After taking a bath and having a meal, Xu Ming and Orochimaru felt refreshed. They lay on reclining chairs in the courtyard, enjoying the evening breeze, with fruits and drinks within reach.
Compared to the back mountain forest, this was pure luxury. There, they had no proper place to sleep, no decent food, and were constantly harassed by mosquitoes. It was truly frustrating.
"Being at home is so much better," Xu Ming sighed, sipping on a glass of iced watermelon juice.
If it weren't for Orochimaru, he would have stayed in the forest for a month at a time, only returning to the village at the end of each month to rest.
Orochimaru, however, lay silently beside him, deep in thought.
"Are you still thinking about Sage Mode at a time like this?" Xu Ming glanced at him and couldn't help but admire his dedication.
Orochimaru was tireless, studying day and night. Even with such tedious and complex work, he was as engrossed as if he were tasting nectar. His relentless pursuit of knowledge meant he frequently overexerted himself, forcing Xu Ming to use Yang Release to keep him from collapsing.
But since Xu Ming had Yang Release, there was no real risk of death.
The courtyard was silent, save for the gentle rustling of bamboo leaves swaying in the evening breeze.
After a while, Uzumaki Mito's cheerful voice broke the silence. "Finally finished dealing with those people. Have you two been waiting long?"
She entered the courtyard at a leisurely pace. "I planned to chat with you earlier, but I didn't expect so many visitors."
Xu Ming merely waved his hand lazily, curled up on the recliner like a dozing cat. Orochimaru, on the other hand, sat up straight.
"Mito-sama, you came just in time! I have a question for you."
"...Orochimaru, don't you ever rest?" Uzumaki Mito sighed, taking a seat on a garden bench. "Today is a festival, a day for everyone to relax. Why are you still thinking about training?"
"My apologies," Orochimaru lowered his head slightly.
"Well, since you've already asked, go ahead." Uzumaki Mito waved her hand, signaling him to continue.
"Thank you, Mito-sama."
Orochimaru stood up excitedly, bowed to her, and began explaining his recent struggles.
"Lately, I've encountered a problem in my Sage Mode training. I can't maintain the 1:1:1 ratio of physical energy, spiritual energy, and natural energy. My physical energy always reacts with natural energy before my spiritual energy can synchronize..."
As he spoke, Xu Ming straightened up, sighing inwardly.
It's finally happening.
This was the same issue Orochimaru faced in the original story—his body was too compatible with natural energy, but his spirit couldn't keep up. The imbalance prevented him from handling Sage Chakra properly.
"Has the Senju clan—or Hashirama-sama—encountered anything like this before?" Orochimaru asked, frowning.
Uzumaki Mito fell silent, contemplating for a long time.
"Mito-sama?" Orochimaru asked cautiously, sensing something was wrong.
"I recall Hashirama mentioning something similar once," she finally said, looking at Orochimaru with a sigh. "This happens because of the difference between the body's and the spirit's compatibility with natural energy. One aligns more easily than the other, but that affinity itself becomes an obstacle.
You can never achieve the 1:1:1 balance using your own energy alone.
That means... you can never enter Sage Mode.
If you try to force it, the imbalance will cause your body's energy to spiral out of control, tearing you apart from the inside."
She spoke with pity and regret.
It was an insurmountable hurdle.
Orochimaru's path to Sage Mode was a dead end.
"That... can't be..."
Orochimaru's expression changed—from shock to confusion, then finally to rigid disbelief. His entire body froze, as if he had turned to stone.
"Your talent is exceptional, Orochimaru. Even without Sage Mode, you will still become a renowned ninja. So..." Uzumaki Mito gently patted his head.
But Orochimaru remained motionless, unresponsive.
"Leave this to me, Senior Mito," Xu Ming said, stepping forward.
"Alright."
Uzumaki Mito sighed and left.
The courtyard fell silent once more.
It's devastating to see a path to greatness, only to be told you can never walk it... Anyone would struggle to accept that.
Xu Ming looked at Orochimaru, whose body was still stiff. He was about to say something to comfort him—
But then—
Orochimaru exhaled deeply. His eyes sharpened, glowing with determination.
A fierce flame burned within them, so intense it seemed almost tangible.
"Orochimaru?" Xu Ming was taken aback.
This reaction... wasn't what he expected.
"Heh, Xu Ming, did you think I would be discouraged by this?" Orochimaru chuckled darkly, his gaze resolute. "Of course, I was shaken at first. But despair? Not even close."
He clenched his fists. "I never intended to follow the conventional path to Sage Mode anyway.
If the normal route is blocked, I'll find my own way!
One way or another, I will achieve Sage Mode!"
His voice was low but carried an unshakable conviction.
Xu Ming was shocked.
Orochimaru was only eleven years old—and yet he already possessed such resilience?
"Xu Ming, from the beginning until now, my only request has remained the same." Orochimaru met his gaze, his eyes burning with determination. "Don't help me. Whether I succeed or fail, I want to do this with my own efforts.
I want to see how far I can go on my own."
His voice was as firm as iron, unwavering.
At that moment, instead of breaking under adversity, Orochimaru burned even brighter, his ambition only growing stronger.
A true genius, one who stands tall even without a bloodline advantage... No wonder he remained a force from Naruto's era to Boruto's.
Xu Ming took a deep breath, deeply moved.
"I believe in you, Orochimaru."
"You will never stand still here!"