Chapter 167: Orochimaru Wants to Take a Disciple

For some unknown reason, Feng Zhe, who should have graduated long ago, had still not received his graduation notice. Conversely, Obito and Rin Nohara had successfully graduated and were even assigned to the same team as Kakashi.

After the graduation ceremony, the boastful Obito invited Feng Zhe to a lavish feast at a yakiniku restaurant.

Not wanting to hurt Obito’s pride, Feng Zhe agreed, and on a bright and sunny afternoon, he stepped into the barbecue joint.

As for why it was at noon, that was because noon prices were cheaper.

Kakashi, Iruka, Obito, Rin Nohara, and of course, Feng Zhe.

This was actually the first time Hatake Kakashi was meeting Feng Zhe, and the two exchanged a brief nod.

At this time, Kakashi had just gone through the suicide of his father, Hatake Sakumo, and even as a genius ninja, he was not held in high regard.

Over the past year, Feng Zhe’s reputation as a genius was entirely on par with Kakashi’s, and busybodies often mentioned the two in the same breath.

Especially after the Third Hokage bestowed upon Feng Zhe the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and he successfully mastered it, his fame as a genius echoed throughout the entire Hidden Leaf Village.

As they enjoyed the grilled meat, Obito asked, "Feng Zhe, when are you going to graduate?"

Feng Zhe shrugged, indicating that he had no idea. Even when he asked Minato Namikaze, the only response he got was to continue training in the ninja academy for a while longer.

Obito seemed very concerned about Feng Zhe, leaning in closer to whisper, "Make some time to visit the Uchiha clan. The clan head wants to see you."

Obito wore a mysterious expression, clearly implying that something good was in store.

Feng Zhe acknowledged the invitation with a nod. Given that his current identity was the adopted son of the Fourth Hokage, the Uchiha clan would have plenty of reservations if they intended to pull anything, so it was most likely a gesture of goodwill.

Having figured this out, Feng Zhe actually grew quite curious to pay a visit to the Uchiha clan.

Although Kakashi was taciturn, compared to Obito and Rin, he still took the initiative to brief them on the current Ninja World War.

Among the notable events was the recent fierce battle between the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and the Hidden Cloud Village's Fourth Raikage, A, along with the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer Bee.

Relying on the Flying Thunder God Technique, the Fourth Hokage fought the two powerful experts from Cloud Village to a standstill. It was said that afterward, the ninja of Cloud Village retreated directly to the borders of the Land of Fire, which caused the Fourth Hokage's reputation to skyrocket.

This was also the first time Feng Zhe learned of Minato Namikaze's true strength from someone else's mouth. Normally, Minato always carried the warm demeanor of a gentle soul, especially at home, where it was impossible to tell he was a powerhouse on the level of a Kage.

The only limited exception was when Minato taught Feng Zhe the Body Flicker Technique, during which he looked no different from an ordinary father.

After discussing the Fourth Hokage's battles, Obito and Rin began to happily daydream about the future, though this was tempered by some warnings from Kakashi, considering they were still in the midst of war and ninja deaths were a frequent occurrence.

The laughter and chatter inside the yakiniku restaurant continued until just before curfew before coming to a reluctant end.

"Feng Zhe, do you really not need someone to walk you home?"

"No need, it's just around the corner."

"Oh, alright then."

Because curfew was approaching, there were very few people on the streets. Feng Zhe’s home was not far, less than a ten-minute walk away.

Just as he reached an empty, secluded area, a white snake lunged out from the darkness, striking straight at Feng Zhe and sinking its fangs into his arm.

Yet the very next moment, the Feng Zhe bitten by the white snake transformed into a piece of wood.

Immediately afterward, a kunai flew through the air and instantly pinned the white snake to the ground.

"His-s-s-s, the Hidden Leaf's future genius. As expected, your strength is already no less than a Chunin's."

A serpent-like silhouette rose from the shadows, its pale face completely devoid of color, resembling that of a gravely ill patient. Feng Zhe, however, wore a look of intense vigilance, clutching a kunai and preparing for battle.

"Is there something you need, Lord Orochimaru?"

If there was anyone in the present Hidden Leaf Village capable of posing a genuine threat to Feng Zhe, Orochimaru definitely counted as one.

