Naruto: Evolution

Gen and Orochimaru continued conversing naturally. At the same time, now that he had passed the test, they also began to talk about the possibility of Gen becoming his disciple.

Orochimaru was not only one of the most powerful figures in the village but also the direct disciple of the Hokage. That Gen became his student was not something that could be decided so lightly.

Likewise, Gen could not make that decision on his own either. As a member of the Uchiha clan, accepting Orochimaru as his master was a matter he had to first communicate to his family.

...

"Orochimaru wants to take you as a disciple?!"

Inside an elegant residence, Fugaku looked at Gen in surprise, his eyebrows furrowed in disbelief.

Gen nodded calmly, "Yes, Fugaku-senpai. That's why I need you to inform the patriarch and tell me if I can accept it or not."

?

Fugaku blinked, processing the news. It was not something he expected to hear. With curiosity reflected in his gaze, he asked:

"How did you end up in contact with Orochimaru?"

When Gen sought him out, he assumed it was some minor matter, but this was something completely different. Orochimaru was not just any ninja; he was one of the most influential figures in Konoha. That he chose Gen as a disciple was not something the Uchiha clan could ignore.

Gen, without beating around the bush, briefly recounted how he met Orochimaru and the test he had to overcome that very day.

When he finished, Fugaku crossed his arms, thoughtful. Finally, he sketched a slight smile and said in a relaxed tone:

"Not bad. Becoming Orochimaru's disciple is not only a great step for you but will also benefit the clan. Don't worry, I'll talk to the patriarch and make sure we get the most out of this."

He was aware of the clan's current situation and knew that the high ranks would not reject the idea. Moreover, he was beginning to see Gen in a different light. He was not just another talented young man from the clan; soon, he would be the apprentice of one of the Sannin. That made him someone worth strengthening ties with.

Gen, noticing Fugaku's attitude, smiled naturally.

"Then, I'll leave it to you, Fugaku-senpai."

Naturally, he also noticed Fugaku's intentions of getting closer to him, which was precisely what he wanted, so the conversation developed harmoniously.

...

Night.

At the dining table, the sound of liquor hitting the glass broke the silence. Tsunade drank calmly, enjoying the moment, while Shizune ate absentmindedly, moving her chopsticks without much enthusiasm.

Seeing her in that state, Tsunade arched an eyebrow and, with a playful smile, asked:

"Shizune, what's wrong with you? Are you thinking about your boyfriend? You eat as if you were floating in the clouds."

?

Shizune blinked, shaken out of her daze. As soon as she processed Tsunade's words, her face turned red.

"Tsunade-sama!" she protested nervously, putting her chopsticks down abruptly, "Why do you always tease me about that? I already told you I like Gen, but you don't have to mention it all the time! What if someone hears you? That would be embarrassing!"

Tsunade chuckled lightly and rested her cheek on her hand nonchalantly.

"Relax, there's no one else here. But if you're so interested, I have important information about your dear boyfriend. Do you want to know or not?"

!

Shizune's eyes widened. Her thoughts, which were already revolving around Gen, became even more agitated. She leaned slightly toward Tsunade and said pleadingly:

"Tsunade-sama! You are the best, the most incredible, the wisest... Please, tell me!"

Tsunade smiled with satisfaction upon seeing her reaction. She took her time before calmly delivering the news.

"Well, seeing how insistent you are, I'll tell you. From what I know, that boy will soon become Orochimaru's disciple."

"Orochimaru... sama?!"

Shizune was completely stunned. Her mind took a few seconds to process what she had just heard.

"Is it true, Tsunade-sama?!"

Of course, she knew Orochimaru. Not only was he one of Konoha's Sannin, but she had also seen him several times alongside Tsunade.

Tsunade nodded calmly and took another sip.

"Of course, it's true. I've already been officially notified. Besides, I'll have to attend as a witness."

She let out a sigh and placed the cup on the table.

"Tch… Jiraiya has Minato Namikaze, and now Orochimaru takes an Uchiha genius. It seems I should consider taking a disciple as well. Otherwise, at the next meeting, those two idiots won't stop mocking me."

She murmured the last part to herself, frowning slightly. Without realizing it, her gaze fell on Shizune. There was something about her that made her seriously consider it.

Maybe her talent wasn't as dazzling as the other two, but she was the only person she could truly see herself training.

Shizune, however, barely paid attention to the rest of Tsunade's words. Her mind was still trapped in the news that Gen would become Orochimaru's disciple.

Her chest felt strange, as if something was pressing on it, but she couldn't explain why.

...

The Academy classroom was filled with positive vibes. After a three-day mini vacation, the students who had passed the graduation exam reunited with excitement and nervous anticipation.

"I can't handle the anxiety… I have no idea who I'll be teamed up with."

"More than the teammates, what worries me is who the sensei will be. I heard that some teams in the past had Jōnin as instructors. If we get one, that would be a relief."

"Ha! Forget about that. Jōnin aren't assigned to just anyone. Only the top students in the class get that opportunity."

Conversations came and went as the classroom filled, and the main topic quickly emerged: the instructors.

Of course, in the original story, all the new Genin had Jōnin-ranked senseis. But reality was very different. There weren't enough Jōnin available to train every newly graduated student.

At the end of the day, Jōnin weren't just teachers. They were the elite of the village, key figures in high-level operations, with authority in military decisions, and a fairly limited number. They couldn't be wasted on basic duties.

That's why most teams ended up under the tutelage of elite Chūnin, which was still an impressive achievement.

But that wasn't the only topic of conversation that day. There was something else that kept the students murmuring excitedly.

"Did you hear the rumors? They say Orochimaru-sama took Gen as his disciple."

"Yeah, I heard it too. It's crazy! That Orochimaru-sama would accept someone as an apprentice is practically a miracle."

"Well, if you think about it, it makes sense. Gen is a monster. His talent is on another level."

"Yeah… There's no way to deny it. He was the only one left for that position."

________

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