I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 66: Don't go to the last-minute invitation.

"I've tested the two samples you brought, and they don't contain the bloodline limit you were hoping for."

In a laboratory, Orochimaru handed two reports to Danzo Shimura. Upon hearing this, Danzo Shimura frowned, took the reports with one hand, placed them on the table, and began to read them.

The more Orochimaru looked at Danzo, the more his brows furrowed, and a look of confusion even appeared on his face. Orochimaru, who was tidying up the equipment on the table, suddenly spoke:

"I'm puzzled as to why they're valued so much? Have you ever considered that perhaps it's because they're good kids?"

Upon hearing this, Danzo's face instantly darkened. He raised his head and stared at Orochimaru, who remained unaffected by his imposing manner and continued:

"You probably haven't met those two children, have you? I have, so I understand why the teacher, Jiraiya, and Mito-sama value those two children so much."

Don't ask me for this kind of boring work again. I have my own tasks to complete. Take your report and leave.

Although Danzo had not told Orochimaru the identity of the owner of the two samples beforehand, Orochimaru had already guessed the owner of the samples after only studying some data.

It's simply that Danzo didn't believe Hiruzen Sarutobi and Mito Uzumaki would value two children who didn't have a bloodline limit, or even whose bloodline wasn't from a major ninja clan.

When Orochimaru guessed that the owners of the samples were Sakamoto Tatsuma and Namikaze Minato, he was actually quite curious, after all, he also had his own pride.

At the same age, he wasn't as dazzling as Tatsuma and Minato, but he was already a representative of genius among commoners. Now, two children who were even more talented than him have appeared. To be honest, Orochimaru was a little unconvinced.

He also speculated that the two might have some hidden, unawakened bloodline limit, perhaps originating from the Senju, Uchiha, Uzumaki, or even earlier Hagoromo clan, or the bloodline of other ninja clans.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. However, after the research report came out, Orochimaru accepted the result calmly. Compared to Tatsuma and Minato at the same age, he was indeed inferior.

Whether it was his temperament or his efforts, Orochimaru thought of the disciple he had reluctantly taken in out of consideration for his teammates. After training with Tatsuma and Minato, the disciple had made great progress, and Orochimaru felt relieved.

This proves that Tatsuma and Minato's brilliance wasn't something they were born with; it's just that they knew how to work harder than others.

Compared to Orochimaru, these two children may not be more talented, but at the same age, they don't yet know what it feels like to work hard.

Since Jiraiya would take a long time to learn something, he could learn it at a glance, so he no longer had the desire to work harder.

It's just puzzling why, at roughly the same age, Tatsuma and Minato learned to work hard on their own initiative much earlier. After all, given their past displays of talent, they shouldn't have felt any sense of urgency.

"Looks like I'll have to find some time to go see Rope Tree."

Thinking of this, Orochimaru wanted to leave, but found Danzo still frowning as he flipped through the report. Orochimaru's face showed a hint of displeasure, and he said:

"My research cannot be wrong. If you have any doubts, go and do your own research."

Upon hearing Orochimaru speak in a tone that implied he was being asked to leave, Danzo snorted and turned to leave, without taking the report with him.

In fact, Danzo also knew that Orochimaru's research results might be the truth, but he just hoped that Tatsuma and Minato would have a bloodline limit or the continuation of the ninja bloodline.

After all, he had spent a lot of time and even paid a price to get Orochimaru to study the two of them, but this result meant that all his costs were sunk.

Without a bloodline limit or special bloodline continuation, it's of no use to him at all.

Seeing Danzo's disgruntled departure, Orochimaru said nothing, tidied up the research lab, and left as well.

It took some time to find Nawaki, since it was the weekend and Nawaki didn't have to go to school. When he arrived at the Senju clan, he learned that Tsunade had taken Nawaki and the others to eat barbecue.

After several twists and turns, Orochimaru finally arrived at BBQ Q, where he met his disciple Nawaki, as well as Tatsuma and Minato, who were also happily eating BBQ.

Before Orochimaru could take a closer look at them, Tsunade spotted him and exclaimed excitedly, "Orochimaru?! You're here too? Come on! Come eat with us!"

Orochimaru's face showed a hint of doubt. Tsunade shouldn't be so enthusiastic towards him. Could it be that the sudden release after a year of confinement has changed Tsunade's personality?

Before he could figure it out, Nawaki happily said, "Orochimaru-sensei! Here, let me give you my seat!"

Orochimaru smiled and nodded, taking the seat that Nawaki had offered. Before he could even say hello, Tsunade suddenly shoved a handful of grilled meat into his hands and said enthusiastically, "Eat! Eat up!"

"."

Looking at the grilled meat in his hand, Orochimaru even suspected that Tsunade might have poisoned it to play a trick on him, but only Jiraiya would do something like that. After thinking about it, Orochimaru still took a bite.

The taste was normal, and it seemed that nothing that shouldn't have been added had been added. Relieved a little, Orochimaru ate a few more pieces of grilled meat.

He hadn't eaten for almost two days. He hadn't had time to eat because he was busy organizing the research reports on Tatsuma and Minato, and he was feeling a bit hungry.

Just when he was completely relieved and thought that Tsunade was just being overly enthusiastic, Tsunade suddenly said, "Since you've eaten so much, you should pay for the meal later."

Orochimaru: "???!!!"

Orochimaru looked down at the three or five skewers of grilled meat he had just eaten, and then at the piles of skewers in front of the others that looked like bonfires. He realized he had been tricked.

"Are you all full?"

Before Orochimaru could react, Tsunade looked at the others. Tatsuma quickly swallowed the grilled meat in his mouth, took a big gulp of his drink, nodded, and said, "I'm full!"

Everyone else nodded. Tsunade stood up and said, "Orochimaru, I'll take them back to training first. You can join us after you've finished eating and settled the bill!"

After saying that, Tsunade quickly left, followed closely by Tatsuma and Minato. Kushina, who was wiping her hands, was a beat slower, but only a beat slower.

In the blink of an eye, only Nawaki remained. Nawaki was ready to leave, but seeing the teacher's bewildered expression—the first time he could remember it—he explained somewhat sheepishly:

"My sister gambled it all away at the dinner table, so I'm sorry to have troubled you, teacher."

After saying that, Nawaki ran away. Orochimaru, after regaining his senses, sighed, "I've met the wrong person."

(End of this chapter)