At this time, Orochimaru's defection was actually not far off. At such a critical juncture, Feng Zhe had no idea what Orochimaru could possibly want with him.

"Kid, I want to take you as my apprentice. What do you say?"

Orochimaru’s eyes remained curved in a smile, yet no matter how one looked at it, it was deeply unsettling.

Feng Zhe maintained a smile and flatly refused, "Thank you for your kind offer, Lord Orochimaru, but I am too young and ignorant. I'm afraid I wouldn't make a good student for you, so I'll have to pass!"

In the next instant, a white snake coiled tightly around Feng Zhe’s body, its head morphing into Orochimaru's visage as he spoke, "I can multiply your strength tenfold and teach you high-level ninjutsu. How about it?"

No one didn't want to grow stronger, especially when it came to high-level ninjutsu. After all, it had taken him an immense amount of effort just to acquire a single A-rank jutsu: the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

Yet that technique had harsh requirements, demanding a massive amount of chakra. Theoretically, as long as one had enough chakra, shadow clones could be created infinitely, with each clone possessing independent combat capabilities.

However, both usage and control required vast amounts of chakra. If one truly possessed that much chakra, it would be far better to cultivate an even higher-tier ninjutsu, making this technique somewhat redundant.

Only a freakish jinchuriki like Naruto, who could borrow massive amounts of Nine-Tails chakra, could casually spam this technique, eventually turning it into his signature move.

Right after, Feng Zhe used the Substitution Technique once more to break free from the white snake's coils, reappearing a distance away.

"Lord Orochimaru, I prefer to progress step by step. Still, thank you for your kind offer."

Orochimaru looked at Feng Zhe from across the way, chuckling softly, "Since that's the case, I'm afraid I'll just have to bind you and drag you back."

Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!!

In an instant, Orochimaru summoned numerous white snakes that surrounded Feng Zhe from all directions, every single one of these snakes possessing its own independent consciousness.

These white snakes lunged straight toward Feng Zhe with the intent to capture him.

Feng Zhe executed several consecutive body flicker movements, following up with continuous Substitution Techniques, but every single time, the snakes accurately lunged toward him, as if they knew precisely where he would appear next.

Orochimaru watched with keen interest, as if observing a theatrical performance.

Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!!

In a flash, thirty clones of Feng Zhe appeared across various locations. Instead of attacking, these clones scrambled desperately to flee in all directions.

"His-s-s-s, interesting, truly interesting!"

ousand Serpents Array!!

From Orochimaru's mouth poured a massive torrent of snakes, instantly multiplying the previous number severalfold.

The scene descended into chaos in an instant. Roughly three snakes were more than enough to trap and overwhelm a single clone of Feng Zhe.

Countless clones of Feng Zhe turned into puffs of smoke, the sounds of shattering clones echoing continuously across the area.

When the very last clone of Feng Zhe was cornered and suppressed, it abruptly vanished, leaving behind no trace of Feng Zhe whatsoever.

"Hmm? Where did he run off to?"

Orochimaru turned his head to scan his surroundings, failing to detect where Feng Zhe had gone.

"Interesting. Simply fascinating, his-s-s-s!"

Orochimaru chuckled, showing not the slightest sign of anger. Instead, he vanished on the spot as if he had never been there at all.

A quarter of an hour later, Orochimaru reappeared. Still finding no trace of Feng Zhe, he let out a chuckle and said, "I am simply too satisfied with you, kid. Next time, I will definitely catch you!"

Orochimaru vanished once more, and this time, he was truly gone.

Beneath a boulder, a small snake lay coiled quietly, as if it were merely a remnant left behind by Orochimaru.

After a long while, finally confirming that Orochimaru had departed, Feng Zhe transformed back into his original form.

"Thank goodness my Transformation Technique has evolved, otherwise I really wouldn't have been able to hide from him."

The standard Transformation Technique among ninjutsu was merely an E-rank skill, but Feng Zhe's version could not only transform into any appearance, but also perfectly replicate chakra signatures, scents, and even body temperature. It could truly be called his ultimate trump card.

Even the teachers at the ninja academy were entirely unaware of this advanced variation of the technique.