A few hours later…
Noah arrived in Kyoto and headed toward his target: a genetic laboratory. Patiently, he waited outside the building until, an hour later, a worker entered.
Without hesitation, he activated his invisibility ring, and his body vanished from sight.
Following the researcher, he passed the security controls without issue and entered the lab. When the man used his card to open an internal door, Noah seized the opportunity. With a precise movement, he struck the back of the researcher's neck, knocking him unconscious.
As he observed the lab's interior, a satisfied smile crossed his face. Besides the specialized machinery for genetic studies, something else caught his attention: cloning tanks.
Several cylindrical containers filled with liquid housed small organisms and animals in suspension. Wasting no time, Noah began disconnecting and storing all the machinery inside his 4D pocket. When he was done, he left behind nothing but an empty lab and an unconscious man.
"Time to go home."
Focusing, he summoned a blue vortex. Since the Shinobi world was his place of origin and he had left a vial with his blood as an anchor, his mana consumption was significantly reduced. If before he used 50% of his energy for interdimensional travel, now he only spent 20%.
"Sigh… I'll have to store more mana if I want to keep traveling."
---
Back in the Shinobi World…
He appeared in his room and immediately closed the portal, making sure to put the rug back in place. At the same time, his invisibility deactivated, and one of the three blue gems on his ring shattered.
Noah looked at his 4D pocket with satisfaction before lying down. Everything was going according to plan.
---
One month later…
The Senju Clan residence had remained calm. During that time, Noah had traveled throughout the village, mapping the area with his magic gate scanner.
That night, inside his room, he opened it. On the other side, an immense library filled with carefully arranged scrolls unfolded before his eyes.
Activating his invisibility ring again, Noah crossed into the Forbidden Jutsu Archive, easily avoiding the ninja guards. No one detected him.
He searched among the scrolls until he found the ones that interested him the most:
1. Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu
2. Flying Thunder God Jutsu
3. Edo Tensei
4. Tobirama's Water Release
5. Hashirama's Wood Release
He memorized each one in seconds before putting them back in place.
"I'd like to stay longer, but I need to process all this information, and I'm running out of time."
He returned through the magic gate, making sure to leave no trace, and went back to his bed.
Closing his eyes, he began to assimilate and comprehend the acquired knowledge. However, while he had mastered the theory, he still couldn't use these jutsus.
First, he was only three years old. Although his chakra reserves were comparable to those of an elite Chunin, they were still insufficient to execute these advanced techniques. Second, he didn't want to skip the basics of ninjutsu. He needed to perfect his chakra control at the ninja academy first.
"Alright, let's start today's meditation."
Lying in bed, he entered a state of deep meditation, using the Kemoyin Eye Technique to stimulate his spiritual energy. His soul was naturally strong, nurtured by chakra since his mother's womb.
The Kemoyin Eye Technique had three upper ranks and an Acolyte rank, the latter divided into three sublevels. To reach Rank 1 Mage, he had to merge with the Giant Kemoyin Serpent's lineage, something that was impossible in this world.
His only option would be to create a new technique when the time came.
Inside his mind, 23 runes glowed with a blue radiance. Concentrating, he began forming a new rune.
Two hours later, the process was successfully completed.
Now, a circle of 24 runes floated peacefully in his mental space, marking his advancement to Rank 2 Acolyte. Although his spiritual strength increased by 10%, he barely felt it, as his soul was four times stronger than that of a normal person.
However, he wasn't disappointed. He knew this growth was part of the process.
Sighing deeply, he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
---
BANG!
The door to his room burst open, startling him.
"Nawaki! How many times have I told you to wake up on time?! Look at you! What time do you think it is?!"
An enraged Tsunade stormed into the room and dragged him to the bathroom, scolding him nonstop.
The mental exhaustion from the previous day had made him oversleep.
"Yeah, yeah, I got it. Stop yelling at me!"
While brushing his teeth with one hand, he waved the other at Tsunade as if shooing away an annoying fly.
BOING!
A fist landed on his head.
"Grandma Mito! Tsunade hit me again!"
Running out of the bathroom, he stuck out his tongue teasingly at Tsunade before heading to the dining room.
"Little Nawaki, come here."
Mito picked him up onto her lap with a warm smile as he hugged her.
"Grandma Mito! Tsunade lost all her money at the casino again!"
Mito shook her head, amused, while Tsunade gritted her teeth in frustration.
Deep down, Noah sighed. This feeling of family was warm and comforting.
However, Mito would die in a few years… and he had his own plans.
"I hope you can forgive me in the future, Tsunade…"
---
Two years later…
Today, Noah turned five years old.
After his birthday party, he convinced Tsunade to take him to a bar where her friends Jiraiya and Orochimaru often gathered.
"So this is your little brother, Tsunade…"
Jiraiya looked him up and down curiously.
"Hahaha! So you wanted to meet me, kid! The great toad sage, the most handsome man in Konoha!"
Noah gave him a blank stare.
"Pervert…"
Pft!
Tsunade burst into laughter, even Orochimaru smirked.
Jiraiya's face turned red with embarrassment.
Without hesitation, Noah sat next to Orochimaru, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Lord Orochimaru! Tsunade has told me a lot about you, and I think you're amazing!"
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? And what do you find so amazing?"
"You're the brightest mind in Konoha. When I grow up, I want to be like you."
For a moment, Orochimaru seemed surprised.
"What a peculiar child…" he murmured with a slight smile.
Noah watched him expectantly. In his past life, he had read many fanfics where the protagonists avoided Orochimaru like the plague. But he was different.
He had always specialized in cellular studies, but had never delved into genetics beyond what was necessary for his research. Orochimaru, however, possessed far more advanced knowledge in that field. If he could become his student or assistant, it would be fantastic.
Besides, Noah knew history well. Orochimaru wasn't inherently evil. His descent into darkness began after the real Nawaki's death, his Genin student. That loss deeply marked him, pushing him toward human experiments.
Noah, however, had no issue with these kinds of experiments.
To him, the morality of the Shinobi world was ridiculous: they allowed children to go to war but banned human experimentation. Science, in his eyes, shouldn't have restrictions, and Orochimaru's knowledge would be crucial for his future research.
"Lord Orochimaru! Would you take me as your student?"
"Eeeeh?!"
Tsunade shot up, slamming the table hard.
"Nawaki?! Is this why you insisted on coming to meet my friends?"
"Yes."
"..."
"This little brat…"
Orochimaru was silent for a moment, evaluating the proposal.
"I'll give you a test first. If you pass, I'll accept you as my student and assistant."
"Hurray!"
Noah raised his fist in victory, like any child who had gotten his way.
BOING!
A fist landed on his head.
"Stop being so noisy, everyone's staring at us," Tsunade growled, raising her fist again.
Noah immediately sat down, not daring to make another sound.
And so, while the future Three Legendary Sannin chatted among themselves, Noah sat quietly, sipping his juice and listening attentively.