeding him. Although Danzo's status was higher than his, it was only slightly higher. They had never had a superior-subordinate relationship. Yet, these Root members treated him as Danzo's subordinate, even saying "Lord Danzo has given orders." Wasn't this a blatant disregard for him?

"Asma and I have things to do. You guys go back first. I'll naturally head back once things are settled here."

"Lord Orochimaru, Lord Danzo's orders are..."

"Orochimaru-senpai, when did you join Root?"

Orochimaru's face darkened. "I did not join Root."

"You don't?" Asuma glanced at Orochimaru, then at the two Root ninjas. "Heh, I thought you were Danzo's subordinate."

"Shut up!" one of the Root ninjas shouted at Asuma.

Asuma's facial muscles twitched slightly. He gave the Root ninja a deep look, then suddenly smiled and said to Orochimaru, "The lizards of the Tuilin River can bind the souls of the dead and even manifest them. Orochimaru-senpai, are you interested?"

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to the two Root ninjas.

"hiss!!"

Orochimaru stuck out his sharp tongue, becoming excited.

(End of this chapter)