Time flowed silently.
Unconsciously, a month had passed.
On this day.
Qingchuan was still engaged in his most basic sword-slashing practice.
Though Itachi had informed him yesterday that he couldn't come today.
Practicing alone, Qingchuan didn't use this time for Kido training.
He maintained soul perception instead.
A certain gaze had been fixed on him for quite some time.
Qingchuan didn't know who it was.
He only knew this presence lingered whether Itachi was present or not.
Moreover, it showed restraint—only appearing during their training sessions.
Thus, the answer became obvious...
Either it was Uchiha Shisui intending to mentor juniors.
Or it was one of the Sannin planning betrayal—the venomous Orochimaru.
The difference between them lay in:
One could be reasoned with and harbored no ill intent.
While the other...
Would likely prove troublesome.
Therefore, Qingchuan maintained basic training, carefully controlling physical exertion.
Pretending unawareness while remaining constantly vigilant.
After a month's cultivation.
All aspects—swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, movement, and demon arts—had shown progress.
With Senbonzakura's initial release nearing 50% completion.
He now possessed some capability to resist.
This was why he hadn't fled, even contemplating a counterattack.
The sword-slashing continued.
Each movement executed with meticulous precision.
His long skirt and ponytail swayed rhythmically, creating an intriguing visual.
In the shadows.
A small white serpent observed quietly...
Indeed.
Qingchuan's perception didn't fail him.
Following Itachi, or rather discovered incidentally while surveilling Itachi—Orochimaru finally fixed his gaze upon this youth.
An intriguing girl.
From his perspective and experience, though observing briefly, he'd gleaned substantial information.
He could sense it...
This maiden's blade carried an unusual essence.
Those seemingly identical slashes held minute variations each time.
Power incrementally increased with every strike!
Every single one!
From initially discovering Itachi's secret by chance.
To now—the girl had executed nearly ten thousand slashes.
That meant nearly ten thousand power amplifications!
Truly terrifying...
Was this innate talent?
The serpent's eyes burned with fascination.
Intense fascination!
How exhilarating.
If this girl could sustain such growth.
Perhaps... she'd become another excellent candidate for body snatching?
The serpent's tongue flickered.
Orochimaru recalled his current disciple.
That compromise—selected casually to placate the old man.
Though passable in talent when measured against ordinary standards.
Compared to this girl?
Utterly insignificant.
Orochimaru suspected his foolish apprentice couldn't withstand a single slash from her!
How fascinating...
Orochimaru began contemplating how to persuade the old man about acquiring another disciple.
Though the Uchiha identity posed complications.
Though it might disrupt future plans...
But if he could unravel the secret behind her miraculous growth.
Wouldn't it be worthwhile?
Yet one puzzle remained.
Why...
Didn't this girl pursue proper training?
Persistently remaining within Uchiha territory made approach difficult...
Pondering this, the white serpent prepared to withdraw.
But as it turned—
Sudden crisis awareness jolted Orochimaru's reptilian senses!
The serpent whipped around.
Yet upon turning, the threatening aura vanished instantly.
What occurred?
Had some Uchiha detected his surveillance?
Orochimaru felt perplexed.
That lethal intent had felt utterly real—precisely targeted!
Such detection required acute perception and formidable visual prowess—possibly ocular powers.
Naturally attributing this to Uchiha vigilance.
Orochimaru sneered internally.
This clan shouting about glory while cowering in corners—is this all they can manage?
Far inferior to their ancestors...
The serpent's gaze turned contemptuous.
Yet—
An abrupt realization made Orochimaru refocus on the girl.
Her movements remained flawlessly precise.
Seemingly unchanged.
But Orochimaru's mind reeled—
Vanished!
The power amplification with each strike had disappeared!
Glaringly obvious, yet habituated to her routine, he'd overlooked this today!
Interest reignited fiercely.
Orochimaru comprehended the implication...
Have you... detected me?!
The observation persisted five more minutes.
Finally, the reluctant serpent withdrew completely.
At the training ground, Qingchuan's expression darkened as he maintained slashing practice.
"Seems training must intensify."
Pursing lips, Senbonzakura's strikes gained fiercer momentum.
Damn.
Another bastard added to the list needing punishment on skirt-removal day.