Uchiha Hikaru came to a stop, while Tsunade looked confused, unsure of what he was doing.
The next moment, Orochimaru stepped out from behind them.
He hesitated for a moment before finally speaking:
"Hikaru-kun, I hope you can guide me in my training. Please, grant me this unreasonable request!"
As he spoke, Orochimaru closed his eyes and bowed deeply to Uchiha Hikaru.
Secretly following someone was already an unethical thing to do.
And now asking the person he’d followed for guidance? That made it even more presumptuous.
But Orochimaru had no other choice.
Having just entered the Ninja Academy, he wasn’t yet Hiruzen Sarutobi’s student.
His parents were merely average Chūnin—civilian ninjas at that.
Their meager resources weren’t enough to support his growth.
He had initially pinned his hopes on the academy instructors, but Toki Chi’s teaching was clearly very basic.
To Orochimaru, it was the kind of training that felt pointless to keep but wasteful to discard.
In contrast, Uchiha Hikaru—aside from being a member of the Uchiha clan—was in a very similar situation.
But unlike Orochimaru, Hikaru had already possessed considerable strength even before being adopted.
So, Orochimaru hoped Uchiha Hikaru could help guide his path.
Just as he awaited a response, Uchiha Hikaru stepped beside him and helped him up.
"We’re friends. Helping each other grow isn’t something that needs formal guidance."
"Is today convenient? Why not spend the night at my place? We’ll head to school together tomorrow."
At first, Orochimaru looked dazed as he was pulled up. Then Hikaru’s words stunned him completely.
It took him a moment to recover.
And in the next second, the six-year-old’s eyes welled up with tears of emotion.
Uchiha Hikaru’s words didn’t just move him to tears—
They elevated him in Orochimaru’s heart from a friend to a cherished companion.
Sometimes, children’s friendships really are that simple and pure.
As for why Hikaru was being so nice to Orochimaru, did it even need to be said?
Others might not know how gifted Orochimaru was, but Uchiha Hikaru certainly did.
If it weren’t so early in the academy year, Orochimaru’s talent would’ve already drawn attention.
Never mind his talent for ninjutsu—just his aptitude for scientific research alone made him worth investing in.
In the world of Naruto, where bloodlines reign supreme, Orochimaru was one of the few who truly believed in science.
If he weren’t so unaware of the world’s deepest secrets, he might’ve even managed to develop the Rinnegan.
And before his descent into darkness, Orochimaru had actually been quite kindhearted.
It was Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo who led him astray—turning a promising future Hokage candidate into something else entirely.
Seeing Orochimaru’s tearful face, Uchiha Hikaru was momentarily stunned.
After all, in his memory, Orochimaru had always been a creepy, cold-blooded figure.
But looking at the small, tearful boy in front of him, he realized—it was just a stereotype.
The Cold-kun of today was still incredibly naïve.
Uchiha Hikaru gently patted Orochimaru on the shoulder.
"A real man cries only twice in his life—once at birth, and once when his parents pass away."
"So dry those tears. Let’s go."
Hearing this, Orochimaru quickly wiped his eyes, then looked at Hikaru with earnest seriousness.
"I understand, Hikaru-kun. I won’t cry again."
Tsunade, who had been silently watching their exchange, now had a head full of question marks.
How did the conversation shift to manhood ideals? Wasn’t this about training?
Besides, it was getting late.
Uchiha Hikaru might not fear Mito Uzumaki, but Tsunade certainly couldn’t afford to take that chance.
So she cut off the heartfelt moment between the two boys.
"Hikaru, it’s getting late. We should head back."
Hikaru glanced at the slightly anxious Tsunade and immediately understood.
Mito Uzumaki had been working hard to correct Tsunade’s personality lately, being particularly strict with her.
If Hikaru came home late, he’d just get a mild scolding. But Tsunade? She might be facing a candlelit lecture marathon.
Orochimaru had sharp instincts too. Seeing Tsunade’s urgency, he realized she was eager to return.
The two boys exchanged a glance—though they hadn’t known each other long, there was already a silent understanding between them.
"Then let’s go." x2
They said it in unison and then shared a smile.
Tsunade, feeling relieved, quickly walked ahead, her rushed steps making Uchiha Hikaru want to laugh.
But then he remembered the reasons behind Tsunade’s suffering and held it in.
After all, her current treatment wasn’t without his meddling.
To laugh now would be too cruel.
’I’ll make it up to her later.’
With that thought, Uchiha Hikaru followed Tsunade with Orochimaru in tow.
Tsunade walked fast, and in no time they arrived at the old Senju estate.
Standing at the door was Mito Uzumaki, with Chinatsu beside her.
The moment Tsunade saw her, she bolted forward like a rocket.
"Grandma! I’m home ontime!"
She emphasized the words "on time" with great pride.
Mito Uzumaki chuckled. These past few days, Tsunade’s behavior had indeed been commendable.
"Good job, little Tsunade. In a few days, I’ll let Hikaru take you out for a day of fun—consider it a day off."
Mito understood the dangers of overcorrection.
That’s why she intentionally granted Tsunade a break—to let her release stress and express her childlike spirit.
Upon hearing this, Tsunade nearly jumped with joy.
Beaming with a brilliant smile, she rushed to Uchiha Hikaru’s side, grabbed his arm, and exclaimed excitedly:
"Did you hear that? Grandma said you’re taking me out to play!"
Looking at the cheerful girl in front of him, Hikaru patted her head and said:
"I heard. When school lets out in a few days, I’ll take you out and give you a surprise."
Hearing the word surprise, Tsunade’s eyes lit up with anticipation.
"What is it? What is it? Tell me!"
Uchiha Hikaru folded his arms, feigning mystery.
"Can’t do that. Surprises can’t be spoiled—otherwise, what’s the point?"
"Just hold onto that excitement. You’ll find out soon enough."
Then he pointed behind him at Orochimaru and continued:
"Besides, we have a guest right now."
Tsunade, a little embarrassed, realized it wasn’t polite to ignore a guest.
She stepped aside, allowing Hikaru to bring Orochimaru forward to Mito Uzumaki.
"Grandma Mito, this is Orochimaru. He’s a friend I met at the Ninja Academy."
Orochimaru looked at Mito Uzumaki. Though he didn’t understand why Hikaru and Tsunade called this young-looking woman ’grandma’...
His sixth sense told him: They can call her that—you can’t.
So he humbly spoke:
"Hello, big sister. I’m Orochimaru, a classmate of Hikaru and Tsunade."